Friday, February 18, 2011

Bowling Crusade


I have a secret passion for bowling.  In fact, I've been bowling since I was ten, it's one of my favorite things, so it's easy to bloviate about the striking skills I possess.

I thought my bowling ability would be passed down to my children through genetics.  I was wrong.  Instead they've adopted my bowling quirks and habits, like backing up on the approach while talking to the pins. 

Bowling is a sport that requires patience, focus and concentration.  These are my best traits.  But my kids are anxious and jumpy like rabbits.  They grab the ball and waddle quickly up to the lane like fuliguline.

"Bzzzzzzzz!"  The foul light turned on.

"What happened?"  Rio protested. "It didn't count my pins?"

"You fouled,"  I bluntly pointed out. "How many times do I have to tell you not to go over the line?!" I continued to nag.

He rolled his eyes and stomped back to his chair.  With crossed arms, he slumped down into his seat and stared blankly at the pins.  While he doesn't possess my bowling talent, he did inherit my attitude.

"A split!"  Amaya complained.  "I did exactly what you told me!" She threw her arms up in the air at the injustice.

"Obviously not!  Point your toe, look at your mark,"  I instructed her.  "The blade of your hand should come up over that third arrow." My hand motioned.

It was my turn.  I stood at the beginning of the approach, positioned my feet over the far right boards.  I took a deep breath, my right foot led, I took three steps, I kicked my left leg behind my right and with perfect form...gutter ball.

"Well it's easier said than done." 

True story!  Well not exactly...let's see if you can figure it out.

55 comments:

  1. I'm guessing your lie is that your best traits are: patience, focus and concentration. I love this post. I especially like the way you used the word fuliguline.

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  2. Your posts never fail to make me laugh!

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  3. Love the post and the pic. Don't ever change Nikki, your attitude is awesome!

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  4. Haha, cute. I always find that my bowling skills are either excellent or fairly lacking, (though all based on luck.) The picture is absolutely adorable!

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  5. This is great! Pleased to meet you fellow crusader. Love the name of your blog and the bubble-wrapped kids!

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  6. Great post and *waves* to fellow crusader.

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  7. I possess the same bowling skills.

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  8. Hi! Thanks for dropping by my blog. I'm going to guess that your kids don't waddle :)

    Looking forward to reading your blog :)

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  9. You weren't actually bowling, you were playing Wii

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  10. Hello fellow crusader! I'm going to guess that the lie is that Amaya didn't get a split.

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  11. Hi Nikki! I LOVE how you worked fuliguline into the post! Impressive. :-)

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  12. Perfect post! And I have no idea what your lie is, it's excellent. I know nothing about bowling, but does a light really go off announcing to the world that you messed up? That would suck.

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  13. How funny—our family went bowling yesterday!

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  14. Hey- I am part of your crusade team, and popping in to say hello. I haven't attempted to try bowling with my kids yet...

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  15. Hi Nikki! Back to check out your challenge. You've captured parenting to a tee! Let's see... If you've lied it's probably about your character traits. Perhaps patience isn't your best trait? I know patience wasn't mine! It was something I learned via my kids trying me day after day after day, etc.!

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  16. Adorable kids! Nice to meet you, fellow crusader. Bloggers unite!

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  17. I think patience is the lie? This is hard to pick

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  18. Hi, Crusader! :)

    I love your Challenge post!

    My guess . . . the patience part.

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  19. Hmmm...I guess the lie would be you're not a bad bowler--you didn't get the gutter ball.

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  20. Great story! Love how you incorporated all the words. I'm going to guess that you aren't the most patient. Look forward to seeing more from you!

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  21. *giggles* Oh, nice story. I like bowling, but not enough to make a point of doing it more than each blue moon, or so... I'm guessing the lie is the gutter ball...

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  22. Too funny!
    I'm following from the blog hop. I'd love a follow back at www.mikaspantry.blogspot.com
    Thanks!
    Mika

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  23. I just don't know. If you kicked your left leg back, that would indicate that you're a left-handed bowler, right? (ball in left hand, balanced on right leg). But you lined up at the right boards--that doesn't make sense! You must be right-handed!

    I'm just making this up--I don't know anything about bowling, but this was entertaining to read :)

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  24. hello from a fellow crusader..I've ner tried to bowl, always wanted to learn...

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  25. Great article. I am guessing that you don't have patience and concentration. You used the words beautifully and made me realize I had better get my butt in gear. Great jog, Crusader.

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  26. I haven't bowled in a while, so I haven't a clue as to what your lie is. :) Maybe those aren't your kids names, for the lie? Really cool names though.

    Hell, I don't know! LOL Gonna check back to see the answer, for sure. :)

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  27. OOHH this one is hard. I'm going to say Rio didn't cross the line.

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  28. I'm guessing the gutter guards were up and you still managed to pull off a Strike. :)

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  29. I believe your lie lies within the bowling.

    Denise:)

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  30. I am awful at bowling - one time I actually bowled a 36 (sad, but true). I must know the story behind your header and badge picture - it is hilarious! Do you have a post about it?

    Thanks for checking out my guest post on the Unexpected Mother about explosive diapers! Glad there are other moms that can relate. I am your newest follower.

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  31. Very cute post! Just dropping by to say hello fellow crusader :)

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  32. Nicely done, and I must say, I LOVE all of the bubble wrapped kid pictures! HAH-larious!

    I'm a fellow crusader and new follower. :)

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  33. I loved your bowling story it was classic! We took our kids bowling over winter break and after 4 games, I think I have bowlers elbow! Same spot I get my tennis and golf elbow!LOL I swore that I will not bowl ever again because it hurts to pick up my coffee cup. And nothing can come between me and my coffee! :o) Have a great week and thanks for sharing

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  34. You didn't bowl a gutter ball but a a strike?

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  35. Were you wii bowling, lol? That's the only kind I do.

    Hello from a fellow Crusader.

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  36. I'm the worst bowler in history, and am jealous if you can actually bowl! Maybe that's your lie...

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  37. Haha. I'm GREAT on the wii, but I'm a terrible bowler in real life!!

    Fellow crusader, Following you back, thanks for swinging by my blog.
    The Survival Mama

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  38. My one niece scored a full ride bowling scholarship, thank goodness for title 9.

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  39. Great post. You hid the lie well. I'm guessing the kids are great at bowling.

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  40. I love how your blog post was a like a story full of dialogue and visual images! I used to be in a bowling league when I was in gradeschool. We'd all walk over after school and my mom would give me five dollars...just enough for the games, the shoes and a treat (usually an unhealthy order of french fries!).

    I'm in your crusader's group so I wanted to stop by and start following! :)

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  41. Lol! Great post. I think your best traits are the lie. Heehee, sorry.
    Oh, LOVE the bubble wrapped kids!

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  42. Great post - very creative! I'm going to guess that the lie is about patience, but it's very hard to tell. Well done! I'm supposed to post the answer to my lie today, but have only gotten one guess so far :( Hoping a few more people will stop by and guess if I delay my post a bit... BTW, I love the bubble-wrap!

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  43. I would have to guess that you aren't actually patient, because kids tend to suck that right out of you. I know mine do. Nice to "meet" you.

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  44. Oh boy! This sounds very realistic. I can picture it happening.

    I'm going with patience.

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  45. Ha! This is cute!!!

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  46. Hi crusader - really enjoyed this one. Well done!

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  47. I don't believe you hold your children to the foul line rule... unless you do.

    This was a great take on the challenge!

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  48. I'd guess you're not all that patient.

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  49. You sound like me, so I'll say you're not patient. :)

    I have an award for you at my blog.

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  50. Hello fellow crusader! I am a tad bit late, so I just thought I would just say Hi! :D

    You are a parent, that equals the loss of patience! that is your lie :D

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  51. What a fun crusader challenge entry! I loved how you wove in the prompt words, too. Bowling is such a blast. My family loves to go -- the kids especially. And, when a trip to the lanes isn't possible, we enjoy Wii bowling!

    I'll bet your lie is you don't nag -- not at the lanes and not ever :))

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  52. Great story. You a gutter ball????? I doubt it. ~Monica

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  53. Bowling! I love it, too! And I'm so BAD at it. I mean really really bad! Cute blog -- hi from a fellow Crusader!

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  54. Can't believe I missed this one sorry!Maybe my comment didn't come through first time. My focus must have been off too ;) Patience, focus and concentration.

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