New Hair + a Wiffle Ball Tournament

Okay, okay…. those of you who follow me on Facebook are probably sick of waiting for updates by now.

While at the hair salon yesterday, I posted a teaser that I would be dying my hair a completely new color and didn’t share what it is… until now!

I have had dark hair before, and after being advised to go back that way by my dance team director, I did.

Most of the dancers from last year that are re-auditioning tomorrow are blonde, so the people on the judging panel (my bosses) are looking for more diversity.

While on the off-season, they somehow stumbled upon a photo of me when my hair was a dark brown/red shade a few years ago.

About a month ago, I took a dance workshop at our arena and the first thing I got welcomed with from the staff was… “Hey Heather, ready to go dark again?” Dark it is.

Every team is different, and I come from one where hair color was mostly up to us. Our coaches would give us tips and their opinions, but at the end of the day my final hair color was up to me while dancing in Orlando.

Other teams (including almost every NFL Cheerleading team) pick your hair color for you, and I have had a handful of friends go through the process.

You just never know what is behind their decisions. They could base their choice around other hair colors that already make up the team, choose what color they think will look best on you, or decide what “hair color spot” they need to fill with yours. Just another unique requirement in this line of work, I guess!

Fortunately, I have faith in the hair salon that sponsors our team, and have been seeing a wonderful stylist named Emma since moving up here last October. She did a great job at listening to what they want and got very close to nailing the color I had before!

After my hair appointment, I spent the afternoon at the Starbucks in Royal Oak to get some work done.

Are these refreshers not the best on a hot summer day?

I have been wanting to try the new flavors, but can’t seem to break myself off of the Very Berry Hibiscus. It’s so yummy!

An hour later, I was on my way home to debut my new hair to the husband and get ready to hit the road with him.

Partridge Park Summer Classic 2013

He loved it.

Scott met me blonde, then dated me as a light blonde, light brunette, dark red, then honey blonde. By now he is used to my hair color changing and sees it as “getting an upgraded new wife” every now and then! <- charming isn’t he?

Right around 5 p.m., we met a group of friends to drive over to Midland for a wiffle ball tournament. Yes, a wiffle ball tournament. It wasn’t my first choice (because of my recent soy concerns), but I have to say that I was happy to see a healthy snack option at the gas station on the way out.

This was the first time I had even heard of Love Your Health Soy Mix, and I guess that is because it is made very close to us in Grand Rapids, MI.

The mix includes a variety of soy beans including lightly sea salted, dark chocolate covered, and honey toasted tossed in with dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds.

Filling and satisfying for our hour and a half drive!

We pulled up to the park (which is actually located on the lot next to our friend’s family’s house) with about an hour before game time.

It may look low-key, but don’t let this neighborhood park fool you. The tournament started four years ago by a friend of our’s family and has grown into a well-known Midland area event!

The Partridge Park Summer Classic is a two-day annual wiffle ball tournament started by a friend of our’s cousin. You can probably tell from the web site that this is not just your average neighborhood game of ball.

The Park was bought as a lot next to their family’s house with the intentions of turning it into a park for the neighborhood.

How awesome is that?

I wasn’t playing, but I was there for support to root on our team made up of the Flight Crew and fellow Pistons Dancer, Amanda!

As a former softball player, she fit right into their line up, named after and sponsored by Tendy Problems.

As one of the few teams matching head to toe, they looked like they had a good chance of going for the number one spot against the twenty-three other teams.

The entire tournament was so entertaining to me! While waiting for Tendy Problems to start their game, I enjoyed watching other ones.

Some of my favorite team names included “Sassy Pitches”, “Sons of Pitches”, and “Hingle McCringleberries.” Made me chuckle every time!

With some final pre-game strategy talk, ours was ready to take the field by storm and go for a win!

Did you happen to notice the stand behind the home base, complete with two announcers and a DJ booth below?

They also had a consessoin stand (with all proceeds donated to various charities), bleachers, and tickets to a Great Lakes Loons game as prizes for hitting home run balls into the pool. I told you – this tournament is legit!

As holidays go by, I was told that the boys in the family ask for park set up supplies as their gifts, like these stadium lights installed this year.

Tendy Problems won their first game 9-0 and we spent the rest of the evening enjoying the park, pool, and great outdoors.

Scott was actually the first of the tournament to hit a home run into the pool, and I left proud of our team for advancing to the next round.

I just got wind from the team that they did not advance past the third round, but I still have to give them a shout out for fighting it out and representing us well! Maybe next year, wiffle ball goers!

#TendyProblems

Wiffle ball. Who knew?