Western Regionals 2008

May 15th I took off on a Road Trip with the Men's and Women's goalball teams to Colorado Springs (I don't think I am EVER home!) We played Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until noon, then we headed home. The Utah Men took first place! I didn't ref, because they need me to coach more, so I am on a break from reffing for a while. I do enjoy goalbal tournaments more when I don't have to ref the whole time. I actually get some down time! And the kids had fun with me there...they threw me into the pool...with all my clothes on...they tried to stuff a sock in my mouth...a gross dirty one...but that backfired...when I tackled one and stuffed it in his mouth. AND I got them back. I pulled such a good prank on them that it will be tough to out do this one. The kids (well, they are adults...most of them but two are still students of mine, and some...I used to have as students), where being noisy at the hotel, especially when they threw me in the pool, because I was yelling, screaming, biting, kicking, clawing...and they carried me from the upstairs to the downstairs....I wasn't sure what they were going to do with me...so I screamed and fought. Anyway, they also had been noisy in the hall another time so they were warned twice by the hotel staff to be quiet. I had the hotel staff go up to their rooms and tell them all that she had it with them, had called the police, and everyone had 20 minutes to GET OUT! I have never seen them pack that fast! It was funny. Then, I acted all mad that we were kicked out and said now it would cost us more and everyone had to pay more...fun fun fun. Then, finally, I had us all meet by the office to tell her we were sorry...and then she yelled at them a little more and then finally told them they had been PUNKED! It was good....it was better than a movie...but I feel revenge coming on. (Last year, they threw me in the ocean, held me down, and I got stung by a jelly fish...and then they asked if I wanted them to pee on the sting...supposedly pee helps jellyfish stings?....Like I would EVER let a blind man pee on me....a sighted one can't even find the toilet...) I think I should have REVENGE! Anyone have any good pranks to share....what I should do to them?

Come watch Goalball in person June 19, 20, and 21 at American Fork High School. Come on June 21st and watch the Utah Men take first place nationally! Anyone need any volunteer hours for anything???? This is the time to get them!

GOALBALL

The Men's and Women's National Goalball Tournament is coming to Utah! June 19, 20, & 21. It will be held at American Fork High School. This is the first time that we have hosted a National Tournament. We have hosted Western Regionals, but this is the big one! The Utah Foundation for the Blind (of which I am chairman of the Board) is hosting this event. If you want to volunteer, or know of young men’s or women’s groups or school groups who need to get in volunteer hours, go to our website at http://ufbvi.org/volunteers.htm. There should be about 200 coaches, players, and referees coming from all over the United States. At first, the tournament was scheduled at Jordan High School, but after Jordan District split (and we had the okay for six months to have the tournament there…so we sent out registration…found a hotel nearby….etc.), we were told it couldn’t be there any more…..so I have been frantic for the past week, until we lucked on to American Fork High School….AND it always helps that people know your family!!! Thanks dad for knowing so many people and helping so many people….I get to reap the benefits…along all these players! We are now trying to move the hotel location down here....but people already booked rooms...so it could take awhile.

I have been a Utah Goalball Coach for 14 years now….and some of my family and friends….have never even seen goalball played. I am hoping you will all come and watch it. I have seen how this sport has helped so many visually impaired kids accept their vision loss. I know this sport takes time away from my family, and especially my yard work and housework, but I love what this sport does for the kids I work with.

I am having a HUGE garage sale at my house on May 31^st for the youth and adult players to raise money for goalball. (The youth go to Florida in October for their nationals.) If you have anything that you want to get rid of, let me know. I can give you a receipt for your taxes, since UFB is a non-profit organization.

We also are having a raffle. We have some good prizes already....quilts....dinners. If anyone has anything to donate to the raffle or if you want to buy raffle tickets…they are $2 a piece…let me know….I have a lot of money to raise…and remember…it is tax deductible!

I am headed off to Colorado to the Adult Western Regionals this week. I’ll be gone all weekend. Hopefully, Utah Men and Women will win!!!

LAYNIE'S FAST TRIP TO LA

I was asked to be a chaperone on a trip to California with a bunch of visually impaired students ages 8-19. I had never gone on this trip before, because parents always went and chaperoned...and I do enough trips already, but after two years of very bad parent chaperones....only teachers were allowed to be chaperones....and they begged me. It was a fast trip with a lot happening:

Got on the bus Thursday night at 10:30 (remember, Mike and I had just got home late Monday night from Mexico)

Got off the bus at 11:00 a.m. the next day at Universal Studios...and had to put on an UGLY GREEN SHIRT....and wear it around....AHHHH.

Went to hotel...swam....played games....slept a few hours!

Saturday, went to Blind Optimist Olympics it was 91 degrees!!!!! (Goalball was being played...but ALL MESSED UP...so of course....I opened my BIG MOUTH....told them what was wrong....and said I would set up the court next year....and send the official rules....and help them with goalball....WHY????

Went to hotel packed....played games....slept a few hours.

Sunday, Went to Magic Mountain!!!!! My NEW FAVORITE AMUSEMENT PARK...of course, I was the leader of the group that wanted to ride all the fast fun rides....and we did!!!!

Got on the bus from Magic Mountain and rode it all the way home....playing games all night long...got home at 9:00 a.m.

Exhausted....I went to work that day....but I don't remember what happened....so if I talked to any of you....I don't remember.

I LOVED THE TRIP!