Pile of poo

How about those storms yesterday? Today is cool and breezy and it seems that autumn is finally here.

How is Big M? Well....he still needs our good wishes and prayers. I can't go into much detail now since the family is dealing with a very big blow. BUT Big M is a tough dude...a survivor. He's not about to give up. AND we are sending zillions of prayers to heaven. No worries. Although, I got to send props out to Big Sis. She is not going to let go and will do everything in her power to help her husband get through it. On the other hand, I am continuing my culinary therapy and making pulled pork...I have no other ways of coping except for cooking. Although if I start eating the fruits of my labor, then I am sunk and will never fit into the fall pants which I will try on today. Fingers, toes, and eyes crossed.....I have to be able to pull up the zipper and sit down without splitting the back seam...ahh, such a visual....

On to the big leftie.....he is in a wonderful mood. No salty calls in the past few days. in fact, he was more worried about the home front than the fast ball..or was he?

Now, I am getting this information second hand from dad since I doubt that he wanted to talk about baseball with me BUT....apparently he saw the head coach in the supermarket yesterday. When the coach asked him what he thought about the previous day's outing, the kid gave his honest report. Some good...some bad...worked through the difficulties. Then, unsolicited...the coach said: "you have the best stuff on the team." And with that sentence, the kid glowed as he passed through the produce aisle into frozen foods.


Best stuff. eh? Is this true? Really? A coach finally recognizes the guy's potential and is not playing mind games with him? Shall we review the last 15 years of his life as he struggled for acceptance and acknowledgement that he could possibly have a future? Oh yeah, and what about surgeon number 2 when he had his shoulder evaluation? Remember what he said?

If I remember correctly, it went something like this: "Even if your shoulder was in good form, the chances of you making the big leagues are less than 2%" Oh, I recall what happened after that when the big leftie said to him: "@$#^^$@# U!!" Honestly, I know that I should not smile at that phrase but it showed me that my kid was in it to win it. That surgeon was misinformed and should never ever say something like that to a young guy. Who is he to shatter someone's dream? In his spare time, does he pull the wings off butterflies too?

Actually, last year when he was on the mound again, no thanks to surgeon 2, he and Uncle G promised each other that they would deliver a pile of poo to the guy's office once this was all over. Do I believe that they would do it? Uh, no...not really...although nothing surprises me these days.

And with that, I have to take my car to the car hospital...it seems to have an undiagnosed issue. It does not need last rites, just a new spark plug or two.

 

I also have my leadership class and have to call out the students for their less than leader-like antics in the other classes. In a way, it makes a hypocrite out of me when I report to the Chair that they understand the content. now all they have to do is to apply the theory into practice. Do I need a mallet or sledge hammer to get this through their thick heads?

Ok, on to the car hospital....Peace!

Backwards

Hi! Back from the quick trip to campus yesterday and equipping the poop deck. I felt that it was a successful day until I walked in the door around 8:30 pm to the statement from Tink: "Mom, you're wearing your tee shirt backwards!"

What? Looking down, then around...I could see it. Yes, I spent the entire day from 8am to 8:30 pm wearing a tee shirt backwards. No one said anything....the big kid who was attached to my side through the magnetic pull of my credit card never said anything to me. Didn't he notice? Didn't he care? Wasn't he embarrassed to walk around the stores with a pre-Alzheimer's woman who was wearing a backwards tee shirt? Are Tink and I the only ones who cared? OR were there whispers in the supermarket and discount furniture stores about the odd woman walking around with the big guy who needed a shave? An odd couple indeed.....Why...oh why....didn't he notice? Which leads me to the notion that.....

He didn't care.

He is so absorbed with what he needed and had to do that he never noticed his backwards mama. He knew that he needed chairs, tables, sofa, food, and kitchen equipment yet his mom's sanity was a low priority on his list. This is the guy who is going to pick out my nursing home, too!

Now what? If he doesn't care about the basics, what is going to happen when it comes to more important matters? Perhaps, I need to find a less absorbed son..or be grateful for what I have...a guy who does not care about his mother's attire...who spent the entire day with her chatting up a storm....and who loves her anyway....backwards and frontwards....

In hindsight and upon reflection, despite my attire, he was happy to spend the day with me and did not seem embarrassed to be seen with a woman who cannot dress herself in the morning. I guess this is why Prince Charles has a butler and valet. They look at him and double check for a major fashion faux pas. Perhaps I am setting a trend for mom's throughout the world daring people to comment on their wardrobe.

With that said, I am going to drive Tink to her second interview. Fingers, toes, and eyes crossed!

Touching the toes....

That's right...for the first time in my life, I was able to touch my toes. Could it be the yoga? Or is it a figment of my imagination? Not sure....but this is indeed a milestone in BP mom's life. Oh yeah, and once I touched the toes, I could get up again without assistance. SO maybe something good can be said for the process of contorting the body into a pretzel. if anything, I have a new look at my feet going for me and they definitely could use a pedi.

The summer is going so quickly, I cannot believe that I will be back in the classroom in two weeks. That's nuts! I am just starting to relax. So it goes....I have to work on my syllabi and gather some useful information. Classes begin 8/27 as I teach a 6 week class to English as a second language students. I have done this a number of times and find that the process can be exasperating and fulfilling. For example, I would try to start a dialog and the students look at me as if I have ridiculed their children. Often, they have no idea of what I am saying. When I ask if they have any questions, they look at each other, whisper in their own language, then shake their heads 'no'. If I ask them if they understand what I am saying, they nod their heads 'yes.' This continues for 4 hours on Tuesdays for 6 weeks until I am screaming 'uncle.'

Not all is lost. There are times when the group actually understands what I am teaching and the class is enjoyable. Yet, I have learned a great deal along the way. For example, the first time that I taught the course, they stared at me while I was making a few points. I had no idea if they understood, so I said: "Do you understand?....okey dokey?...let's move on." Their expressions seemed startled each time I said "okey dokey." Later, I mentioned this phenomenon to another instructor who is bilingual. She laughed and said: "Do you know what 'okey dokey' means in their language?" Uh duh....isn't this a universal word like 'yes', 'no' and 'jingle bells'?  OK, sister, what does okey dokey mean? She put it bluntly..."it means that you are striking something very hard with a hammer....over and over again....with anger....meaning to hurt it." Oh......I left the phrase okey dokey that day for another rookie to take over. I now stick to 'thumbs up' or 'thumbs down.'

And so, as college looms, the big kid continues in his quest to prepare for his new digs and the baseball season. He is excited about both. Loving living alone, he wants to decorate his apartment in a very tasteful way.  What is tasteful to a ball player and college student, may be considered distasteful to any Bravo interior decorator. Naturally, there will be the perfunctory beer signs that light up, the chili light strands on the deck, and perhaps a poster or two of some girl singing in a bikini. I have seen the baseball posters already and he plans to pick up a poster in every city that he visits over the next few years. This sounds like a decent plan.

Tink and I have hit every bargain store in the northeast and I think that he is ready except for furniture and lamps. Since the sofa is not coming, he does not have anywhere to sit besides his bed. He also does not have a table except for his laptop. I am going to let him figure out this part. Momma has done enough. It is now his responsibility.

Time to say 'sayonara' and run to Zumba class. The extra pounds are now laughing at me as I try to lose them. It did not take long for them to attach themselves to me, but it is a bugger trying to lose them. Even using my weight watchers points, I am failing in a big way. Yet, I am not despondent, I can still touch my toes as my stomach balances itself on my thighs. Not a pretty picture? Yeah, tell me about it.

There are times when I want to give up on it. After all, if I knew that I was going to die tomorrow, I would do several things....go to church one last time, call and see my loved ones to tell them that I love them, and grab a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream, cheesecake, and a banana....maybe some whipped cream, too.  I would sit on the sofa with my feet up, dog in the lap, eat, drink a glass of Merlot (natch...), and wait for the end. Oh, yeah, I would NOT do the dishes. Instead, I'll use the dusty Lenox china for the first time since I got it as a wedding gift.

When the end comes, I'll have gained a few pounds but die with a smile on my face and fork in my hand. What a way to go. Bing Crosby died on his beloved golf course. Similarly, I would wobble to the pearly gates and bring St. Peter a bottle of pinot as a host 
gift. Goofy? Perhaps.....or maybe....not....

Off to class....Peace!

P-U!!! It stinks!

Good morning! I'm back! What does that mean? Well, as of today, I can once again...multi task. For a while, I gave it up since I was too stressed out. But for some reason, today, I plan to accomplish a number of tasks including working out, cooking, and writing....laundry....and blah....blah...blah....It all began yesterday when I accomplished two goals that were on my list for two weeks. It felt pretty good. And so, I want that feeling back and will tackle a few more projects. For me, it's like an endorphin high that runners get as they work through the pain. As each task is completed, I feel lighter and lighter.....floating.....above the crowd....ahhhhh....

Oops! Back to reality....yesterday the big kid drove to campus to interview coach prospect number 1. When he arrived at the house of mold to change into big man attire (collared shirt, chinos, and socks with the boat shoes ....yep...I said socks.....), he unlocked the front door after walking past garbage. As the entered the house, he was hit with an overwhelming pungent smell....something like cooked garbage. Upon investigating, it seems that OC left for home without taking out the trash, while he unplugged the refrigerator, opened its door, and left the food to rot. Unexpected? Nah....this is the way that these guys operate.

Sadly, it smelled too awful to stay there, so he planned on asking Big Red or Angel if he could sleep on the sofa for the next few days. Speaking of the sofa and tables, he is not donating them to the Salvation Army. It wouldn't be right giving away a sofa that smells like rotten food. And so, his plan is to leave it. The roomies can worry about fumigating the house. In the meantime, he is taking his gear and what is salvageable to his new apartment.  And now it is time for the "I told you....." rant.

Yes....dad and I said on a number of occasions, 'do you really want to live with these guys?'

"Yes, I can handle them..."

Uh huh...sure...you can control them and the weather too. Can you control my weight loss? It is not going well....any way....many, many, many times, we told him to get out. Dad was going to pay two rents to do so. He got sick, was miserable, and could not sleep some nights. Really, dude, we'll pay for it. Get out now...pasta only costs $1.00 plus the sauce. We'll live on peanut butter.....get out now.

And so, our pleas fell on deaf ears. Nope....he handled it...again....again...and again.....This garbage bomb is the final straw in this saga. Some day, I hope that he looks back on this and says: "My parents were right....smart....wise....and devilishly good lookin'"......



But I am not going to hold my breath waiting for this....perhaps I would if I was in the house of mold, but not at home.

Next week closes the chapter on this year. Man, it has been a rough one....yet, as always, he comes out of it renewed, replenished, and ready for the next bonehead mistake.

Gotta go.....time to accomplish my goals. If I have time tomorrow, I will post about the coaching candidates.....

Peace!

Hasta la vista

Hi! I am sorry that I have not posted but it has been busy around the ole BPM household. Finally, yes, finally, we put the big kid on the plane for Texas. He had his suitcases, backpack and glove in his hand as he waved good by on his way to a new adventure.

From what I understand, the temperature has been unbearably hot. Hey, it's hot here too...just not 110 degrees. Why did it take so long send him? Well, the shoulder has been hurting and he did not want to go and not be able to follow the program completely. Therefore, he finished PT, massage, stretching, and working out. Today was the big day.....and now it is up to him and the Pitching Doctor.

It's quiet around here, but he had to go. This is another adventure and chapter in his book of life. We may fly to Texas in a few weeks to see him....then again..maybe not....He's 21 and ready to fly on his own. Hasta la vista!

More about the ranch later. Have a great day!

Namaste

Good morning! I am a bit sore today....why....wellllll.....

Yesterday, Tink and I decided to go to 'hot yoga'....I was told that they turn the temperature in the room up so that you perspire more. Thinking that I could tolerate a little heat, I was game....so off we went with a bottle of water.....late, as usual....

As we snuck into a class that was already in session, I unrolled my mat and to my horror, the only spot left available was in the front of the room. Sneaking a look around, I knew that I was not in the aqua zumba class. These women were lean, mean, and serene.....Me? Well.....it took all of 60 seconds for the perspiration to begin to drip from my body. As I tried the maneuvers that turn the yog-ee into a pretzel, I began to slip off my mat since it was so wet. Even the poor instructor, Katherine, had to help me contort my body into the proper positions.

As the class went on and on and on....I started feeling not only blazing hot, but exhausted, dehydrated, and queasy. Katherine walked over to me and started moving my hips and back into a more aligned position; it was at this point that I almost threw up over her nicely toned and evenly stretched body. Fortunately, I did not projectile vomit my morning Cheerios and I felt that this was a victory for the old lady. In a foggy stupor, I knew that I had to do something quick to alleviate the nausea and facilitate a better stretch to keep the instructor away from me, so I decided to use guided imagery to calm my nerves and stomach. So, in my mind, I focused on something round and red with cheese on it. Yep, pizza was my focus....and it worked. My stomach and nerves settled and I was able to finish the hour just slipping one or two more times on my mat. When the lights were turned back on, I looked at myself in the exercise mirror and was astonished to see a middle aged woman with her short hair sticking out in various sections, looking like she had stuck her finger in a light socket, and her body completely soaked with sweat. All in all....it was not very pretty....

Rolling up my mat, I thanked Katherine for her patient treatment of her special needs client and went home to have a slice of pizza. On our way out the door, she mentioned that if I have pain the next day, I should stretch....uh huh....stretch as I reach for the Motrin, aleeve, ice packs, and vodka....

On to the big kid....he absolutely is going to the pitching doctor in Houston on July 1st. Until then, he will rehab with his physical therapist and be the butt of jokes in the gym. It seems that therapists remember some of his bakery stories from last summer. My former therapist Tank laughs when he sees him especially remembering when he made the little Asian girl cry because he forgot to put her cupcake into the bag. her very angry mother (who could have benefited from guided imagery) called the bakery and gave the phone to the little girl as she wept into it.

When telling her that he would give her two more cupcakes, the mother said that they were not coming back but she wanted him to know how his ineptitude caused angst in a four year old....There are some things that make people smile, and this makes Tank crack a grin and fall into hysterics....yep, all in all, it was a not-so-wonderful memory. I'll tell you this...since then, he has never forgotten to put the cupcakes into the bags. You learn by experience.....

Time for me to prepare for class tonight. Enjoy the day!

Twitter message: Rumor or fact?

Good morning...it's raining and watering my weeds. That's right, I have more weeds than flowers at this point. I pulled as many as I could yesterday but sadly, they continue to grow and grow. As I pulled some new three leaf weeds, I wondered if they were poison ivy. I guess time will tell....yikes.

  

How's the big kid today? Well, he's not too bad. I would have thought that this would have been awful as his trip to Texas was postponed but he seems to be quite happy. Although.....

On Saturday night, dad's partner whom we call Uncle P sent me a text message. Usually, the texts are to needle me about something that I did, like spend too much money on something stupid. Dad likes to complain to Uncle P about these things...or the time when I was bidding on a retro University baseball jersey with Buddy's number on it. Uncle P decided that he too would bid on it. The jersey jumped from my bid of $30 to $ 75 in a five minute period. By the time the online auction was over, I spent $140.00 on a baseball jersey that was worn several years ago by another player. yet, it was my son's number, so all was well....thanks Uncle P. 

OK, so I kept you waiting long enough...what was the text about? Well, he was on Twitter and it seems that Buddy's baseball coach is either going to be fired or he will resign within the next week. This is huge news although not completely unexpected. What does this mean? Let's consider it....

The coach who recruited my son, left him in the bullpen, created a system in which multiple players were injured with flawed technique, and who ignored positive drug tests is leaving the university.
 




This is probably a good thing. After all, there is not a great deal of integrity here, based upon my limited perceptions. I realize the coaches at all levels are not warm and fuzzy, communicate well, or are even intelligent. But this guy who had the background and experience to be great, fizzled.
 

In the three years that I have watched the team, excellent prospects were brought in to play, but none of them got any better. Take Big Red who is an awesome athlete and was heavily recruited throughout the US, he could not hit the ball this year until the end. Also, look at poor Gopher, whom they brought in from Minnesota. This guy batted .000 all year (which means that he had no hits) until he hit a double at the end of the season. He was relegated to catch in the bullpen after an awful start. He was never spoken to or given extra help by the coaches. In other words, he was placed on the back burner. And what about Buddy, who had surgery last year? Not one coach contacted him to see how he was doing post operatively. This was sad and their lack of communication spoke volumes.

And so, if the rumors are right and the coaches are gone, a new sheriff is riding into town. OK, what will he be like? The recruiting season is over for next year, so he will have to deal with the current crew of guys that are on the roster. Will he be a teacher? A mentor? A yeller? A bat thrower? Can he make cookies or a cake? I have no idea, but after seeing the apathy of the past years, I, for one welcome the new regime.

What does the big kid say? Well, he's a happy guy if the pitching coach leaves. You know the guy, who walked to the mound and told him that he was embarrassing himself....he expelled gas in the kid's face and called him a psycho....stormed out to the mound and told him that he was a junior and he can fix his own problems. Yes, the nice, southern boy who spent time recruiting the kid. He turned out to be quite strange....out of his element....perhaps even, dare I say it? Inept.....

And now, time will tell what is going to happen. Once again, we are in for another convoluted, crazy, wild ride. It's never boring, often strange....and typical of my life. As the rumors turn out to be legitimate or false, I will be typing away sharing my take on it.

Rain is over, time to pull more weeds.....have a great day!

All for one

Hello! I'm back...sort of...actually, I am trying to get rid of some sort of sinus thing....I have allergies....to trees and dust...Am I doomed or what? Can't avoid either. And let me tell ya....breathing is not overrated. So, I am sitting and trying to relax while blowing my nose and drinking tea. I feel a bit worthless, 'cause I could probably do a few things around the house......

Today's game was the last of the season. The big kid did not get in today but made it in on Thursday night. He gave up three runs but pitched for three innings. He had moments of brilliance and sorrow. There has to be some sort of pay off for this lifestyle. The highs are soooo high but the lows are right down there in the gutter. I couldn't do it...and actually, some of his team mates could not handle it either. One of his fellow pitchers was injured during the season, was depressed because he could not play and failed every class. In other words, he will not be back next year. This is what I mean by only the strong survive. The big leftie has had his share of lows/highs/in betweens and still gets up for another punch. What does that tell a person?

I suppose it says that he is pretty tough...although, maybe he isn't. I honestly cannot tell at this point. On Friday, he had the end of year meeting with the head coach. He told him about his clinic in Houston. The coach was very happy about it and asked him to bring ideas back for the rest of the team to implement. Ok, that works....he is looking for ways to improve, which is necessary since they only won a handful of games. The coach also said that he started late since he missed the fall and his stuff was either brilliant or awful. I concur with the coach's assessment. I just wish there was a better system of communication.

For a person to lead, he or she has to be able to connect with their followers. With that said, many of the guys were disgruntled and did not care by the middle of the season. One of the catchers is leaving the university. And nice-guy Gopher is looking to transfer back to the midwest to be closer to family. I actually thought that teams were supposed to be like families, except you get to pick the members. But in this case, it was every person for themselves rather than each other. What did the Three Musketeers yell?..."All for one and one for all!" Yeah, that's right.  I didn't witness even two musketeers this season. They were more like Mouseketeers......where's Cubby and Annette?






Oye, and so, the big kid parties one more night with his boys before turning the car south to head home. He leaves the dismal season, record, and house of mold and mildew....and comes home for a week. Then on to Texas. He thinks that something magical will happen there. OK, I'm game....hope it happens for him. He deserves it after living through the past two years with his head up.

have a wonderful weekend,

BPM

A silver lining

Happy Mother's Day to all especially BP Grandmom, Scooby, and Big Sis....what a team we are.....

Speaking of teams....OYE! The team in Illinois continues to get pounded by the opposition. The big kid who was left behind for control issues (hah ha), was in good spirits this weekend as he visited with family and friends. On Friday night after the first team loss, he smiled and said: "I am sleeping in my own bed and had ribs for dinner. What could be better? Better indeed? Nothing, kiddo, unless you really would have preferred to be with the team, which I am sure that he did.





But with clouds, there is rain and a silver lining.....the silver lining was achieved yesterday when his high school coach found a high school junior to catch his bullpen yesterday. Dad and Buddy arrived at the end of the high school baseball game and he pitched to the catcher who was blown away by the difference between high school and  division 1 pitchers. Then the guys made plans to be work out buddies this summer. Buddy will train the kid and prepare him for his senior year. It's a win win situation....After the bullpen session, the big kid gave his new catcher one of his unworn baseball shirts. A friendship has blossomed.....

And now, the leftie returns to campus for one week. After next Saturday's game, the season is over and the big kid comes home for a week. Then it's on to Texas....

With that said, it's time to go to Zumba with Tink.....

Have a great Sunday!