My Goodness, It's been awhile...

I haven't posted since Feb 18...? Wow... I didn't know it had been that long. I've just been too busy. Deadlines to meet... That tournament was a lot of work... At least I kept up with my prayer journal. That's really the most important thing, anyway...!

So today looks like a total rainout and I've finally got some time to catch up...! I've been busy with lessons and administering the Houston Pro Tennis Association has been a lot more work than I thought it would be. We have our first board of Directors meeting tomorrow and I need to prepare for that later today.

Peepers Update: Peepers was diagnosed with feline leukemia but since we've quit feeding her table food snacks she hasn't been sick once in 2 weeks...! We think that maybe (hopefully) she was mis-diagnosed. So we're going to wait for a couple of months and if she still hasn't shown any symptoms we're going to have her tested again.

Coach Sam's Weight: I'm down to 222 from 228.5 last month and hope to keep on dropping those pounds. Monica's working hard to prepare good nutritious meals and I'm trying to cut down my portions and exercise more...!

Baby Watch: We go for an ultrasound that should tell us the gender of the baby next Tuesday at 8:30 AM...!

Spring Break: Connor is coming for a visit in two weeks. Arno and Judy (grand parents) are coming for a visit, too...!

Things Coach Sam Likes: I haven't reported in this category in awhile. I like good service when I go to a restaurant. And sadly, you don't see too much of that any more. But even if I have a 'bad' server, I try to be a good customer and be pleasant and see if I can make a difference in that server's day...!

Coach Sam's Childhood Memories: I completely forgot about this category. I was browsing my old AOL journal a few days ago and came across this one. I last reported on 5th Grade. If you remember, I went to Holy Cross, a private catholic school in the small town of Bay City, Texas. I got an excellent education but can't say that my religious training was all that memorable. More on that later... And more on sixth grade later too because I want to write about our teacher Mrs Sylvia Landry... Now she was a remarkable teacher...!

That's about it for now... I'll be back soon...! But I don't know if I can keep up the pace of writing every day. I think I'll just try to write every few days, or at least every week. I've got to prune a few things out of my routine to keep up my sanity, and I'm afraid that Coach Sam's journal will have to go to semi weekly instead of daily in order for me to achieve the goal of sanity...!

See you next time.... Coach Sam

Relaxing....

Ah... I'm hanging out at Diedrich's... My day is done... I had a busy, productive day. After my mid day break which was spent pretty much exclusively working on the Gran Prix tournament, I had another lesson in Seabrook. Now I'm waiting for Monica to get out of a conference our church is hosting. She should be getting out at 9:00 or 9:30 PM...

I've been catching up on email in my inbox. I had 140 when I started and now I'm down to less than 80...!

Tomorrow I've got lessons at Columbia Lakes until 2 PM then I should be home a little earlier than usual...! I'm looking forward to that. Sunday We'll go to the late service at church, have lunch, then I have one private lesson at 2 PM. My weekend's not looking too bad.

Hopefully all will go well with the Junior Gran Prix tournament. Well, I've got about an hour before Monica gets out of church so perhaps I can completely clean out my in box by then...

Check You later...

Coach Sam

New Baby Belly Photos

I've lost some of my belly since last month's photo opportunity and Monica's gained some... Hopefully that trend will continue...!

It's Friday and I need to head to Clear Lake in just a few seconds. I'll definitely log on and write a little more this afternoon during my lunch break...!

Have an awesome day and I'll check back this evening for a little more commentary on the wacky life of Coach Sam...!

Monica is starting to fill out....! 

As You can see... I'm doing pretty good....! At 3 months I was close to 228.5 and at 4 months I'm down to 222 lbs...!

Columbia Lakes News...

I had a great meeting with the management and owners at Columbia Lakes Country Club. They've informed me of many updates and upgrades and repairs in the works for the tennis facility. I'm going to be working on scheduling some big events there. That's awesome news...!

I had 4 1/2 hours of lessons yesterday. And Got four racquets strung, too. Monica had her first stringing lesson yesterday and she performed like a pro...! Pretty soon she can just take over my stringing business completely. (just kidding, Monica) No seriously, she did do a great job helping me yesterday and I'm sure that her stringing skills will prove to be very beneficial in the future.

I'm working on a few details for the Gran Prix tournament this morning and hoping to work in the yard a bit later this morning, too. I haven't mowed in a long time and although the grass isn't too high yet, it's very uneven and I could stand to do some raking, too... I'm hoping my mulcher feature on the lawnmower will take care of the raking issue...

This afternoon I'm teaching in Rustic Oaks, League City from 2 to 7 PM. I'm hoping to move those classes over to Wednesday by April so I can start going back to church Wednesday evenings. That's about it for now. I'll be back tomorrow...

Coach Sam

Another Crazy, Full Day...!

I've been up for a while... I awakened at 3 :45 AM spent a little time in my prayer journal this morning as I like to start out my day with a little visitation with God... Now I'm getting focused on how the rest of my day will pan out. I have lessons in West Columbia early this morning. Two privates at 8 and 9 AM...! Then I have a sales meeting at Columbia Lakes... Then at some point today I'll meet with the upper management to discuss a plan for increased activity at the club. In between that I need to string a couple of racquets and I have over 40 email messages that I need to attend to...! I go back on the court at 4 PM today and teach straight through until 8:30 PM... The I get to enjoy a relaxing hour and fifteen minute ride home...! That's my day...!

I'll probably sleep in tomorrow and then I want to tackle the yard. I have some raking and mowing to do...!

Thanks for reading my journal... I'll check you later! Coach Sam

A Long Day...!

It's nearly Midnite as I start this journal entry... It was a long day. Monica and I left for Columbia Lakes this morning at 7:30 AM... We got home tonight at 10:30 PM but we stopped for a nice Valentine's dinner in Pearland... I've been working on the tournament draws and first match times, getting them ready for publication in the morning.

I'm printing draws right now and I'll turn in for some much needed sleep in a few minutes.

I had a good day of lessons and a good meeting with some of the sales staff at Columbia Lakes. I'm really happy with the way things are going there....

The highlight of my day was dinner. Monica and I went to Johnny Carinos Italian Kitchen in Pearland. Dinner was great and Monica gave me a home made card. It had a beautiful sketch, a scripture verse and a sweet personal note. That was the most awesome gift I've ever received...! And all I got her was a box of chocolates....!

Well, I'm going to turn in for a little shut eye...! More tomorrow morning...! Coach Sam

Valentines Day History

Here's a little research I did about Valentine's day....

There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some historians state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honor St. Valentine.

Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ball.

In the United States, Miss Esther Howland is given credit for sending the first valentine cards. Commercial valentines were introduced in the 1800's and now the date is very commercialised. The town of Loveland, Colorado, does a large post office business around February 14. The spirit of good continues as valentines are sent out with sentimental verses and children exchange valentine cards at school.

Here's a photo of Gabriel annoying Peepers...! 

A Little Good News....

Well, we're still waiting to hear the results of Peeper's feline leukemia tests, but we did take Gabriel and Hobbes to the doctor for check ups yesterday and they are fine... That gives us hope for Peeper's, too....!

I had other good news yesterday, also in that I had a very nice meeting with the Owner of Columbia Lakes and she said that they were really going to make tennis a priority this year...! That sounds fantastic to me...!

And the sun is out this morning.... Things are looking up...!

I'm going to take care of a few things here at the house this morning then I need to head into Clear lake a little early to see about getting a racquet strung... I'm waiting on a part for my stringer to be returned from repair and it won't be here until Monday. I'm hoping my good friends at Bay Oaks Country Club can hook me up...!

I was feeling a little under the weather earlier this morning, but counting my blessings from yesterday has got me kinda pumped up and I'm feeling better now.

I've got lessons in League City all afternoon and I want to be home in time to watch ABC's Prime Time Live... They are doing a documentary about a faith healer in Brazil that sounds interesting.

Yesterday was my brother John's Birthday. We visited on the phone a long time. He's doing well. He had a nice birthday and I'm glad.

That's about all the news for now... I'll check back in tomorrow. Thanks for reading my journal...

Coach Sam

Peepers is Sick...!

Monica gave me some difficult news yesterday. One of our Cats, Peepers has been sick. She acts very healthy but she's been vomiting a lot lately. Monica took Peepers to the vet yesterday and they ran some tests and they think that she might have feline leukemia. We'll have the test results on Friday but we're hoping and praying that it's something else.

If Peepers does have feline leukemia then the vet recommends that we have her euthanized and we bring the other kitties in for testing. That's devastating news. We're still not over the death of Jack and now we might lose Peepers and possibly Hobbes and Gabriel, too. Feline leukemia is highly contagious...

Plus, it's not good to have sick animals around a pregnant child or baby. Ugggh...! We are hoping and praying for a different diagnosis. We'll be on pins and needles until we hear something Friday....

This morning I'm wrapping up the gran prix tournament and taking it to Pine Forest at 11 AM... Then I head to Columbia Lakes for an afternoon of lessons. It looks like finally the weather's going to cooperate. Last night was a total rainout...!

So, That's it for now... I need to get to work. Bye for now... Coach Sam

Setting the Frame of Mind

11:42 AM... I'm at Diedrich's... This is one of my favorite places to hang out... to just sit and think... The weather has clouded over, but I don't think it's going to rain... At least I hope it doesn't.... I'm sitting here trying to get my thoughts togetherand setmy frame of mind for the day.

I have one last player to enter for the tournament next weekend, then I can get to work tonight on organizing the draws and tournament reports. I need to send some marketing emails out this afternoon, and then I need to make a few calls, but over all I just need to psyche myself up for an afternoon of high energy tennis lessons.

I wonder why Diedrich's is such a good place to collect my thoughts...? I've always been able to relax here... I can't explain it. I used to think that it was because so many Christians hung out here. It seems that there's always a bible study or some discipling going on here.... I used to come here every day, sometimes twice a day when I lived in Clear Lake. Now I just stop in a couple of times a week at the most.

But still I always look forward to a few relaxing minutes here at the coffee shop...! I've been going full blast, non stop lately. I cherish these few moments during the week when time just slows down for a bit. This couch is so comfortable here... I've fallen asleep many times before here in Diedrich's.

I'm getting more relaxed, now. Writing helps me relax. I have to be on the court in a couple of hours but until then I can just chill out.

So, I remember the first time I met a very significant figure in my life here. We were standing in line waiting to order coffee and I was holding a book I had been reading: The biography of Saint Francis of Assisi. Steve asked me what I liked about the book. I responded that I loved reading about the life stories of great christians. What struck me about Saint Francis was his utter devotion to God. He preached the Gospel without words. His life was the Gospel.

Anyway, Steve and I became good friends after that conversation and one time when I was having a big crises he agreed to counsel me, and spent over a year discipling me in the bible. That was certainly a life changing year for me.

Maybe that's why I can think well here at Diedrich's. This place really has been the venue for some big transformations in my life. I haven't seen Steve here in awhile... I need to email him and catch up...

Well... I need to get back to business.... I think I'm in a good frame of mind now....

Check you later.... Coach Sam

The Sun is Shining...!

I saw it...! The Sun...! The Sun...! At 9:30 AM the Sun popped out...! Yea...! It's going to be a very good day! I can feel it...! I'll make this journal entry brief, because I'm about to head out to Clear Lake... I have some errands to run and I'll probably log on at Diedrich's around lunch time and catch up.

If all goes well, I'll have lessons from 2 to 8 PM tonight...! We'll see... Man, I'm ready to get on the tennis court. I'm going to have some super high energy classes today...!

OK, I'll check back later... Bye for now... Coach Sam

Cardio Tennis

That's the Big Buzz from the tennis conference. I attended several seminars Saturday and Cardio Tennis was the topic. It's all about getting a better tennis workout in a shorter time frame. It involves some high energy tennis drills set to lively music. It utilizes heart monitors to keep track of the participants heart rate and the goal is to keep the participants within 60 to 80 % of their maximum heart rate for at least 40-45 minutes. I'm going to invest in some heart monitoring equipment and give it a try. I plan to get recertified in CPR and first aid, first. There's even a certification process a person can go through to become a 'certified cardio tennis instructor'...

There's going to be massive amounts of advertising dollars put into the marketing campaign. It all sounds good to me. I could use a good workout, myself...!

So that's all the more reason to lose my weight. Who's going to take a cardio workout from a big fat instructor...? I think it would lend a little bit more credibility to my coaching is I was a bit more skinny... I'm working on it...!

Well, the day is starting off a little soggy. I'll make a decision by 7 AM if I want to drive into West Columbia this morning or not. I'll take a look at the radar and then make my decision. I may commute to Clear Lake first, and make a run to my PO Box to pick up one more entry for the gran prix tournament coming up in a couple of weeks. Some one sent a priority mail delivery that I need to sign for and that's the only thing keeping me from finishing the entries.

The entire week's forecast is wet. Sigh... How's a tennis coach supposed to support his wife and kittens...? Oh well, It'll be ok...

So, I need to get to work on various projects around here... I'd better close for the morning. I may take a break this afternoon and log in again for a mid day update... So until next time... Bye for now.

Coach Sam

Early Meeting...

I have to be at the Conference by 7:30 AM this morning... so no time for a report right now. More later... Coach Sam

Tennis School

I'm away all day at a tennis conference. I'm taking the camera and will publish a few photos over the weekend.

Take care... Bye for now...!

Coach Sam

Gabriel and Hobbes share a chair... 

Hobbes is sleeping on the floor and Gabriel is about to get in trouble.... 

Gabriel Just found Hobbes' secret hiding place...! 

Here's one relaxed kitty...! 

Here's Gabriel dozing off while Hobbes stays on duty...! 

Here's Hobbes sleeping with Gabriel keeping a look out...! 

Haven't I Got Anything Better To Do Than Publish Kitty Photos...?

Everyone Loves Kitty Photos. Gabriel and Hobbes are two very special kitties. They are always giving us a cute photo opportunity.

Our doctor's visit went well today. That was a blessing.

And today was the first day of my tennis conference. I did take a way a few good tips. It was a good day all in all...

Tonight I'm working on a presentation that I'll be making tomorrow. Friday will be a long day. I have to be at the conference by 7:30 AM for a meeting. Then I'll be there pretty much all day. Monica is coming up to join me for a party tomorrow evening.

That's how tomorrow is stacking up...

I'm taking a bunch of photos of the conference to post later.... That's about it. Until next time, Bye for now...!

Coach Sam

That was a Cold One..!

Yesterday the temps didn't freeze, but it was just cold enough, damp enough, and windy enough to be miserable. I did go to Columbia Lakes and taught one private lesson, but one cancelled and I canceled the rest of them.

My car was acting up a little. That figures because we just got finished spending nearly $1200 to get Monica's vehicle back on the road. For me, my battery light came on intermittently on my trip to West Columbia. I did make it there ok, and all I noticed was a little corrosion on the positive battery terminal head. I poured some coca cola on it and scraped it with a pocket knife. It's amazing how coke eats up battery corrosion so quickly. I can't believe that I put it in my stomach...! Well, I made it home last night with out the light coming on again so I suppose that was it.... Today, I have to take Monica to a doctor's appointment for the pregnancy. Then I head to the Woodlands for a tennis conference. That's how my day stacks up.

I wish I could write some more but I need to get ready to head out. Bye for now...

Coach Sam

Traffic..!

Wow, Im watching the traffic report this morning and it is horrible...! I'm very blessed that I don't have any lessons today until 4 PM. I won't leave the house today until 2 PM...!

This will be my only lesson day today until Sunday if the weather co-opperates. Thursday through Saturday I am attending a tennis conference at the Woodlands. I'm very much looking forward to it. I missed last year's conference that was held in Dallas and it's the first time in 13 years that I've missed it.

This year's slate of speakers looks like the best ever. There's going to be lots of good seminars and topics discussed. I can't wait to take away some new ideas, drills and programs.

The rest of the day I'm going to be working on the Gran Prix Tournament at Pine Forest, and taking care of a few other domestic duties around the house here.

Tomorrow morning Monica and I have a Doctor's appointment for her pregnancy. That's at 9:40 AM... I'll give you an update on that tomorrow evening.

Tonight is the President's state of the union address. I hope I can tune in on the radio as I drive home... Perhaps I'll get Monica to record it on the VCR.

This weekend is the Super Bowl. I don't even know who's in the finals... I just don't watch very much TV... And the Super Bowl hasn't been that big a topic on Christian Radio...

Well, it's nearly 8 AM... I need to tune in to Chuck Swindoll and get to work on the tournament. Thanks for checking in to Coach Sam's Journal. I'll see you next time...

Coach Sam

A Little Quiet Time...

OK.. It's 11:55 AM... I'm sitting at the very comfortable couch at Diedrich's enjoying a hot, rich, delicious, creamy cocoa...!

I'm pretty sure that today is going to be a complete rain out. And if it dries up this afternoon it's still going to be too cold today for lessons. This week is not going to be very friendly financially. I hope to get to teach some lessons tomorrow at Columbia Lakes but I'll be taking off the rest of the week to go to a conference at the Woodlands.

Oh well... I know I'll come back refreshed and revived with lots of new ideas for my lessons programs.

The rest of the day I'm going to work on some projects at the house. I still have a lot of tournament entries to post and numerous other domestic duties to perform. I'm thinking of cooking something on the grill this afternoon, too.

Let's see... What good stuff can I write about...? Monica and I are planning to really fix up the tennis shop at Columbia Lakes. She has some great design ideas that there's no way I could think up. I'm about to plan out the Calendar year for my tennis schedule. That's going to take some concentration.... I'd really love to start hosting more tournament events at Columbia Lakes. And I need to spice up the competitive portion of my Clear Lake and League City programs. This is just my mind wandering... But that's how I come up with some really good ideas.

I think today I'd like to recall some fond High School memories. I went to Bay City High School and had two really excellent music teachers. John Reinke was the band director my four years and Jim Popham was the Jazz Band Instructor for most of my high school career.

Those guys were awesome. Mr Reinke was like a Father. And Mr Popham was just the coolest teacher. They were both very talented musicians in their own right and were very inspiring teachers. I really developed a love for music under their direction. I went on to study music in school and although I didn't pursue music as a full time career I have always continued playing in various ensembles, bands, and orchestras.

I am active at church playing trombone in the worship band and wish I had more time to devote to that ministry. For those of you who are curious, I also play the tuba. That was my primary instrument and my major in college. I don't play tuba any more. I don't even own one. Good tub's are very expensive. I have a couple of old trombones that will do just fine for now.

I would love to learn to play guitar and hope to start guitar lessons one day. That's my artistic side. I actually always felt I was more talented in music than tennis but it's always just been easier to make a living in the tennis industry than the music industry. But I'm glad that I've kept music as a hobby. My future son or daughter is going to be exposed to music at a very early age, that's for sure.

Well... I need to get back to North Houston. Enough if this hanging out at the coffee shop...!

Thanks for checking in. I'm glad I took time to write something other than.: I'm busy, I'm rushing here and there, I'm tired, etc....







Hmmm... thsi blogger software seems to be acting up... I think i'll close here... Talk to you later...

Coach Sam

Big Rain Day

This day is a bust for me. There's defintely not going to be any tennis today. But i need to run down to Clear Lake and take care of a little business. Then I'm going to work out of my house the rest of the day. I've go the next Gran Prix Tournament to work on, and numerous other projects, too.

I'll try to take a little break later today and write some words of great significance and wit.

Bye for now... Coach Sam