I Heart...being able to RUN, JUMP, SKIP...ETC...

I know in this century and this age of technology, there are so many things that we manage to take for granted. It's natural, and I know that I am not the only one guilty of it, but I usually try to learn from life's little lessons (some times are more successful than others).
In March I fell in my shop at work, something I know all of my Facebook friends know...and since then my running had to be cut short a little more everyday until in June I couldn't run any more, tried walking, but that too ended up being just too painful. So since mid July I haven't been able to do anything, and finally last Tuesday when I had knee surgery.
Instead of the torn meniscus that Dr. Tom thought he would find, he found that I had arthritis that had set in since my most recent "Bella Swan Moment" and the accident had pushed out some of my cartilage, which was causing all my pain. So for the past 1 week and 2 days...here I have been, minus one trip back to Cobb County Kia and a baby shower, laying in my bed leg up watching every Harry Potter, SoapNet (probably one of my favorite TV channels EVER), or E!'s, Keeping Up with the Kardashians. I now no longer take for granted my ability to walk, run, jump, or walk to the kitchen or down my stairs. Not saying that I ever thought I did take it for granted, but looking back maybe I didn't appreciate the gift God had given me at birth. Further analysis into my past tells me that, maybe I should have taken better care of myself, stretched more, or when the doctor told me I need knee surgery after a soccer mishap back in High School actually finished physical therapy, but that was of course when "Alli Knew Best".
So this latest edition of Alli's Rant, is to remind you to be Thankful for the little things...the little things that can be taken away with a bad step or slip in antifreeze.
Also, open the door or wait an extra second so someone on crutches can go by. You never know when that person could be you...

I heart College Football...

If you know me, you know of my intensely passionate love of College Football, more specifically UGA Football. Coming off my Dawgs trying and at times heartbreaking season, I am preparing for my annual college football hibernation after Bama's return to Glory and bringing another National Championship to the Southeastern Conference (5 out of the last 10 National Champions, but who's counting). Often under rated during television commentary and in the polls, the SEC proves time and time again that the toughest football is played down south.

I digress, this brings me back to hibernation...a week after Bama won a not so pretty BCS Championship game, I am now preparing for hibernation until UGA's spring game and then the start of the 2010 season in September. I know there are other sports, and I admit that I do love my New Orleans Saints, who are in the playoffs, and my Atlanta Braves, but nothing else brings me as much joy of saddling up on either my couch or "between the hedges" to watch College's best and brightest put blood, sweat, and tears (especially if your Tim Tebow) into the game that I and they love.

I feel this year that there are several things to look forward to next season...

1. Texas Freshman Quarterback Garrett Gilbert. Imagine your first college game, is the National Championship against of all powerhouse teams, the Giant Crimson Tide...I would probably have that "I am about to crap my pants look too", but look at what this young man did. He matured in less than one half of the biggest football game there is, and came out in the second half a force to be reckoned with. I am looking forward to watching this young man next season.

2. Alabama's continued Success. With 8 starters on offense and 4 starters on defense returning, including the powerhouse, Mark Ingram, they should be stacked and ready to compete for their second straight National Championship. Maybe I have drank the "Saban Cool Aid" but there is no denying he's a damn good coach.

3. UGA's New Defensive Coordinator and Staff. I must say our interim defensive staff did a great job in the Independence Bowl against Texas A & M, but I really look forward to seeing who fills Martinez's shoes and gets the Bulldawgs back in the top 10 where we belong (a biased statement I know...but I really do bleed red and black). Kirby Smart, former UGA defensive back, would have been a great choice, but we will just have to wait and see who steps up and actually fills that position.

4. What will happen to Tennessee. We have a little saying in Georgia, we hate anything Orange, this includes Tennessee, Florida, and Auburn, but after what Lane Kiffin did with his classless abandonment of the Tennessee Volunteers I am curious who comes to the helm to bring Tennessee back to the National stage.

There are other little dramas all over the NCAA football, Notre Dame, Texas Tech, and USC...I guess we will just have to wait and see...But for this Die Hard Dawg fan...I'm wanting to see what UGA brings next year, because this season was nerve racking at best.

It should be another exciting year in college football in 2010...and thus begins my hibernation till next year.

Gooooo Dawgs!

I heart Blogging...

Yes, I know lame for my first entry for my new endeavor...but I think the whole idea is amazing. Here is a place where the young and the old; the educated and the uneducated; famous, infamous, wanna-be-famous, and non-famous can all come together to tell about their life...their loves...their hates. Kind of like a personal diary for all the world to see. Daunting...but yet therapeutic. I welcome the challenge.
2009 was not one of my better years, in every way that a year could go bad...it felt like mine did. Now of course my idea of bad, is only relative to my experience...but for me everything that could go wrong just about did and it left all of my resolutions and aspirations, like so many others have been continued to 2010, because none of them were achieved.
So here is to my new blog, my new outlook, and my new outlet...and a Fantastic 2010.
Cheers!