Delonzo MJ

As many of you know, I have had the same cat since 6th grade. My mother has definitely taken care of Delonzo more than me, but he was always "my" cat. My dad claims to have hated the cats, but deep down, we know he actually did care for them at least a little (if you doubt this, you should hear the story about Tony and the pickup.) Unfortunately my mom called me this afternoon and said she found Delonzo under the hostas (sp?) this afternoon and he has gone to Kitty Cat Heaven. I had talked to her earlier around lunch and she made the comment that she hadn't seen him all day. I expected the worse because usually he didn't venture too far from the house, much less the screened-in porch. Oddly enough, when I was home in June Mom & I had a conversation about how old Delonzo has gotten and how much longer we thought he would live. He was 13 years old in people years, so I'm not sure if the cat/people conversion is the same as dogs (7 to 1), but if so that makes him 91. Pretty old for a cat if you ask me. Delonzo was never a people person cat. He would come out when we were around, but if company showed up, he was off to his hiding places. While at Doc Tucker's office he always hid behind the refridgerators and cabinets, while Tony would meet people at the front door. Mom said usually when she picked him up to pet him, he would let her do so for a bit and then jump down, but over the past week he has been really cuddly (is that a word?) and would just lay his head down on her shoulder when she would pet him. She did tell Emily and I that she is pretty sure he just crawled under the bushes and died, which made both of us feel better. It will be odd going home and not seeing him sitting on his recliner, but I know he had a great life and we have many stories to tell about him. How many cats do you know that had their own recliner and tv just so he would stay at the new house and quit venturing all the way across town to the old house? I wish I had a picture of him on this computer, but I don't. He was a beautiful cat...white hair with blue eyes (half calico/half siamese) and I will miss him dearly.

Just some background information, for those of you who are wondering where the name Delonzo MJ came from, when we received Delonzo we also got his brother, Captain Shaquille. Obviously basketball has been an important and influential part of our lives. Delonzo is Tim Marshall's middle name, MJ is short for Michael Jordan, Captain is David Robinson's nickname and obviously Shaq is Shaquille O'Neal. Yes, we realize we had two very white cats named after all black people, but I thought naming a cat Bird wasn't the best idea. We also had another cat, after Shaq passed away, Tony Matimbo...named after Tony Williams (Marshall boys' cousin) and once again Tim, Matimbo was his nickname.

Catch Up

Camps are in full swing, so I am usually running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Gymnastics camp started Sunday afternoon and it has been pretty busy since. There is also a boys basketball team camp going on in the Hearnes Fieldhouse, so I have been helping Adam keep Gatorade and water for that as well. Thankfully, I haven't been near as busy as he has. One of our student athletic trainers, Tyler, went to the ER three times yesterday. Yes, three times. The first referral was from Mizzou Arena, a kid fell on some glass or something and had to go get stitches in his hip. The other two have been referred by Adam and me. One kid broke his radius and ulna (both bones in his arm for those who are not medical geniuses..haha!). The last kid we thought broke a bone in his foot, but thankfully he didn't. We probably could have sent another kid who had an awful concussion, but his parents opted to come get him. Tyler started off the day by going to University Orthopedics to have x-rays on two different kids, thankfully those were just sprains as well. Needless to say Adam has been busy. My worst injury has been a few hyperextensions, which are very common in gymnasts.

My trip home to Texas was GREAT! :) Thursday night when I finally got to Lubbock (due to an unexpected plane change and delay) Mom & Dad surprised me by having Robert with them. I was so excited to see all of them. Dad took me out to Cagle's and I must say it was amazing. I miss my wonderful steaks & Mexican food. The picture to the left is of Robert at Cagle's. He really liked the red beans. I am so excited--he's going to be a big brother in September :)Friday I chopped off my hair, it currently doesn't touch my shoulders (see pic of Katie & me below). Friday night was graduation. I can't believe Katie Beth graduated high school. Like I said previously, I feel so old. 7 years ago I walked across the same stage. Saturday was Valerie's wedding. She looked beautiful and everything was perfect. The reception was a blast and it was great to hang out with all my old friends. Sunday I went to the lake with the Adams' boys (Evan, Ewell, & Blake). It was just like old times. Donald told us we were getting old because after about 2 hours of tubing, kneeboarding, and wakeboarding we were all worn out and ready to go home. I'm blaming it on the lack of sleep from the previous nights.

Monday, Mom, Dad, & I went to PawPaw's house. He turned 95 on Sunday, so we went to visit him. The trip there was definitely an adventure. No air conditioning for the first hour, no satellite, no light & fan in the kitchen, no oven, no stove, broken tank pump, planting sweet potatoes, hoeing potatoes, etc... Thanfully Mom & Dad got the air conditioner working rather quickly. Slowly but surely the stove & kitchen light/fan began working again, a few sparks, burnt countertops, and shocks were involved, but success was achieved. Tuesday Dad and I went to Abilene to visit Paul, Laurie, Ashton & Seth. We had a great dinner at Abuelos with them as well as my aunt who drove up to see us.

Thursday I spent in Lubbock catching up with friends. I spent 2 hours at the training room talking to my old boss Buzz and several others, then I went to see Clay & Jeri McGuire. Jeri was one of my best friends growing up and she married Clay who played football at Tech and is now the Special Teams Coach there. They have a precious 3 month old daughter, Jorja McKall, who I got to see for the first time. Catching up with them as well as Jeri's parents, Dan & Susie was great. Afterwards I met up with Stephanie & Jake for dinner and watched the basketball game. Friday I ate lunch with Katie and ran errands for her and her mom. I spent the afternoon chatting with Melissa and was entertained by her kids. They are so cute and there is definitely never a dull moment in her house. That evening Katie and I went to Amarillo to see her dad and eat with her mom & sister. Richard went through surgery great and is doing well from what I hear. He was sore for a few days, but ready to get out of the hospital. Thankfully he got to go home Saturday.

Well I guess that pretty much catches everybody up for the time being. Life is pretty routine right now. 6 am workouts for volleyball Monday-Friday, help with football when they are done, go to camp, go home go to bed. Exciting I know. Volleyball camp starts Thursday and runs through Sunday, then its to wrestling camp for 5 days, go to NATA convention in St. Louis and 4 days of half-day baseball camp.