2012 – Year of the Jaguar!

Sunday is more than the start of a New Year, it’s the beginning of a new era in Jacksonville. Everyone within 100 miles of Everbank Field should be making plans to be there for the game this weekend; I have no doubt it’s going to be one to remember.

First, it’s our chance to thank the Weaver’s for putting our city on the map. Before the Jaguars, we were basically ‘South Georgia’ to most people. We didn’t matter. Now, ask just about anyone where Jacksonville is and they can tell you – we’re home of the Jaguars! And because of them, our city has enjoyed numerous benefits: jobs, increased donations to charities, the opportunity to spend 5 months a year draped in teal & black, oh and let’s not forget – a freakin’ Super Bowl! All of this would not have happened without the Weaver’s and it’s our turn to support them by coming out Sunday to say ‘Thank You!’

Another reason why you need to be there Sunday – it’s the last game of the season.

I Feel You Boys

It’s been a hard year for us Jaguar fans. Days leading up to the games, we get pumped and hold out hope that this will be the one game that turns our season around, only to have it literally slip through our hands. Yesterday, I sat in my seat and listened to the ‘fans’ around me. Most were screaming at Jack Del Rio (no surprise there), but many were actually booing our Offense each time they left the field. The energy in the stadium felt so negative and I think that can be felt on the field too. 

Good Mourning

So, most of you know I am a HUGE Jaguar fan. Though, as my husband points out to me quite often, I am not a typical football fan. I actually became a fan because of one player – David Garrard. I can just image the comments on that statement (What?! Are you kidding me?, Etc), but it is a fact. I had the pleasure of first meeting David in 2007 when he began helping out the local Susan G. Komen for the Cure Affiliate. David lost his mom to breast cancer, so he wanted to give back. He’s been the honorary chair for Race and in 2008, he started working with me on Laugh for the Cure. He, and his beautiful wife, both would come out to the event, mingle with guests, do a little shopping and enjoy the show. He was gracious enough to donate an autographed helmet & jersey for our live auctions, but instead of simply sitting by as it was put up for bid, David personally got on stage and encouraged people to donate.

Blue instead of Pink

It’s hard to believe that I left my job six months ago. It’s even harder now that it’s nearly October. For the last six years, every October has been consumed by all things Race related. My whole life revolved around finding a cure and educating people on the importance of early detection. While my passion still remains, my loyalties have shifted. I once held a certain organization in the highest regard. I assumed I would spend the remainder of my working career as part of that company and would hopefully play a small part in helping to find a cure. But after having my eyes opened over the past year, I could no longer remain. It broke my heart to leave. I felt as though I was letting my friends and those I had lost down by walking away. But you can only be a door mat for so long before they wear you down to nothing. 

Jag Fanatic

You know that feeling you get when you are heading down the first drop of a roller coaster? Imagine that feeling for 4 hours 10 times a year! That’s what it feels like at a Jacksonville Jaguar game. The moment I step out of my car, I have goose bumps! Just seeing Everbank Field and the crowd descending upon the stadium makes me feel like a kid on Christmas morning. Even before the game starts there is so much to do. I always check out the Sea Best tent for some FREE fried shrimp and scallops, Tire Kingdom for some mints (and a chance to win $$), the variety of other vendors passing out goodies and I always try to find my favorite radio mascot The Big Ape from WAPE! 

I See Jaguars Everywhere

Obsessed. Crazy. Nuts.Wacko. These are just a few of the terms used to describe me by my family over the last week. I blame it on the NFL lockout. I think the lack of a CBA and no spring training camp built up an unusual amount of Jag fever in my system and it’s finally bursting out. I admit that I may have an unusually high fascination for the boys in teal, but I don’t think I need to be committed just yet.

This all came to a head yesterday at my daughter’s orientation for high school. This very cute boy was trying to convince her and a friend that they should join ROTC. I kept looking at the kid’s face and gestures as he spoke and for some reason he just reminded me of Rashean Mathis. This of course was directly after telling a guy in the cafeteria that he looked a lot like David Garrard. He smiled and said, ‘If you look at my backside, you’ll see a difference…”

Crazy bout them Boys

I’m sitting here at home wishing I was sweating at the practice field with my boys in Teal. Crazy? Maybe, but something happened to me two years ago. I was one of those fans that went to a few games but never bought season tickets. Then, one day, Tony Boselli appeared on TV asking us to step up and support our team. I thought of all the times the players, especially David Garrard, had come out and supported the charity I worked for and thought, ‘How can I ask them to donate time and items to my cause and not support theirs?’ I bought season tickets on the 30-30 plan the next day. 

Ladies Who Lunch

Nothing gives me a bigger boost of happiness than spending time with some very special friends. It doesn’t have to be someplace special and it doesn’t have to be expensive. As long as there is beer and some good food, we are there. Today, I was happy to reconnect with some girls from my Komen days. It’s always great to see them. These women have been through hell and back as breast cancer survivors and still always see the positive in things. They remind me that although things may be not going well for me, there are always those who have it worse. How can I possibly complain when they have stared death in the face and come out on top? They are both amazing; helping others going through treatment, raising money for the cause and just enjoying life. I am honored to be their friend.

Two hours of chatting, gossip, catching up and looking toward the new football season (fingers-crossed) completely renewed my batteries. Although we span many decades between us, come from completely different backgrounds and only met because of a shared cause, I sincerely hope these ladies stay in my life forever. They are the rainbow in my otherwise cloudy day. So, I raise a glass of beer to the ladies who lunch and here’s hoping it’s not too long before we do it again!

When it Rains, it Pours

Just when I think things cannot get worse… Today I find out my coolant reservoir has a leak and must be repaired (Dealer only item) $270 cha-ching! This after my kitchen flooded last night after the bottom of my garbage disposal apparently rusted out – $100 cha-ching! Now, I really can’t get mad about the disposal, it lasted 20 years. But it seems as soon as something goes wrong, everything starts to fall apart. Is this some cosmic rule because I’d like to change it. I was so worried about something else breaking that I shut off my air-conditioning unit during this afternoon’s storm because I had quite a bit of standing water in the yard. Definitely not something I want to replace right now!

Now, the bright side of not having a job and being broke is that it makes you very resourceful.

Everything’s Just Beachy

Frankly, I am exhausted. I haven’t been sleeping much since I lost my part-time job last week due to the company closing. I have been looking for full-time work for over 5 months without any luck, so my prospects for getting even another part-time gig soon don’t seem great. I hate putting the financial burden of our family on my husband, but I’m running out of ideas and places to apply. I know I’m not alone in unemployment, but it sucks. Haven’t cut my hair, gave up all extras, have sold pretty much anything I can live without and still the bills keep stacking up. It’s everything I can do not to bust out crying most of the time. I guess doing the right thing sometimes comes at a price. Would I do it again knowing what I know now? In a heart beat.

So, as I left my office for the last time today after helping my boss pack up the remainder of the office, I felt this enormous weight on me.