He Took Me out to a Ball Game

Got to spend a lovely evening with SIL, 3 Gkids, and 1 adopted son.  Oh, yeah – DH was along for the ride as well.  We got free tickets to spend an evening at QuikTrip Ballpark in the lovely metropolis of Grand Prairie to watch a game of baseball.  Well, actually, there was a lot more attention paid to the visiting than to the baseball.  But isn’t that what baseball is all about? 

As I ‘splained to a friend that had never been to a baseball game – the evening can be perfection.  You sit in the shade and, if lucky, a cool gentle wind makes its way down the breezeway over the crowd.  Friends & family sit together visiting & having a gay old time.  Every now and again we might pay attention to what’s going on down on the field.  But it’s mostly about who you’re with.  And if you’re lucky – the action on the field gets our attention from time to time when someone hits a homerun.  Or makes a great play.

Last night one poor gentleman got more participation than he anticipated. A foul ball came flying across the field, hit the dug out right in front of us, bounced into the crowd – and hit the guy right in the middle of his forehead. He was OUT!!!  And it didn’t take an umpire to figure that out.  I called 911. DH herded traffic and guided the EMS techs down into the section where they gathered the guy up and took him to the ER.  I hope he wasn’t seriously hurt.  But after that incident some folks got up and moved to higher seats – hopefully out of the range of any more baseball shaped missiles.  Next time I may take a glove.  Not that I’d be able to catch anything but at least I’d be able to cover my head if a ball comes my way.

A good time was had by most.  The only exception to our evening of bliss was the rowdy, presumably drunk, guy sitting across the aisle from us.  I would not have minded the ball landing on his noggin.  I didn’t realize that there was someone on this earth with a bigger voice than my DH.  This guy is NOT blessed with dulcet tones.  Rather nasally and crude, rude and socially unacceptable. 

Next time I’ll request the non-boozy section far from the maddening crowd of oafs.  We can make enough noise on our own without liquid courage (or noisemaker).

Swing batter!

In the Muse

1.  Dear BYU Dance Troupe, my two left feet thank you.  My Gdaughter had a most marvelous time.  And to the bow & fiddle that provided musical back-up - pure genius.  Nice balance between lively music & livelier steps. My toes are still tapping!  I was worn out by the end of the evening and not because I was tired.  Watching y'all just plain ol' wore me out!  But thanks for coming.  And we look foward to seeing you again. 

2.  To the 5th grade class at M.C. Lively that I was lucky enough to work with last Friday - thanks for letting me be a teacher for the day.  I'm so glad you enjoyed the Junior Achievement materials.  And I loved your creative ideas.  A glow in the dark roller coaster with each rider getting a unique experience that they get to pick.  So clever.  I know that you will all be a success no matter what you do.  Even if you do want to wrestle aligators when you grow up!  I will expect to see your names and creations in the news over the next decade or so!  Just remember to continue learning just like I told you!

3.  To the producers of Battleship - POW!!  BANG!! Big explosions galore!  Bad ass ugly aliens up to no good at all.  Good popcorn movie.  Nothing's much better than sitting in a cool dark theater with the one you love sharing a bucket of popcorn, a Diet Coke, and a smooch during the scary shots. 

4.  To the staff at my new favorite Mexican restaurant Mattito's.  Ve vill be bahhck.  (Arnold will not be accompanying us.)  Great service. Wonderful food.  Loved our waitress. If you visit the location in N. Irving (sometimes known as the hood at Las Colinas) make sure you ask for Sue.  She'll treat you right.

5.  To the sweet young sister that's so new to the Church and was brave enough to raise her hand - thank you.  Your powerful story abouat the about the power of prayer touched my heart.  To pray that you'd be able to deal with the bullies instead of asking Him to stop them showed a great sign of maturity at a very young age.  One of the reasons why I love Relief Society.  We learn from each other.

6.  To Oldest and Our Girl - thanks for relieving me of my boredom on Sunday with your phone call.  You know how much stuff like this touches my heart.  And makes me miss you even more.  Hurry home.  Even if it will take many more steps till you get here.

7.  To Older, thanks for letting me know about the Airhogs BBall game tonight.  Go hogs!  Can't wait to sit in the breeze way visiting with friends & family and have a little bit of baseball thrown in.  So sorry you can't be there.

My list of the good things in my life just keeps growing and growing.

And the list goes on!  And the list goes on . . .

Safe!!!

To test our employees' ability to follow orders, leave the building in an orderly fashion, and get the heck out of Dodge - we had a semi-building wide fire drill.

Semi-building?  Yes.  One of the two towers at a time because neither the building management nor the Irving Fire Deparrment wanted a couple of thousand folks wandering around the building.  Weinees.

I do love my Skechers flip flops.  But I think I got a flat going down 10 flights of stairs.  So I've resolved to hit a store on the way home to get something a little more substantial, just as comfortable (as far as flip flops go), and probably not nearly as cute. I passed cool, uncomfortable shoes way back when. So I'm stuck with old lady shoes.

Again - I digress.  (Sparklie!)

My group passed with flying colors.  And on one (including me) passed out on the way down.  Headcount was even-Steven.  No one hid in the bathrooms (I checked).  And nobody got run down when they stood in the middle of the street.  Really people?  GET OFF THE ROAD!!!  Thankfully, these were not "my" people.  My people know better.

Good.

Always better safe than sorry.

I Have Survived! Hey! Hey!

All you cats, critters, etc. can come out of hiding from around Jackson Middle School.  The residents of the neighborhood can remove the cotton balls & ear plugs. Birds can now return to their nests and resume singing to their hearts content. Katydids, crickets, toads and frogs – return to your evening serenades.

The orchestra concert is over. We survived.

After last night I've decided that being a music teacher - especially those that deal with teaching instruments - has got to be one of the hardest jobs ever.  Having to teach notes, time signatures, keys & key changes, phrasing, etc. to a bunch of kids has got to be near-by impossible.  I'd go stark raving mad having to listen to the same 32 measures of music (if you can call it that) over and over - ad nauseum.  And I certainly would be plenty of nauseum at the end of the day. 

"Ackkkk!" as Bill the Cat used to say. 

I'm not smart enough to look at a piece of music for band or orchestra and figure out exactly what they're playing, when to stop and start, and follow the conductor.  Singing is SO much easier.  And certainly more fun for me. 

I do play the piano.  But I'm not passionate about it.  I'm grateful that my folks gave me the opportunity to learn.  I don't necesarily have a gift or talent for it, but I can get through most hymns and Primary songs.  Well, sort of.  They are semi-recognizable and no one stops singing if I make a mistake.  Thankfully the sisters that I accompany are not as hard on me as I am on myself.

But I digress.

Kudos to all band & orchestra kids everywhere.  And thanks to the teachers & conductors that share their talents & time to doing what they're so good at.  And gratitude to family members that support their kids in their endeavors. 

And a-one and a-two . . .

And Another One Bites the Dust!

Mother’s Day is over and gone. Everyone return your seats to their upright position . . .

To celebrate my being a mother (watch it!) I got calls from all my kids, a bracelet made by an artiste that I just happen to know personally, gift cards for reading (virtually & real-ally).  Dinner out.  Avengers - again (& still 2 thumbs up – “Smash”!).  Dinner out – again.  Dark Shadows (1 thumb up & 1 thumb down.  Or in the words of Youngest – “Meh.”).  Church.  Nap.  More calls.  Whew!  When did I have time to sleep.  Oh, but I did plenty of that.

Now back to business.  Or is it busy-ness?

Went out to dinner last night to one of favorite hang outs (Angelo’s) with favorite folks from church.  The hens, chick and our roosters met for dinner.  We’re such an easy group for ordering - Golden Baked Lasagna with extra cheese, Ranch dressing on salad for DH, house vinaigrette or bleu cheese (if I’m in a daring mood) for me, and water all around.  They know us there.  We walk in the door and are told, “They’re waiting for you in the back of the big room.”  Our own version of Cheers – except without Norm. They let us linger and we do so – with relish.  Or rather Texas toast for dipping into our meat sauce.  That’s the rule.  I’ve been going there since they opened in 1966.  And I’ve had the same meal for 99% of the time.  They must (still) be doing something right!

School is winding down.  Concerts for some of the Gkids over the next week or so.  One tonight as a matter of fact.  Orchestra.  (I’m pretty sure that Gdaughters’ group has improved  to the point that they don’t sound so much like cats being strangled. Or at least that’s what I’m hoping for.).  I do have talented Gkids.  And am glad that they want me to be there when they perform.  I enjoyed watching their parents perform.  I’ve got bragging rights for 2 generations!  And, if I’m lucky, maybe even a 3^rd.

Taking one of the Gdaughters to a BYU dance troupe performance on Thursday.  An activity for their younger young women’s group.  Gdaughter does love going to Activity Girls, but cannot wait until she gets to go to Young Women.  She’ll be a busy little Beehive.  She’ll blend right in.

Friday – I'll be teaching at M.C. Lively Elementary School (my alma mater - class of 1962, thank you very much!).  A Junior Achievement activity.  All. Day. Long.  What was I thinking? 

That evening - probably a movie.  Hopefully a good one.  It will be my reward for dealing with 5th graders, being on my feet all day, and having (getting?) to eat cafeteria food for lunch.

Saturday – a birthday party for the musically inclined Gdaughter.  Sitting in a steamy natatorium watching the kids with both my daugthers and 5/6 of the Gkids.  I may get brave and take a lap or two myself.  Then in the evening – a trip to the Temple.  DH has members of his Sunday school class that will be attending for the 1^st time so I need to support him supporting them in their endeavors.

Oh, I love to see the Temple.  And I’m going there Saturday.  I need some peace & calm at the center of my universe.  I do have my darling DH that does that for me but I need a bit of an “oomph” in that department. 

And on Sunday – church and then a blessed nap afterwards.  Much deserved, I'm thinking. 

Then  Monday – we get to do it all over again.

Yay.

An Invitation You Can't Refuse

It's too pretty to stay inside today.  But stay I must.  I do have a household to help support.  Bills, repairs, animals demanding to be fed, laundry to fold, & floors to sweep can just quiet themselves down.  For a while, at least.

The weather is beautiful.  Sunny skies and cooler temps this weekend.  With a chance of much needed rain.  As long as the tornados stay away, I'm fine with that. 

But for today I want to dig my bare toesies in a cool sand box.  I want to slide down a slide and scream my head off.  I want to pump myself in a swing until I can almost touch the clouds - reciting "How'd you like to go up in a swing, up in the air so blue?  Oh I do think 'tis the pleasantest thing ever a child can do." 

I want to play hide & go seek with like minded individuals - even if they are under 4' tall.  I want a snow cone (candy apple w/ cream, please).  I want to make a wish on a dandelion.  Jacks on the warm sidewalk.  And a game of hop scotch to finish it off.

I know my limitations.  I can no longer jump out of the swing to see how far away I'd land.  Jump rope is out of the question.  I can't tag anybody because everyone runs faster than I do.  And if we went to the pool I wouldn't dare put myself in a position where everyone could yell, "Chicken on the high board."

Can you come out & play today?

Meet you at the swing set!

Being in the Mother Hood

Mother's Day is next Sunday. A time when Hallmark stock goes up and the US Postal Service actually makes money. Am I a cynic?  No, just a realist.

I've not always been a fan of this particular holiday.  I was when the kids were small. I loved the little gifts, the drawings, the hugs.  But as they've grown there's this nervous embarrassed stammer, shuffling of feet, with a "now what" look on their faces. 

And I really don't mind that.  It was easier when they were young. But our relationship has changed.  I still mother them - as much as they'll let me.  But from a distance. 

This weekend, call me.  Let's chat.  Take a picture of what thrills you or makes you happy & send it my way.  Tell me that you love me, that you're safe & well and that will make ME happy.

I've thought of words of wisdom that could be shared with younger mothers and this is what I've come up with:

For all you younger mothers, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  In spite of all the heartaches, heart breaks, tears, laughter, messiness, trips to the ER, finding your child asleep under the bed with the dog, first dates, last goodbyes, tantrums, giggles, food fights, painting with shaving cream, waiting up nights when they're out (but not letting them know that you were worried), dancing down the aisles at the grocery store in time to whatever is playing over the loud speaker, car songs, camp songs, prayers, school assemblies, concerts, SATs, etc. - there will come a time when your nest is empty.  But it's not really.  It's just bigger and being shared in other households.  And it will all pay off when, as an adult, one of your kids comes to you and says, "Thanks, Mom.  You were - no! are - a good mother." 

THAT is my reward.  And continues to be so.

Everybody Out of the (Gene) Pool!!!

Older has been in a car wreck.  Thankfully the car took the brunt of the damage.  Today she's sore, achy, banged up, swollen, in pain, bruised - and on the most excellent drugs.  According to one of her posts that she usually is the Grumpy dwarf.  Today she's playing the part of Dopey.  My take on it is that if anything wild/wierd comes flying out of her mouth she can blame it on the drugs. Whoopeee!

When she went to the ER they did all the screenings, tests, etc. to make sure that she hadn't been hurt.  Thankfully - just mangled, folded but not mutilated.  But they did find something they hadn't expected - a lump on her thyroid.  Which has me curious.

When I was 19 a surgeon discovered a lump on my thyroid when I undergoing a tonsillectomy.  So 3 weeks after my tonsillectomy they did a thyroidectomy.  Made for an interesting “What I Did Over the Summer” report.  That is if I had had one since I was a sophomore in college when this happened.  Today I don’t think the treatment would be as drastic.  Perhaps a biopsy instead of the surgery.  But the procedure did leave a lovely scar – and a real ice breaker at parties.

So I was on thyroid meds for a while until the other half of the thyroid kicked in and took over full function.  So far so good.  Until I had to go in for some sort of scan (MRI?  CAT scan? X-rays?) and found a lump on the other thyroid.  Had a biopsy and all was good.  But they’re going to be watching it. 

I guess I need to talk to my doc to find out if my thyroid levels are where they should be.  It would be lovely (ahem!) if they were slightly off which would explain my weight gain (even though I know it’s really my feeding my face at a frenzied pace some days). 

Maybe I do need to sit down and give her notes to share w/ her doc on my history.  You never know.

My poor kids got the best of DH (common sense, level heads, flat butts).  Me?  Not so much.

Here’s what I contributed to the mix:

1.     Freckles

2.    ADD / ADHD

3.    Congenitally dislocated hips (when 2 were born their hip joints weren’t in all the right places with bright shiny faces, so one ended up in triple diapers and the other in a hip brace. We got so used to carrying them around in those getups that we almost dropped them the 1st few times they went without.  Ouch!).

4.  And the very best and most fun of all - blood thining factors (to be honest - this is on both sides of the family so I don't get to take all the credit for this)

5.  Congestive heart disease

Doesn’t quite seem to be a fair trade.  Although in my not so honest opinion freckles should trump them all but the doctors will argue. But what do they know?

Okay.  Health report is over for the day.

So grateful for her safety.  If she'd been driving a smaller car she would have been really really hurt.  And I would have been very VERY unhappy about that.

Healthy, happy kids make this mommy very happy.  And grateful.