Baseball is FANtastic

Here are the essentials every baseball fan should take with them to a ballgame:

1. a towel: this serves two purposes (1) to wipe the seat if very dirty or wet and (2) to use as a neck wrap--soak in cold water and wrap around your neck during very hot days
2. a scorebook: the best way I know to learn the game is to learn how to keep score; this also helps you stay focused on the game and can keep you calm if your child is playing
3. camera: get a camera that will take both video and still pictures or take both
4. sunglasses: a must! if it is a day game
   
5. sunscreen: another must! for those day games; there are very few stadiums/ball fields that have shade
   
6. pen/sharpie: you need something to write with to keep score, most use a pencil but pencil will fade more quickly over time; the sharpie is for you to get autographs
   
7. emergency poncho: you never know when a summer shower will appear so always be prepared (besides, they don't take up much room)
8. fan: definite must for the hot/humid/muggy summer days; water spritzer is optional (don't forget extra batteries!)
9. hat: another definite for day games where there is no shade
10. bag: you have to have something to carry it all in (baseball theme is optional)
11. blanket: high school/college baseball begins in late February/first of March so a blanket will be needed--sometimes a couple of sleeping bags are necessary; for those professional games in some areas of the country you will need a blanket well into the month of June (like Seattle--I'm talking from experience)

Optional: a good summer do that will make you look presentable even though you melted for 2 hours

just take the hat off and fluff with your fingers

Oh, How Funny

My little sister and I have shared many things--a bedroom, clothes, friends. Is it possible to share pain? Last week M said she had hurt her back but wasn't sure how she hurt it. Well, yesterday my back was hurting. Isn't that funny?

The reason my back was hurting was because we moved furniture the day before. From the upstairs, out the front door, down some steps, to the truck. Then we drove to the selling place, unloaded, and placed the furniture in our selling space. Here is how we got the computer desk from the second floor to the truck:

Are your ready? Yes
Wait! Wait! Ok, now I'm ready.
Stop! (set the desk on the step, place right foot next to the desk, left foot on the step below) OK, ready.
Stop! (set the desk on the step, place right foot next to the desk, left foot on the step below) OK, ready.
Stop! (set the desk on the step, place right foot next to the desk, left foot on the step below) OK, ready.

All the way down 10 steps. Then we did the same thing going down the outside steps. I can only imagine how funny it looked.

The alarm goes off. Hit the snooze button. I can get ready in time. Fall asleep and have this dream:

I'm coming back from a business trip. The plane is leaving from New Jersey but I pass a building that says "High Point College" (High Point, NC). Everyone in my group is leaving in separate taxis. I get to my drop off point. I'm still sitting but this time in a high chair like a bar stool. And the chair is gliding down the sidewalk. I pass three wedding parties. One I take particular attention to: the bridesmaids gowns are brown and sage green--different but the colors did seem to go together. My chair starts up the stairs but there are too many people walking down the steps so I have to get off. When I get off, I look back. There is a puddle at the bottom of the steps and right beyond that is my friend from high school. We recognize each other right away. "T you haven't changed at all!" (He didn't...looked just like the last time I saw him 22 years ago at our 10 year reunion.) I go, jump over the puddle, and by the time I reach him he says, "Sure I've changed." He had shrunk himself down, like he folded himself up. All you could see where his feet, half his upper torso, all of his arms, and his head. "I know you haven't changed that much!" I say. "You're right," and he unfolded himself back to full height. Aren't dreams funny?

She Just Had to Do It!

My sister is playing tag. She just had to pick two people to tag but she decided to pick two more and I was one of them. So here are my answers to the questions:

1- What’s your staple meal (ie. what meal do you cook most often when you can’t be bothered to be adventurous)?
Breakfast: scrambled eggs and pancakes or waffles.

2- What do you want to be when you grow up?
Now that I am, finally, doing what I wanted to do (be a school teacher) I haven't thought any farther ahead.

3- What book are you reading at the moment (if any)?
"Teaching Mathematics in the Block"...our school system is going to block schedule in a few weeks. I did one semester of my internship at a school on block schedule and know I made several mistakes. This time I'll be more prepared.

4- How do you relax?
I like to sit in my recliner and rock.

5- What color are the interior walls of your home?
The lower level is mostly an off-white color. My kitchen has wallpaper--little blue and light red flowers with a border of baskets. The foyer also is wallpapered with blue and pink stripes. (That doesn't sound pretty but it is, trust me.) L's study has a grass type wallpaper with a fox hunting border around the middle and a green border. The dining room has light blue wallpaper below the chair rail and a small blue print border. The upstairs has a burnt orange color in all the bedrooms and my bathroom. (Think golden browned pumpkin pie.) The boys' bathroom is a very pretty blue.

6- What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Chocolate cheesecake.

7- What time is bedtime and getting up time?
Lately I've been going to bed around 11:00 and getting out of bed (notice I didn't say wake up) around 8:00. During work I get up at 5:00 and go to bed when I'm ready which could be anytime between 9:00 and 11:00.

8- How long do you spend reading blogs (per day or per week)?
I've noticed I spend a couple hours reading blogs when I get on the computer and start looking at not just the blogs I regularly follow but ones that those blogs follow.

Now, I get to tag a couple of people:

My niece-in-law and my high school friend's sister whom I'm getting to know through our blogs.

TAG....YOU'RE IT!

Friday Flashback

Today I'm joining Friday Flashback with Linda. Linda asked about the home where you grew up. So, without looking at my sister's blog first, here's my flashback. Join in the fun!

I grew up in a small town. I don't remember the first home I lived in because we moved when I was two. The first home was a 2/3 bedroom, 1 bath that by the time we moved had 8 people living in it. The home I remember began as a 4 bedroom, 2 bath ranch style house. About 2-3 years later, Dad finished 2 bedrooms and an additional bath in the basement.

In the beginning, I shared a bedroom with 3 other sisters. I'm thinking I had to sleep in a crib until I was 4-years-old, but I could be wrong. Sharing with 3 other sisters lasted until Dad built the downstairs bedrooms. Then I shared the bedroom with my little sister. That lasted until I was in high school. By then, enough of my older siblings had moved out so that we girls could have our own room.

The house is across the street from a park. The park continued across the cross street. We played in that park and would go sledding in that park. I explicitly remember playing king and queen because there was a rock formation in the park that was known as the king and queen's chair. Two of the rocks were formed like chairs that were right next to each other.

We also lived close to the school. From kindergarden through third grade I attend the parochial school. The public school (elementary grades) was across the cross street. I remember being home sick and hearing the kids on the playground. A week or two before my third grade year, the school caught fire. I remember going to the school and seeing all the new textbooks set out on the parking lot. The main school building was destroyed. The gym was still intact and is still there today.

The parochial school closed after my third grade year so I started at the public school. The school had set up K-3 in the gym. The fourth grade was set up in the football locker room. That is where I started my public education. The next year the school system integrated and my fifth grade year was at the old black high school. Grades K-5 were set up there while the new elementary school was being completed. Six grade was at the new elementary school. The old black high school was set up as a junior high (that's what it was called back then--grades 7-9).

The high school and elementary school were within walking distance. The junior high school was not. We participated in a car pool. I remember the lady that was suppose to pick us up one afternoon had forgotten. She was an hour late. We all talked about walking home.

The ninth grade band marched with the high school. When it was time for band, we'd go outside to what was suppose to be a football field, and practice the routine. There were only about 20 of us. Twenty out of 100. Can you imagine how hard it must have been for the band director to tell if we really were in the right place? Let alone what we must have sounded like.

I remember walking to and from the high school many times. Until Mom and Dad purchased a vehicle for us. Mom said it was easier getting us to our after school activities...mostly band practice and football games. There were a few times Dad would pass us when we were walking either to school or from school and would yell out the window, "hubba hubba". Boy, I hated that! Especially when I was lugging my french horn home!

We lived in a good neighborhood. I remember playing kick the can and hide-n-go-seek at our house. My favorite hiding place was behind a dogwood tree. The limbs of the tree bent down enough that the leaves touched the ground making a canopy-type hiding place.

We played softball in our backyard. I don't really see how we did because it really isn't that big anymore. :)

We played fruit basket turn over in our front yard. There used to be about five pine years in a row that we used.

I don't remember much of my high school years, but my childhood was pretty good.

Don't forget to link up and share your growing up home(s).

Picture Day

Here are pictures from my DC trip that I should have included with yesterday's post but hadn't downloaded them until today. Hope you enjoy!

Was that a Bear?

Last Thursday L and I went to Richmond VA. L had a seminar to attend on Friday and I went along for the ride. (Actually, I was the driver.) We spent the night in Richmond on Friday and went to dinner in downtown Richmond which L's aunt recommended. (L's cousin attended VCU in Richmond so J knew where to eat.) We ate at the Tobacco Company. The building was built in 1867 a year after "the Evacuation Fire" (Civil War). (If you don't remember your Civil War history, Richmond was the first capitol of the Confederacy.) It was first a grocery distribution then a tobacco distribution. The atmosphere was great and the food was even better. The servers that I saw were all males who wore black trousers, white tuxedo shirts, bow ties, and black suspenders. The females were hostesses and cocktail waitresses and they all wore black dresses with black hose and black shoes. The restaurant even had cigarette girls ("cigars, cigarettes, tiperellos?")! (Unusual to me since you can't smoke in VA restaurants.) It was definitely a treat.

On Saturday we drove into Washington DC. We learned how to ride the Metro. I'm glad we got a pass because you have to have exit fare. I think that is hilarious...you have to pay to exit the subway! L wanted to know what happens if you don't have enough money to pay the exit fare. Anyone know? I told him I guess you have to stay underground.

We got off at the Smithsonian station. That brought us right to the mall where the Washington Monument was on one end and the Capitol was on the other. I understand how excited my sister gets. Did you know the Washington Monument was started before the Civil War? What an impressive building. All the tickets to go up in the monument were distributed for that day so we didn't get to go up in it. We really didn't have much time because we had tickets to the Washington Nationals baseball game. We did go into the Museum of American History. Part of it was disappointing to me. The entertainment, sports, and music section didn't have any sports and there was a musical instrument exhibit that had very little instruments other than string instruments. The rest of what we saw (we were there for two hours) was interesting.

We got back on the Metro and headed for the Navy Yard. (I was hoping to see Jethro Gibbs, but didn't get to see him.) The station took us right to the stadium. We had good seats. The game was good...White Sox 1, Nationals 0. Plus we saw Zimmerman strike out and the Nationals coach get ejected.

After the game, we headed back home. We were talking about stopping at an exit that has a very good restaurant that serves scrumptious apple fritters but we weren't sure about the name of the restaurant. Around 9:00 there was lightning in the sky...down to the earth...it looked like it went all the way to the road. So we decided to take the next exit...which just happened to be the exit we were looking for! There was a hotel attached to the restaurant which had only one nonsmoking room available. L got us some apple fritters while I checked us in. They were great! And we stopped just in time. The rain and wind were horrendous. (If you are on I-81, stop at the New Market exit and visit the Johnny Appleseed. You won't be disappointed.)

Sunday morning we drove the rest of the way home. Now, I have seen a lot of road kill -- possum, raccoons, deer, dogs, etc. But just on the other side of Christiansburg I saw a big black something on the side of the road. As I passed it, I saw the face. Was that a bear?!? Yes, it was. I had never seen a bear on the side of the road. It was bigger than a cub, but not a full size adult. And would you believe I didn't see any deer?

As we got into town, L asked if I noticed this driver ahead of us. He was swerving all over his side of the road...at that time. As we kept driving, the guy was passing the center line. After almost hitting us and a few others, we decided to call the police. The police officer didn't have to follow him very long before he turned on his lights to pull him over. (Don't know what was wrong with the guy. I'm just glad he was off the road.)

The weekend was exciting in several different ways.

Happy Father's Day

I want to introduce you to three great dads.

The first dad I have known all my life. He is an amazing man. One of eight children, he grew up in a small town on the Texas Gulf Coast. His family were farmers. Born in 1925 meant he spent his early years during the Great Depression. After high school he joined the navy, fighting in the Pacific Theater of WWII. After his military duty, he went to college on the GI Bill and received his degree in chemical engineering. He spent most of his working years as an industrial engineer.

As many of you know, he sired ten kids. I know there were times that were financially challenging, but when all is said and done, he was a great provider. We were fortunate that when management changed where Dad was working, Dad was able to secure a job with the security department. He was shift supervisor and a first responder.

Dad is the quiet, handsome type. He hasn't regaled us very much with stories of his youth. But one story he told was about how at Christmas he and his two brothers received a football. Not one football apiece, but one football for all three boys. After they pumped it up, they went out to play with it. It busted. They stuffed the football with newspaper and taped it up. (And we thought we didn't have much!)

Dad is a great gardener, both flowers and vegetables. I can't remember a time when he did not have a vegetable garden. He grew his own grapes and made his own wine. He was very handy with tools. I can't begin to tell you the furniture he has made--not just for his home but for me and my siblings as well. He also was a great photographer. He not only took the pictures but developed them as well.

I could go on and on about my dad. He is that amazing!

The second dad I have talked about on my blogs before. He is my husband. He is a great dad to both our boys. I like to say my boys get their intelligence from me and their athleticism from him. When we met, L was a golfer. He golfed a lot and was very good at it. He played sports in high school (football, baseball, and basketball) and played baseball in college. C reminds me of him--he'll play just about any thing and does very well. L likes to ride his bicycle. He and C have gone hiking a few times and have camped out a few times. L is N's "personal" pitching coach. He taught N the love of the game. N continues to call L to discuss his pitching. When the boys call home and we don't answer, the next call is to L's cell phone -- both boys. C told me once about a year ago, that he enjoys talking to his dad.

On this Father's Day (I know it was yesterday), I also want to mention L's dad. We lost him in June 2000 to bladder cancer. He was very special to me. He was smart. He was a lot like my dad. After retiring as a mail carrier, he got his real estate license and then became a real estate appraiser. L's dad was handy with tools like my dad. We have several pieces of furniture that he made. One time when he was here visiting, L told about plans he had to build some shelves in the garage. The next day, L's dad went and rented some power tools and built those shelves. He adored his grandsons. And they adored him. We all miss him very much.

I am very blessed to have such great men in my lives. Happy Father's Day Daddy, L, and Poppy! With all my love.

Back on the Job

The Chattanooga Lookouts are in Jackson playing the West TN Diamond Jaxx for a 6 game series. Yesterday was a double header. But I didn't know that. I logged on around 9:00 thinking the game was in the 3rd inning or so. I was surprised to see they had just started the game. Upon investigation, I found they had already played one game and had started the second game.

Oh, dear. Did I miss N pitching? He thought he would pitch at some point during this series. So I look at the box score. No, he didn't pitch. Maybe he'll pitch this game. So I listen. The announcer never said he sees N in the bullpen warming up. But then, in the 6th inning, the announcer says N is on the mound. I ran to tell L.

N last appearance was April 15. He had surgery to repair a tear in his lateral meniscus in his knee on April 20 or 21. He had been rehabbing ever since. He was placed back on the active list last Saturday, a week ahead of time due to another relief pitcher being injured during a game (elbow).

Last night he was back. Here are his stats from last night:

innings pitched: 1
batters faced: 3
strikeouts: 2 (1 strikeout was a dropped 3rd strike which meant the batter could run to 1st...he made it safely to first...but then N picked him off--which means he caught the runner stealing 2nd base and got him out)
hits: 0
walks: 0
pitches/strikes: 15 pitches/10 strikes
groundouts/flyouts: 1/0

He's baaaaccccckkkkkk!

Today I wore lipstick

I am not a girly-girly. I am not high maintenance--far from it. But I'm not boyish either. I do like to get dressed up from time-to-time. But I absolutely cannot stand to put on makeup. I hate it! (Ok, maybe hate is too strong a word...I intensely dislike it.)

Which is another reason I like being a teacher. Time off means I don't have to wear makeup. Except on days like today when I attended a Successful Schools Symposium. Then I wear makeup because I know I look better. How do I know? Case in point:

Back in 1991, before my brother got married, his fiance and her family came over for supper. Well, I didn't see any reason to look good for them. So, I didn't put on any makeup. During supper, my sisters and I decided after the kitchen was cleaned up, we'd go out. But first, I had to make myself more presentable. Who knew, I could have met Mr. Right that night. (I didn't.) The in-laws-to-be were still there when I walked into the kitchen, ready for a night on the town. Yes, I had put on makeup. My sister-in-law's sister said, "Wow, what a difference!"

Another case in point: During high school, I only put on makeup when I had my picture made or during band performances (I was drum major). When I had my senior picture taken, one of my classmates kept repeating, "You look really pretty." (You mean I wasn't before?)

I have been blessed with a good complexion. I only use foundation powder, mascara (I was not blessed with long, thick eyelashes), blush and lipstick. It doesn't take 2 minutes to put the junk on my face. Yet I still dislike putting it on. My husband doesn't seem to care. My boys don't seem to care. So why should I? I almost panicked when I got to work a few weeks ago and realized I had not put my makeup on. High school kids can be mean, you know. I went to a co-worker and asked if she saw anything wrong with my face. Other than one eye looking a little redder than the other, no. Good...maybe the students won't notice. And no, no one said anything about it. (Maybe that just means I'm not paid attention to...oh wait...I'm not paid attention to! So I had nothing to worry about!)

But today, because I was going to be meeting strangers, I had to put my best foot -- I mean face -- forward. So I put on my makeup including my lipstick and left my mark wherever I drank.

God's Fireworks

Friday night was fireworks night at the ballpark. However, I wasn't feeling well so we left before the end of the game. Then, driving home Saturday night, L and I were treated to some of the most spectacular fireworks. I know that a picture says a thousand words, but I was driving so I couldn't take any pictures. Besides, every time I try to take firework pictures or anything that has to do with the sky, they just don't turn out. I wish you could have seen them.

The lightning was in the far distance. I didn't see any streaks. Just flashes of light illuminating the fluffy clouds. Quick flashes, lasting just a split second. Then a long flash, lasting 3-4 seconds. At times the sky turned a shade of light red. This continued as we drove up the interstate. As we got closer to home, streaks could be seen through the sky. Short streaks and long streaks. Each lighting up the night sky.

We may have missed Friday's fireworks, but God's fireworks on Saturday were a sight to behold!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

The West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx are playing at the Tennessee Smokies in Sevierville this weekend. The two teams are AA minor league baseball teams. Sevierville is about 1-1/2 hours away. And my son is a pitcher for the Jaxx team. So...we drove last night to the first game of a 5 game series.

N is currently on the team but not playing. On April 20, he had surgery to repair his lateral meniscus in his left knee. He was told he would be out 4 weeks. April 20 was 7 weeks ago. His knee has/is healing. After 5 weeks he began throwing (more like playing catch) but began having shoulder pain. The trainer said it was tendenitis and N had to back off a bit. He is doing much better now but has to gain his strength back before he can be put in a game. He has already thrown several bullpens (I think that means he threw in the bullpen as though he was warming up for a game) and several simulated games (which means he threw to a live batter(s)). He's feeling better...just very frustrated that he has not been able to get back into a game.

But, we got to see him and talk to him last night. We even brought him home with us. And we'll get to do that 4 more days in a row! It was a good feeling having all four of us driving home last night. Each of these times is so precious since we never know how long it will be before the "next time" we are all together. (C will be leaving Monday for his ROTC summer camp...on the other side of the country.)

Oh, yeah. The Jaxx won last night -- 11 to 4!

Are We Moving?

About a month ago, L and I put a contract on a house. It was a beautiful house. In a very good neighborhood. A corner lot with very little chance of the back property owner developing the land. My husband fell in love with it. However, he is very practical. The contract included a clause that the sale would be contingent upon the building inspection and radon test. We were very uncomfortable with the results of both the building inspection and radon test...so much so that we walked away. We felt we had no choice. My husband really liked the house. But it is not to be.

During the contract process, we talked about what we would need to do to sell our current home. A home we have been in since 1991. A home where our boys grew up. (True story: C was 2...we had not been in the house very long. It is a 2 story house. N and I were upstairs. L came up. Then we hear this little voice, "Daddy?" L said, "C." "Daddy, where are you?" "Where are you?" We hear this little, sad voice, "I don't know.")

There is a saying that everyone should move every 7 to 10 years just so you can get rid of your clutter/stuff. There's some truth to that. Eighteen years is a long time to accumulate not just memories. However, there is some excitement along with it. Kinda like a treasure hunt. I have found:

• the old dictaphone recording machine (I was wondering where that was)
• the directions for making those composition books look like they're not composition books
• three rosaries that are in need of repair (I'm thinking one came from either my mom or my grandmother)
• jewelry I can't wear anymore
• pictures and pictures and pictures
• my boys' baby teeth (now why have I kept those?)
• my husband's report cards (hehe...I have a feeling he was not that good of a student)
• my husband's grades from ETSU (turns out we attended one quarter at the same time but didn't meet until 2 years later)
• a letter my husband wrote to "Sant Nick"
• a copy of my father-in-law's discharge paper from the US Army (which I am glad I found because I plan on getting the flag that draped his coffin framed and will need that information for the plaque...oh, by the way, don't say anything, it's going to be a present for Father's Day)
• an old valentine card from L which says I'm his better half (maybe I should keep that)

It has been work...with more to do. Hum, more treasures to be found?

Flashback Friday -- per request

I wasn't sure if I'd do a post this week since this is my first week of freedom (from students, from lesson plans, from driving to work). But my sister sent me an email and suggested I do today's Flashback Friday by Linda at Mocha with Linda. So here it is, without reading my sister's first.

Today's Flashback Friday is about siblings. I am one of 10 kids -- 6 girls, 4 boys. I am the 7th child, 5th daughter. (I think that 7 is my lucky number: 7th child, 7 years between me and my husband, had the 7th grandchild on my side of the family...you get the picture?) However, I also consider myself to be the middle child. I am 7 years younger than the olderst and seven years older than the youngest. (There's that 7 again!)

As a member of a large family, I got hand-me-downs. I remember a dress I received from another family when I was 5 that I absolutely loved. I think it was because no one else in my family had worn it before. Until I was in high school, I shared a room with my sisters--first there were 4 of us in a room and then just me and my sister who is 1-1/2 years younger than me (to the day).

Although I don't remember this, my older sisters told me I would flirt with their boyfriends when they were over. (Me...flirt? You've got to be kidding!?!)

Being younger, I saw a little of the mischief my older siblings got into and the consequences. I don't know if that made me "Daddy's girl" or led my siblings to believe I would join a convent when I was older. (Hey, I believe in learning not only from my mistakes but from others' mistakes as well. And no, I certainly was not "little miss perfect." I think we daughters can all say we were "Daddy's girl".) That may have shaped my personality: quiet until I get to know you, a learner, sensative (the I-get-my-feelings-hurt-easily type of sensative).

My younger sister and I were close when we were growing up. We had our share of fights but I don't think they were bad. She and I were/are different. She was more tomboyish...I was called "Little Suzy Homemaker." I liked to play school and dolls (hand-me-down dolls), she played with trucks. (I remember stepping on one that was in our room and, since I stepped on the rusted part of the truck, I had to go get a tetnus shot.) We had some of the same friends. It is funny, when we were growing up, we looked a lot alike. Whenever people asked if we were twins, we'd ask who was older. They almost always would say her -- which she thoroughly enjoyed. I reminded her one day that when we were older she wouldn't like that answer. Of course, now, we don't look anything alike.










She was the only one I really felt close to growing up. Now, I do feel closer to my siblings. Not as close as I would like since I don't live near them. (I feel left out sometimes when we get together and they are talking about things they have done together.) We have a ladies weekend every year...sisters, sisters-in-law, and Mom.

There are way too many memories that stand out -- vacations to Texas (two-day trip in an unconditioned station wagon with 10 - 12 people), Sunday trips to the mountains, Sunday brunch, Christmas. I will mention a memory that stands out that has to do with an older sibling having her younger siblings do some work for her:

Friday. Parents home later. Almost time for party goers to arrive. Go downstairs to the basement rec room and vacuum. Ok. Little sis, come with me. It's scary down there. Have to go to the bathroom. Come with me. Bathroom downstairs in the dark, scary basement. Push the door all the way open to make sure no one is hiding behind the door. Door doesn't go all the way to the wall. Scream. Little sis runs into the rec room and slams door. I run up the stairs. Big sis meets me at the top, "There's someone down there, and M is still down there!" Big sis runs next door to neighbor (parents not home yet). Neighbor brings shotgun and investigates. Other big sis's sneaker blocked the bathroom door. Big sis is embarrassed/mad. Turns out it was Friday, the 13th. So now, on Friday the 13th, we email/call each other and ask if we know where our sneakers are.

I love my siblings. All of them. We are all alike yet so very different!

If you haven't already visited my sister's blog, please do so. (No, I still haven't yet.)

Have a great weekend!