Goals for Soldiers

The ladies behind the goals

2009-05-25T09:44:00.001-07:00

So here are the ladies that make all the goals happen!
My Wed night women's team: SKEEZERS

From left to right, back row: Lisa, Stacey, Amy, Jess, Missy, Jen (me), Nellie
From left to right, front row: Jess P, Michelle, Heatheryn, Kristen
Very front with the ball: Our rockin goalie, Jo

Same picture, different pose
Those on the team but not pictured: Sierra, Dawn

The back row decided to show our best side. :)

Gooooo SKEEZERS!

May 20th

2009-05-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

Oh wow! We knew we were in for a tough game this week. We were playing a new team in the league. A team full of marathon runners. There really is only 1 girl on their team that doesn't have excellent skills. Their quick, move well off the ball, and pass with precision. We played them once before and lost 6-1. It was a tough game and we all were tired. We were missing a few of our key players that week and believed with those girls we would have given the other team a much better run for their money.

So, this week, those girls were back. Unfortunately we were missing several other players, but luckily were able to get enough subs this time. Oh, did I mention our up and coming superstar player, Sierra finished her HS season the day before and was able to play with us? Yes, she did!

The game was tough. We were all playing hard, running lots and keeping up with them. Michelle was all over the place, running to all sides of the field. We all played well, and during the 1st half we were controlling the game. I really believed we had a good chance to take these marathon running girls. We had several shots and were passing the ball well. But in the end, we only were able to put in 1 goal. They were able to put in 2. For most of the game the score was tied, but unfortunately they pulled it out.

I love these close games. It's rare that our team scores less than 5 goals. This game was challenging and hard. But, if you're not looking for a challenge, well, what's the point? I can't wait to play them again. I think we can pull it off next time.

Name in lights: Lisa

Current Goal Count:
157
We only have 5 weeks to get the remaining 43 goals. That's an average of 9 goals a week...ugh, that might be pretty tough. Plus we don't want to make the other teams mad buy running up the score. Weeeeeeeellllll...maybe we can get 15 goals against one team in particular. ;) But I'm not going to name which team.

My goal count is still: 104

May 13th

2009-05-25T09:12:00.000-07:00

So this is the week we played the girl who's known as the wife-beater shirt girl. She's known for her rough play and whiny mouth. Once several months ago, I had the ball at my feet, she came from behind, hit me in my back, and caused it to pop several times. I then said in my really mean and tough voice (yeah, right, lol!), "lady, you better not do that again". To which she replied, "oh, you're a big girl, you can handle it." So, I came back with my striking tongue saying "you're a stupid girl." ROFL! Wow, I really got her with that, didn't I?

She's also been known to crash people into the boards. She's been ejected from several games. I heard her once make several comments after slamming her body at several of our girls..."don't hurt me girls! I only weigh 115 pounds!" It's true, she's skinny. She is tall, but has a very thin body. But that doesn't mean she doesn't know how to use it to hurt people! We all know that some of the smallest girls can cause the most havoc...i.e. Missy! No, I'm kidding, it is just a well known fact that Missy is thin, but knows how to get in there and use her body. :) And this girl knows just how to do that too. But, the fun part is hearing her cry after she gets hit. If you're going to dish it out...you need to take it honey!

So the team hype started the day before our game. Jo sends out the weekly email: we're playing this team at this time. We all replied back and forth, OH, it's that team, with the wife-beater girl? OH, IT'S ON! Jessica loves her the most, with many explicatives to explain who wife-beater is. Carol did not know who she was, so decided to sub with us that night to see. Unfortunately, Carol only got to see just a few minutes of her because wife-beater and Stacey got into it and both were read carded. Carol later told me she was disappointed she didn't get to see more. Lol!

Even though wife-beater is a big pain in the butt, she is one of the better players on the team. So after being thrown out, we took more control the game. The final scored ended up being 6-2.

Name in lights: Michelle (after breaking her non-scoring streak), Amy, Lisa, Nellie, Jen

Oh, and Lisa mentioned many time she had 4 assists, so I didn't want to leave that out. So everyone knows now. :) Lol! Goooooo Lisa!

Current Goal Count:
156 goals
only 44 goals to go before June 30th, however since Dave's deployment is extended, I may continue the fundraiser until his deployment is over

My current goal total is 104. I'm still keeping count. :)

May 6th

2009-05-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

This week we had plenty of subs. We played really well together. There were some interesting things that happened during the game...like Michelle throwing herself into the boards! Lol! She was challenging the keeper and her feet flew out from underneath her and she slide knee first into the boards. I'm sure it really hurt! But, she's a trooper and kept on playing, running up and down the field, back and forth. Jess got completely wiped out in the box!!!! She was about to score a goal, but the defender for the other team ended up coming in a taking Jess completely out. The foul resulted in a penalty kick to which Amy had a beautiful shot! The ball hit the inside of the left post with velocity and deflected to the inside of the right side of the goal. Gooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllll! Nellie made a SWEET pass to Heatheryn across the box and Heatheryn punched it right in. I'd been trying to make that pass all night and just couldn't get it done. Thank God for Nellie! Joe made a beautiful save! She crouched down and got her hand on a ball I didn't expect anyone to get to! Good job ladies! All and all the final score was 6-2.

Name in Lights: Heatheryn, Lisa, Jen, Jess, Amy

Best part of the game: making the team take a team picture afterwards. I'll post that on here soon.

Goal totals
150 Scored
(Individually I have 99 now)
Only 50 more goals!!!!!

April 29, 2009

2009-05-04T10:11:00.000-07:00

You know what's great about my team? We never give up. And we play well together because we've known each other for a long time. This week game was against a team with a reputation of being dirty. A few years ago their keeper bit another teams player on the shoulder (I think it was there). I guess she's a Mike Tyson wanna be. When my team heard about this atrocious action we decided to set out to teach those girls a lesson. And so the test would insue to see if we could score the most goals on a team ever recorded at the soccer dome. It would be a very tough task, but one we were confident we had a chance to beat. The previous highest scoring game: 32-0. We ended our lesson teaching game scoring 28 goals and giving up 0. We basically scored a goal every 1.7 minutes. Just shy of the record, but enough to show we weren't happy with the team.

So with that background, you can expect we knew we were in for a fun filled jog around the pitch with these girls. They've gained a huge following of roudy, yelling, whistling, complaining, non-English speaking fans. In fact, the ref ended up throwing out a few of their fans this week. It's always a good time. This week we would let them take the lead in the first quarter to which all of our team looked around at each other in the eye to say "Really???? We need to get it together!" And we did. By the games end we had scored 8 goals and won the game 8-1. While we struggled in the beginning, we got it together by the 2nd quarter and rocked it out! Good job girls!!!!!! Name in lights: Stacey, Jen and MISSY! Who was on FIRE with 4 goals this week! Nice!

Goal Count
144 goals scored
72% Done

Since I'm now back to playing I've decided to keep a side tally of my goals...I am currently at 98.

Dave's return is delayed

2009-04-28T11:10:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted much about Dave's deployment in this blog, but I did want to let everyone know that Dave was supposed to come home this month. However, if he did come home he would be redeploying this summer for another year. He had the option to stay with another unit until November. By staying he would be home for at least a year. He chose to stay, and I think it's the best decision no matter how much it hurts and how upsetting it is for this deployment to continue.

This is truly one of the hardest things I've been through. Our communication hasn't been the best...we've talked on the phone 4 times since last July with the last time being on Christmas. In the beginning we could talk on email everyday. Around the middle of January he has been very limited on email, in fact I went from 2/24 to 4/24 without any communication from him. He is now with his new unit and is in a more dangerous location than before. These past 10 months have been very difficult and I would truly appreciate any prayers for his safety, patience and our strength as a couple.

Thank you!

Guess what....I'M BACK!!!!!!!

2009-04-28T10:54:00.001-07:00

Mid-April I got an MRI done, nothing seemed to be structurally wrong, SO I'M BACK! I'm so excited! I can play my favorite sport again! Now, this doesn't mean I'm out of the woods yet...I still have some things I need to do. I talked to the most awesome physical therapist ever and she told me that I have some pattern/strength issues with my leg. So I'm now doing physical therapy to see if I can get my leg functioning properly again. BUT, I'm playing soccer now, so I could care less! And, the therapy really seems to be helping. :D

But, since I've been so far behind my women's team will still have to donate all their goals to give us a chance to get to 200 by June 30, 2009. So, here's an update with all the April games so far:

April 1, 2009
I believe this was a game I did not attend...bad bad girl! But, I do know we scored 6 goals during this game! Good job ladies!!!!!!!!! My team is red hot!

April 8, 2009
Well dang it! We had a forfeit this game...isn't that sucko! So, for forfeits we only are given 4 goals as a team. We did still play a game...but I don't know the exact number of goals my girls scored...so for now I'm going to add 4 goals.

April 15, 2009
My 1st game back since 2/18! Oooooooo, my team is good! We played against some ladies that we have played against for years. We had a good game and it's always great to get out there and run again! Though I'm very slow and can't make my regular moves. My team scored 8 goals this game to win 8-2. Names in lights for scoring goals: Michelle, Jess, Lisa and Me (yippee, getting goals again!)

April 22, 2009
Wow, we had a really tough game this week!!!!!! We were playing some girls who had a lot of skills and were in pretty good shape. For God's sakes they run marathons! We don't do that! :P Plus by game time we ended up being a little short on girls, only 2 subs. And our main quickie girls, with tons of endurance were not there. So, we ended up losing for the 1st time in a long time!!!!!!!! Oh well, you can't win them all...and plus it's good to lose once in a while (though I hate it!). Final score of this game 6-1. Name in lights for scoring: Me

GOAL TOTALS
According to my spreadsheet we have scored 137 goals.
Somehow I got a little off on my count total before...I may go back and look, or I may not. All I know is my spreadsheet is right. Shoot! Anyway, we are a little behind right now...we need a rally! :D

Go girls Go!

2009-04-08T16:23:00.000-07:00

So, I my women's Wed team took the challenge to finish my attempt to get 200 goals! It's been about 4 weeks since they agreed to it. I try to make it to every game since I'm now a reporter and keeping track of their progress. :)

3/11/09
The 1st week the girls did great! They won and got 6 goals. The projected weekly amount of goals they need to complete 200 is 7 per week. So, at this point we're only 1 behind. Total at this point is 103 goals! Good job ladies!

3/18/09
2nd week, my ladies of course won again! Woooohoooo! My girls like NEVER lose! This week they hit their targeted goals, 7. We are still only 1 behind. Total at this point is 110.

3/25/09
3rd week, of course we won! I was there to cheer them on! Like usual, my big mouth was going the whole game on the sidelines. :) It's a good thing they humor me. This week they got another 6 goals! Total at this point is 116.

4/1/09
April Fool's Day of course! Well, I just have to say, my girls team made the other team look like fools, scoring 9 goals! I unfortunately wasn't there to witness it, shoot! They completely made up for the 2 goals we were down and we're right back on track! We now have 125 goals. Yippee!

4/8/09
Tonight the girls have a game, and I'm heading down there in a few hours to watch with my pen & paper since I'm now a reporter. :)

Reason #2

2009-03-09T10:42:00.000-07:00

So, after waiting the 4 weeks for my thumb to close up I decided I was ready to try playing again, even though my knee was still swollen and bothering me. Ooooh, and I went ahead and decided I could play before I saw my thumb doctor to...but don't tell him. ;)

It was Saturday morning. My team had 2 games that day against 2 really good opponents. So, it was going to be a tough first day back, but I knew I could do it. The 1st game went pretty well, not too many issues with my knee. But during the 2nd game I could feel my knee start to stiffen up. Every time I would sub for 3 minutes it was like I needed to warm my knee back up again once getting back on the field. This was not a good sign.

The game ended and I headed home. By the time my drive was over my knee was significantly bothering me and I was limping with each step. I decided to take it easy the rest of the day, ice it and elevate it. I did the same on Sunday too, but since it was not getting any better I knew I had to make the call to my surgeon. We had talked 5 weeks previously when my soccer team played his team. I had told him my knee had been swollen for 2 or 3 weeks, he checked it out and said, "Get a tight wrap on it and take 5 Aleve a day for a week if it's not better in 2 weeks call me." Well, come on, I don't want to go into the doctor...plus I blew out my thumb so I decided to just wait. After playing those 2 soccer games on Sat I knew it wasn't going to happen and I needed to give in and see him.

At the appointment he said he'd like to scope it. I told him my concern of spending $1500 for the surgery and not finding anything wrong. He decided to give me a steroid shot to try for a less costly approach. Within 2 days my knee felt pretty good! I called the doctor and said, "can I play tonight"? I was shocked and excited to hear, "yes, you may". So, I happily played and that's when stuff inside my knee started getting weird. It felt very loose. It felt unstable. It popped often and occasionally the pops would be very painful causing me to double over. At that point I did what I normally do...waited to see if it would get better. A week and a half later I'm working outside and I'm wearing a lot of clothes to keep warm, plus my heavy tool belt. My kneecap was going all over the place! Every step I was afraid it was going to shift and cause me to double over. And that's when I decided things just aren't right. I had to admit that I needed to consider the option of surgery.

I contacted my doctors nurse, also named Jennifer. She's really sweet and I guess she thinks I'm alright because she knows I'm not trying to get any drugs out of her. So she takes the time to discuss things with me. After telling her my symptoms she said it sounds like I'm experiencing Pattaler Subluxations. It's where the kneecap slightly dislocates for only a brief moment and then goes back into place. I'm waiting a few months, trying rehab on my own in the meantime. But in either April or May, I will be making a trip to get an MRI and will have it reviewed by my Orthopedic Surgeon and discuss having an additional surgery.

I am hugely disappointed. I wanted more than anything to challenge myself to score 200 goals, but it's just not going to work out for me like that. So, I've been recruiting and my Women's team is going to help me! They are donating all of their goals and attempting to reach 200. I'm also going to speak to my Saturday team as well. Combined they need to get 7 goals a week to reach the 200 by June 30, 2009. Good luck teams!!!!! I can't wait to watch you guys make this happen!

I'll be posting their progress on here...so stay tuned to hear about their success!

Updating on the last 100,000 weeks...ok not that much really

2009-03-06T10:37:00.000-08:00

So a lot has happened since I last wrote. I've now played in a total of 92 games and scored a total of 90 goals. I am WAY behind...and there's a reason for it. Around late October I ran into a dry spell. No matter what I did I could not score! I was getting so frustrated which likely added to the my inability to score. My Wed night women's team keeper, Jo...what a crack up. She asks me before every game, what number are you on? At first I didn't hear here, but she'd stand back in goal and holler right before I scored...68!!!!!!!!! The next goal, when I had the ball right before I'd take a shot...69!!!!!!!!! So adorable! Well, I never heard her until I hit that dry spell...and every time I'd hear..."75...Ooooooo" :( And again..."75...Ooooooo dang!" Lol! Why did I start hearing her then...when I was screwing up? :) I did love it though...such an encouragement to continue to work towards my goal.

REASON #1
So January 19th, I'm sitting there with 88 goals...way behind, but it's probably still manageable if I pick up some more games here and there, when... BLAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hit the ever living LOVE out of my thumb with a hammer at work. I was trying to hit the tip of a chisel with my hammer to break away the asphalt street. It was about 10 degrees that day so the asphalt was frozen. I was swinging with everything I had and completely missed and smashed my thumb into the pavement. At first I thought...DANG, I'm going to have a BIIIIIIIIG bruise! When I took off my glove, I knew it was much much more. At first I looked at my palm, filled with blood. I knew I didn't want to look at my thumb, I didn't want to see the big mess I had made of it...was it still there? Did I break it? Did it come apart? Well, in a way yeah. I couldn't see where or how bad the damage was because there was too much blood. So I told my co-worker Ryan, I may have to go to the hospital...I'm going to go to the truck to find something to clean off the blood. I find the first thing available: A Subway napkin. You know the one with all the nutritional information on it? Yep, it was the thing I could find the fastest. So I took the Turkey Breast nutritional info napkin and placed it on my badly damaged thumb. I started to blot it to get a better picture of the damage. It didn't take me long to see my skin sticking to the napkin and lifting up with every blot, AUGH I need stitches STAT!

So, off I went, to the hospital. Had Ryan help me get my phone and called my Mom with that quivering voice..."Mom, I've hurt myself and I have to go to the hospital. Which one should I go to?" She met me there and after a waiting period of 2 hours (at 2 different hospitals) I got in and saw the doctor. Everyone who had looked at my thumb said "Do not look at this" I already told them "I won't" I was cool, it wasn't horrible because I had no idea what it looked like. I think if I would have seen it, the tears would have flowed! I even had nurses who looked all brave and smiley to me, and once the got out of my sight they would look at my Mom with a horrified face! You know the kind you make when you can just imagine the pain someone else had to have felt?

So, the doctor proceeded to stitch me up, 12 stitches in all. But, there was an area he wouldn't be able to stitch. It was too damaged and my skin was like rice paper, ripping with each attempt at stitching. He did an amazing job, and had very good bedside manners. He humored me with every little request I made. When it was all said and done...he said, "wow, I must say, you gave me quite the challenge." And I have to tell you, after the initial shock crying, the only other time I cried was during 2 of the countless shots (maybe around 20) to numb the area.

And off I went. Home to eat some really great cheeseburger, fries and drink a delicious chocolate milkshake. The next day I would see a hand surgeon who gave me the bad news. I asked "I have a soccer game tonight...I am not going to play, but can I play in 2 days?" He looked at me like I was about to be checked into a mental institution and said "No" As simple as that. No, if the wound is open, you will not play. That was reason #1, which cost me 4 weeks of games, putting me more and more behind.

Week 17 Update

2008-11-03T05:37:00.001-08:00

Well, since October 23rd I have played 6 games, but only scored 3 goals. For some reason I seem to have hit a drought on Wed night Women's league. Hopefully that will change this week. My 3 goals have all come on Friday night Coed games.

Current Goal Count
69 = 34.5%
Dave's deployment is 34% complete

I need to step it up!!!!!!!!!

Weeks 13-16 update

2008-10-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

So, again, it's been awhile since I've updated this site. I've played 18 games in the last 4 weeks, so an average of 4 1/2 games a week. That seems like a lot doesn't it? Anyway, in the first 12 weeks I had played 39 games, and scored 51 goals, for an average of 1.3 goals per game. In the last 4 weeks I've scored 15 goals bringing my per game goal average to 0.83 goals per game...shoot!

I did hit a dry spell about a week ago going 6 games with only scoring 1 goal. But that streak ended with our final game in a tournament in Tulsa. My women's outdoor team travels to Tulsa every 3rd weekend in October to compete in the Soktoberfest tournament. It's always a great time! Last year we lost in the finals in double overtime to a bunch of 18 year olds (I'm 33) so we worked our butts off that weekend. This year I was concerned, would I be a hinderance to my team since I'm still recovering from my ACL surgery? Would I even be any help at all? Well, this final game eased my fears and ended my dry spell. We won the game 4-0 and I scored 3 of the 4 goals. I was so surprised and happy. Annette provided 2 GREAT assists and I had a wonderful through ball from Ashley putting me 1 on 1 with the keeper for the 3rd goal. I wasn't able to contribute as much as I did last year, but I wasn't hurting us too much either. So, all and all, it was a great tournament.

I also have now played 2 games in the men's middle division on Monday night. It's a team I started with all girls to play against the guys. Many of us girls have left the team and it's pretty much all guys. When I hurt my knee I had Joe take the team over for me, with the promise that I would return after I recovered. I started playing in the women's division and now I'm working my way back into the men's division again. Oooooo, I'm so exicted! Though the last game I played I almost puked from running to much!

Goal Count
66 goals = 33% complete
Dave's deployment is 31% complete
I'm still ahead, by 4 goals now. I need more though!

Week 11 & 12 Update

2008-09-26T10:49:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness I play too much soccer! Since the last post on Sept. 13, I have played 8 games.

Sunday = 0 goals
Ugh! I hate not scoring goals! ;) I did get some good exercise, and it was a tough game...but I WANT GOALS! HA!

Wednesday Women's = 3 goals
Now that's more like it! It was a fun game and I brought my average back up!

Friday Night Coed (3 games) = 3 goals
So yeah, needless to say my knee has trouble when I play 3 games in one night. I was almost not able to walk after all those games (indoor). I did get 1 goal in each game. My favorite goal came from a corner kick. The keeper was a foreign guy who seemed to be nice, but a little cocky. Obviously a corner kick is not a very good angle to shoot from, but he was completely standing away from the goal marking a pass play. I took one look at him and said to myself, you're being disrespectful and I'm going to teach you a lesson. Ha, well I guess the competitive side got to me! So, standing on the right corner kick, I kicked the ball outside of my right foot, and it bent right and into the goal! GOTCHA SUCKA! ;) Just messing around.

Sat Coed = 0 goals
Again no freaking goals! To be completely honest I was exhausted from the night before's games. I had no energy and I'm surprised I could run. Each time I took the ball to the goal, my shots were so weak an infant could have stopped them.

Monday's Men's League = 0 goals
Yippee!!!!! My 1st game back in the men's division! I actually played against my surgeon that repaired both of my ACL's. He mentioned that my cutting and turning and speed were looking pretty good. I did hit the post in this game...and was not happy about it. I tried to put too much spank on it. Shoot! I should have placed it.

Wednesday Women's = 4 goals
Oh my goodness...we played a team that's feisty! They tried to fight our youngest player on the team, she's 14. Needless to say, her Mom shot over to the fight like a lightening bolt! We ended up winning the game 9-5 taking over 1st place again! And I got to add 4 to my total!

Goal Count
51 = 25.5% = 149 left
Dave's deployment is 24% done so I'm ahead by 3 goals!

WHOOOOHOOO!

Week 10 Update

2008-09-13T17:54:00.000-07:00

Since my last post on Tues Sept 9 I have played 5 more soccer games.

Wed Night = 1 goal
In Women's league we played the toughest team in our league and lost in overtime! Shoot! I did manage to get 1 goal in this game, but I guess it wasn't enough to make the difference in the game. Oh well, we will beat them in the finals! ;)

Friday Night = 2 goals
I had my marathon soccer night. I played 3 games in the coed leagues. 2 games in the upper division and 1 game in the lower division. I must say playing coed is somewhat challenging for me right now. My quick movements are very slow right now: stopping suddenly, cutting, turning quickly. I have quite a bit more room for improvement since my knee is not back to par. Three years ago when I tore my other ACL it took me about 2 years to feel like I was actually on top of my game again...ugh, it's only been 2 1/2 months back since this current ACL injury. But, I managed to squeak out 2 goals during these 3 games. And for the night my teams were 2-0-1...not bad.

Saturday Morning = 1 goal
I enjoy playing Sat mornings, even though my body doesn't particularly enjoy it...especially after playing 3 games the night before. It was a difficult game and I dug down deep to keep myself moving towards the end of the game. We managed to pull off a 3-1 win, and I was able to get 1 goal during this game.

Current Goal Count
41 = 20.5% completed
Dave's deployment is 20% complete, so I am ahead by 1 goal. Yippee! I'd like to extend that lead some more! ;)

How to Donate

2008-09-09T10:37:00.000-07:00

Our military and their families have been through so much in the last 5 years. Many families must travel across the world to see their loved ones if they are injured at war. The Fisher House helps with the cost of travel and lodging, making it possible for family to be their while their loved one is recovering.

This is a video about Fisher House: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMsuzqmzrq0&feature=related

My fundraiser is much like the MS 150 or another other walk/run for a cause. My attempt is to score 200 goals within the next year. You are welcome to donate per goal, or 1 lump sum. Donations can be made at http://www.active.com/donate/teamfisherhouse/goalsforsoldiers

At the time of this message I currently have 37 goals, I'm right on pace! :)

Thank you so much for your support! God bless you!

Goals for Soldiers Background

2008-09-01T14:05:00.000-07:00

My boyfriend, Dave, is in the Army and deployed to Iraq in early July. In honor of Dave and all our soldiers dedicating their lives to our country and our safety I am creating a fundraiser called Goals for Soldiers. Per Dave's selection, all money donated will go to the Fisher House™.

Before I explain the details of the fundraiser, some background information is needed. In January of 2008 I had my second ACL reconstruction surgery. I had torn my ACL during a soccer game in December of 2007. After my surgery Dave was extremely supportive. He would come by making sure I was ok, bringing me lunch, cooking me dinner, and helping me around the house. He would take me places to get me out around town. He even planned a special dinner for Valentine's Day and made sure the restaurant was able to accommodate me with crutches and need to prop my leg up. He was always so thoughtful and considerate.

July was my expected return to sports. Many of you already know that soccer is a huge part of my life. I've been playing soccer for 27 years now and time off seems to drag on and on. I also learned that Dave was deploying in mid-July. But, at the last minute his deployment date was moved up 8 days to July 2nd, meaning I had to cancel my trip to visit him the 4th of July weekend. Of course I was devastated. He had already been gone from my hometown for a month and I wouldn't get to see him for another year. I was heartbroken. To pick up my spirits I asked him, "How many goals do you think I can score while your gone?" His reply, "50." My reply to that, "Heck no, I'm going for 200! And I'm going to dedicate every one to you!"

Of course this became my new contest. I had set my sites high. But if you know me, you know I like that. And so I got out my calculator. I figured I'd need to score 16 goals a month, approximately 4 goals a week. So, on July 2nd, at the very moment Dave was boarding a plane for Iraq, I was playing my 1st game back my injury. I scored 3 goals that game. I was well on my way.

While discussing my progress with some friends, they suggested I use this as an opportunity to raise money for an organization dedicated to helping the military and their families. Leaving the organization up to Dave, he selected the Fisher House™. The Fisher House™ Foundation donates "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times - during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury. And unfortunately that need has increased since our country has been at war.

I'm not very accustomed to asking for money. But, if you would like to support the military and their families with me you there are 3 ways you can donate to the cause "Goals for Soldiers". You can donate on a per-goal basis, a one time sum, or a donation at the end if I achieve 200 goals. The end date of this fundraiser will be June 2009. Donations can be made at this secure web site: http://www.active.com/donate/teamfisherhouse/goalsforsoldiers.

If you'd like more information about The Fisher House™, please visit www.fisherhouse.org.

I will be posting my progress on this blog from time to time, so please check back and see how we are all doing. Thank you in advance for supporting the selfless heroes who keep our country safe! God bless you!