Hello from the dreary, yet beautiful Smokey Mountains. Enjoying a lil peace, quiet and amazing stress free sleep. Ooo yea, and a lil poker, the WSOP to be exact.
Spent yesterday in my room trying to draw up a plan of action for Natalie's 2016 tour. The ITF, USTA changed the schedule. Which threw a wrench into our plans. We thought she could start the season in Florida, playing 10Ks. But now there are only three 25Ks there. With her ranking in the 1,200s and the fact the 25Ks are the first of the year....we doubt she would get into the draw. Again, a bite in the ole AS* for not playing last spring.
Anyway, I searched the schedules in different countries. Looked at the maps in said countries. Checked airline ticket prices. Evaluated the safety issues involved with travel to such places like Turkey. And still .....no plan of action.
Although, she worked last summer to fund her return to the tour. It is hard to spend upwards of 4-5K on a three week tour to France, England or Asia. So we debate, do we fundraise to send her, do we wait till March to play the 10Ks in the USA. Do we send her to a possible unsafe country....HELL NO!
For now we put out feelers, are there any wild card tournaments for doubles at any tourneys here in the USA? Can she get into any qualifying draws for dubs? Can she secure any dubs wild cards? As you can see, soooo very much involved. We continue on, planning, working, hoping, praying.....
.....and begging......
If you happen to have some end of the year extra bucks around and would like to gift them to Natalie and her tour. Please feel free to do so via her PayPal.....link in the left margin of blog. OR Contact Natalie or myself for another method of gifting. Please be reminded, no gift is too small.....every dollar matters.
Thank you!
Tomorrow, I rest in my room again, thank God for free rooms. Waiting to play in the ladies tournament on Saturday. And wait for Natalie, Amy and Jeanne to arrive. Natalie will only spend the night, then head to the University of Tennessee for practice. As well as, a rally to be held on Sunday, prior to the basketball game. Rally....what rally.....you ask.
As many of you know, the UT Athletic Director, Dave Hart decide to get rid of the Lady Volunteer Logo. A logo I might add, that Pat Summitt and her teams, spent many years earning and fighting for. In July, Hart stripped the logo from all the lady's teams except the basketball team. Viewed by many as a slap in the face to the other female athletes and their teams. The basketball players are called Lady Vols, the rest just Vols.
Since, spring Natalie and many others have been active in the quest to "bring the logo back". Many of you may remember reading an article Nat wrote, that I linked here on the blog. She has been invited to attend the Rally at the Pat Summitt statue at 12:30 on Sunday. There is to be an announcement at the Rally. One of which, we have no official word as to what it is.....we can only HOPE that Hart got a HEART and the logo will be back.
The rest of us, will play in the ladies tourney on Saturday. Then head to UT for the Rally and game on Sunday. Guess I will be a UT tour guide, which of course I love! Will have to take Amy and Jeanne to the UT Tennis Center and show them who is "hanging" around. And maybe a sneak peek at the indoor football facility and a quick hello to Donna Thomas. Gosh, I miss her and her sense of humor. What an amazing Assistant Athletic Director....altho I don't know her new title....and really don't want to look it up. Anyway, she's a big wig....deservingly so! She was and is a great role model to Natalie and me. She too, has done much in the world of female sports on behalf of our athletes.
Before I close, must send our thoughts and prayers to those in San Bernardino affected by the horrible terrorist attack. God Bless America!
Love and Blessings......Sherry!
