The End of a Season

Ok, so if you read probably the last 5 or 6 blogs, they all start with me saying that I have taken too long to post a new blog. Again, I know that I have waited and put this off way too long. I have been done with my official Futures Tour season for over a month now....I know, I know, way too long to not have posted a blog. I guess I will say that in doing this now I have that much more to tell you about!!! (Sounds good anyway, right?!!)

I played my last event in Albany, NY and finished the season much like the rest of the tournaments...less than stellar, and definitely below my standard of where I want to be. It was very weird to drive away knowing that our season wouldn't start again until March. It was also weird to say goodbye to my friends out there. It's weird because we get into such a groove and get so used to seeing each other out there, it's hard to believe that we all have lives outside of that "life."

I had the pleasure of having a guest companion for my long and tedious drive back to Albuquerque from New York. My college golf coach, Jackie, whom many of you have been fortunate enough to meet, came up and made the nearly 2500 mile trip with me. We, as usual, had a great time and made quite the experience out of it. We planned a couple of stops for her to be able to see a couple of Aunts of hers, one of which is 101 years old. I won't go into details, but you can use your imagination, and it was quite comical watching her and her 98 year old sister communicate with each other and still act like sisters do!! I don't know Kristin, I just don't see us doing that. They would probably kick us out of the nursing home for arguing too much!! I also planned a stop in Nashville, Tennessee to see the very first host family that I stayed with about 10 years ago ( we figured out). Joy was pregnant when I stayed with them that summer and we were pleasantly surprised when we received the birth announcement later that year with the name Kailin Bailey on it. Gary and Joy also have a son named Ryan, so it was so fun to get to meet the kids finally and see Gary and Joy after all this time. We also stopped back through McKinney, Texas where I was early in the season to see and stay with my hosts from that week, the Crawfords. Just like before, we had a great time, and quite a few laughs to go along with it!! Probably due to the fact that I waited so long to write this, I really can't think of any super comical or embarrassing stories from our drive, which is very hard to believe. We did have quite a few choice words for my GPS unit, which I have named La Kisha...or something like that. I really don't know how you would spell that name. Anyway, she is very picky and sometimes we didn't want to do what she told us...so we yelled at her!!!

I have been home in Bend the last few weeks and leave next week for warmer temperatures!! It has been much, much, much colder than I ever remember it being this time of year. My mom tells me it's because I'm a wussy after being gone for so long. I am convinced that the weather this time of the year has just changed!!! I am also convinced that we need a warmer house!!! (Kristin will back me up on this!) I have a Cactus tour event in Phoenix followed by Futures Tour Qualifying School again in Florida and another Cactus tour event back in Phoenix...then home for Thanksgiving!! I can't believe it's already nearing the end of October...it feels like 2007 has just flown by. Although I have to remind myself that I spent nearly half of it out driving around and playing golf.

I will probably post another blog after Qualifying sometime. I again want to thank all of you for your continued support and encouragement as I travel down this chosen road of mine. I so enjoy all of your comments on here and your emails from time to time. I had a great time this season and am looking forward to another great year next year...but even greater when I play some better golf...the way that I know how!!!

Happy Holidays coming up to all of you and please be in touch!!

~Kailin~