When you’re feeling down and out, hug a puppy.
Meet Weber, my friends’ new addition to their family.
One kiss from Weber and last night’s Sunday Night Blues disappeared.
And some late night shish kabobs helped cheer me up too. 
I was really down and out last night because I realized that I can’t cheer this year.
I have a pretty busy schedule and cheerleading doesn’t fit in. I work a 9 hour shift on Sundays and Mondays. Cheerleading practice is normally held on Sunday nights from 8-11 pm. When you also add the driving distance (the cheer gym is 40 minutes from my house), Sunday would be a really long day! I wouldn’t even be able to relax and sleep late on Monday morning cuz I would be hurrying off to work. And I’m the type of person who needs A LOT of sleep to be able to function.
Also, because I work on Sundays, weekends and getaways are really complicated. I feel so bad requesting time off from a job I just started a month ago. Later this fall and winter, when the cheer team has choreography and competitions on the weekends, it would be a hassle to take a day off from work. I’m struggling to get time off now, for weddings, a vacation, and my marathon. I don’t think adding cheerleading into the mix would make my boss very happy.
It makes me really really sad. I love cheerleading and I was so excited to be back in the gym. I want to stunt and tumble. I want to be tossed in the air and flip and twist. But I have to be realistic. I wouldn’t be able to handle it. I wouldn’t be able to give 100% to everything I’m involved in if I stretched myself too thin. I’d be exhausted, cranky, and super stressed out. 
I hope I made the right most responsible decision.
COMMENTS
10 Comments
1. Shannon
June 22nd, 2010 03:17 AM
I’m sorry you won’t be able to cheer this year. I’m someone who needs her sleep too, so I understand. That would be a lot on your plate, especially with learning a new job. I hope its something you can do next year.
(And I hope that darling puppy helped cheer you up!)
2. MelissaNibbles
June 22nd, 2010 04:03 AM
I’m sorry Melissa. I know how much this means to you. I know this sounds crazy, but what if you put off running a marathon until after cheer season that way you could still cheer? It sounds like you love cheerleading more than running and it makes you happier. I’m sure your boss would work around your schedule as long as it wasn’t a ton of stuff he was working around you know? Pursue what your passion is, not what you think you should do (not that I think you think you should run, but it just sounds like your passion is more with cheer that’s all).
It does sound like you’re doing the responsible thing and that’s hard to do sometimes. I hope it all works out.
3. Jessica @ How Sweet
June 22nd, 2010 04:38 AM
bummer about cheerleading, but I think you are making the right decision! You can always go back to it later, right??
4. Kim
June 22nd, 2010 07:04 AM
So many things going on in your life. When I have decisions to make I always go with my gut feeling. Seems like you have already felt what you should do. Good luck. How’s the training going?
5. Emily
June 22nd, 2010 07:23 AM
So sorry to hear about cheering. I know how pumped you were about it. I think its important to remember that just because you may not be able to fit it in now, doesn’t mean that you’ll never be able to fit it in. Maybe once the summer craziness dies down and you are more established at work, it will be easier to work cheering in. Keep your head up!
6. Lisa (I'm an Okie)
June 22nd, 2010 07:44 AM
First, what kind of dog is Weber?? He’s so cute.
I miss the days when we only had a few obligations and could do essentially all that we wanted.
I’m sorry you made you had to make that tough decision. Cheerleading will always be there and hopefully, before you know it, you can get back into it.
7. Heather
June 22nd, 2010 08:10 AM
Sounds like a hard decision but maybe one for the best.
Like Melissa said – would it be better to cheer or train for the marathon…it does sound like you like cheer leading more then running.
I hate making decisions like that!
8. Kacy
June 22nd, 2010 09:05 AM
I’m sorry cheer isn’t going to work out. It’s tough to have to cut things out sometimes, but maybe by next year your schedule will be easier to work around.
That puppy is adorable! I want one!
9. Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly
June 22nd, 2010 09:13 AM
I am sorry you aren’t going to cheer this year but it does sound like you made the best decision for you!
Hang in there!
10. janetha
June 22nd, 2010 11:08 AM
WOW. that is one cute puppy! thanks for the photos. sorry about the conflicts that are getting in the way of cheering! chin up, lovely!