tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78853127647431516442024-02-18T22:23:02.515-06:00Grinding against the GrainAPPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-86096319065368214272014-09-25T19:56:00.002-05:002014-09-25T19:57:48.909-05:00Dedication to Madilynn Noel Stroud: The BeachI remember the only time I was able to bring you to the beach. We were at Pensacola, FL visiting your mom's Grandparents in October. You weren't a year old yet. I was sitting in the sand with you in my lap. You were cautious at first, feeling around, taking everything in for the first time. You would grab handfuls of sand and squish and dig. Occasionally putting your hand to your mouth to taste it before I quickly put your hand back down saying, "No silly"<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-zYPjlcRNm50sp6cid748sAgtz29WnsrR21tqEnMocVh-UoqAvxtOdYoe-9uD1MKPLg7207cR3Fw5NsjMFzzM2zBXl7-qt35bpos83s-khJ4IhfbAJw16fIAjkRPaNXIbsmzpAde7swh/s1600/IMG_0350.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-zYPjlcRNm50sp6cid748sAgtz29WnsrR21tqEnMocVh-UoqAvxtOdYoe-9uD1MKPLg7207cR3Fw5NsjMFzzM2zBXl7-qt35bpos83s-khJ4IhfbAJw16fIAjkRPaNXIbsmzpAde7swh/s1600/IMG_0350.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-Tj0xGcZmKN_nulb0hjOcuFDaxEE2W51AthQqdwQ4YzAeo7lrqOcxXJilPdsKhwhUd5dcvoCABzJv1GSJSMd8mfD9c05WDTpFte1TQ7Ms5oLRvE8UWyirBHI9ecmNfyJnoLzlazPuG11/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-Tj0xGcZmKN_nulb0hjOcuFDaxEE2W51AthQqdwQ4YzAeo7lrqOcxXJilPdsKhwhUd5dcvoCABzJv1GSJSMd8mfD9c05WDTpFte1TQ7Ms5oLRvE8UWyirBHI9ecmNfyJnoLzlazPuG11/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
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I wanted to bring you to Destin, Florida with Pawpaw, Nanny, Cody and some more family like your Aunt Joy and Cousin Caleb. I wanted you to experience the beautiful beach I know you would have loved it. I asked your mother just after your second birthday to make sure I gave advance notice so I can chase you up and down the beach and watch you play while the waves would come crashing at your little feet. I can hear the pitter-patter of you running. Even Imagining the laughter as you run away for me to catch you brings a smile to my face. We would have built our first sand castle together, and probably destroyed it right after. I wish we could have experienced this together, I know you would have had a blast.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKEfTpJgaiO1hlP8FKo1kfDMvWMrdYf6Hz-svg5i9ygkeR0h7IcQfWTHrMium1p9VTuZwlggUmbCm5PDdLaTiB5-zubLDi55RbP1giP_RuCLPDBnbQJQRzfvVeOJKkKgUJrMbHNT8i8Ze/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJKEfTpJgaiO1hlP8FKo1kfDMvWMrdYf6Hz-svg5i9ygkeR0h7IcQfWTHrMium1p9VTuZwlggUmbCm5PDdLaTiB5-zubLDi55RbP1giP_RuCLPDBnbQJQRzfvVeOJKkKgUJrMbHNT8i8Ze/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
We didn't get to go to many places together, but I was hoping I could have brought you to many places as you got older. I did get to bring you to the Zoo and the Park often as well as a few other places. You loved to just look around and appreciate everything that surrounded us. I know 95% of women, for some odd reason, love to travel. Adventurous as you were, I know you would have wanted to see as many places as possible. By the way, your Paw Paw Stroud wanted to bring you camping. As much as you liked playing in the backyard and collecting acorns and sticks, I know you were gonna LOVE camping.<br />
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We usually went in the backyard for a little while, then when it was time to come inside you were still so full of energy. You would climb on my back and make me walk on all fours like a dinosaur. Then you would say "No! Yous a Lion!!!" I would reply, "OK baby, I'm a Lion, ROOARR" You would just laugh and giggle as I went in circles on the carpet. Then I'd get tired and crash to the ground. You would get up giggling, climb on my chest, then say "I jump on you" and start bouncing away. You were always my little ball of energy before you suddenly get tired and watch cartoons with your bottle in hand and fall asleep. We had such a great time playing together and I looked forward to every second of it. I am so grateful to have you in my heart. Just wish I can go back in time and relive it over and over again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifo8yeaZyPJQthC6q0o70LkwhzqhlSIaZBkykSIExvvQA8HEAu9rdpThN8NFSZh19VIOzq-eh5V14d_tW18sMlzZZEFtU7pqxxx9yiz-5Uf2so1x8qeAsnacPN2yKaDz6HF-YkcFPRjkH/s1600/watching+george.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifo8yeaZyPJQthC6q0o70LkwhzqhlSIaZBkykSIExvvQA8HEAu9rdpThN8NFSZh19VIOzq-eh5V14d_tW18sMlzZZEFtU7pqxxx9yiz-5Uf2so1x8qeAsnacPN2yKaDz6HF-YkcFPRjkH/s1600/watching+george.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I miss our cuddle time so much</td></tr>
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Love you my lil butt.APPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-54961196570928223002014-09-14T16:18:00.000-05:002014-09-14T16:39:07.543-05:00Dedication to Madilynn Noel Stroud - watching cartoons with daddyWe would watch your shows when I was trying to wind you down to sleep or if we were just waking up and relaxing. I would put you sitting on the couch and after I turn on the TV and Netflix. All I had to do was ask, "what do you wanna watch baby?" You would tell me one of the following...<br />
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"George" - You loved Curious George and we would watch this most often. No matter how many times you saw the episode, you still laughed hysterically at the same parts and get so excited at the same times.<br />
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"Lion Cub" - I think this was both of our favorite Disney movies and I had no problems putting this on for you and singing every song out loud to you. You would always look at me smiling, sometimes joining in and singing along. Other times, saying "NOOOOO, stop it Daddy!!" Not going to lie, my singing voice wasn't the greatest.<br />
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"Super Why" You would focus so much on this show and I loved that you participated everytime they asked. You wouldn't always give the right answers, but I thought it was cute that you would try to use your "Power to help" and would congratulate you with "Good Job Baby" or "That's Right!" and you would just laugh and keep watching.<br />
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"Dora" The Explorer - I never seen you watch this personally, but everytime you came back from MiMI's, you would always say "swiper, Noooooo swiping Swiper" and we would repeat it until you changed the subject to something else silly filled in your little head.<br />
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"Tiger" Daniel Tiger<br />
"Callou" Caillou, you could almost say it perfectly, such a smart little girl.<br />
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"Mickey" - You loved minnie mouse, PawPaw Stroud got you a Minnie Mouse toy you could dress her and drive her in the car, you played with that and many other toys all the time.<br />
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"Clifford" - I recently introduced you to the Big Red Dog and finally had a new show for you to obsess over. I'm sorry but George broke to many things and got away with it. Hate to say it but so did Clifford, maybe that's why you could destroy my house I just cleaned in less than five minutes. I didn't mind cleaning it though because it made you happy, and gave me happiness knowing that.<br />
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"Barney" - This phase only lasted a little while, Thankfully you discovered George soon after.<br />
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"Big Bird" - You didn't watch it much, but loved watching Sesame Street<br />
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Dinosaur Train - You would say "I'm a monster, ROOOOAAAARRR!"<br />
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You had so many more shows you loved to watch, but when you got bored, you would go get all your colors and a coloring book and bring it into the living room. You would say "Come sit with me Daddy. Color with me!" as you dumped out all the colors and opened up the pages to your book. Handing em different crayons, you would say, "here daddy, you use 'dis one" lying on your little tummy, legs crossed, feet in the air, not a care in the world. It's exactly what I wanted your life to be. Care free. I was trying to do everything in my power to keep it that way. I wish you would still be with me. I miss you every single day.APPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-27031776236598799532014-08-31T23:58:00.003-05:002014-08-31T23:58:51.267-05:00Dedication to Madilynn Noel Stroud - Holidays<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBhzZ87eyTV_b7_LXNUtUUeEJS-VCnZZ_NX5BFu0_B7ouvBQ6fpp7gvDoA6fzrLpyDC-RdIbL6-vyZ8eE2IVTEhfRMkHov7rfIfVbrIfzkDqTfIxQcJvpdsMohdO7US8Bi5A3ci6MASxe/s1600/100_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBhzZ87eyTV_b7_LXNUtUUeEJS-VCnZZ_NX5BFu0_B7ouvBQ6fpp7gvDoA6fzrLpyDC-RdIbL6-vyZ8eE2IVTEhfRMkHov7rfIfVbrIfzkDqTfIxQcJvpdsMohdO7US8Bi5A3ci6MASxe/s1600/100_0064.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Easter. 1 month old.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1RzlAGr2edvgMvnd68dnXtnqHXRqMMVrxeNRsXHZZpOab_3Vl-PkEfHaHIZR5sWl9f4AqeJyiOIWvSdPVbkW9ZNfJwR6Dyd4Gl8Bv2Z85OfRsimKcqmplSO-ond26qdP_yyl0U0_Bur4/s1600/first+easter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1RzlAGr2edvgMvnd68dnXtnqHXRqMMVrxeNRsXHZZpOab_3Vl-PkEfHaHIZR5sWl9f4AqeJyiOIWvSdPVbkW9ZNfJwR6Dyd4Gl8Bv2Z85OfRsimKcqmplSO-ond26qdP_yyl0U0_Bur4/s1600/first+easter.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinyY9N9wQv4XZ1fNhd1WHNibsfjFQ_UADigjUNDEp-fXGm3dyX9plNARnQwdxOMF1bHLNeeeGFc9s1mUunYTms0O4kpc3e7D7kl-htKtnxhslxbEKCScedCS5cDgKHNT21Ougn0UGg_6b/s1600/IMG_0533.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinyY9N9wQv4XZ1fNhd1WHNibsfjFQ_UADigjUNDEp-fXGm3dyX9plNARnQwdxOMF1bHLNeeeGFc9s1mUunYTms0O4kpc3e7D7kl-htKtnxhslxbEKCScedCS5cDgKHNT21Ougn0UGg_6b/s1600/IMG_0533.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She kept passing up all the eggs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grabbing the "Biggerest Egg" winning!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dying eggs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeTIeD9BIuzwx0VKuyqYUZossau9jUPiuborEdDoBK2x6D5KNbkFQU9QjDgINb9fmFD50wOVyxZRZo_LZOyaYOVTodVqIGlZdNTA9JULizg1C8_exwanAwUXqXdTJKngSF3meIq26xRjC/s1600/IMG_1496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeTIeD9BIuzwx0VKuyqYUZossau9jUPiuborEdDoBK2x6D5KNbkFQU9QjDgINb9fmFD50wOVyxZRZo_LZOyaYOVTodVqIGlZdNTA9JULizg1C8_exwanAwUXqXdTJKngSF3meIq26xRjC/s1600/IMG_1496.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were almost inseperable</td></tr>
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I was only able to experience one Easter with you. but got alot of great pictures, and stories from your second one. OK well I take that back, Your first Easter you were newborn and had no idea what was going on, but your second Easter where you were one, I remember you kept trying to drink the Easter egg dye, it was all over your face and clothes. You pretty much dyed your hand bluish green from dipping it so many times. We tried to do the Easter egg hunt but you just walked around aimlessly, then randomly started walking away as fast as possible down the sidewalk. It's like you were on a mission but I had no idea where you were going. You kept giggling as you'd run away faster and faster, it was so funny. I had to go to San Antonio for work for your third Easter when you were two, but I'm so happy MiMi and your Nanny Charlotte and Kylie got to spend it with you. Y'all got to dye eggs, do the Easter egg one. Both you and Cody ran out the gate so excited to grab the eggs! I wish I could have been there in person to see it. I'm so happy you had a great day<br /><br /><br />I remember how often your mom would try to take you for all the holidays when we separated. I offered to switch days but didn't wanna lose my time with you for special holidays, especially Halloween and Christmas. We both wanted to see you trick or treat and get all the candy from the neighborhood. We both had our own ideas for Halloween costumes when you were two. At least we were able to bring you trick or treating with Cody for your first Halloween. You were still too young for the candy, but I know you had a good time. Once we were done walking around trick or treating we would go inside, dump all your candy in front of you, and you would just touch every single one. I remember you would try to stick each one in your mouth one at a time and we would have to say "No not yet baby", when actually the first Halloween you were trick or treating to get Daddy some candy ;) You were a CareBear (LionHeart) and Cody was Scooby Doo.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-JgxZ4h33tkFLsT7-uWoBz7SNDiPcXOQpT8e-l1mbiJFj4BVMJ9tl2njzpM85JwZjROkKcf8wNmhM4fGQ-dU75M2ChDcFTr_NmC1urVpDlngLoQIIXUIDwC3W_TYpzZZHvg3aFG9NGr0/s1600/first+halloween+-3.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVIoBGkFzTUz9y8gQjfdIbXhF1e2ISi2CnoYVU6J5MBl_TIKu8G4g3chaNCoPxLP4GCzkx_GmS7bS7Iu9v_n0kaVQnC1rlgQBMIuz5vF49ILLUkRBehzt4siG6NWIPM-0iHcPK2BVXUUH/s1600/first+halloween+-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVIoBGkFzTUz9y8gQjfdIbXhF1e2ISi2CnoYVU6J5MBl_TIKu8G4g3chaNCoPxLP4GCzkx_GmS7bS7Iu9v_n0kaVQnC1rlgQBMIuz5vF49ILLUkRBehzt4siG6NWIPM-0iHcPK2BVXUUH/s1600/first+halloween+-4.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-JgxZ4h33tkFLsT7-uWoBz7SNDiPcXOQpT8e-l1mbiJFj4BVMJ9tl2njzpM85JwZjROkKcf8wNmhM4fGQ-dU75M2ChDcFTr_NmC1urVpDlngLoQIIXUIDwC3W_TYpzZZHvg3aFG9NGr0/s1600/first+halloween+-3.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-JgxZ4h33tkFLsT7-uWoBz7SNDiPcXOQpT8e-l1mbiJFj4BVMJ9tl2njzpM85JwZjROkKcf8wNmhM4fGQ-dU75M2ChDcFTr_NmC1urVpDlngLoQIIXUIDwC3W_TYpzZZHvg3aFG9NGr0/s1600/first+halloween+-3.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3UBjc_-g0miL9J7YY0FGZEJz3SL_NKigjaB9uO1q7awbSgxqmBbI7OSOrG6xqN2r3CTAMsVj4cUCS7xypXplGMOkaU4Q4AoGkrt7NCb0wcjAM2hA9xrFUnUWu8nuWF0wdzDqAb8QhWCH/s1600/first+halloween+-5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3UBjc_-g0miL9J7YY0FGZEJz3SL_NKigjaB9uO1q7awbSgxqmBbI7OSOrG6xqN2r3CTAMsVj4cUCS7xypXplGMOkaU4Q4AoGkrt7NCb0wcjAM2hA9xrFUnUWu8nuWF0wdzDqAb8QhWCH/s1600/first+halloween+-5.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>For your second Halloween I bought you a Lady Bug Halloween costume, we walked around at the pumpkin patch in Lafayette and you had the silliest blank stare the whole time. I guess you were just taking everything in, but you had a great time and were eating all your suckers. I didn't really get to trick or treat with you much since your mother had you that day, and when I let her have you on Halloween she refused to switch with me so I could have you a day in return. I got off work and had your costume in my truck. Drove to your moms where you were and we changed you, then I went walk around her neighborhood a couple times and let you run around on your own and picked you up when you got tired. There were alot of kids all over the place, alot of people aww'd at you like they always did everytime we went somewhere. I kept the candy and brought it home so you can snack on a piece or two (We actually shared the candy this time sweety haha)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyJKzw1KDhstqREzrQWeDrphRfLoA5mn1WGSLgoLjgif0Ht8kOd8zjYVQ0vT5pA5O-r7ntIiyHkOT6ZlYkPqHZ9HWZnRZ-1v5WkQUNqT3yMPWkOnBo1rJqLVtNUhU9cVNI4Y2mtE59-DT/s1600/halloween+13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyJKzw1KDhstqREzrQWeDrphRfLoA5mn1WGSLgoLjgif0Ht8kOd8zjYVQ0vT5pA5O-r7ntIiyHkOT6ZlYkPqHZ9HWZnRZ-1v5WkQUNqT3yMPWkOnBo1rJqLVtNUhU9cVNI4Y2mtE59-DT/s1600/halloween+13.jpg" height="320" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRTvIGpN5nVLfTDrqgqt_lNS1r6Che0KUUo0jimhuHTscUEq3x2Ny5hWuL1QrBxOFhyphenhyphenepvTmXd9z_1uIpdEj4hbhlrINhFleXcVJKWkiwmIWxNFz2sdgKUCF61rfNoCER4aQcI2fEPqlL/s1600/IMG_1192.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRTvIGpN5nVLfTDrqgqt_lNS1r6Che0KUUo0jimhuHTscUEq3x2Ny5hWuL1QrBxOFhyphenhyphenepvTmXd9z_1uIpdEj4hbhlrINhFleXcVJKWkiwmIWxNFz2sdgKUCF61rfNoCER4aQcI2fEPqlL/s1600/IMG_1192.JPG" height="320" width="292" /></a><br />This was during the stupid lawyer battles and I hated going through all that crap, I just wanted us to compromise and be able to give you a happy life. I'm so happy you weren't aware of what was going on. I did my best to be a duck on top the water without you seeing how hard I was swimming underneath the water to keep us afloat and happy. I wanted to sacrifice my whole life for you. The struggle I was going through was out of my control. I was learning patience, but I wasn't going to just give up and lose you, I wanted just as much time with you as your mom did. I wanted to make sure you had everything you needed to be happy. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eSxOVBMP33Orh_maG1B1Z895Lh2Ng1Lgs92XSPtGXzjxVaPTPVQW4_rI1qtGiqd0UMpPMgtlAzvbxCpdt7qv3WKM0uVQHqPIqP8iHY444wtk5JBeleT76varq2Eeet7ThqSr1ECWiHr4/s1600/first+time+with+santa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eSxOVBMP33Orh_maG1B1Z895Lh2Ng1Lgs92XSPtGXzjxVaPTPVQW4_rI1qtGiqd0UMpPMgtlAzvbxCpdt7qv3WKM0uVQHqPIqP8iHY444wtk5JBeleT76varq2Eeet7ThqSr1ECWiHr4/s1600/first+time+with+santa.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBEYwlpj4e_biQJ_o-hNB79FiFrwgQacPLAtQckGvPuGoj6V2soh47uID36T6wd_J1mm3hqMJOPPR_PU6lQom5aXSKTyFmLxNJ-W-TcvJZDPYYwdhiqNdAgO3eE1QZhektFbgAeEKijDL/s1600/christmas+santa+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBEYwlpj4e_biQJ_o-hNB79FiFrwgQacPLAtQckGvPuGoj6V2soh47uID36T6wd_J1mm3hqMJOPPR_PU6lQom5aXSKTyFmLxNJ-W-TcvJZDPYYwdhiqNdAgO3eE1QZhektFbgAeEKijDL/s1600/christmas+santa+2.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUkuN95HTUhyQllXKXcf7Uj-lvXtEula6gGnih9fY2VdzpioRYPoOpPM7B6BSc0EB6cnOayap8pACz8FDzNannEWNRD1SXQD294zQyWPB-cxZvv999DwtkOQpbJTL6OPMdxggLq9qSgI8/s1600/christmas+santa+family.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUkuN95HTUhyQllXKXcf7Uj-lvXtEula6gGnih9fY2VdzpioRYPoOpPM7B6BSc0EB6cnOayap8pACz8FDzNannEWNRD1SXQD294zQyWPB-cxZvv999DwtkOQpbJTL6OPMdxggLq9qSgI8/s1600/christmas+santa+family.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />Christmas was also interesting, we always had to figure out how we would manage bringing you to see all of your Grandparents and Great Grandparents and this usually consisted of a week long extravaganza. Christmas Eve was either at your Mi Mi's with Nanny Charlotte and Cody, Kylie, and Pops Turner, or In Houma with your Grammy and Pop DeHart. Christmas Day we usually visited PawPaw Stroud and that goofy family. Santa scared you the first time you sat in Santa Stroud's lap, but the second time both You and Cody sat with Santa Stroud and you weren't that scared. you were searching for Gold the whole time with your finger up your nose, I kept moving your hand away but you kept putting it right back to the same spot haha. There would be SO MANY gifts showered upon you from both sides because everyone loved you so much. You would color or play on the pool table with Cody and we went sit in your cousin Jake's boat. You got to see your cousin Lucy, Jaycee, Dyani, Jacki, Cody, Landon, and Tyler. You all got a chance to talk to Santa and take pictures with him. After the day was over and I had to bring the truckloads of gifts back home, you would want me to open up each new toy, play with it for about 40 minutes then bring me the next one to open up. Eventually you had a room FULL of toys. Everyone wanted to see you happy and playful. I got you plenty of coloring books so you wouldn't color all over the walls and random papers that you would find all the time. It was a very hard time during Christmas, but I did what I could to get you stuff I knew you would like. I just wish I could have gotten you more. I know its not what matters and I am so happy I got to spend the time with you, I just hate that I couldn't get you more. The holidays will be hard, but you will never be too far from my mind and heart baby. I just want to experience so much more with you.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGDROVKpTwYIdplsWbnoyUYHbzFM7ow__hPWKstk1DbxMqppgslgj2IlhWuR42HTb25-H9Wj8plBCeHFyKsz92p4TNltBGjiJSU9OZOmFQhkFR2M34cAuWQrsUaGM8EhyKH70as_0Mrm5/s1600/IMG_1327.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGDROVKpTwYIdplsWbnoyUYHbzFM7ow__hPWKstk1DbxMqppgslgj2IlhWuR42HTb25-H9Wj8plBCeHFyKsz92p4TNltBGjiJSU9OZOmFQhkFR2M34cAuWQrsUaGM8EhyKH70as_0Mrm5/s1600/IMG_1327.JPG" height="320" width="191" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYO0FAxiD8lb4znICnTSAArPwmACrsD7x0ayjfB9jN8ub3UyCyWNj_Po594yHochLuD86VT7ND3goGaG0yBZHVGZFiJ-ybfe0VFjmNe7bqXEcQVhit_aC8percv3CTYAy_5V3IsWUPQLg/s1600/christmas+at+moms.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYO0FAxiD8lb4znICnTSAArPwmACrsD7x0ayjfB9jN8ub3UyCyWNj_Po594yHochLuD86VT7ND3goGaG0yBZHVGZFiJ-ybfe0VFjmNe7bqXEcQVhit_aC8percv3CTYAy_5V3IsWUPQLg/s1600/christmas+at+moms.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnb5YjXk6414rsmQf3nRXyXVevB_4RcftbMkWxzYz2_OvubgRFscZ1NmQj4AcAZhr-cYinhsnGzVdkxbQaUPM_cEVPUYeZegVTM_jqQlXO3nN1KqHz80QdgkuwOf93jIcy6WzoeNIjMZo/s1600/IMG_0438.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnb5YjXk6414rsmQf3nRXyXVevB_4RcftbMkWxzYz2_OvubgRFscZ1NmQj4AcAZhr-cYinhsnGzVdkxbQaUPM_cEVPUYeZegVTM_jqQlXO3nN1KqHz80QdgkuwOf93jIcy6WzoeNIjMZo/s1600/IMG_0438.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU57zGgCvOP-HJGShAiZhy0WG_kgUH2rGvWfplPustyJppt54o6W0USbyFG5jkHfleBgZUMq8i3oe2QQVcXbMBH7-HuFVgDLMuka5eCmlpWc6tSmBQtmmHdyspFX9KopWSvs9pmAVnMptY/s1600/christmas+coloring.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU57zGgCvOP-HJGShAiZhy0WG_kgUH2rGvWfplPustyJppt54o6W0USbyFG5jkHfleBgZUMq8i3oe2QQVcXbMBH7-HuFVgDLMuka5eCmlpWc6tSmBQtmmHdyspFX9KopWSvs9pmAVnMptY/s1600/christmas+coloring.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>APPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-43171151802407288592014-08-23T20:16:00.001-05:002014-08-23T20:16:14.282-05:00Dedication to Madilynn Noel Stroud - Birthdays<br />Holidays and Birthdays were always a struggle for me and your mom. We both loved you so much and wanted to experience those special moments with you up to every minute. Your first birthday was held at my house. I invited alot of our family and friends and got to watch you smash your first cake. It was a Minnie Mouse theme. There were chips n dip, chili dogs, and the smash cake as you sat in front of it wondering why we were all watching you. First, you dipped your left hand on the icing then shoved it into your mouth. Aunt Moni (My godmother) was trying to feed it as you moved your head away and continued to feed yourself. Aunt Joy quietly stole pieces of the cake eating along with you. Your Nanny Charlotte started cheering you on to "Get it" as Cody was asking for cake in the background. As your squishing your hand and looking around, Paw Paw Stroud chimes in "You sure smile alot" and of course, that silly little smile shines out from your face. Aunt Moni sneaks by and puts your right hand in the cake and everyone says "Yaaaaaaaaaaaay" and you look up laughing again. You made a huge mess everywhere and while we were cleaning you off, Your silly Aunt Joy was eating the scraps from the smashed cake saying "Oh my God, this is so good Matt!" You had such a wonderful day, but I can't recall you ever having a bad day. You were always so happy.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnK7UBK91brVa3iLF0dDedz0aVuspYe_8EidJThoZQrK6piyUNIfVF9ksbwj4T7_MznvIEFUJXC1tc-PB5gg_TZgi4U3eLrJEE3cUf0-7uHuMAesQASptc6TMF12M3ajGhhA4QvAShQgXo/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnK7UBK91brVa3iLF0dDedz0aVuspYe_8EidJThoZQrK6piyUNIfVF9ksbwj4T7_MznvIEFUJXC1tc-PB5gg_TZgi4U3eLrJEE3cUf0-7uHuMAesQASptc6TMF12M3ajGhhA4QvAShQgXo/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></a><br />Your second birthday was held at Kart Ranch. I personally made yellow hats with cups and plates and put the party favors inside the cups. I made Curious George the theme because we watched that silly cartoon almost every night. You had many different shows you loved but we will get to that later. When I was searching for your cake, I had to get a Winnie the Pooh cake, but make it Curious George instead. Your smile was so big when yous aw it and the whole day Cody was right by your side. Opening gifts, eating cake and pizza, and playing in the play area. I remember you kept dipping your sucker in the sprite then tasting it as Mee Mee directed traffic and handed out pizza for everyone. You would go in and out of every play area, even for the big kids, you would try to climb all by yourself. If you got stuck, you would say, "Daddy help me" but not to get down because you were scared, but only to go higher. I think the Ball pit with the little slide was your favorite as you would slide down then the balls would just engulf your little body and you'd laugh out loud, squirming to climb out and do it all over again. Pops Turner wanted to bring you in the Go Karts but I wasn't ready for you to be in there just yet. I think you wouldn't have minded either way. I was so happy to give you such a special day. You played every ounce of energy out of your sweet little body, and when it was time to go home, you were already falling asleep in my arms as i put you in the truck. You would always play that hard and it gave me a chance to watch you sleep peacefully. I hated waking you up and loved the way you would wake up naturally. You would never wake up crying, just shuffling around or playing with the dolls in your crib, then calling out "Daddy!" repeatedly until I walked into the room to get you. When I got there, You'd always say "Hi Daddy!" with a delightful smile. The greatest start of my day every time because it felt like you were so surprised to see me each time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgFOkdeC4rbiBpHWgpaRstf0LJhcaLIU5yET8B_tuZsg8Vei5Vm_03I4xLVlusrEbcAI_R_BF5JJFVFlGSCRkoCyJpAiTUAL6rn4VqsrZhvjE_VVKPS6WhhMvkfLeqQ4avVso1aKD98IZ/s1600/IMG_1441.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgFOkdeC4rbiBpHWgpaRstf0LJhcaLIU5yET8B_tuZsg8Vei5Vm_03I4xLVlusrEbcAI_R_BF5JJFVFlGSCRkoCyJpAiTUAL6rn4VqsrZhvjE_VVKPS6WhhMvkfLeqQ4avVso1aKD98IZ/s1600/IMG_1441.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sitting right next to your partner in crime</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAkhP1YbOEygF2a-CC8l7eFCXhWmarjmo7DM2UtbJRfvvVpWNHWnfcIFE1uKUOpJhB3J7pJY9LuWGi39ph2WfCuarstZ9JLYAUZQ-3GtySfitGCcGDccrXz46re-e7c3JWK7Ar8mV67KR/s1600/IMG_1452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtAkhP1YbOEygF2a-CC8l7eFCXhWmarjmo7DM2UtbJRfvvVpWNHWnfcIFE1uKUOpJhB3J7pJY9LuWGi39ph2WfCuarstZ9JLYAUZQ-3GtySfitGCcGDccrXz46re-e7c3JWK7Ar8mV67KR/s1600/IMG_1452.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy's attempt in making your party perfect for you!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The look of success!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwOWqrUlTBTjQrLPztX1zd7rS9Dez8zu5JRdoBavXOVACuXh-U8tpjdPEDzD0Ws5_aKXs8ZV1csTh97diy5VJLuZtFsPJlBV4_ZAiAXU8-4l30NtLcY6XuyblXfv_3vxZmxmxP58d2XOw/s1600/IMG_1436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQwOWqrUlTBTjQrLPztX1zd7rS9Dez8zu5JRdoBavXOVACuXh-U8tpjdPEDzD0Ws5_aKXs8ZV1csTh97diy5VJLuZtFsPJlBV4_ZAiAXU8-4l30NtLcY6XuyblXfv_3vxZmxmxP58d2XOw/s1600/IMG_1436.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Satisfaction in the form of exhaustion</td></tr>
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<br />I wish I could have given you so many more new adventures for so many more birthdays. It's frustrating that this is real life. APPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-5937692014649371012014-08-16T16:25:00.004-05:002014-08-16T16:25:50.782-05:00Dedication to Madilynn Noel Stroud - Raising a bundle of joy.<br />5-14-2014, two days away from the last time seeing you in person.<br /><br />After long days at work, I would fix your supper, bathe you, watch you have so much fun. I hated waking you up so early to go to work, but I made many sacrifices for you. It was comforting knowing you would go right back to sleep. (That was the main reason I pushed for a 7 on 7 off schedule; to let you rest and awake when ready, but I hated to be forced to bring you to daycare and away from me. I waited to go pick you up again.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Qqr9O4AH_nnKYDxTF6ps3P6OoqHEFzf1WItHsMQfhZ43Q0ooJZhlfSfln1uw_HNvkdearPFPGSNjMSuamhv4hnpLR_wtWW-erRQ4cKS0_r5go1CQrHT1jdPO6B_uAWp2OKNpKpCIwFNV/s1600/IMG_1056.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Qqr9O4AH_nnKYDxTF6ps3P6OoqHEFzf1WItHsMQfhZ43Q0ooJZhlfSfln1uw_HNvkdearPFPGSNjMSuamhv4hnpLR_wtWW-erRQ4cKS0_r5go1CQrHT1jdPO6B_uAWp2OKNpKpCIwFNV/s1600/IMG_1056.PNG" height="320" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting frozen yogurt, You loved it.</td></tr>
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<br />Anyway, I got off track. After the nightly routine was done and we got our play time out of the way, you would pat the sofa and say, "Come sit daddy!" and ask me to put on George or Lion King. I was more than happy to, as you laid right next to me and let me hold you 'til you so often fell asleep. So easy to cuddle with, so much love to give. The funny thing is, it's like you knew that is what I needed. Even though you shared so much love, you still saved most of it for me because you needed it just as much as I did. I used to whisper "I love you sweety," as I would pick you up to bring you to your crib. Kissing your forehead and rubbing your back, I still remember the first time you whispered back, "I love you too daddy." I froze in disbelief. You were so young I couldn't believe you understood what that meant, much less how to share those words with someone else. My heart melted instantly as I honored that experience with you. I just wish I could experience so much more from you, I don't want you to go...<br /><br />I never passed up the chance to have you in my arms. I treasured the times we shared together, I never wanted to lose that and was willing to risk it all for you. I loved letting you wake up on your own. Hearing you call out for me as you waited for me to get you. I would fix your breakfast, change your diaper, and put on morning cartoons. Even changing your diapers didn't seem that bad as you learned the routine, eventually telling me to change your booooty. ( you made my life so easy) or making it a game by rolling away or always moving and constantly laughing. I couldn't get mad and couldn't help but laugh myself. Because your silly smile and laughter always lit me up with happiness.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3nSiD6qfFOoQ0C6n6VKeNG6yck3Wa_u7OIpjIQIZQpyOMucH-it1TUku2xblHsep0NZsMbd8k7a-Mph0Zc8qDK4C1QVVQfkBhxdCzEGprXhAY5VMvQMMrAX_D2uhulLgGTcaRD1hZDoW/s1600/watching+george.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3nSiD6qfFOoQ0C6n6VKeNG6yck3Wa_u7OIpjIQIZQpyOMucH-it1TUku2xblHsep0NZsMbd8k7a-Mph0Zc8qDK4C1QVVQfkBhxdCzEGprXhAY5VMvQMMrAX_D2uhulLgGTcaRD1hZDoW/s1600/watching+george.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day back from San Antonio and having her in my arms!</td></tr>
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<br /><br />I would cook for you if I wasn't too tired. You learned how to use a fork or spoon so fast (You were so independent, so brave, so entertaining. You were supposed to be something great. I just know it, and now you're just a memory...and I hate that.) I would bring you to get donut holes, as I would get 3 jalapeno cheese kolaches every Sunday that I had you. It was one of our little traditions. (That I still find myself doing). You would get all sticky eating them and couldn't wait. Everytime you finished one, you would reach your tiny hand to me and say "Nudder One" and I would reply "OK baby, here you go." Grabbing it, you would sweetly reply "Thank You" as you munched down another. Never a picky eater. You were my little garbage disposal haha.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAGgvztjAVLNcuiIpayivWykBX1ipf4qsZdMkV2repskby4S72ru3jF4_ydprQ8cVl9aIyYoyu8WNWHlNPOcs3bpzL4s7yhl6KOcFZZhNdxt-UnM1uMrjKjd7jlq1lb5WjHwGNVz9Xq5l/s1600/feeding+herself.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAGgvztjAVLNcuiIpayivWykBX1ipf4qsZdMkV2repskby4S72ru3jF4_ydprQ8cVl9aIyYoyu8WNWHlNPOcs3bpzL4s7yhl6KOcFZZhNdxt-UnM1uMrjKjd7jlq1lb5WjHwGNVz9Xq5l/s1600/feeding+herself.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding herself like a big girl</td></tr>
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<br />I will write about your birthday parties and Christmas real soon baby. I Love and Miss You so much. Hope your having fun playing while you're smiling down at me.APPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-61540143473949661792014-08-10T14:08:00.005-05:002014-08-10T14:08:45.712-05:00Dedication to Madilynn Noel Stroud - Early adventuresI wanted to let you experience so many things, but one of our favorite places to go was the park. You loved walking around, and making me an exhausted daddy. You would take a nap on the ride to Girard Park, once we got out the truck you were on the go non stop and I was chasing you down and holding your hand while you climb over the steps or tree stumps near the pond. Some times I would bring our old bread and hand pieces to you to throw to the ducks. The first time you ever went to the park with me, I remember how you would grab the pieces of bread from me and continuously just kept eating them. I kept laughing and saying, "No baby thats for the duckies" You would simply respond.... "Duckies??" Eventually, you would become a skilled walker/runner. The ducks definitely didn't appreciate your new talent as they would often run for their life until you got them to jump into the pond a safe distance from you. Duck after duck, you would run at them screaming and laughing. I think you loved seeing the wings spread and flap in the air but your goofy laughter always brought a smile to my face. I just watched, made sure you didn't get too close and didn't fall in, then would just shake my head at your sillyness. When you started learning to say sentences, you would always tell all the animals at the park that you love them. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6uNYeLiSbPFvcdfd8dJ21GnfIstAcZS11R1q08D06hHUKXw1mS2pdhDyIOgGnUeQIJrQm5ZFdy6dKqbuXl5auvNTXmxMlD1nd2hAqydqIf7mfVesW6BZUCf_lZoWzX3pck-Q1mrXpuyX/s1600/Madi+5-17-13.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6uNYeLiSbPFvcdfd8dJ21GnfIstAcZS11R1q08D06hHUKXw1mS2pdhDyIOgGnUeQIJrQm5ZFdy6dKqbuXl5auvNTXmxMlD1nd2hAqydqIf7mfVesW6BZUCf_lZoWzX3pck-Q1mrXpuyX/s1600/Madi+5-17-13.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">14 months in this pic at Girard Park</td></tr>
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"I love you duckies" <br />"I love you skwerwell" <br />"Daddy, a puppy!!, I love you puppy!" <br />"AAAH a bug!......I love you bug" <br />You never failed to spread your love to everything you saw.</blockquote>
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I would load the wagon in back of my truck, and when I did that, you knew where we were going and would just wait by the front door as I finished getting the rest of our stuff, Water, snacks, etc.You loved when I pulled you in the wagon, then when you would see a puppy or ducks, you would want to get out the wagon and waddle your lil butt as fast as possible to them. So silly, smiling and laughing away, and looking back to make sure I'm watching. When you got tired, I'd pick you up and when you didn't wanna get down, you'd always cling to my hip like a baby monkey. You were never afraid to hug new people everywhere we'd go. I loved that about you and felt so grateful to have such a loving inspiration in my life. We went to Avery Island together one time as well and you saw the alligators or like you said "AGILATORS" and loved running in the open fields. You had that blank stare face when you would take in your surroundings and new experiences as if you were in awe by what you were seeing. It was a beautiful day and I'm glad I was with you to experience it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_u_C8_TnVOlc5WemlKoRHUNIH62H0MW0FxV3x3PJMbK324yrp1-Y2qkqo7Gagr51OytGBCuCnmBDfp-NLh2CtpQf0Cg8AtdLJ9LR_Yhqeq7N34l3kg7TKYFbb0-dJSTy7x1KgEgeqeXEr/s1600/IMG_1436.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_u_C8_TnVOlc5WemlKoRHUNIH62H0MW0FxV3x3PJMbK324yrp1-Y2qkqo7Gagr51OytGBCuCnmBDfp-NLh2CtpQf0Cg8AtdLJ9LR_Yhqeq7N34l3kg7TKYFbb0-dJSTy7x1KgEgeqeXEr/s1600/IMG_1436.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">napping on car rides like usual.</td></tr>
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<br />I enjoyed being your own translator, as I understood your own little language. You made it so easy to take care of you, rarely crying or throwing a tantrum, telling me you were hungry "lunch" "bite" "snack" or thirsty "juice" "Baboo/Bottle" "milk". But I love how the first word you spoke was "Daddy" and you took your first six steps to me at about 10 months. I was sitting at the kitchen table. You awkwardly stood up and stumbled your way towards me, one step at a time!! I was so excited, delighted, and it made your mommy so jealous, but she has experienced firsts of her own with you. <br /><br />We had a special bond, you and me. I will always cherish that and never live that down.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6Olokazyix1A5m7Gl3A9onGxoeIOiPgcX2Ca1k_Lji8i_Dzwk8KUM7LQSw3HQAPZiwJ2Ez55Q9xBoP8HpdUeOnUPb-d-NPf-y18001OVriCo_xEhMrByeqKqpze62mpkLtQbAf8auviY/s1600/IMG_0395.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6Olokazyix1A5m7Gl3A9onGxoeIOiPgcX2Ca1k_Lji8i_Dzwk8KUM7LQSw3HQAPZiwJ2Ez55Q9xBoP8HpdUeOnUPb-d-NPf-y18001OVriCo_xEhMrByeqKqpze62mpkLtQbAf8auviY/s1600/IMG_0395.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">days after this pic was taken, she would start walking </td></tr>
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<br />March 16, I think I will make that Random Compliment day. and Go up to atleast 10 people I don't know. and randomly give them a compliment in honor of you Madi. I think this is the best way I can continue to spread the love you have for EVERYTHING that was alive. That is what made you so beautiful little girl.</div>
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APPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-20437090785805405012014-08-04T19:32:00.000-05:002014-08-04T19:32:55.456-05:00Dedication to Madilynn Noel Stroud - A little water bug<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3v7GypsMoTK8nNfoxsgj3cSntXddR6CvojtL8siYhdcgDrWRkBeoPtzkPRDjzkqhq4plD-pJ6sV3oWBbH30e7XXn3WkDrbdXUDrKZn2Qa_noZSJaUtvq9HGyVNQm7IjdZ-Mlu-WnDZZPP/s1600/IMG_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3v7GypsMoTK8nNfoxsgj3cSntXddR6CvojtL8siYhdcgDrWRkBeoPtzkPRDjzkqhq4plD-pJ6sV3oWBbH30e7XXn3WkDrbdXUDrKZn2Qa_noZSJaUtvq9HGyVNQm7IjdZ-Mlu-WnDZZPP/s1600/IMG_0295.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy's Ninja Mask</td></tr>
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So many friends and relatives couldn't wait to meet you. I was so gentle, I didn't want to break you. Every time I held you, I couldn't stop looking into your eyes, your little lips, button nose, I loved and thanked God for everything about you. Couldn't wait to share you with the world. Because you were my world. <br /> <br /> You cracked me up when I held you, and you would blow bubbles in my arms, or I make you laugh doing the silliest things. Your smiles and laugh were so contagious. Anyone near you would quickly smile with glee. I tried my hardest to avoid changing your poopy diapers. The very first time, I heaved like a sick cat, trying to finish as fast as possible so I could actually Breath again. Every time after that it would get easier, but I used my "Ninja Mask" and put my shirt over my face. At least in my mind it help me fight your powerful diaper duty aroma.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCOwQUdolya8y46tfqBVwW312gjCb6OHcus-rkE8vq2oyedC-t3qHK2YQdXWMue9gHrRG5-gZW7wmCRdwMw7rGUMpoaix1GiCFpbqctMMDjgpMNDjiCjk6d-sGwxGtIvu4yHOgcyhi7KW/s1600/IMG_0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> If there was anything you loved to do, it would be to play in water. Ever since you were just a day old and we bathed you in the kitchen near the sink. I was nervous for two reasons. <br />1., I didn't want to hurt you. <br /> 2., I was expecting you to poop in the sink because of the warmth of the water.<br />(I am proud to say that you have never pooped in the bathtub, good job sweety haha)<br />You used to kick and splash all over the tub, constantly. Smile and laugh while you do it. You were</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBROpIMMmTcDyxj5-9IvApXeGtTF_n9MnIyhCG337sNh9RCfUJsk8gRUZ41zL5AELWQqpWjZtKtjougVeib_oIL6QZ5RejpeX54uYAbqQJBwZvrUlRidkPmSozcgHnCXHpr_J1IHY54Zn/s1600/IMG_0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBROpIMMmTcDyxj5-9IvApXeGtTF_n9MnIyhCG337sNh9RCfUJsk8gRUZ41zL5AELWQqpWjZtKtjougVeib_oIL6QZ5RejpeX54uYAbqQJBwZvrUlRidkPmSozcgHnCXHpr_J1IHY54Zn/s1600/IMG_0286.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
not afraid of the water at all. sometimes you would even lay backwards and almost let the water touch the tip of your nose before you came back up. You were a brave, goofy, but brave little girl. When at Meemee's you would always run outside to the dogs water bowl, it didn't matter if you had fresh new clothes on, a bathing suit, or nothing at all. As soon as your Meemee would turn around, you would run as fast as you can, giggling your lil butt off, and get soakin' wet all over again. When your cousin Cody would be there to play with you, every time y'all would go sit in Meemee's big tub and take a bubble bath together (one picture we forgot to capture :/ ) Each having your own cup and pouring the water over your heads. It was so great seeing y'all play like brother and sister. I would let you play with all of your toys in the tub on regular nights, we would spell the alphabet, you would play with Mr. Frog as he spit out water at you, and if you felt like I wasn't playing with you enough, You would either say PLAY WITH ME DADDY! or start pouring water out of the tub and mischievously laughing. When it was time to go to bed, I'd have your pajamas, diaper, and wipes waiting in the living room. You would always fight to run off and make me play chase with your towel flapping like a cap as its hooded over your head. I had so much fun laughing with you, even on the most exhausting days, I saved enough energy so that we could play.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trying to catch the bubbles while in our deluxe pool</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovin' her some bath time</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laughing and screaming as I say "Im gonna getcha, Im almost there!!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEzCHnjSTPpQud81X6w1G065FlRIJoPCPp49W40IEt-NULQIXR9eC4KwSr6NfsutF3NCWpxdV-bPwJzxjQkmuKyXt2ugf4B1iVzbFVJwHX-2seoffUZejUFb3xu_8HduAsmaawsquP7XV/s1600/IMG_0349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEzCHnjSTPpQud81X6w1G065FlRIJoPCPp49W40IEt-NULQIXR9eC4KwSr6NfsutF3NCWpxdV-bPwJzxjQkmuKyXt2ugf4B1iVzbFVJwHX-2seoffUZejUFb3xu_8HduAsmaawsquP7XV/s1600/IMG_0349.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First and Only time Madi got to experience the beach. The water was too cold but we let it hit her feet. She loved the way the sand felt, squishing it in her toes and fingers, rubbing it, then obviously trying to put handfuls in her mouth to taste it. Daddy wasn't having that. I wanted to bring her to Destin, FL this summer so she could actually run around and play with her Cousins Cody and Lucy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I loved spending as much time as possible, playing, dressing, feeding, bathing, singing, reading, coloring. Anything you wanted or needed, you were my number one. Your mom and I were both very protective, creating some unnecessary conflict, but we both wanted the best for our girl, and both tried to do what we thought was right. For the most part we didn't want you to see, the pain that was ripping your parents apart. I promise you little girl, I wanted everything in my power to give you the best life possible. I was trying to do that and had so much prepared for you. But you left me before I could make that a reality.</div>
APPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-3661370738132695482014-07-29T10:41:00.001-05:002014-07-29T11:51:51.361-05:00Dedication to Madilynn Noel Stroud - We Fought to meet you<div style="text-align: justify;">
5-12-14 The Morning after the longest day of my life.<br />
<br />
Madilynn, I want to hold you, sing to you, rock you to sleep, watch cartoons while we cuddle, I miss all of our time together and so afraid to say goodbye. I don't want to see you go and just want to be there for you forever. But before goodbye was even a forced possibility, the anticipation to say hello for the first time is still fresh in my mind.</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
From the first day I saw you in your momma's belly, and the first sound of that <b><i>swisha swoosha swisha</i></b> of your sweet little heart beat of the first ultrasound, tears filled my eyes and a smile would not leave my face. I fell deeply in love, instantly, and couldn't wait to share the news about you. It was so exciting to see and hear for the very first time. I can still hear it distinctively from this day. It wasn't much longer that we learned that you were gonna be a little girl. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQBuaGAa174pDaIeUP4Dcr5WTr11jqK5WWZtR20rqzfsRqe6ZdwQwRT1EaX4OcNhQ2ddlUEvjammVmw9cC1LqNp0fyNLQ_h-YbGFCTa3_TWGYhJbBgfX1Ump_QHiDms83jbIsmYnZcCwm/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQBuaGAa174pDaIeUP4Dcr5WTr11jqK5WWZtR20rqzfsRqe6ZdwQwRT1EaX4OcNhQ2ddlUEvjammVmw9cC1LqNp0fyNLQ_h-YbGFCTa3_TWGYhJbBgfX1Ump_QHiDms83jbIsmYnZcCwm/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<b>Nurse</b>: Her legs are so close together I could barely tell<b><br />Me</b>: And She better keep them that way too!<br />
[Nurse and your mommy burst into laughter, protective daddy already begins]</blockquote>
There were some slight scares throughout the pregnancy, mostly with "spotting" and a lot of bed rest. I was constantly trying to take care of the house, do yard work outside, cook when I could, lift all the heavy things, constantly remind your mom to go sit down or lay down so the swelling wouldn't get too bad so I could actually meet and hold you in person. I was so scared that I was gonna lose you. This started 4-5 months into the pregnancy, some days were very frustrating and just felt like I was just being taken advantage of. I tried to just ignore it and was determined to meet you. <br />
<br />
I remember we had to go to some class at the hospital to prepare for your birth. They played some nasty graphic video of childbirth. I'm sorry but there is nothing "Beautiful" of what takes place and I refused to actually see you coming out. Yes it is an experience, but that is one sight I didn't want to see ;). A couple weeks later, we were celebrating our anniversary and went to Paragon Casino. I remembered how bored I was for my bachelor party the first time me and my close friends went and how we actually had a better time at the cabins we were staying at. (I never really was big on partying anyway, all that stuff is over rated baby, you didn't miss much) Your mom heard that her clients always had a good time there and she knew I liked casinos, she was also still on bed rest and couldn't do many things without having to be cautious about swelling and her blood pressure spiking. We had to be extra careful to be sure you would come to us as healthy as possible. It's like I said, from day one, we fought to make your happiness a reality.<br />
<br />
By the end of the weekend, your mother's swelling got worse. We drove back home, I was a nervous wreck that whole night and went into work the next morning while your mom went see her doctor and got the news that we needed to prepare for your arrival. This was about a week or two early from the expected due date. Your mom called me and gave me the news. I started pacing all over the room back and forth and finding ways to be busy, trying to keep everything on the outside together, while on the inside I was trying to figure out when I should ask to leave. Will you be OK? I hope you are healthy. What will you look like? I can't wait to meet you! My boss and co-workers could see the frantic excitement I was carrying inside me, and my boss gave me permission to leave early so I could be with your mom as she went to her room to get prepared for your arrival.<br />
<br />
As I arrived at the hospital, I was stuck counting down the minutes, kind of like I am now, but instead of waiting to say goodbye, I couldn't wait to say hello. As the hours went by and the lack of sleep continued to grow. I watched your mom in pain, as you stubbornly but slowly began to make your way into the world. I didn't want a big crowd in the room as we waited for your arrival. I Stepped out of the room for the epidural and things went a lot faster after that. The contractions became stronger, and everything we watched in the video was basically happening one step at a time. I slept maybe one hour that night but the adrenaline had me wide awake. Finally the nurse checked her levels and went get the doctor, when the doctor came in, she said it's time to start pushing! This was so exciting to me, the only way i knew how to coach was from sports, so I did the best I could. <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLOYuxNNCI2czwcurnSAfOrkGwMC5AYwIsgswOoTMW73MjqeO8cgOzO6tph4S_4Ci1IvCY9WYjEX5dG2x_SVUglYxmnlHaHDtsuBxX8q5E0sI4IvFxpOthgchBTBg-IkXWEvr0JMxxKcW/s1600/100_0017.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLOYuxNNCI2czwcurnSAfOrkGwMC5AYwIsgswOoTMW73MjqeO8cgOzO6tph4S_4Ci1IvCY9WYjEX5dG2x_SVUglYxmnlHaHDtsuBxX8q5E0sI4IvFxpOthgchBTBg-IkXWEvr0JMxxKcW/s1600/100_0017.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feet just like her daddy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Me:</b> Push, Push, Push, Push.....now breath<br />
[I said this over and over.]<br />
<b>Doctor:</b> You're doing great Jenny don't stop<br />
<b>Me:</b> You can scream if you need to when you push<br />
<b>Your mommy:</b> starts screaming as she pushes<br />
<b>Doctor:</b> Yea please don't...<br />
<b>Me:</b> laughing quietly to myself then saying "Push Push Push, now breath"</blockquote>
<br />
As if we were in a weight room and I am spotting her as she is doing bench presses. The atmosphere seemed fitting. I made the mistake of saying "Now Relax." as you were almost with us, Annoyed and in pain, your mom looks at me and says, "RELAX?!?!?" I busted out laughing this time as my awkwardness made its way out of my lips and when I looked at the Doctor, even she cracked a smile, probably thinking "What a goober". After a quick snip to give more room, You came flying out and the doctor catches you. As you made your way Into this world, and the nurse cleared your lungs, I heard the most beautiful yell, ringing out for the whole hallway to hear. It was like a little pterodactyl scream and I couldn't have been happier fighting back my tears of joy. Nose flaring, lip quivering, I was the first to hold you and look into your beautiful innocent eyes. Something I will never forget. As I look down at you, tears start to roll down my cheek. You look back at me wondering who I was. The nurse laid you on the cleaning table and I held your little hand and put an oxygen mask to your face to help you breath. I was a bit nervous, but they said you were OK, healthy, and the happiness was just beginning for you.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AM9wgH3MIE4lWWJ0iFx9rvAwr1rs0EQZgFFBJb-B8YCTKWCAPclz-x8j7G-nOq_nJVkVLvJZQ-5zTaxPjqmRArQemS70U3u9_8HyfGR3UWW06GE5lVvixbFK267Ks-cjIW9xtzpUXZBB/s1600/100_0021.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AM9wgH3MIE4lWWJ0iFx9rvAwr1rs0EQZgFFBJb-B8YCTKWCAPclz-x8j7G-nOq_nJVkVLvJZQ-5zTaxPjqmRArQemS70U3u9_8HyfGR3UWW06GE5lVvixbFK267Ks-cjIW9xtzpUXZBB/s1600/100_0021.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love at first sight!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
APPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-39601151298768352422014-07-26T21:49:00.001-05:002014-07-26T22:15:21.327-05:00The story is about to begin... Coming from a divorced family, I've learned a lot from both of my parents. Often, a person will react either two ways. During a childhood experience, a person will learn and reciprocate the experience and apply it to his/her future or that person will learn to do the opposite of the experience depending on how it has affected the outcome of the person's life.<br />
<br />
"For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." - Sir Isaac Newton, Third Law of Motion<br />
<br />
Even though this law is for that of physical science, in my experience, theoretically you can apply this law to psychology as well. You will be involved in situations in your life, where you either react negatively or positively from it, and there will be other factors that are affected from this effect either as a benefit or a loss. The unique thing about our lives individually is that we can control whether or not we have a positive or negative impact on our lives. Ultimately, something will be learned from each experience in your life and that is why we are here to Learn, everything, all the time. It is a lesson and the capacity of our brain is endless.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCcu7E9m7NSpcwN2T3hQOjRBj-5QDlVUfR8hWkRO-bnh9AncbJhhwYtjtQ4UXiazKdHhTCjlmalliTF0QRGBAB06m63UE0b-lbqcSqfjLX5tEsWLSbyeeBI-CxmeTTuQntA1CzoG1oeIe/s1600/old+family+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCcu7E9m7NSpcwN2T3hQOjRBj-5QDlVUfR8hWkRO-bnh9AncbJhhwYtjtQ4UXiazKdHhTCjlmalliTF0QRGBAB06m63UE0b-lbqcSqfjLX5tEsWLSbyeeBI-CxmeTTuQntA1CzoG1oeIe/s1600/old+family+photo.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top: Myself, Mom, Older Sister<br />
Bottom: Younger sister, Step father</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Mom, Dad, If you read this, I know you were very young when you had both my sister and I, and you had many things you were learning on the road of life for yourselves. One thing you accomplished that I have not is seeing your children grow up to be educated, goal oriented, hardworking individuals. That is something to be proud of and I love and am appreciative for helping us get to where we are now. Without y'all and my stepfather, none of what I have accomplished would have been possible. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4Cop9z_Pfkh2WRaaOBl5iWFqg87TnN3J_bfXy8hoFWKGIVre0_ONEZUj0NOfB1mI8R_GOZjdIm4H0dN2mFPF0Il5W5R3kZFEAa0sMTWQdoYW4-7mljAPqK5WEOQPYT8JtD74nkLGjT6n/s1600/dad+me+and+colston.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4Cop9z_Pfkh2WRaaOBl5iWFqg87TnN3J_bfXy8hoFWKGIVre0_ONEZUj0NOfB1mI8R_GOZjdIm4H0dN2mFPF0Il5W5R3kZFEAa0sMTWQdoYW4-7mljAPqK5WEOQPYT8JtD74nkLGjT6n/s1600/dad+me+and+colston.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Dad, Marques Colston, Myself</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
What I have learned growing up as a kid, is how ugly divorce is. How much pain it puts on everyone affected by it no matter what age. There will be sadness, pain, confusion, etc. Sometimes, the reactions are vented involuntarily to other parties; family, friends, but most of all children. The love from your child does not compare to the love from your spouse. In a child's eyes, the love for a parent is the world to them. When the child sees the parent hurting, the child hurts with them, same with every other emotion that the parent may experience. (This is my personal observation from being both a parent and child in a situation of Divorce).<br />
<br />
In both scenarios it was also decided it was best for the child(ren). What I promised myself and Madilynn even before I was married, before I had a child, is that I would never get a divorce, I don't believe in it. I also made a promise to myself that I would love my daughter endlessly, so she would never feel a void from me and could always trust that her daddy was gonna be there for her. I did the best that I could and still hold true to that belief, but sometimes life has other plans that are out of my control. The only thing I can do is sit here and wonder where do I go from here, how do I adapt from this. I don't have all the answers, might not ever have them, but I can't give up. APPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-85933496290297379772014-07-19T19:33:00.001-05:002014-07-19T19:38:54.690-05:00Dedication to Madilynn Noel Stroud - Prologue<div style="text-align: justify;">
Starting today, and one time for every following week, I will express a dedication to a love so beautiful, so profound, and an angel so sweet and loving who loved to laugh and play, that I can not fathom why God would want to take it from me so soon and not allow me to watch it flourish before my eyes as the years grow older. Madilynn Noel Stroud was only two years, one month, and 25 days when she left my life to experience the divinity of Heaven (Yes I know she is there, and that gives me peace, even though I miss her constantly). It was the longest day of my life as time seemed to have stopped and then move slowly. then the week began to drag out even longer. I try to write as many memories as possible of the times we had together, and I am happy that I was able to experience every bit of that time with Madi, I just wish I could have had more. She was the only person I have ever had touch my heart to where she could make me laugh right after I have been crying, or after a long taxing day at work, when I would go pick her up, her wide open arms, huge smile, and sprint to me with a sparkle in her eyes, that would suddenly brighten my day. Ultimately my new lifelong goal is to master patience as this has been one of my greatest flaws. I hate that this is the way I have to master this challenge of life, but it is the only way I will get to love, kiss, and hug my sweet baby girl again for eternity in Heaven. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4EXa7grbiBAThpp64NGL_VShYsiJNiJovvpAg_G6LII6cBESnHPc3vSP5rgtfPHafEj-NRnaO4fLeaKCvS6TugVy_qIrrBJAyvJUy4hHAKR3r1WOtuvAJY8lfodDOyXaCJEccF_eJM4h/s1600/IMG_0847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_4EXa7grbiBAThpp64NGL_VShYsiJNiJovvpAg_G6LII6cBESnHPc3vSP5rgtfPHafEj-NRnaO4fLeaKCvS6TugVy_qIrrBJAyvJUy4hHAKR3r1WOtuvAJY8lfodDOyXaCJEccF_eJM4h/s1600/IMG_0847.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Throughout the days of my intense mourning, constant questions, feelings of worthlessness,
empty stomach and insufficient sleep, I also managed to write something
that I felt that was sent straight from God. Please feel free to share this following
message. I honestly believeHis message is to love unconditionally and
forgive often. But learn from the past. The day before Madilynn's funeral I printed 150 of these papers. I still own the original but the message I am expressing is very powerful. The message comes directly from my heart and mind, and if I didn't believe it was true, I would not be sharing it with you right now.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjH3bryjLhTKWLxeLILaRpLWS3rxrjp1e_RIA9IXmdMVtLhSDa2L__gE_wMnvj6iDS6FLNPuWGGqNwTTmBt-0gxaDKr9L2dC4PRbFcG5K0TelyHaPZ7-IYXoZWTflSeHDANZ9KJ2TCho4-/s1600/message.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjH3bryjLhTKWLxeLILaRpLWS3rxrjp1e_RIA9IXmdMVtLhSDa2L__gE_wMnvj6iDS6FLNPuWGGqNwTTmBt-0gxaDKr9L2dC4PRbFcG5K0TelyHaPZ7-IYXoZWTflSeHDANZ9KJ2TCho4-/s1600/message.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
"If there is anything that Madi taught me, it is that God surrounds us in life. He is everywhere and in everything, constantly reminding us that He is there with us. What I never noticed or understood, until I had my baby girl, is that if you do not allow God into your HEART, then you are just going through the motions. You cannot experience unconditional love, you cannot truly forgive anyone or honestly understand anything if God is not allowed into your heart.<br />
<br />
You can go to church, surround yourself with Christian people, read the Bible over and over, and throw verses at people like rocks to try to break their spirit. If God is not in your heart,then you may never understand the lessons the Bible holds. A person can go through every motion possible, but if God is not allowed in your heart, 100%, then you will not appreciate your purpose in life and never understand or accept unconditional love for anything else. This world is so deep, and has more than just individual feelings or thoughts. Madi and I loved each other and I would sacrifice everything for her. She was my life, my world, my everything, now she's gone and left me with this message. <br />
<br />
Share love for everyone, so God can fill your heart and not just surround your life. That is the only way you will truly appreciate anything."<br />
<br />
I love you Madilynn Noel, <br />
You were my one and only "lil butt"<br />
<br />
Matt Stroud</div>
APPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-80821622285685304922014-05-09T14:24:00.001-05:002014-05-09T16:49:27.547-05:00Good people deserve Great Recognition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNPmaoiejonXVeIo3GP0HOL9-RerlkRbY2Ing-6JLXviwPwFk6ZhGAJF8I0hTbpFMmKIJoLNx5xptLNYsyF3Z2ujdVE-b_juey5I8uEYKF9S8aTN4yQ_UpZqWepz6kzX1KCs4TyfOBXYc/s1600/Brent+Hulin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRNPmaoiejonXVeIo3GP0HOL9-RerlkRbY2Ing-6JLXviwPwFk6ZhGAJF8I0hTbpFMmKIJoLNx5xptLNYsyF3Z2ujdVE-b_juey5I8uEYKF9S8aTN4yQ_UpZqWepz6kzX1KCs4TyfOBXYc/s1600/Brent+Hulin.jpg" height="320" width="177" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A Good friend of mine, Brent Hulin, Recently
participated in a Charity Poker Event related to his profession. What
was great about Hulin not only participating in this event, but actually
Winning it and putting the winnings to great use.It is safe to say that
not many of Brent's coworkers are aware of his hidden talent....well
not really hidden for those who know him and play against him
regularly....but in the real world where poker is just gambling and a
game of chance, Brent's skills may have been a surprise to many.He
shared this awesome news with me and I wanted to jump on the chance to
interview him because what he did with his winnings from the tournament
is what very few poker players would do and shows just how much of a
class act guy he is!<br />
<br />
Where was this tournament held? <span style="color: #1f497d;">
Anaheim Convention Center</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Did the tournament have a name? <span style="color: #1f497d;">
Milestone Aviation Group 2<sup>nd</sup> Annual Poker Tournament <wbr></wbr>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Was there a buyin or was it sponsored? <span style="color: #1f497d;">
Sponsored by Milestone Aviation Group. There was a field of 90 entrants
in the helicopter, leasing and aviation world in attendance. Final table
spots won prizes from charitable donations to a $20K watch (first
place). <wbr></wbr>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is this a yearly event? Or just a one time thing, sounds like a great way to meet fellow colleagues in your field.<span style="color: #1f497d;"> This was the 2<sup>nd</sup> Annual Tournament.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #1f497d;">It’s an event that is held one evening during the Helicopter Association International
<a href="https://www.rotor.com/" target="_blank">https://www.rotor.com/</a> </span></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Upon entering the tournament was it a requirement to have charities to donate to?
<span style="color: #1f497d;">The winners were able to choose their charities after the tournament.
</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How long have you been playing poker and who would you say have been your biggest influence in learning the game?
<span style="color: #1f497d;">I started playing poker about 10 years ago.
Texas Hold Em’ was very popular at the time. I joined some co-workers
after work at a bar called Pete’s. They taught me about the game and I
won a few bucks that night. I was hooked! I
started playing in some online games and started playing house games
and hosting cash games of my own. There were some nights I’d play till 6
in the morning at friends houses winning a few hundred bucks. I cashed 5<sup>th</sup>
place in 2009 in the United
Way Poker Tournament for $1k. The buyins were split into charity / cash
payouts. Due to my busy work and life schedule I hadn’t played poker in
about 18 months. I just got back into the game in February. I followed
my good friend Kevin Eyster while I took
my hiatus. He has a special talent and never gave up on his dream. He
is definitely an influence to me when I think about the psychology of
the game.
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What was the coolest thing you have won/received that has been involved with poker<span style="color: #1f497d;">.
My good friend Kevin Eyster and I played poker together for many years
when I was in college. I signed a deck of cards for him
once when I beat him up in a cash game. After he moved away and started
playing in some big name tournaments he stopped in town one night by my
apartment to visit. He had the munchies and ate a box of Cheez-its Hot
& Spicy. I told him when he wins a big tournament
he better send me a signed box of Cheez-its and it better be the Hot
& Spicy! A few months ago I received my signed box of Cheez-it Hot
& Spicy after he won the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Showdown and cashed
a cool $660K. I won’t be eating those anytime soon!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black;">I hope you don't eat those Cheez-Its buddy. One that is priceless story, and two I can't guarantee the health risk you would be taking haha.<br /><br /><br />If you still don't know who Kevin Eyster is,here is a short clip of the WPT Seminole Event Mr. Hulin is referring to where </span></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black;">Tony "Bond18" Dunst breaks down the great poker play of 1$ickDisea$E<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/0Di6NWrnghY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Update: The original article is no longer available online, but here's what it said....I'll make his fame last forever ;)</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #003366; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">March 31 -- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis and a local chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation
are each receiving a $7,500 donation, thanks to Brent Hulin’s poker-playing skills in a charity tournament held at Heli-Expo.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #003366; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Brent, who works in global aircraft sales and acquisitions in New Iberia, took second place in the event,
which was sponsored by aircraft lessor Milestone Aviation Group. Approximately 90 people entered the tournament.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #003366; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">“I started playing poker for fun about 10 years ago and mostly play home games but I have done well in tournaments
before,” Brent says. “So you could say I have some poker skills but there is always luck involved.”</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #003366; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Special significance</span></b><span style="color: #003366; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
Brent’s choices of St. Jude and Make-A-Wish are not random selections,
as both organizations had a major impact on his life while he was
battling leukemia when he was 15 years old.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #003366; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">“I
was being treated at Tulane University in New Orleans and was having a
difficult time with the chemotherapy
treatments,” Brent says. “They consulted with St. Jude to change up the
treatments and it helped but it was still a tough year.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #003366; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The
Make-A-Wish Foundation offered Brent a wish and the avid football fan
made the most of it, choosing
to attend the Super Bowl in San Diego in January 2003 (Tampa Bay 48,
Oakland 21). His only regret is that his favorite team, the New Orleans
Saints, wasn’t playing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #003366; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Now 29, Brent is in full remission. “It was almost half my life ago but I am glad to be able to make these
donations and thanks to Milestone for putting on the tournament.”<i> </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<i><span style="color: #003366; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">caption: Bristow’s Brent Hulin (right) won second place at Milestone Aviation Group’s poker tournament
at Heli-Expo and $15,000 in charitable donations.</span></i><span style="color: #003366; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<i><span style="color: #003366; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Posted 31-Mar-2014 17:49:14 CDT</span></i>APPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-86021475092793562662014-03-28T17:17:00.000-05:002014-03-28T17:17:14.037-05:00F@*& Cancer! And Everything about it.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Recently I have learned that some people close to me have either just found out about having some type of cancer, or have been battling it for a while now. This is crap, just the fact that I don't understand it, like many. The only way to cure it is to basically put your body through pain and stress known as Chemotherapy and actually pay doctors and hospitals for this unusual form of torture. I guess my aggravation with the whole matter is that I just don't want to believe that this is the only way to kill it. One day as I was actually thinking about this. There was an article that came up in my facebook news feed how a group of Students at Stanford University actually came up with an alternative way and have been researching this. You can actually read this article <a href="http://bit.ly/1pxvyHr" target="_blank">HERE</a> if you are wondering what I read. <br /><br />I'll be honest, I don't know much about Cancer, how its formed, and what it takes to get rid of it. I do know that it is my astrological sign, (which is totally irrelevant to this blog) and that I hate it and everything about it. I also know that in order to get through it, You must stay positive and be optimistic, and the larger of a support group you have, the better, but above all, you cannot let the cancer defeat your spirit. If anything, getting through this will make you a stronger person and more influential to others that are close to you in your life. <br /><br />The first I would like to talk about is a beautiful baby girl who has been battling a cancerous tumor by her face and neck since August 2013 at 19 months. She has had a very great spirit and she is also very loveable. I think what is even better about this story is the huge following she has gained and support system that has grown thanks to the extreme unselfish love provided by her Nanny Jennifer and Uncle Ryan Romero. They have been there every step of the way and Jennifer has literally been by her side to care for lil Aubrie. Recently there was an awesome benefit to help raise money with multiple bands, silent auctions, great food, just an awesome celebration that I unfortunately had to miss because It fell on my work week, but from what I heard the turnout was amazing.<br />You Can learn more about Aubrie and her battle at the website <a href="http://www.prayers4aubrie.com/" target="_blank">http://www.prayers4aubrie.com/</a><br /><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/541893_512741848822714_672912247_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1.0-9/541893_512741848822714_672912247_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><br />I just recently learned that my wonderful Aunt Holly was also diagnosed with breast cancer. I was actually in shock when I heard this and it still feels unreal to me. But I am confident that she can defeat this because she is a very strong woman and every single memory I have of my aunt she always has the Greatest smile on her face. She recently retired from Teaching after 30 years of putting up with bratty children, I don't blame her haha. But to be honest, I've never heard one complaint and everyone who she taught loved her. I just want her to know that even though this battle has just began for you, There will be many people around to love you, Especially your children Tim and Shelly, your silly grand babies, and of course your loving, goofy husband Uncle Glenn. Oh by the way, sorry but I had to put an embarrassing picture of you as well ;) love you!<br /><a href="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/1898100_779467252075029_531077547_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/1898100_779467252075029_531077547_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /><br />Finally, a good poker buddy and friend of mine, Francis Nguyen, recently learned that his mother was also diagnosed with cancer. I don't know much details about this, but I know that all things are possible if you pray, stay optimistic, and believe that nothing is impossible and that you will prove it by getting through it! If there is anyone else out there that I may have left out I just want you to be strong and believe that things can only look better! If you ever need to talk, or a little extra support, I'm here for you.<br />APPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-49648269204632514732014-03-17T00:00:00.002-05:002014-03-17T00:00:28.822-05:00Guess I'll revive this thing before it is forgotten<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As some of you may know, I used to write these blogs regularly. Then I took on the task of starting a website formerly known as Acadianapokerplayers.com. I had a huge vision for this and wanted to eventually see it flourish. but I forgot to focus on the small start and build a strong foundation. It didn't take long for it to crumble beneath my feet. I think I've met many great people over the years and more than fortunate to have met many friends, poker players, and even some I have learned lessons from. Well I have new opportunities and even new life events from two years ago. Now that the dust has settled I want to find time to write my thoughts every now and then. Whether it be about Poker, My daughter, or just random life situations and events. I always enjoyed expressing my thoughts through literature, even if the grammar wasn't always the greatest.<br /><br />I will also be posting my FULL article submissions that I usually submit to AnteUp Magazine for my monthly article being the Louisiana Ambassador. Mainly for the fact that I am limited to only 250 words and usually have more to say than that. So use this to your advantage as a sneak preview and inside view of whats to come in upcoming AnteUp issues, atleast for the state of Louisiana. I am also a great source for getting you a relaxing <a href="http://www.anteupmagazine.com/where-to-play/cruise/" target="_blank">Poker Cruise</a> provided by Ante Up. Just click on the link and let them know the Louisiana Ambassador Matt Stroud sent you. They will be sure to take care of any questions or needs that you may have!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PCgP2q_vgysopTKJ6EdtTpa3V8zp1myfIJ3FKZoXSFOTyTkBtJh_uanLNAbk_Ha5IgTXYmP-xFeBbNsP3nsIo00VPicaV4uXjWEh9vmR9pC-I4xA8N67mGEy1nBbrkLmPLstdRoRI50m/s1600/Madi+10-3-13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PCgP2q_vgysopTKJ6EdtTpa3V8zp1myfIJ3FKZoXSFOTyTkBtJh_uanLNAbk_Ha5IgTXYmP-xFeBbNsP3nsIo00VPicaV4uXjWEh9vmR9pC-I4xA8N67mGEy1nBbrkLmPLstdRoRI50m/s1600/Madi+10-3-13.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />Well I'll keep this short but stay posted, I have started to play more homegames lately as I took over the task of distributing the poker issues monthly as well and hope to see some of you at the next games I go to. The main goal I have for this year is to earn enough money to go play in Las Vegas for a 3-4 night stay mainly because I have never had the pleasure of visiting and I want to experience what all the hype is about.<br /><br />Other than that, I am finally able to focus more on my Job and feel that I am learning more and more each day and excited about every new thing that I learn! My daughter also turned two today and she had an awesome day. She has always lifted my spirits even when I hit rock bottom and she did it with little to no effort, I am so grateful to have such a wonderful daughter and wouldn't know what I would do without her in my life. I'm no longer married and have moved on from that chapter in my life, but no time for dwelling on the negative, its too easy to be pessimistic, sad or upset. You actually have to put forth effort and work to have happiness and confidence. Even more so when other unhappy people see you smiling and want you to be on their miserable level. You have accomplished new steps in your life when you don't allow them to defeat you. I will step off my philosophical soap box and just encourage you to never stop improving yourself. Always believe that you can become something more. The reward will be worth it.<br /><br />Goodnight and glad to be back.M. Stroud<br /><br />"Life is like poker, Eventually you are dealt a new hand"<br />
<br />APPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-63664409534357683072012-03-10T09:53:00.001-06:002012-03-10T09:53:07.761-06:00Never fear a Donk with Deep Pockets.I recently played in a tournament where a known Super Aggressive player with Deep Pockets was playing directly to my left. I started hearing grumblings of "OH NO, NOT HIM..." and "well looks like this table will be expensive" and numerous sighs and groans. We were about to start an unlimited Rebuy tournament and this guy has a history of Rebuying between 15-25 times before the Rebuy Period is over. If you tilt him, he can start to shove every hand and it is hilarious watching the table dynamics of not just him, but the other players unfold as well. I usually get excited when I get a player like this sit at my table because you can just pick apart these types of players. There are a few things I mainly do when I come in contact with this type of player. <br /><br />1.<b> Don't get discouraged or intimidated by this opponents play.</b> That is what he wants you to do. He will try to bet you off the hand if you show weakness regardless of his cards so if your gut instinct tells you that you have the best hand, chances are you probably do. There was a hand I played against him one day where I was holding J7 suited and flop came A J 7 rainbow. I bet on the flop and the Super Aggressor quickly called after checking in the dark to me. The turn came a 10 and also put a straight with possible flush draw on the board. I bet about 1/3 the pot and this time he raises me 2x my bet which also put me all in. The Range of hands this opponent can hold could be HUGE and he loves to play the dynamics of a board to put fear in his opponents when rarely holding a strong hand (this can be tricky as when they do hold strong hands it is disguised well, but that is when you need to use your psychological reading skills to determine what is a legit strong hand and what is making a move). He started that signature smirk he has and he is a very talkative player and loves creating attention, as many super aggressive players do, but in this hand he was very quiet and had this glare in his eye. Looking at 2 pair I have a strong feeling that I have the best hand right now since he is ACTING strong, I sensed weakness. After some Deliberation and replaying the hand in my head, I make the call and show my 2 pair as he turns over A5 os and misses the river to improve and I scoop a nice pot over $500.<br /><br />2. <b>Play small ball poker and don't try to out do the aggressor.</b> This is a good time for ABC poker as far as hand selection and also allowing your opponent to pay you off with his blind rage of aggression when you make a strong hand. You must remember if you show weakness to an opponent who smells blood they will attack, and do so relentlessly, so if the weakness is shown after getting a monster, chances are you will be paid off as long as you don't give off any hint that you want them to pay you off. It is best to do so when out of position, but if you have position on this player and he is not betting into you, throwing out small bets "bait" that are disguised to look like feeler bets will usually initiate the Deep Pocket Donk to discredit your play and throw in a raise. If the Deep Pocket Donk is betting into you, there is no need to Raise until the river to maximize value of the hand.<br /><br />3. <b>Don't play into their game. </b>Alot of players that do not adjust well to these types of players usually try to do the same thing that player is doing, by making really loose calls with very skeptical hands or reraising the Deep Pocket Donk with very skeptical hands. It is important to stick to the fundamentals and play the hands that have high percentage of winning because like always, in the long run the good players will beat the players that depend on variance for success and look at poker like Bingo or Strictly Luck. That is what separates the good winning poker players from the bad. It is important to keep a level head and don't let them tilt you or you will get outplayed or even miss value in hands where you could have easily stacked your opponents. When the other players focus on the Super Aggressive at the table, you can quietly take in added chips from other opponents as long as you are not detected and continue to show down good hands and avoid getting out drawn.<br /><br />I hope this helps you dig into the pockets of these players as they will continue to reload and become more aggressive every time you take from their stack! So enjoy the ride and hope they never leave the table!<br /><br />Matt SAPPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-78694207206730821462012-02-29T16:12:00.002-06:002012-02-29T16:12:37.287-06:00L'auberge visit and Decent Cash game profit.Recently I made a Journey to check out the Poker Room I've been hearing so much about in Lake Charles, LA at the L'auberge du Lac Casino Resort. I heard things like you have to get there early just to sit at a table and that the game is always full. I heard they had a 6 - 12 Limit game and a steady 2-5 NL Holdem game (Which this was true) but when I arrived, I just realized I am not rich enough to be there lol. Basically the Poker Room was about 7 or 8 tables and they had a spread of two 4-8 Limit tables and two 2-5 NL tables. I Put my name on both lists and had an open seat on 4 8 limit. So I sat and played until there was a 2-5 seat to open up and that didn't take very long at all. <br /><br />When I moved to NL, I only brought $300 on me and Minimum buy in was $200. Looking at the table, the average stack was about $500 and there were two players with $1k+ so I just opted to buy in for All $300 and just try to have a single barrel for the day. I really hate doing that but I also drove two hours to play so I didn't want to just leave because there wasn't a 1 2 NL game that I prefer to play and I've heard that there were some juicy games. Well starting out at this table I realize that it is a must move table but the players were extremely tight and timid and it didn't take long for me to start opening up my game as the standard raise was suprisingly $15-20 to get heads up. I wasn't used to this being that other 2-5 and 5-5 games I've played the standard was $25-40. I was loving it and having my way with the table. I went on a 3 hand heater and basically stacked a guy with KK when he made a weak attempt to bluff me off my hand on a Q high board with both the Flush and Straight were showing but with his cheesy smile and the way he was staring me down, I just had the vibe that he was ACTING strong but actually weak. I made the call and he showed Q5os for top pair and I scooped a nice $280 pot. The next two hands added an additional 80 bucks to my stack then the Table broke to fill the other two NL tables and I had $645 and a decision to just Cash out or sit at one of the tables that I recognized multiple solid players and very little fish. This was aggravating and the Average stack went from $500ish to about $800-$1000. Instead of doing the wise thing and just cashing out and taking the $345 profit, I decided to take my chances and sat next to a guy I know to be pretty loose but also pretty good as well. There were a couple others that were loose and I quickly got a bad end of a hand when my QQ was outdrawn by AQ on a 10J5A8 board then another hand where a guy flopped the straight vs. my top pair top kick. I get down to my initial buy in and floated around that spot when I chose to call a guy who has been raising light and betting hard to steal pots with 76os. There was one other caller in Late position with the Raiser in Middle position and I was in the BB. Flop came J54 with two clubs and I bet about 1/3 the pot and was immediately 3bet by the original raiser. I figured him for something like QJ, J10, J9 at best or even a PP but no set. The guy in late position folds and I flat. The turn card brings the Kc and there is about 165 in the middle while I have 235 behind, I just immediately shove and the dealer takes my chips and starts to count my stack. The original raiser tanks for a bit and then makes the call showing 54 off suit for two pair. I hit a 7 on the river that doesn't help and realize I had the guy covered by about $18 bucks. Take my money then get up from the table looking to cash out. I regret making that move just because I shouldn't have played the hand preflop to begin with. Honestly I shouldn't have even sat at the table since it was a bad decision based off Game Selection in the first place. That is a key component from being a Profitable poker player to a losing poker player....Game Selection.<br /><br />Well Moving on to Friday for the league game I continued to display my great show of bad luck in the tournament by raising preflop with 66 and getting 3 or 4 callers then with the board falling 874 Thinking I'm good I lead out about half the pot, enough to commit myself, and of course my good pal Luckbox Leprechaun strikes again and shoves all in over me (I have him covered by about 2300). I make the call hoping to spike a 6 or 5 and what does he turn over......65 off suit....beautiful timing sir, and I just simply reply "That's how I roll...." as I burn and turn and burn and River two meaningless cards that dont catch me up. The very next hand I deal, I look at Qd9d and shove all in for about 2350 total and everyone but the big blind folds. He looks at me, laughs, and says, "What do you want me to do Matt??" I told him, "Honestly, I don't even care anymore haha." So he calls and I am delighted to see he holds Qs9s. I sarcastically say, watch the spades come out as I begin to burn and then count out 3 cards for the flop.....(Yes I am the dealer, how sick is that) Flop flips 10 of spade, 8 of spade, 6 of spade....FUUUUUUUUUUUUU I just kind of kill the deck then get up to go get something to drink while everyone busts out laughing. They say I have to atleast finish the hand to make it official so I quickly put the turn and river and write myself down as knocked out. I need to do some serious catching up in the next NL game to get back to contention for the top 9. <br /><br />Well after that whole episode, I wait and continue to deal until we have enough to start a .50 1.00 cash game and I realize I don't have any cash on me. I am fortunate enough to have a guy willing to let me borrow a little and just pay him back tomorrow when I go to the bank and I buy in for $50.00. At first things start out slow and I scoop a small pot here and there and I am in a good spot at the table with 2 or 3 tight players to my left and a loose cannon directly to my right with the other loose cannons across the table from me. I slowly work my stack up to about $180 flopping Q high flush to beat Mrs. Prissy's 9 high flush on a cooler hand. Flopped a set of 2s to beat KK, Just running good for once and having hands hold up and building my confidence for the night. Then there is a hand that absolutely tilts the other big stack at the table that we were all waiting for. Beau Brewer, the guy I complimented in the past for his reading ability called a huge bet to double up with just a pair of 8s (2nd or 3rd pair) on a Qs 8d 3d board vs. the loose cannon directly to my Right who loves to bluff and make loose calls to tilt the table in his advantage. he showed 7d 2d vs. Beaus Qd 6d and it holds. Well the guys are like awesome play Beau and clowning the loose cannon etc. just giving him a hard time in good humor basically, nothing personal, then you can tell it was about to get to the Super Tilt point, Then another guy grabs a decent pot when he goes all in, then another pot......Then I look at Ac 4s in Late position and a minraised pot with about 3 or 4 callers. The flop falls with I think two clubs and maybe a pair of 4s for me and everyone checks. Turn is another club and everyone checks to the loose cannon who looks at his cards then decides to bet 8 bucks into a pot of about 22. I say let me check and see if I have IT too and look then Raise him to 29 and everyone folds and he starts asking me what do I have, and if I have IT, then calls. the River is yet another Club and gives me the nut flush with no possible straight flush or boat on the board so I know I have the best hand and he bets into me AGAIN. This time $20 and I immediately raise another $20. He has about $85 to $100 after the $40 and is still trying to figure out if I'm bluffing or if I really have it, then he shoves all in on me and I snap call showing my nut flush, He tells me he also had it but smaller then tosses his cards in the muck and gets up. I finish off the night for a profit of about $435 and make up for my trip to L'auberge. It was nice to finally run good for a night again. Need to start making more of a habit of that!APPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-76961508623352212122012-02-19T10:50:00.001-06:002012-02-20T15:38:57.307-06:00Greed shakes up the APP League (Host anyone?)So Recently the APP League that I have been doing has started back up for its 3rd season, and we had to move locations since I have a baby girl on the way and can no longer host the games in my house. The new place I was going to have it was big enough to add an extra table. We worked out all the details for everything to go smoothly and told the hosts exactly how I ran things at my house. There was a championship Freeroll at the end of the season for the top 9 players and each spot would get paid out. The only way I can supply a payout for each spot, as well as pay for the Trophy, snacks and drinks for each game, and Shirts and Card Protectors for the players is if $40 of the $50 buy in goes to the players that night and $10 goes to the Championship FreeRoll money (CFR$). There was a tight management of this money and I kept track of all the things paid for that benefits the group. Personally, I made no profit from doing this and was fine with that, because I enjoyed playing the game and all of the players were happy as well and enjoyed participating in the league. The few that knew they couldn't make it consistently to contend for the Championship didn't show up and it created a Tight nit group....a League.<br />
<br />
The person that agreed to host were very kind and understanding, I have also done personal favors for them as well, given free firewood, earned a free night at Isle of Capri Casino in Lake Charles and told them they could have it since I was going back home. General stuff Friends do for each other. They were also kind enough to have personal gifts made for the baby on the way and I was greatly appreciative of that. I also took home their laptop which was from 2000-2003 and did 3 days of work on it to get it running better again and install a poker clock for them to use at the games which was a headache in a half for no charge. But what happened recently just utterly confused me. It's the type of crap that makes you wonder why the hell someone would want to ruin a good thing. <br />
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Anyway, Game 1 of the league comes around and I was notified by the host that they would be late but someone would let us in early. I waited outside for an hour, shivering my ass off and annoyed that I had to set everything up to prepare for the game until someone finally showed up. They informed me that Snacks and Drinks (Which consisted of chips and 6 packs of various can drinks) were paid for and as we agreed I would supply them the funds for those drinks via the CFR$. So we get in there and start setting up for the game. Have everything done and have a spectacular Turn out for 30 people! I collected the money, sorted the payouts and placed the money box in a separate room where only I and the Hosts would go in and out. Maxed out attendance and future of a great game! I got a crappy beat when the hosts finally arrived and sit down to take their seats. My flopped set on a K73 board (I had 33) and 3bet the flop to 1800 against a lady who put in a min bet of 800 with a pot of about 2800 and she snap called. Turn seems like a harmless 6 and she checks to me, I bet over half my stack because the 6 created a flush and straight draw and she puts me all in and I call Immediately....what does she reveal.....Pocket 6's...I am just in shock by how ridiculously lucky she got as I initially put her on KQ or KJ at best. But that's how I roll. So All night me and the luck-box ;) that helped me setup were both knocked out midway through the tournament but continued to deal (It was agreed that we would help run things and they just wanted to host, that was fine with me since I started the League). The hosts sat there and played, but occasionally during breaks and just random times I would see the host go in and out of that room, I would think nothing of it. By the time the tournament was over everyone was paid out and we were picking everything up and saying goodbyes, I grabbed the Money box with the CFR$ and headed home. When I arrived home I counted the CFR$ and realized that $20 was missing from it and sent a mass text to about 8 people stating that I will now hold the money on me at all times because it seems $20 has been stolen. Everyone but the host would reply in shock or questioning. <br />
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Then about 5 days before Game 2 rolls around, The host says he wants more than just enough for the snacks and drinks. It was requested before the season started but when I explained to them that It was impossible for me to give that, a simple, "that's fine I understand" was stated and I was under the impression that it was done with. Apparently that wasn't the case...There was no consideration to call me and discuss this or even talk to me in person again about it. No It was sent to me a second time as a demand in a text message....as if he was my boss....and It pissed me off to no end. It was about 11:30 at night on a weekday when I noticed the text and called asking was he serious and there is no way I can do it. I told them that if that's what they want I will not be a part of it and it wont be my league, about 3 or 4 days later I went get my stuff which was a peaceful exchange and he had the audacity to say, "When your games get started up whereever they are, give me a call cause we'd still like to play." I just looked at him with this, "Is this guy freaking serious??" look on my face and just nodded my head and got in my truck in drove away. Since then I haven't had much communication with the guy and been in search of finding a host for the league so it wouldn't crumble apart and multiple regulars of the game wanted to keep it going. A great guy and Best Man said we could hold it at his house and that his wife was cool with it. So I'm thinking, Awesome season back on...lets get it!! We have a catch up game and things are back to normal, but an announcement was made that it is only a temporary solution and we have until end of March to find another location because the wife did not agree to the decision of having it in their house. I just kind of Face-palmed and shook my head but glad she was willing to compromise for a few more games. <br />
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I also found out that initially the original host was trying to steal players from my league, basically begging them to come play at his house instead. Whats funny is he had no real idea of what he is doing and it just turned into another lil house game but with a $50 buy in he was paying out a spot for every $100 in the prizepool. so the first game he hosted top 7 were paid out of 15! lol I was kind of surprised by this news. I am glad to learn that he has decided to atleast rotate weeks with me and has had a change of heart about that, but the whole situation is unfortunate and just a pain in the ass. I just wish I could understand what kind of chemicals, electric stimulation, or whatever makes a persons brain tick created that random ass scenario to just completely obliterate and corrupt a good thing all for the sake of greed. When getting all my stuff he did want to talk to me and try to work things out, but I told him, "Even if you didn't want the extra money anymore, I know it would still be on your mind and something would continue to come of it the rest of the season. I know you would be unhappy and just don't feel comfortable having it at your house anymore." That's when he asked to continue to be invited and honestly, if money would not have been stolen out of the CFR$ then I would have most likely allowed him back into the league, because overall he is a good guy from what I can tell. Just some people have their flaws I guess.....I know I have mine.APPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-82096844008363358082012-02-01T09:34:00.001-06:002012-02-01T16:54:57.431-06:00Louisiana has worst drivers, and they are all targeting me.....<a href="http://blog.cargurus.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/bad-driving-habits-angry-driver-6421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://blog.cargurus.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/bad-driving-habits-angry-driver-6421.jpg" width="320" /></a>Ok so, I have been having the worst luck driving lately. The most annoying part about it is that it hasn't been my fault in most of the cases. Honestly it goes to show Louisiana has the worst drivers in America as soo many polls, studies, statistics have shown and I hate being a victim of it.<br />
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First back in December, there is traffic coming to a stop on the highway so I easily slow to a stop, look in my rear view mirror and notice the guy behind me notices late and slams on his breaks to avoid me. He almost got me but missed...so its all good, I look back to the front of me waiting for traffic to start moving again then I hear BAM! then feel my truck collide with impact and notice another loud BOOOM! sound.....awesome. I get out a bit shaken and realized that the guy in the middle is concussed and can barely move. I ask him if he can move his arms and he does, then ask him if he can feel his legs, he is fine for the most part but his car....not so much. My bumper got the most of the damage on my vehicle but the other two vehicles behind me had to be towed away. Wreck #1 in the books.<br />
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A few weeks go buy and I get the new bumper on my truck and think everything's going good when going to work on the highway yet again. have about a car length away from the Truck in front of me with the roads damp, suddenly I see his break lights and immediately slam on my breaks. This doesn't matter as my anti lock breaks kick in and I am in the twilight zone where time just slows down and about 5,000 thoughts are hitting me all at once, but the loudest one that kept repeating to myself as I get closer and closer to the truck is...."Oh Shit......Oh shit.....Oh shit......OH SHIT.....BOOM! It didn't stop there, The SUV behind me also noticed late, but thankfully she didn't just slam on her breaks but also swerved into the middle median to avoid my truck all together. This would have been a much worse wreck and I probably would have been the poor guy in the first wreck if she wouldn't have done this, so I was very Thankful that she reacted in that way......and kind of wish I would have reacted the same. As I am getting out of my truck to make sure everyone is ok, I am thinking to myself, "Just what I need. Another wreck to start my day off right." I Look at the guy's truck and we both assess the damage. My front bumper is a bit dinged up but nothing I can't adjust myself and his truck shows barely any sign of a wreck at all. He confirms that he is OK and the lady that avoided me was already starting to drive off hahaha. A cop pulls along the side and asks us if we need him to stop and we both kind of look at each other, shrug our shoulders, and I said, "No sir, there doesn't seem to be much damage, we should be fine." The cop looks at me then looks at my truck and says...."well get the truck out the road completely." Then drives away. I apologize to the guy and tell him I'm glad he's OK and we both go on our way.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://timesonline.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/08/21/driving_with_a_phone.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://timesonline.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/08/21/driving_with_a_phone.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What the idiot in the black truck probably looked like.</td></tr>
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Yesterday, I avoided another huge potential wreck because I'm sure some dumb ass was texting and not paying attention to the road on a 2 way single lane road. I am just trying to make it home after a long days work and notice the truck in front of me swerves around the idiot Black Truck veering into our lane. Then I have to swerve even further out of the way to miss him and end up halfway off the road and almost in the ditch. I then turn to get back on the road....going about 35-40mph and swerve into the oncoming traffic and have to immediately get back into my lane....it was another one of those OH SHIT moments with my booty puckering out of nervousness but some how I was able to maintain control of my vehicle the whole time and was a bit shaken out of adrenaline yet again. If one little thing may have went wrong I could have ended up with either a totaled vehicle, serious injury, or both and Thank God that He is watching over me.<br />
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This morning was the 4th freaking experience in the matter of a month and a half and yet again, I was not the one at fault. I am just about to get onto the highway (Which also had a wreck due to idiot drivers and made me late for work) and sitting at a red light when I feel my truck pounded from behind and hear WHAM! Yes.....I love it.....I punch my seat in frustration and yell some sort of explicative loudly in my truck then try to collect myself before I go out to talk to the guy. He tells me he's sorry and wasn't paying attention and I am thinking...well it helps to do that once in a while when you're driving huh....and notice that there isn't really much damage to MY BRAND NEW BUMPER. He basically described the same scenario that I went through with the man on the highway but this was totally different since it was a complete stop...not a sudden stop. I just blew it off, look at my bumper and say its fine, don't worry about it. He thanks me and apologizes again and we both get on the highway. So yet again, I am a bit shaken from another stupid fender bender and aggravated that my truck is acting as a wreck magnet all of a sudden. Especially since I need to update the tag and want to pay it off with the upcoming tax return, just being an awesome time for all of this to keep happening out of my control.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumblarge_326/122467876314926g.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumblarge_326/122467876314926g.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty much my reaction after each occurrence.</td></tr>
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So drivers.....STOP TEXTING, STOP RUSHING, PAY ATTENTION, AND PLEASE AVOID ME AT ALL COSTS.<br />
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Matt S.APPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-81109065621300892562012-01-26T13:43:00.001-06:002012-01-26T13:43:08.885-06:00When Poker Room Managers wing it.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.workmercs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/jackie.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://www.workmercs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/jackie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Definitely my favorite wtf face, and most popular Jackie Chan Meme<br />
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Have you ever experienced a What the F$*% moment at the poker table? Okay let me rephrase that, have you ever witnessed a What the F$@# moment at the poker table vs. a Floor Person's decision on a hand. The gentleman that made the decision was actually very polite and a good floor person for the most part, But in the middle of a cash game hand facing a raise and 3 bet and having 3 players go to the flop. When the dealer burned then place 3 cards down for the flop, apparently one of the cards stuck to the cards and when flipped the stack over I noticed That I hit my set of 9s then when the cards spread out the Dealer reveals the middle card, and then two more cards.....Crap....Just my luck. The Two cards that were obviously not the issue spread out evenly but the other two cards were overlapping and one barely showing the other. I cant recall exactly but I want to say the flop was K 9 4/7. Ok so I'm sitting with a set and not saying a thing and then obviously floor has to be called cause of the mistake. Here's where one of the weirdest decisions I have ever heard comes into play. <br /><br />The floor person walks up, asks whats going on. The dealer gives the run down as usual and it was detailed exactly as what happened. But instead of staying a smooth understanding process, this guy says...."Well......lets do this. Take the four cards in the flop and put the deck down by the side. Flip the cards over and shuffle them around. The first three you flip over will be your flop." Every one at the table looked at the Floor Person like, Is this guy serious?? I hope he's joking? and the What the F#@% faces were all looking and kind of laughing in disbelief when it was obvious which cards were and issue. <br /><br />Don't know what the "WTF" face is? Here's some examples:<br /><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs149.ash2/40774_426480496449_790701449_4788552_7026400_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs149.ash2/40774_426480496449_790701449_4788552_7026400_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://creoleindc.typepad.com/rantings_of_a_creole_prin/images/2009/02/08/photo_9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://creoleindc.typepad.com/rantings_of_a_creole_prin/images/2009/02/08/photo_9.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://djmehdi.coolcats.fr/wp-content//wtf-face.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://djmehdi.coolcats.fr/wp-content//wtf-face.jpg" width="317" /> </a><br />
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So If this were me, I would have suggested two things. <br />A. Just chop the pot and play another hand<br />B. Play back the events that just happened to determined which cards were meant to be on the flop. So therefore when the burn falls the 1, 2, and 3 card that is placed faced down before being flipped over is the flop cards. When flipped over it is now 4/3, 2, 1 and clearly the card revealed at the end would be the burn card.<br /><br />Well after hearing the logic of "Well this case atleast two out of the three cards on the flop will be correct." and of course when he did this, my 9 that gave me the set magically disappeared fml. Well the three players (Including myself) disagreed to invest anymore money into this weird ass pot and just decide to chop it three ways and play a normal hand. I mean technically, I guess my plan B and his suggestion would have worked out the same way, but the main focus would be to not affect the Turn and River as well as the 3rd card on the flop. Either that or just pay attention to which cards were stuck. In that case you could determine which of the cards is the exposed Burn card and which belongs in the flop. But I am just a player and don't run the floor obviously. This definitely took the cake as one of the weirdest floor decisions that I would expect to see in a home game or back alley of a bar, but in a well established poker room, this definitely caught me by suprised. Had to get a good laugh out of it either way. The standard ordeal is a premature exposed card or a killing of the deck and usually it is a dealer that makes the error and can be easily fixed.....well with experienced dealers and floor managers. But when something like this happens, how can you not just wing it? honestly, how many decisions were logically thought through and not just a basis of "wingin' it"<br /><br />Well thought I'd share this WTF moment with everyone.<br /><br />Matt S.APPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-26322513633788485442012-01-16T10:11:00.000-06:002012-01-16T10:11:15.080-06:00Spare change for the Homeless and baby news (Non Poker)OK so I'll start off this blog by talking about giving to the homeless. I understand that they some how, put themselves in the rough spot that they are in. But, I also understand (or try to atleast) how hard it must be to be stuck in that situation and even harder not to dig yourself into a deeper hole rather than build a ladder (hypothetically speaking) to climb out of the hole. Last week I was filling up my gas tank and a man walked up to me and asked for a dime....."A dime?" I asked him. Thinking to myself, "What does this guy expect to do with a dime?" But then I quickly thought about it and realized that he didn't want to ask for a large amount and at that point ANYTHING would help. I have ran into this situation atleast 2 other times that I can remember in my life. And all three times I was definitely not rich, but atleast in a better situation than they were and felt the need to help them out in some way. <br />
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The first time it happened, I was living in Morgan City and just started working for Oceaneering Intl. in 2007 trying to make a name for myself and making just enough to pay the bills while bumming a room out of my cousin's trailer for $200 a month. I was in a crappy state of depression, never had money to actually enjoy myself and lived far enough away from my friends that I barely got any visitors. I went to Walmart for either groceries or what not. As I was leaving, There was this man standing near the exit of the highway in some ripped camouflage pants and a raggedy button up shirt in his late 50s - 60s. It just looked like he was on his last leg, exhausted sitting outside and his sign (Yes on a cardboard box) had good spelling and punctuation and was just asking for something to eat. I had a $5 left in my wallet, rolled down my window and stopped and handed it to him. His pure excitement and gratefulness of me giving him that just hit me. He was saying God bless you over and over with the biggest grin on his face. As I drove away, I was hit with tears running down my face. It was like That situation was put in my life to show me that no matter how hard I think that I have it, There is always someone out there that is going through a harder situation that I am and just made me even more thankful for what I did have even though at the time it was not much. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.danheller.com/images/LatinAmerica/Cuba/People/Men/homeless-man-3-big.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.danheller.com/images/LatinAmerica/Cuba/People/Men/homeless-man-3-big.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It just looked like he was on his last leg.</td></tr>
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The next situation that I came across, I was going play the May events in 2009 for my first time and have been just playing the cash tables having decent success. I was driving from Destrehan where my father lives and making the journey back and forth each day (For 3-4 days). One of the days when I took the exit by Claiborne near the Superdome, There was this grungy looking young dude who didn't seem like he had a bath in a long time. I am sitting here with money in my pocket heading to risk it on a gamble when this guy is stuck begging outside and I can just feel his desperation. When I buy stuff with cash, I put my spare change in this Coin collector and when full it adds up to about $20 dollars. Well I have been adding change at the time over a course of a month and a half to 2 months and had near $15 bucks just random change. when I got right next to the guy, I rolled my window down half way and told him to put his hands out. He cupped his hands and I grabbed the thing and just dumped the whole thing into his hands and watched his eyes light up as coins started overflowing and falling to the ground out of his hands. Again he was overzealous and thanking me over and over. He was about as excited as I would be if say I won a huge pot at the poker table, if not more excited. I can't say that I know what these guys will do with the money but I do know that they were in desperate need for some help and I can just feel the pain they were going through. I try to put myself in other peoples shoes and know how hard it would be if I were in that situation. <br />
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Going back to last week, the guy asking for a dime. He was very polite, made sure he didn't get too close affecting my personal space and even though He probably lied about a bike that he rode, he did have a grungy cell phone that I guess the government apparently gives people now which kind of annoyed me but its whatever. I told him to let me finish pumping my gas and I can see what I can do because I didn't have any cash on me. Again, The coin collector thing was in my truck but all I had in it was about 6.75 in change. He said no problem and just waited patiently. I asked him to move away as I go in my truck and I'll give him some change. and he stepped back a few steps. I finished pumping the gas, opened my truck then grabbed the container. I told him here you go and dumped the Quarters, Nickels and Dimes into his hand and again. That big huge smile came out and he said AWW MAN THANKS GUY! GOD BLESS YOU! And I got in my truck and drove away as he just waved bye. Again, I am sure some how they put themselves in the situation they were in, but I also believe that everyone deserves the chance to get themselves out of it, but I can only do so much to help. I just got a great sense of happiness knowing that I had the ability to make someone's day just a little bit better even through the hardship they are going through at the time.<br />
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With the due date just 2 months away, We are getting more excited with the arrival of our little girl, but I am also getting fear built up cause I don't want to be shit deep in debt, but its starting to look that way. I think that is one of my biggest fears is the money situation, but like I posted above I just have to keep my head up and keep working hard to get through it. I guess I'm mostly afraid because I was never big on surprises and the unknown and this is definitely a big UNKNOWN. I just hope everything goes smoothly at the delivery and both the wife and the baby come out healthy. Unfortunately this will probably put a hold on my poker funds for a while as I try to adjust to this new life. But it will be hard as I am so passionate about poker and wont be able to put as much time as I would like (Based strictly off my income) hopefully I will be able to sell some action in some future events to help build my bankroll in some way. Registering for baby stuff was more enjoyable then registering for wedding stuff I guess cause I can imagine playing, holding, feeding (well maybe not feeding right away cause my nipples don't produce milk ;) haha) but I have been waiting for this moment my whole life (For as young of a life it is). I think this is the scariest time of my life even though it is such a big blessing, I am just afraid that I might screw up and want to do the best that I can. I know how bad I run not only in poker but in life in general and I don't want that to affect my little girl as well. I guess all I can say is I try my hardest...<br />
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I guess that's all for now.<br />
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Matt StroudAPPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-43400311992530391952012-01-09T12:32:00.000-06:002012-01-09T12:40:31.934-06:00Event One of the Southern Million Dollar Heater was Sick!So I made the Journey Saturday to Biloxi, MS to take a shot at the 200k Gauranteed tournament. Feeling Confident and hoping for some run good to make a deep run. I learned that Day 1A already pretty much met the Gaurantee with 681 Entrants and they were expecting to crush it by Day 1B. Well they did, and then some. It doubled as another 772 players entered the next day and there were fish swimming everywhere at the tables hoping to get Lucky and enjoyed Gambling for fun.... so basically the typical players you love making money off of. That's if you are running well that is. And this weekend, was not one of those weekends for me one bit. <br />
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In the Tournament I lasted for 4 breaks and had the pleasure of some Laggro donk snapcalling my all in with K7 suited vs. my KJ in the SB and then flopping his flush draw and turning the flush to knock me out right before the Break and crush my hopes of making that deep run. I posted updates on my twitter Account @acadianapkrplyr so go follow me for future tournaments.<br />
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Well then shit got stupid. I talked myself into taking a stab at 1 2 5 plo that was running in the tournament room and sat with 320. I worked it up to $838 waiting for a poker buddy to finish his SNG. I was feeling super confident as these PLO players were just calling me down as I held the nuts or close to it each time I bet and I felted two different players who rebought in for more. Once my friend was done we went look for some supper and decided to eat at the HardRock since the line for the buffet was just painstakingly long and I felt the pits of my stomach rumbling in hunger. After we finished our supper I made the mistake of going to the restroom and be pleasured by the graceful sound of a man yakking in the Sink the whole time I was at the urinal almost losing it at one point and hoping I would finish soon so I could get the hell out of there. All I could here is HOOOOAAAARRRGHGBLBHFRAR, HUUAARGHGBALRRAAAH, Repeat 10x. <br />
I tried to warn my buddy not to go in there because its no pretty sight or sound, but he insisted he had to go and even watched the guy after he finished his theatrics once he was done expelling his insides.<br />
<br />
When we got back to the poker room he was starting to head home and I noticed they took my chips off the table and turned the 1-2-5 PLO into a 2-5-10 PLO game so I went searching for a 1-2 NL game and ended up losing a couple buy ins to basically put me back on square one of where I was at after I lost out of the Tournament. at about 1 AM I got with Mr. Bill Phillips of gulfcoastpoker.net and he let me crash in his room and we shot the shit about random topics before we were both exhausted and couldn't talk anymore.<br />
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When I headed towards the Cash tables the next morning I was searching for PLO mainly 1-2 but without any running, I put my name on 1-2 NL and 2-5 NL. They called my name for 2-5 and the beginning of being trolled by the Pokergods Began. Its like they were trying to get me to lose to either 3, 2, or 1 outs the rest of the day and it was just brutal. One of the main things I hate about the Beau Rivage cash games is there is no limit to what the players can buy in for, so if you don't have deep pockets you have next to no chance of being able to compete with taking the swings of poker. So if you start to run bad and take a tough beat, or 2 in a row for that matter, you are screwed and leave yourself shaking your head. First, I buy in for 350 and there is a straddle for 10 and myself along with 3 others see the flop which comes K86 and I have Kc9c goes check, bet 25, I raise to 75, fold, fold, Call from the guy who bet 25. <br />
$195 in the pot and turn falls a 3 rainbow board. He checks, I bet $140 and he raises me basically putting me to a decision of all in or fold. So I shove and of course he turns over K3 for two pair and I don't catch up.<br />
I rebuy in for $500 and about 5 hands later I have $480ish when a guy with about 1200 straddles for 10, I am on the button and look down at A10 os. Someone raises to $40, I flat along with 2 others and there is $160 in the pot. Flop falls A 10 5 and I have top 2. Straddle checks, another player checks, raisor pre bets $100, I opt to flat again with 2 others to act behind me, straddle guy calls and other player folds. There is now $460 in the pot and I have $340 left and the turn comes an ugly Kh. Asian guy bets $300 but I still think he has AQ or AJ and I shove all in. Well of course guy who straddled reraises over the top and gets the raiser to fold and shows QJ. I am just speechless, annoyed, and wondering why this dumb crap always happens to me. I go back regretting I didn't just open Jam the flop, but that is such a scared way to play it I didn't want to go that route. <br />
<br />
Well I am fortunate enough to have both Ross Leitz and Blake B buy pieces of action for the $550 nooner which only had 156 runners and I was also gonna watch a bit of day 2 of the 200k gaurantee as I had a number of poker buddies still in and chasing the money. Well I show up late and quickly double up my stack but of course the trolling of the pokergods continued as this one guy just had my number. I first had to lay down top pair with QJ on a Q95 board where I raised pre bet flop and he raised me then on turn put me all in. Then about 2 revolutions later I'm UTG and limp with JJ and the same guy raises 1,100 with blinds at 100 200 25 ante. I have 9.8k and this bet just looks like a small to mid PP to me so I jam and he snap calls and shows AA.....FML I am out after about 3 hours in the $550.<br />
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My last shot at anything I was going to play a $100 SNG where first gets $550 and 2nd $350 and we all did a $20 last longer. Before I registered for the $550 Bill told me the SNGs have been really easy and I took his word for it. Well this was during event 1 of course and when I go sit down. Here comes Jerry Monroe that won the IP Biloxi WSOP Circuit main, a guy that cashed 6 out of 7 SNGs last night while I was playing cash, and Andy Moon, a very talented young grinder out of the Acadiana Area. Needless to say there was maybe 2 fish at the table and the rest were pretty solid players. I started out great doubling through one of the fish when he shoved a pair of Aces no kicker on a AK10 board (I had K10) and knocked him out. Then I won a nice pot with AA and in no time had 5700 as the starting stack was 2000. I get AA once again when my stack is at 4600 and there is a raise to 450, then a reraise to 1100 by Monroe. I chose to flat as I put him on KK, QQ, JJ and know he will pay me off with the right flop so no need to rush it pre. A guy behind me with like 400 left throws his chips in there and the original raiser folds. Flop comes QJ5 and Monroe shoves and I snap call and show AA, he sighs and shows KK and turn is the 8, river 6...baby stack had 6 5 and triples up. This will come back to haunt me but I now have 8400ish. Instead of just going walk away and eating Lunch or something I choose to continue to play like a dumbass. What happens?? well I guess the Pokergods find out how good I'm running and decide to show up and start trolling again. the 2nd largest stack decided he was going to start reraising me every time I raised. So when I looked at AJos and raise my standard 425 with blinds at 100 200 and he did his standard reraise to 775, I reraised to 2000 and he shoved and I snapped called, He showed KJ os and dont worry flop comes Jd8d5d neither of us have a diamond. Turn is a blank, Im almost clear, then here it comes Kd on river to rob me of what I deserve and blasts my stack down to 3500. I lose another pot and get down to 2650 and another gets knocked out so there is 5 left and I have 2nd smallest stack. I shove first hand and collect blinds. next hand I'm UTG+2 and look at 1010 and shove again, guy who cracked me with KJ shoves all in, then SB shoves all in. The Button shows KK and the SB shows AK and I ask the dealer for the 10 to save my ass. Right in the window the 10 rears its ugly head!! I'm saved and looking like I will be able to get this thing again. Until the Case freaking K hits the turn and laughs in my face and says...yea right dude, get the hell out of Biloxi. <br />
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Yet again, I am down to $0 thanks to running like absolute dogshit at the worst times. Looks like its back to the drawing board as my New Years Goal of $5000 profit is now in the back burners as I start the year out in the negatives.....awesome.<br />
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GL to the rest of you.<br />
Matt StroudAPPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-24431677315964117912012-01-05T11:17:00.001-06:002012-01-05T11:17:55.592-06:00Things have been BUSYI am finally getting around to updating this thing. I have been stupid Busy with both work and making sure the upcoming League is gonna be set up since we are moving locations. Also I have been working with a good friend of mine Mike Silvas and we have been creating a website for Acadiana Poker Players. We just put the site live to try and get some input from our poker friends to see if we can improve the site in anyway and fix some bugs that may currently exist. To go along with the website and APP League (Season 3 already. Unbelievable) I have created a new Card Protector that will sell for $6 a piece. I think it is a great price since most Card protectors run for about $10-20 bucks that are custom made. This card protector is made of Ceramic and is between 43-45mm in Diameter so it is bigger than a standard poker chip and smaller than a dealer button. I chose the Octagon shape to specifically differ and avoid any chance of Dumb Dealers or Poker Players from getting it confused with one of the two. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZf50LL7t-hE-fz5ecRw4wHzMB4Bo4kD2jWdXrvceeI_3J2BhAJrNOPmNSanKWPrUMB5qEhc9WWxjAhMuBkVqfUvGR8H8dtFuABEvNX8r5xyjL3ZCJ65UOVcUOteq74vFlYnCGD1BptRvM/s1600/Cardprotector-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZf50LL7t-hE-fz5ecRw4wHzMB4Bo4kD2jWdXrvceeI_3J2BhAJrNOPmNSanKWPrUMB5qEhc9WWxjAhMuBkVqfUvGR8H8dtFuABEvNX8r5xyjL3ZCJ65UOVcUOteq74vFlYnCGD1BptRvM/s400/Cardprotector-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How do you like the design?<br />
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The company that is making it for me is a great poker chip company based out of Georgia I believe. He has mostly been doing this by word of mouth but hopefully he will agree to advertise on our website <a href="http://www.acadianapokerplayers.com/">www.acadianapokerplayers.com</a> be cause he always does a great job from my experience so far. I bought some ceramic poker chips from him as well as I always wanted a nice set of my own and he sure did not disappoint me. Thank you Steve Petusky as I hope to do future business with you as well as bring you much more future business!<br /><br />The T-shirt situation has been a bit of a pain in the butt because I am still searching for a company that will provide good pricing and Design for when I create them. The previous company I was going to was charging me different prices almost every time I went there and I had to continue to bring my original receipt to prove the price that I paid before. They also messed up on printing my last batch of shirts, took their time to respond to my emails and phone calls, and always were very disorganized when I went to their business to pick up the shirts. I was tired of the headache so I decided to look for another company/person to do this and still have not found any luck. If you have someone in mind that can help me out please let them or me know so I can get this stuff done!<br /><br />I Want to thank the following guys for helping in preparation for the website, league, etc. and also want to help bring attention to some of my friends who are looking for players in games they want to have as well. Thanks Linden and Barbara Comeaux, Jimmy "Luckbox Leprechaun" Rogers, and Tommy Hebert for helping in preparing the upcoming year for season 3 of APP League! Can't wait to win the trophy this year as I blew it the two previous years haha. Thanks alot for Mike Silvas in putting up with my continuous questions about the website and patiently putting up with me. I am looking forward to doing business with you and hopefully it goes great (He wants this blog to go to the website btw so if we ever get to that point I hope you continue to follow!) I am currently looking for players that would be interested in blogging on the website as well, so If you would like to give me a shout here or on my Facebook and let me know what you would want to blog about! And even though I hate to admit it. Thanks Mike Fontenot for sharing thoughts on things others are afraid to input on. You have helped make multiple adjustments that I have overlooked in the league. now we can just work on communication hahaha.<br /><br />I didn't have much of a New Years Celebration as work wore me out. I went back and forth from Lafayette, LA to Port Fourchon, LA working on a big project for work about 5 times over the past 2 weeks and was on call for the Christmas Holidays. So when it came time for the New Year's "Celebration" I was just exhausted and went to sleep at 10pm haha. I went have supper with the wife at Chili's and also watched a movie on bluray before hitting the bed so it was a little something. New Years Day I hit up New Orleans with my buddy Tommy who suprised me with Last Minute Saints Tickets and even though the wife and mom was pretty pissed at me for not spending the holiday with them (I'm such a horrible guy) I think it was still worth it and fun as it was the first Saints game I have been to since 2008 and watched them destroy Carolina 45-17! My favorite part was when the whole crowd simultaneous chanted WHO DAT WHO DAT WHO DAT SAY THEY GON' BEAT DEM SAINTS" three times before the kickoff to start the game! I wish I would have been prepared cause I would have been yelling my lungs out with them. The amount of charactors that go to Saints games are hilarious from a Saints cow, to a Saints Halo character (Video game), to the Saints boxer and Saints' wise men, to the personalities of the long time season ticket holders that surround you in the 600 levels. I love every minute of it and would eat their $9 Jambalaya til there is no tomorrow but only buying the $8.50 beer if I'm dying of thirst haha. <br /><br />After getting home and getting chewed out a bit more from the wife, The next day I wanted to treat her to a date. Well that turned into her wanting to go get some new shoes she needed. Then THAT turned into me getting the last minute urge to go bring her car shopping since hers was going to crap and we still owed a good amount on the vehicle. She intentionally wanted the Kia Soul....yes the hamster car (See commercial below) and I did my research and was prepared to go to war with the Salesmen but I knew that Tommy (My best man and long time friend) brought his mom to the dealership across the street of her house and she got them an awesome Brand New Nissan Rogue top notch for a stupid Deal....Like unbelievable. So I called her and asked her if she can help "work her magic" for us and told her the details of what we were looking for etc. Well that completely U-Turned and they brought us two options which were both Brand New that fit our Price Range. <br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/4zJWA3Vo6TU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />We could choose between a Nissan Altima (which my wife owned a previous older model before) or the new Nissan Versa SL with all kinds of cool additions so we test drove it, liked the size, the specs (Bluetooth, Ipod hookup, 30-38 mpg city/hwy, etc) and Decided on this one. So Tommy's mom who the dealers and her know each other on first name basis with all the deals they have worked with each other whether it be with friends, family, or personally have started their wages. First it was the trade in Value for the junky 2005 Ford Taurus. I was expecting between 1200-1500....nope 2000 and that was on the first offer haha my jaw dropped. Next they showed us that they dropped the sticker price of the car from 18750ish to 16995. I was trying to get this lower but all they could offer was a $150 credit which we put towards a window tint we are going get done at the end of the week. The deal was almost done. I was getting second thoughts and Tommy's Mom smacked me back in reality and told me to relax, I'm getting a really great deal and its better than what we had, just enjoy it! I am so glad she was there to help us and we owe her big now cause we couldn't have got it by ourselves. I have a talent of getting screwed by car dealers but Mr. Skyler Vaughn and Mgr Greg Leblanc at JP Thibodaux were top class and very helpful and friendly throughout the process!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYE-wpjWg-NqzTsxZlxsC02NXAyI6ldTrcuOYpMioOu9rJJ6CIIydaFMRdmRF6hA5INFwbp40Yl_4KL2Ix1YwwUhFy-fb6P4RWZFrvJP2t14b6UjHX07WsvT9A4vySOkgk-FepGIMsaOI/s1600/newcar.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYE-wpjWg-NqzTsxZlxsC02NXAyI6ldTrcuOYpMioOu9rJJ6CIIydaFMRdmRF6hA5INFwbp40Yl_4KL2Ix1YwwUhFy-fb6P4RWZFrvJP2t14b6UjHX07WsvT9A4vySOkgk-FepGIMsaOI/s320/newcar.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud New owner of the 2012 Nissan Versa SL<br />
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I will wrap this up with some New Years Resolutions. Since I have finally come to understanding with bankroll management I believe I can try to work on obtaining a profit this year instead of either breaking even or being slightly in the negatives. Here are a few Life and Poker related Resolutions I have in mind.<br /><br />1. Find a church and start to Attend Regularly. (God is Important in my life)<br />2. Continue to stick to what I learned from many great players around the Gulf Coast and extremely grateful they shared their advice with me!<br />3. Obtain a profit of $5,000 or more for the year!<br /><br />I think number three is extremely doable and I hope to make it more but I want to start small and work my way up! Going to start that off with the $200k GTD at the Beau Rivage this weekend so hopefully I will bring good news!<br /><br />-Matt StroudAPPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-16116557231973725062011-12-23T23:34:00.004-06:002011-12-23T23:36:56.809-06:00Built my biggest cash game pot ever!I go to Shorty's Casino tonight since its the last 12 days of Christmas promotion where they were giving out awesome prizes by drawing players names. Things that were given away are TVs, Ipads, Poker Chip Sets, cash prizes and the grand prize was a 4 wheeler. Well I didn't win any of that but did sit down in the 5 5 NL Game that I am still thinking about so I will write this quick blog to get it off my mind. <br />
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I buy in for $285 and there are some very LAG players in this game that also call very light. In other words I was loving the easy money at the table. I played a semi loose game but mostly had position on the very LAG players that would straddle every time and only bet when I connected. I worked my initial buyin up to $728 quickly. When this hand came....The biggest pot I was ever involved in. A guy that has DEEP pockets and loves to gamble at the table had been running over the players raising pre flop and just betting players off their hand. So when he raised his straddle from $10 to 30, Me and about 5 others call and there is $240 in the pot before we even see a flop. I am holding Jc7c and know that at best he raised with 2 overs but he has been raising really light the whole time. Flop comes 10s 9d 8s! Jackpot, I flop the straight and the original preflop raiser Bets $75. I raise to $150 thinking it will get us heads up and then suprisingly it goes Call, Call, Call, Fold and Call.....wow There is now almost $1000 in the pot and I have $530 behind. Turn is the 4d giving another flush draw to the board and I know I have to get this pot NOW so I shove all in. One guy contemplates....shakes his head, then throws his cards in the muck. The other guy is in the tank when the original raiser says I CALL out of turn....I think to myself...there is NO WAY he has the higher straight..I'm thinking flush draw at best or maybe 2 pair and just playing like an idiot. Well the guy who is in the tank says you call too?? they tell him he's not committed to it yet since he said it out of turn, The guy in the tank finally calls for $465 and then out of turn original raiser Calls also....wowowowowow wtf? I know I have the best hand. The guy who made the call first says he has a set and shows 88. The other one...the original raiser....the out of turn caller.....he hides his card, and like a donk Calls off most his stack on a draw, as I suspected. (He isn't the type to slow roll if you don't slow roll him.) I beg the Dealer to put a 2c to just end the hand and let me take down the biggest pot I have ever been involved in.....I say one last time...... Deuce of clubs please!!<br />
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The river?....<br />
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Queen of diamonds and Original Raiser says WOO HOO SEND IT MY WAY BABY!! and turns over Jd 10d and I just watch my biggest profit ever slip through my finger tips to a crappy suck out on the river. I'm not too pissed off only being in the game for $285....I just wish I could have held. At least I know in the long run I will win that pot more often then not. <br />
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Odds of each player winning Flop Turn<br />
Me with flopped straight 41% 48%<br />
Guy with set 88 30% 21.5%<br />
Guy with Flush and open ended draw 6% 20.5%<br />
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^Approximately, had chances for chopped pot^<br />
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So yea....thanks poker gods.Instead of going home with a nice $2,500ish I leave with -285...sigh. Show me some love next time as these moments don't happen often.APPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-56128416095496196732011-12-22T14:40:00.000-06:002011-12-22T15:10:18.346-06:00Last Day In New Orleans! Unbelievable Game! and stupid long grind before heading home.<br />
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This is it. The game I have been waiting for all season, but before I even get to sniff the excitement, The record breaking numbers, the nonstop chatter and yelling, and the feeling of losing my voice for 3 days straight, I had to wait for my crew to arrive in New Orleans and around the Mercedes Benz Superdome. So what better way to kill time then to go grind 1 2 until they get into town.<br />
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I bought in for $150 and played with about 3 guys at the table earlier in the week and the rest, well, they were enjoying themselves, I'll just say that. I make some decent pots, double up once and hover around $350-500 when my friend finally starts to text me. I take a hit and get knocked down to about $80 when they were just pulling into the parking lot by the dome and I knew I wasn't going to end this session a loser and also promised some of the guys drinks since I was having a good trip. So I added $200 to my arsenal and continued to grind. I fought my way back to about $500 when I got involved in a good pot to out bluff this woman who was playing extremely timid the whole time we were at the table and she had about $330 in front of her at the time. <br />
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I had raised in Mid Pos with KhJh to $12 (My standard raise that would get multiple callers) Timid lady, Old man who called my all in light, and newer guy who played pretty good and great psychological player called. Flop Fell QJ8 and good player and myself check and the Timid lady bets $15 into a $50 pot. Old man calls, Good player calls, then I reraise to $60 thinking this would be the perfect squeeze to represent the flopped straight. Timid lady contemplates and nervous about committing the chips...(So I smell blood) and then calls. The other 2 players fold. The Turn comes a 10 with a rainbow board and I have a feeling she either has AK, AQ, KQ, or even as strong as two pair, but I don't see her being that afraid of me with a set. but then again its a very wet board and I am showing aggression so I can understand if she did. I bet $80 into a pot of about $210 and is a little bit under half her stack, but still pot committing her if she calls. She squirms, winces, peaks at her cards one last time, then throws her hand in the muck. I play for about 3 more revolutions before finally getting up from the table with a nice +200ish profit then go meet my friends at Walkons down Poydras St.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was PACKED in this place, and pretty much everywhere we went.</td></tr>
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As I am walking down Poydras from Harrah's Casino, The closer I get to the SuperDome, the more waves and flashes of people wearing Red are passing me by. I am loving the sight. Just the fact that so many Ragin Cajun fans are invading New Orleans for such an awesome event has me invigorated! There was a $10 charge to just get into Walk Ons but they also gave a $10 voucher for food or drinks so It wasnt that bad, just more to assure that you are going in there to buy something and not just use the bathroom. Well you could barely walk the place was flooded with Cajun fans, ESPN 1420 was doing their radio show inside and Everyone was having MORE than a good time before the game. I sat down with the guys, told everyone to order some beer and was just in time to order food with everyone else. The table had 3 draft taps that we could choose from and it charged by the ounce. So I told my buddies that I will put a $100 limit on 5 of us (The ones that wanted to drink) and we all got a glass, the waitress turned on the tap and we started filling up! It was pretty cool. We even created our own mixed brew that Jacob Viator and Brandon Menard named my creation the Hazel Moon! There was a tap for Blue Moon, a tap for Abita Purple Haze, and a tap for some other weird beer I never heard of and no one drank. Well at first I got just Blue Moon and the other guys and Tommy's Lady got Purple Haze. Then I remembered when my friend from Baton Rouge brought me to this place where they mixed Purple Haze with Andy Gator. It really wasnt that bad and got me feeling good quickly. So I got to thinking, and then the alcoholic light bulb lit and I said. What if I put half Blue Moon and Half Purple Haze. They were reluctant to try it but I went for it and It was amazingly good! just the right amount of Orange and just the right amount of Raspberry! I felt like the freaking Willy Wonka of Beer!! I said this is great, but its nothing without a name so we started brain storming. Blue Haze...nah, Purple Moon...nah, Indigo Harvest....close...getting warmer, Hazel Moon! Perfect. So yes, I recommend you go try that beer and Represent the new mix of deliciousness!!<br />
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We get our food and I asked for no red onions and instead get a Mountain of fried onions, laugh of how that happened, and devoured it since I didn't eat anything before hand since the previous night! I didn't wanna die of a heart attack, I guess cause I knew what the game had in store? so I ate most of it and barely any fries. We wrapped up, filled up one more time, paid for the food and drinks and bought a guy a beer for saving my buddies ass when he dropped his ticket in the bathroom. Cajun Nation watches out for each other. Waitress told the guy to sell it (Obviously from New Orleans) and the guy remembered walking into the bathroom after Jacob and Tommy and was nice enough to ask us what row we were on etc. to make sure we didn't drop our ticket. We were extremely grateful of his kindness, and he asked us to meet him across the street where a little tailgating party was going on so he can change his shirt and we met him after playing frogger from all the vehicles and congratulated him with his beer. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing on the balcony walkway near the SuperDome!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<br />
We made our way to Championship Square, where all UL fans were having a Tailgating party equipped with 8$ canned beer and a band for your enjoyment. When we arrive, It was unspeakable to how many people were there having a good time and reppin' the Ragin' Cajuns (so I will let the pictures speak for themselves. UL's Cajun Field's Max Capacity is 31,000. We eclipsed that number twice in the history of the program and it was due to the part that smaller state schools brought huge number of fans thinking they can upset us. One accomplished that feat (McNeese in 2007 attend. 33,828) but the other didn't come close (Southern in 2009 attend. 41,357) I would say both crowds had about 60% Cajun fans, But tonight, the ratio of Ragin' Cajun fans vs. SDSU fans had to have been 95:5. One of the records that were broken were the Attendance record thanks to the 40,000 fans (I predicted 35k) sporting that Ragin' Cajun Vermillion and White. The previous record was about 31,000 and this year the total attendance was 42,841 and after 41 years of waiting for this day, you could hear it everywhere, you could see it everywhere, It was such an awesome experience.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First arriving at Champion Square</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The walk way up to the dome</td></tr>
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We decide to walk into the dome cause the beer lines were ridiculous and we could barely hear ourselves talk. Once we get in, The team is already warming up, the crowd is already rowdy and not even half of them are in their seats, and the band is doing a great job pumping everyone up for game time. Our seats were 6 rows up from the feild and right on the Goal Line and there was a Microphone for espn right in front of our section (I was thinking it was for the band but noticed every chant we yelled you could hear perfectly in the broadcast). By Half Time I could barely yell but that wasn't going to stop me and I am pretty sure that the other 39,999 fans were thinking the same thing. The game started at 8pm so this was a late one and The game went down to the wire. I saw the Receivers make some of the craziest catches I have ever seen, Just left my jaw dropped for a couple of them, The one that took the cake was this amazing catch by Daryl Surgent (Who also had an awesome Punt Return for TD earlier in the first half)<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/IwcQFSx6eRQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
If you thought that was Pass interference (Which it was, but who cares right?) then you should have seen the 2 in a row when Gauthier tossed it up for L. Green in the endzone and the SDSU corner basically dry humped him for both plays and got no call from the refs. It was sick how one sided so many calls were going all game, but the Cajuns didn't stop, They wanted it more. UL jumped to a 19-3 lead early. The fans were raging, the players were confident, and strength coach Whitt's head was dripping with blood from headbutting players like a boss. The Cajuns wanted it more. SDSU drove down and fought back and pulled within 2 points to get the score 17-19, but the Cajuns answered when Gauthier threw a quick pass across to allow Lawson to get his second score of the night and go along with his 193 yard performance. If you watch closely after this TD you will see me clapping my ass off when they go to the fans haha, 5 seconds of fame! Then SDSU came fighting back with 2 minutes left. Our secondary dropped about 5 or 6 interceptions all game and had trouble stopping the pass all together, but what they did do was hold the Leading rusher of the nation, Ronnie Hillman who averaged 139yds per game to only 55yds on 23 carries! An amazing job by the defense to shutdown their number one weapon and another huge key to the victory! But that didn't stop the insistent Aztecs to picking apart our secondary and Again, Scoring and making a field goal to take the lead with only :35 seconds left and The Cajuns having No time outs left 30-29. So many people thought the game was over (alot of the Cajun fans, and almost all of the SDSU fans. But for the fans that witnessed The greatest comeback in Cajun history, for the players that held on to the rope until the whistle ended the game, for those that believed until there was 00:00 time left on that clock, They knew the Cajuns had it in them, and that it was gonna be a fight until the finish. <br />
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Gauthier composed, leads his troops onto the field after the ball is returned to the Cajuns 35 yd line. I turn my hat inside out and yell, Remember ULM, Never Give Up!!!" Hear a chant of "Lets Go CAJUNS (clap clap, clap clap clap)" and Join in until the band drowns us out with the fight song and all the fans sing along. Gauthier methodically moves the ball down to the Aztec 40 yd line with only 4 seconds to go. It is time for Mr. Clutch, Baer Nation, Mr. Special Teams to take the feild and put all the weight on his shoulders to carry the team across the finish line. The crowd is quiet, (instead of the 2000 Aztec fans that can barely be heard) and then Yellow flags go flying in the air. Referees announce "Illegal Stemming" trying to get our players to jump off sides and then they move the ball up to the 35 yd line. The Crowd quiets once again, I have my rally cap on, everyone is tense with fear and excitement. and then it happens!<br />
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THE CROWD GOES WILD!!! Brett Baer hit his career long 50 yd field goal to win one of the biggest games in Ragin' Cajun football History. It Felt like the saints won the Superbowl vs. the Colts in 2009!!! I am hugging everyone in an arms length radius around me and the crowd is filled with a sense of Euphoria that you knew Bourbon was going to be filled with Ragin' Cajuns for the rest of the night! I didn't want this moment to end, and am so glad that I can say I was a part of that moment, I was there, yelling my ass off. I ended up staying up until 7am losing -300 at the poker table after the game with a few poker buddies but I can not put into words how great this night will be and hopefully this will be just the beginning to a new era of excitement and winning in Cajun Country!<br />
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Hope you enjoyed the read!<br />
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Matt StroudAPPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-39673785042954866252011-12-21T10:21:00.001-06:002011-12-21T10:28:10.832-06:00Winter Bayou Poker Classic Day 3 Recap (Another Profitable day)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jA2vn8CZ4SHcDUmIxdUA_w6a94bKkcVQT16V73NaEUkiXnJ90CN0uzT6kjN-XmXom2cmXN2GikGtmT7XcazD5OYDvSWxkQGer5p0nMt1VyN30bJ29Qiab2xolNAg_aRuVDVTELbgbQ52/s1600/rockermullet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jA2vn8CZ4SHcDUmIxdUA_w6a94bKkcVQT16V73NaEUkiXnJ90CN0uzT6kjN-XmXom2cmXN2GikGtmT7XcazD5OYDvSWxkQGer5p0nMt1VyN30bJ29Qiab2xolNAg_aRuVDVTELbgbQ52/s320/rockermullet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dude looked bad ass. Had to get a picture with him. More details below!</td></tr>
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I arrived at Harrah's around the same time as the day before and again just waited around doing nothing for a little while, but today I felt like being a Degen, so I put $180 on 3 card Poker. Got my ass handed to me until he busted the table and nearly myself (Got down to $50) then played the Dealer head up and worked my way back even. Told the dealer it was fun now I'll go try some Mississippi Stud....well that was a mistake and lost it all just in time for the $175 Mega Freeze out into the Main Event. I probably would have sold the Chips cause I was going to the New Orleans Bowl that night.<br />
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The structure was pretty fast. Started with 6k in chips after the DTS and blinds went up every 20 minutes. I also had a pretty tough table with Kenny Milam, Bill Phillips, and Danny Dorcey at my table with a couple other aggressive players mixed in. I couldn't get anything going and kept running into AA or KK when trying to double my stack so I was out pretty quickly and down to only $55 of what I brought for the day to allow myself to play. I can't do crap with $55 in the poker room so my only other resort was to hope to get lucky on a damn table game. <br />
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Remembering that I profited about $60 on a Roulette machine Yesterday, I decided to put $50 on Roulette and try the same strategy I was using on the machine. I basically bet 2 of the Thirds and 2 of the Rows. they pay 2 to 1 so if I hit both I was getting a nice turnaround for my money and if I only hit one I would only lose a little bit. I was also keeping an eye out for patterns like 6 black in a row or 5 or 6 Even in a row then bet the opposite. I quickly work it up to about $140 and go sit down to make myself comfortable. Well I had to sit right next to some Ghetto woman that took the trolly from the Ghetto to Harrah's who was pretty hilarious to sit next to, but one of those people you didn't want to be on her bad side. <br />
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She told me she loved me like 4 times and that I was her good luck charm so I didn't worry about that. It's always refreshing when someone tells you, "Yo wife got her a good man AND A GOOD BABY DADDY!!!" I nearly lost my shit when she said that haha. Her luck would eventually turn, and she would blame it on another ghetto woman that would borrow her phone or beg her for money and would curse her under her breath, Then the person spinning the ball would miss her number like 8 times in a row and she was saying "I'm gonna FIND you making me lose like that, we gonna meet in the parking lot!! Take your foot off that pedal back there, I'm ON TO YOU Mother $*#4#@!!" Everyone else at the table was laughing at her and rolling their eyes. She even went to the bathroom for like 20 minutes and left her purse at the table asking me to watch it.....and of course I did.... She comes back and a guy is standing in her spot and she starts talking the same shit to him as he quietly scoots over hahaha. <br />
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Well back to my Roulette degen grind. I am Consistently hitting Both spots and occasionally hitting what I have hunches about! when the 0 came twice, I had felt it was coming and put A $5 chip there. I bet $50 on Red and hit, Bet $50 on Even and hit. After about 4 hours of playing I colored up $510 off of $50 and was almost back even for the day!!<br />
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I told my buddy John C what I managed to pull off and he asked, "Time to grind the cash game?" I was reluctant to answer at first but went walk to the Tournament room to see what they had going in there. I didn't really feel like playing a tournament so I replied "Sure why not" And bought into 1 2 with another $200. Of course I went up against a Harrah's Reg who knew all the dealers 3 hands in a row and he happened to have the better hand against me all 3 times, It was annoying but I knew he wasn't the better player than I am so I rebuy for my 300 and this Asian guy Immediately gives me $150 the next hand when he tries to bluff me off my hand on a paired river but I read him for having the flush draw and missing as he bet $100 over betting the pot. I make the call with AJ on 10J5510 board and he shows 88 then mucks.<br />
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I later pick up AhKh preflop and raise to 15 sitting with about $550 behind when a guy with $100 re-raises to $35. I figure at best we are racing and I don't mind racing for $100 in this pot so I put him all in and he calls and shows KK.....woops. No worries though, flop falls 543, turn gives me the flush draw as well, River 2 giving me the straight putting me at 650. I shake my head in disbelief and scoop the pot.<br />
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From there I pretty much played table captain and got alot of respect when I bet. I moved seats to get position on the reg to my left but after about 30 minutes, he moved seats to get position back on me. I felt like we were mainly competing against each other and the other 7 were just there paying us to watch the show. We got into it and took pots off each other but made most of our money on the others. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbb01wji36DohSh7zYHCIzgxUgCtHq-G17Nf_PaROGmqhg7Br-oiwpZmDAA0D9oiFy-D-f8DSZsKh0oq1nWuEB31PF6UxU64M55Yhg9Dzj1sfmnggW-nJemXQoTcfkkdm2JKJNqFyDFXF/s1600/chips.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbb01wji36DohSh7zYHCIzgxUgCtHq-G17Nf_PaROGmqhg7Br-oiwpZmDAA0D9oiFy-D-f8DSZsKh0oq1nWuEB31PF6UxU64M55Yhg9Dzj1sfmnggW-nJemXQoTcfkkdm2JKJNqFyDFXF/s320/chips.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
I had a good time and cashed out $1025 to get the profit I lost yesterday and had a pretty productive day for getting down so much earlier in the day.<br />
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Also I ran into this awesome specimen of a human that I had to get a picture with. He had like this perfect Mohawk Mullet thing going on, and was in a nice suit. I was impressed with his style, and complimented on the dude but had no idea who he was. Well hope you like the picture! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThHJwZPHGMjx3c0Os6DFEIc2bzC_jy71J3-vfOM-wD-yR0K-qudUUKCKka6d0UrY26OHK1Zpmzg8P9MvZyvT-dP4QXU5BE5CTaUEvFLT0HEaurAlhsMzj0cD14CA2R5jhoYtN3jFgWdTQ/s1600/rockermullet-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThHJwZPHGMjx3c0Os6DFEIc2bzC_jy71J3-vfOM-wD-yR0K-qudUUKCKka6d0UrY26OHK1Zpmzg8P9MvZyvT-dP4QXU5BE5CTaUEvFLT0HEaurAlhsMzj0cD14CA2R5jhoYtN3jFgWdTQ/s320/rockermullet-2.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
Matt StroudAPPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7885312764743151644.post-34538562517108648062011-12-19T21:51:00.000-06:002011-12-20T10:10:31.943-06:00Bayou Poker Classic Day 2 RecapI got to the Casino at about 1030 am and of course, nothing is going on in the Poker Room, Nothing is going on in the Tournament room, and I don't feel like playing table games, so I go in my truck and take a nap until about 1130. I'm no bum but drove from Destrehan so I wasn't about to go back for just a little while. When I walked back into the Casino I noticed there were about 5 people waiting to start a Satellite so I go run to see what's going on in the Poker room with cash games....pretty much nothing still so I go buy into the Satellite and pick the 9 seat (10 to a table) the buy in was $125 and top 2 got $500 in tourney chips and 50 in cash. It still took a while before the satellite got started, so I went goof off on a Roullette machine and won half the buy in back when I put $25 in and cashed out $85 (Small victory already!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noticed some Free advertisement on the way into the Casino.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Initially the Table seemed to be very easy to pick spots and take down pots as it was mostly older gentlemen that are casual players with some pretty solid players mixed in as well. A guy that looked Like Jesus Ferguson's skinny twin brother was pretty much shoving in everyone's blind, and pretty much sucking out when they called.I managed to Knock Out a couple people and double through Jesus twin and then watched him knock two out at the end to get me the chips and cash and tipped the dealer $15 to pretty much free roll tournaments for the day!<br />
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I registered for the 1PM $350 buyin tournament and hated my seat draw. First I get my ticket and was placed in the 1 seat and a Super Aggressive player had position on me. As the late registration continued and the players came in late, I had Will "Poker Monkey" Souther (who basically hated the table draw as well and practically busted on purpose -so it seemed that way- to get on another table) Bill Phillips and Danny Dorcey were all to my Right. <br />
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I got down to 7000 after losing a few pots then made a really good call against the Super Aggressive player who is friends with Wunstel and Barousse but not sure of his name. He was a Super LAG player but reminded me alot of Bertrand Grospellier. I got in a raising war against him early when I had 22 preflop and didn't want to get it in with such a low pair, so I surrendered when I missed the flop. Then later he minraised preflop (as he did every single hand practically) and since he had position on me and it was folded to me, I flatted. Flop fell 383 and since he has such a wide range I really didnt feel that he hit any of the board so I checked with Q10s and he cbet as I expected. I decided to float to see if I either connect on the turn or if I could out play him on the turn. Turn is the Q and I have a feeling I take the lead and know he is going to continue to be aggressive. I put out a small bet and he raises me again. I'm not sure exactly how strong my queen is here and don't want to shove into a monster so I decide to just flat again. River is a blank and I am liking where I am at, but still unsure of my kicker. With the amount of hands he was raising, it was just highly improbable that he also paired the King with a higher kicker so I was willing to call whatever he bet. I believe he knew what I was thinking and truely put me to the test when he committed himself...and myself with a tournament life decision. I call and have a worse hand and be crippled. shove and lose, or flat, win the pot and get a good portion of chips. Well I make the call and he has A high and My queen is good. <br />
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I continue to pick some pots up but not much when I get involved in a huge hand and come out on the wrong end. I raised 2.5 with 8h 6h and got 2 callers (Extremely tight old guy and old guy that has a big cash in a circuit event.) Flop came out As 8d 6d and both players checked to me. I bet 675 into 1250 pot and get shoved on by super tight old guy and I know he has pair aces big kicker. Then the other old man goes into the tank, then with about 9.7k he goes allin over the top and I am thinking I have the best hand for sure as he is probably shoving a strong flush draw here or maybe a pair with nut flush draw. I am now wondering if I should just fold out of fear of being drawn out since its so early in the tournament, or make the call and hope I hold up to basically triple up again in this $340 buyin tourney. Well I make the call after some thought and I see AhJh from the first shover and 7d 5d from the other...and I hate how many outs he has and of course right there on the turn is the 4c giving the old man the straight. I dont fill up and my stack goes from 14.3k to 4.5k. A part of me wishes I would have just folded and waited for a better spot in the tournament but I know to win tournaments you have to win those kind of situations. It is still meddling in my head though.<br />
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After the 1st break I didnt last much longer as I get into another raising war with the Super Aggro and open with QcJc and super aggro min 3bets AGAIN and guy who turned straight on me just flats. I shove all in for 4.4k and then Super Aggro SHOVES for 6.7k. I am kind of annoyed but kind of happy because he gets the other guy to fold and what does he show.....Kd10d. I knew he didn't have much, but surprised he didn't give me much respect for a hand as well. It was a virtual Coin flip and I got completely out flopped as board ran out 10 10 9 Q J improving his trips to a straight and sending me to the exit. I didn't feel like investing another 350 into the tournament that ended up with 88 players so I decided to go sit down at the 1 2 NL game instead.<br />
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I buy into the game for $200 and get some decent small pots but my first big pot I hit a set with QQ and a guy decided to chase the flush and paid me about Half his stack for $150. I had to have seen AcKs or vice versa about 3 times and all 3 times I won the hand. I couldnt believe it. The session turned out really well and I cashed out $822 for a nice $622 profit. So having a nice profitable session in cash and still having $200 in tourney chips, I let a buddy borrow $125 to play a satellite and then bought into the 5pm $230 Omaha Tournament...which was basically a mistake. I literally played 3 hands in 2 orbits before I was out. First pot I check Called Flop and Turn with 2 flush draws and an inside straight draw and made the 2nd nut flush on the river, Checked it and of course the guy had Nut flush. Next hand I lost a small pot and on the Final hand I had Ad 9s 8s 7d and with blinds at 100 200 I raise to 500 and get 2 callers. I only have 4500 left and we started with 8000. flop falls 7 4 3 and I bet 1k into a 1500 pot.this leaves me with 3500. 1 guy calls and the turn is the 6 giving me open ender for the nuts and still top pair. I shove all in and he calls and shows two pair 8 7 6 2......on a Straight Board....I laugh in disbelief and need an A 10 9 8 or 5 to win the pot, but for some reason I have ran like shit so far when playing Omaha tournaments and completely whiffed as the river paired the 4.<br />
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So feeling a little tired, I decide to go back to cash game instead of just calling it a night and finishing with a good profit for the 2nd night in a row. I sit at 1 2 one more time. The first hand I played I get trip nines Ace kicker on the river and get check trapped when a guy played his runner runner boat sneaky and lost over half my first buy in right off the bat. <br />
The last hand I played, I flopped top two with AQ on a Ah Qh 3h board and run into Two Flushes and some dude that reminded me of The Soloist with Jamie Foxx cause he kind of looked and dressed like him in that movie and was saying all kind of crazy shit at the table that gave me some good laughs the whole time. Well I dont Fill up agian. figured out that I actually managed a miniscule profit (Like $50 or 60 bucks) for the Day when I decide to get up from that horrid table. It all went down hill after the Omaha Game though. Well after I get some rest, I have one more full day to grind the tables before one of the Greatest Ragin Cajun's Football games I have ever witnessed to cap off such an awesome week. <br />
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To be Continued...<br />
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Matt StroudAPPsmeeghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07136953034725345373noreply@blogger.com0