Thursday, March 20, 2008

Ok, OK I take it back...

I LOVE THE BOWLING LEAGUE NIGHT!!

Alright, let me explain. So at the end of summer when I was hugely pregnant, my Hubby was approached by my brother to join the bowling league along with my dad. Seeing this as a chance to spend some time with them, he said yes.

Little side note: My dad grew up with a bowling ball attached to his hand. He's had 8 perfect 300 games...so far. My brother grew up very sick and bowling was a sport he was able to participate in, so he has been bowling since he was old enough for the Kids' League, the high school team, works at the bowling alley, basically lives there. My Hubby took up bowling 7 years ago when I was pregnant with Molly, he decided to give it a try. Was never on a league. Got away from bowling due to being deployed and just life... back to my story...

So bowling league starts. No big deal, it's one night a week for a few hours. I gawked at paying $15 every week, something I had not budgeted in, but we could swing it. THEN I found out that the league was 30 WEEKS long!! Ok, so I was thinking maybe 10 weeks...30 that's a LONG league, but ok it's started and what the heck at least Hubby is enjoying it and has some time away. THEN it turned into a total guys league, buy a beer for those who bought for you...you get the idea. Ugh, more cash slidding out the door. A bowling card game based on how you bowl. Oh great they started another game, just put in $1 to the pot- you just might get a chance to win lots! Ha, yeah right...that's what I thought. What a great ploy to get more cash out of my wallet. As you can tell I was beginning to get suspicious of this bowling league and just how much it was costing. To Hubby's defense, he gave up beer for Lent, so that cost was sliced. He only played the $1 game not the others, so no big deal really. This is where I eat my words...

Hubby went to bowling last night, kiss and out the door. When he walks back in he stinks like a bowling alley ash tray so I am not all that inclined to get cozy. I say hi, quick stinky peck on the cheek, I never even bothered to get up...I was blogging and his return home meant that I had to look away from the computer and listen to how his night was. So I shut the computer, look up and he hands me a piece of paper that looks like a receipt. It has random numbers written on it. It has his handwritting on it. I have no freakin clue what it means. My first inclination was oh great this is a bill of some sort. What the heck does he owe this much money for? How in the world am I going to pay that? My thoughts are flying though my head. The kids don't need to eat right, I mean if I don't buy food, then I can pay this. Hmmmm...
He starts explaining. First he tells me who was there~ dad, brother, grandpa, uncle...huh, wow grandpa and uncle drove pretty far just to watch bowling...why? They all grew up bowling, so this really is a family affair. I don't get it. Anyways. I hear about the lane conditions, I hear the scores...it sounds Greek to me. I don't know what their averages are, I don't even understand how Handicaps work. And now that I have admitted that, I can expect a lesson tonight from my dad when I go over there today...Hi dad! Finally Hubby is standing there explaining this game. He put $1 in the pot, had to get a strike in certain frames in all three games. AND HE DID. So I am still sitting there trying to sort it all out, what exactly does this all mean? Why is he so excited? Then it hits me...this isn't a bill... he WON this amount...WOOOHOOO!! I almost drop the computer, jump up and without noticing the stinky smoke stench I grab Hubby and give him a huge hug. I can't believe that he won. I can't believe that he got strikes in the frames that he needed to. He is practically jumping up and down happy, telling me all about the last game, when in the 9th frame he had to get a strike...and he did...and then the next frame, after he had already won the money, after he didn't have the pressure, the nerves...he got a gutter ball! How funny! So yes...I take it back...I love the bowling league...all $506 of it!

What would you do with an unexpected $500 dollars?

As a side note:
I know some of you are much more bible smart than I am...so please share if you know it. There is a verse that goes a bit like this...Ask and you shall receive.
We have quite a few expenses coming our way and it is something I have pondered, worried, planned, prayed over. Just goes to show that God does provide- thankfully!

22 comments:

Deb said...

My dad is a life-long bowler as well (only one 300 game though) and is very involved in the whole bowling world - you could probably say it's the most important thing in his life. It's crazy how much money those leagues suck out of you - but incredible when you win something, congratulations to your hubby! :)

Perri said...

I would love bowling too! I would use the money to finance the rest of the league fees.

Matthew 7:7

Mary said...

Woo hoo! What a nice surprise :)

Amy said...

Awesome!!! I am so happy for you!

Are You Serious! said...

♥ I'd probably save the 500 bucks knowing that he's going to put dollars in the bowl again! :)

We're taking the kids bowling on Saturday we thought they'd have fun with it! Hopefully!

Happy Days said...

That is great! There is nothing better than some unexpected cash! Have a date night. Use the rest to help out with unexpected expenses that alway seem to come up! I guess that is what I would do! Congrats!!!!

Happy Days said...

We are doing better. I say that with my fingers crossed. Thanks for asking! I hope to get back into posting real soon!

Vixbil said...

Wow how amazing to get some unexpected money. Hate to say it but it would end up going on bills for us, but how lovely. Hope you find some great uses for it and it eases the burden. I am still praying for our way out.
xx

kim-d said...

YAY for unexpected cash windfalls! I am not real Bible savvy, either--I've just always known it as either "Ask and you shall receive" or "The Good Lord always provides." And I can't think of any nicer people that it could happen to! It's like there are two of me when it comes to what to do with the $500. One part of me would hang onto it, and trust that I'd know what to spend it on when the time was right. The other part though, would be screaming out....SPEND IT FRIVOLOUSLY :)! Maybe a combination of the two? Whatever the two of you decide to do with it, I'm just so happy that it's yours!

Ris said...

God always provides at the right time! I think if we came across 500 extra, we'd buy a new BBQ grill for the back porch. Or maybe a new tree for our front yard.

Mari said...

That is so cool! Congrats! The verse you are looking for is: "Ask and it will be given to you, Seek and you will find, Knock and the door will be opened for you" Matthew 7:7

Karen said...

Woo-hoo! Go have yourselves a good time. I'll bet bowling will be one of your new fave sports - for your husband!

Kat said...

Holy cow! That is amazing!! An extra $500? That is just fabulous! God will always provide!

OHmommy said...

Nice! Maybe we should take up bowling. Sounds like a great fun. :)

Happy Easter.

Angela said...

That is awsome

KATE said...

Woo Hoo I love Bowling League Night too! yay!!
Um, I would probably do something wild & crazy & go to Costco & stock up on Laundry soap, Dishwasher Soap, & Diapers & Wipes. I know, I'm a WILD WOMAN!!! Funny how things change when you become a mom huh?

Lisa said...

How much fun!!!
Oh...$500.....I'd do something to our house that is in need of so much improvement!!!
Congrats to you & your sweet Hubby!

Courtney said...

We have had similar things like that happen more times than not. Give it all to him and worry about it no more, that is my philosophy.

Chelle' said...

Praise God for His provision... as well as his CREATIVITY in how He provided. He is awesome.

I second Mari's scripture of Matthew 7.7. For me it was also the first one that came to mind.

I also wanted to add John 15.7 "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." and John 16.23-24 (as well as the complete passages that offer context.) "... I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name... Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete."

Blessings and a Very Happy Easter to you.

Chelle'

Amy said...

Another favorite of mine, Matthew 6:25-26

For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

God's promises are real and alive.
Happy Easter!

Laski said...

I so get this! T is a big bowler--has been since he was 7. 7! He has 5 300 games under his belt, but is the most humble person. One time I learned about his 300 game from the local paper! Another time a student told me--her dad bowls with him! HOWEVER, he has NEVER, EVER won a pot that big (I think the biggest is about $50!). How wonderful!!! How divine . . .

After years and years of marriage (going on 12), I'm getting used to being on my own at least one evening a week. He loves it. He has fun. And one day little J will join him!

Anonymous said...

I really like to bowl. My husband and I bowled on a league together, let's see, 9 years ago. I was glad when the last night of bowling occurred because I was VERY pregnant and could no longer bend to throw the ball. It was a funny sight I'm sure.

My husband is a very good bowler. He rarely gets to bowl these days. When he does, he only needs a couple practice throws and he is hitting strikes and picking up spares all over the place. Me, not so much, but I still like it, especially since our bowling alley is now smoke free - always! :)