Horse Balls

We spent our New Years playing a variety of games with friends. This years rotation included: pool, ping pong, Jenga, Wii Bowling, darts and HORSE BALLS. Yes, Horse Balls. Not sure how it received it's name....it's basically kind of like horseshoes. A 'stand' made of PVC pipe, about 3 feet high with three pipes across at different heights. The 'balls' are golf balls with the center drilled out knotted securely to the end of sturdy rope. You 'swing' the ropes and toss them toward the stand. The bottom rung is 1 pt.; the middle is 2 pts. and the top is 3 pts. You play until a team reaches 21 points. If you go over 21, you start back at 15 and try again.

You play to 21 points UNLESS it's 36 degrees outside, and you have a bunch of inexperienced horse ballers. 'Cuz if you don't, you'll have teams of folks freezing to death and getting more and more dissatisfied with the game because getting to 21 takes FOREVER. So we played until 11 points and dropped back to 7 if you went over.

The evening was great fun - great friends, including meeting a lot of 'new' people who we've seen at church a million times and just never officially been introduced to. It was great food, great fun, lots of laughs and champagne at midnight. We arrived home around 1:30 this morning after being crowned the Wii Bowling champs - and while everyone assumes we did so well because it was our Wii being used, I had truthfully never played until last night. Not true for J. who sprained his hamstring practicing since Christmas.

The boys spent the night and are expected home shortly. J. and I got up around 10AM. I could have slept longer but it's a new year, new day and I have a lot to do - trying to start the new year off right with a new, improved approach to things.

The great thing is: this time last year, work was starting tomorrow. But this year's vacation allows for the remainder of the week OFF, not returning until the 7th. It's GREAT to have so many days remaining on the vacation. I just love that!!

Happy New Year! everyone. I hope 2008 brings you smiles, laughter and joy. And it's the year of change, God willing. So here's hoping.