Attack!

Good morning...we are headed for a week's worth of amazing weather. I wish that I could spend more time outside to enjoy it but like the rest of the planet, I have to work indoors. I am not sure why I complain about it since this is a blessing in the winter and hot days of the summer.

Anyway, the big kid was a happy camper yesterday. Apparently, he was able to long toss over 350 feet at the stadium. And, it did not hurt his arm! I believe that this is a good finding....

He also mentioned seeing the sports psychologist at school who has been waiting four years for him to stop by....Anyway, the doc said that he deserved the success that he is currently having....when other guys had faced what he has encountered over the past few years, they would have folded. Yet, this kid gutted it out. Also, when the leftie mentioned his inability to find the plate, the doc told him to start using single words in his head and focus on that rather than thinking too much. In other words, each time that he throws, he is to utter the word: "attack!" Yep, and so, the mind bending begins and hopefully the work attack will become his mantra.



I can see it now...years from now as he accepts his Cy Young award, he will be asked how he was able to overcome adversity. His response will be 'attack!' The second question will be 'how did you become so successful on and off the field? Again...the answer is 'attack!' Thanks doc!

On Showtime, I watched part of a documentary on the Williams sisters.




It seems that their younger years were spent on obsessing about tennis and becoming champions. Their father used a multitude of odd modalities that worked for them. As I listened to their words, I again realized that a person not only has to have an extraordinary work ethic to make it in professional sports but have a win at all costs attitude. This again translates into the world of baseball.



When his former coaches and team mates would call him a psycho for obsessing over technique, command, and training, he would doubt himself. It is guys like this who rather than help him to achieve, would put him down thereby adding a sense of not measuring up. Therefore, I once again submit for anyone's consideration that to be a champion, you have to be obsessive, compulsive, and live and breathe your sport. He does this and therefore, I have no doubts that he will be the best if he allows himself to achieve it. He has to program himself to have no doubts. He also has to figure out a philosophy of failure. After all, when he fails, it will be plastered all over campus. Eventually, it could be nationally broadcasted. Therefore, he has to figure it out and shut out the excessive stimulation. he will always be scrutinized by the public and have to figure out how to handle it. Fortunately, he has doc to help him through this year.

Whew...now I can breath....gotta go to class. have a good day!

Vote for sale

HI! What happened to the heat in the northeast? I wore a jacket today and long pants. Believe me, it was not easy finding pants that would close and be able to breathe and sit without difficulty. I think that I will blame this weekend's family reunion on the Weight Watcher's relapse.

 

It happens and they teach us not to be concerned, just get back on the horse again. And I did.



However, last night Tink and dad decided that they wanted more than fruit for dessert so they went out to buy a store made cake.....as they dove into to it, I weakened....don't judge...and had a small bite. Happily, I almost spit it out. It was a very dry banana cake and not calorie worthy. In fact, I felt nothing but disdain for the cake. I believe that this is a good sign, 'cause in the past, I would have eaten it anyway. I am a changed person....until the big chili cook off next week.....

Here's the story....the town where I live has an annual chili festival and there are prizes for the best chili. My PT, Tank and his crew in the practice have signed up for a booth and will represent the group. However, each PT will bring their chili on Monday to see whose recipe is the best and therefore will be the one to cook and name it and present it at the cook off.  As I was on the stretcher and Tank worked on my arm, I was asked to be a judge in the PT practice chili challenge. This is a huge honor and something that I do not take lightly.  All the therapists  want to win to have bragging rights. Perhaps I can be bribed....hmmmm what could actually persuade me to throw my vote in someone's direction?

Let's consider how easy I can be bought....very easily.....too easily....embarrassingly so....

I guess that I could throw my vote to Tank since he holds the future of my arm in his hands.....

I could also be amenable to casting my ballot to the guy who delivers the best dessert....I actually don't like chili....

I might vote a particular way for a few bucks....you know....instead of pin money, I know call it Starbucks money....

it should be a memorable day as my opinion could make or break someone's dream of developing a chili dynasty in our little borough....

On to the big kid...he's sick and just a bit temperamental. The pitching coach caught him today and he was unable to find the plate. "Stop thinking! Throw the XVNE$$(^ ball!" The coach got so aggravated that he got Big Red to catch. Guess what? Zoom...zip...pop....over the plate. Oye! A head case...really...he called dad looking for sympathy but did not get it. Instead he got "I've spent all this money...figure it out!" Oops. End of conversation. End of pity party.....gotta go and study.....click....

And so, what do I think about this latest issue? Nothing...nada...zippo...Yeah....figure it out. You have had plenty of coaching....you know the drill...throw the XZ#@$^ ball...for crying out loud.


 


I should have earned a doctorate in counseling or psychology if I knew that  I was going to have to be everyone's therapist. Sheesh! By the way, I have not received the pity-me call. Instead, I got a text about immunizations....seriously....do you think that I remember how, what, and when he had his shots? I didn't remember when he was a kid and relied on the doctor to send a note to the house as a gentle reminder that they needed their vaccinations. At first, I had a nice notebook but then I kept forgetting and then...I didn't care anymore. I know that he does not have rabies...does that help?

And so, it's another day that I can check off the calendar. Tink and I are dining alone since dad is teaching a class. One of my little neighbors has stopped by to play with the dog and she is such a cutie pie. She is one of the quints from down the street who loves Diva.



She now knows when we are home because she looks into the mud room to see us. If she sees the gate that keeps the dog in the mudroom is down, she knocks on the door. Last week, we had a problem with the smoke detectors. They went off spontaneously at midnight. I was the ONLY person to jump out of bed. Dad looked up and said: "Where are you going?" Where am I going? The smoke detectors are shrieking...where am I going? I am going to find the smoke or fire and save the family! Duh.....and so, the detectors spontaneously stopped after a few minutes as I checked the house. What does it have to do with my little friend who loves Diva? Well, we went out to the Mushroom Festival and she peered into the mud room. She saw the gate and Diva sleeping. She also heard the smoke detectors wailing and went home. Never did she call the fire department but reported back that the dog did not mind the sound. Anyway, all they needed were new batteries and Tink and I went to the Dollar Store to replace them. End of a weird convoluted story.



Now it is time for me to pay attention to my little 8 year old friend. She actually made one of those rubber band bracelets for me. So sweet. Her brother lil D tried to sell me a bracelet and necklace. I gave him $5 and he promptly returned it when his mother saw his cash. Apparently, he over charged me. I don't mind. He's a sweet kid, like his sister.... I'll pay twice the amount to just hang out with them. They ask the greatest questions and have that innocent, sweet vibe going on. It's pretty nice considering I generally have people calling about vaccinations, poor mechanics and chili recipes. I am ready to hang out with my little girl friend as she tries to teach Diva a trick or two. Good luck, sister on that one....Diva ain't doing anything except what she wants to do. Trust me....gotta go...Caoi!

There she goes....Miss America....

Good morning! I hope all is well in your world. I was just interviewed by my son for a class. It's odd to hear him in a professional mode since he had to tape the interview. In contrast, I hope that I did not sound like a major dweeb.

On to weekend plans....what does a person wear to a Miss America parade? I can't find my sash and tiara so I am going to have to figure it out by reading this month's edition of Vogue magazine. I am sure that watching the parade will be fun but also a bit disconcerting. After all, these women could be my daughters.....they are young....in shape....pretty and allegedly intelligent. I wonder what their moms look like.....hmmmm.....

Are the mothers like the Honey Booboo mother....or like Mama June in the play/movie Gypsy? Did the girls from an early age say: "I want to be Miss America and be in a parade in Atlantic City, New Jersey!"? Or did they aspire something much lower like pediatrician or manicurist?

What were dinners like in their homes?  I would hear "dad, I need a new glove....I flunked math....I was beaten up by a bunch of third graders.....some kid stole my pants....ma! I got a sticker up my nose!...Black Friday means only Blacks can shop...." What was the topic of conversation at their table? "Daddy, I gotta have a breast augmentation.....got toooo.....puh-leeze!" Or would they hear: "I ran out of the expensive eye liner. Ma, be an angel...run to Sephora for me!"

Did they drive up and down the east and west coast going to pageants and look to be discovered by a Hollywood producer? Did their parents break the bank helping them to achieve their dream of being on a float on the boardwalk?

Guess what? My life is not much different. The beauty queens worked toward Miss America. My kid is working toward MLB. Honestly, there is not much of a difference...both are passionate and will sacrifice for their goals. My kid sacrifices sleep. Miss America sacrifices cookies (yikes!).

And so, I am going to watch this parade and think about the hard work that went into their pursuit of winning this pageant. It parallels the big kid's journey. I am going to appreciate their hard work and dedication and NOT make fun of them....Ok, maybe a little bit. Come on...cut me a little slack! It's Miss America, not the Pope...President....George Clooney.......

Down to three

Good morning! Well, it's final....the cord has been pulled....the car is dead. RIP. The big kid took the license plate off the back and it is waiting for the hearse to take it to its final resting place. I can't even visualize where it is going to go. After all, if we sold it, I would have made sure that it went to a deserving family who would take care of it and change its oil every 3000 miles. But I have no control over this situation, so I am going to block it from my mind. Good bye, old friend.....sniff....

So, what happens now? We are down a car. The big kid needs one. Tink needs a car. I need a car and so on. I guess that this means car shopping, which I hate. Replacing the blue SUV will be tough. The new one will have to sing to me. I am not sure whether any car could hold a candle to it. But we will try.

Possibilities include:

A Kia....from what I understand the Sorrento (?) has a 98% safety rating and is the right price.

 

A Honda CRV....nice looking wheels...sweet ride...a Honda

 

A Nissan Rogue...rented one last week...not impressed, although the rental had 48,000 miles on it, so it could have been abused.

 

 Porsche Carerra.....Kidding....

That's it. We are down to three choices. What do I look for in a car? Hmmm...color....heated seats....leather...navigation....sun roof....air conditioning, front wheel drive. Does anything here have to do with performance? Uh, no.

Do my needs reflect superficiality? No, they reflect comfort. Yet, I am not going to be driving the car so I will keep my mouth closed (yeah, sure...OK, I'll try to keep my mouth closed).

As soon as I can get Tink out of bed, we'll go to test drive these vehicles. She is going to be the primary driver, so she has to feel comfortable in the seat. Ultimately, she will make the decision.

let's reflect on Tink's life and mine....as a kid, I was in line to drive the green paneled FORD LTD station wagon that could fit 13 people comfortably. Any more than 13, we would be squished. It was an easy ride, although hard on the eyes.

Then I shared an orange VW Dasher with my brothers.

 


This lead to quite a few heated arguments.

Also, the Dasher was not reliable and would break down at worst times such as during a downpour and in the middle of the night. Have you noticed that they do not make Dashers anymore?

During that era, my dad pleaded for us to buy a K-car. Remember those?   No, well think about the ugliest car on the road, throw mud on it, take off the wheels, and toss a visually challenged blue haired 90 year old in the front seat and you have a K Car. I put my sneaker down on that one.

When it was time to buy a new car when I graduated from college, I bought a maroon Datsun. It was cute and had everything that I wanted (at the time, I had no idea what heated seats were and only dreamed of a sun roof). Then I had a head on collision with an older gentleman who had to avoid another older gentleman was he pulled out of a parking space. The car, being tiny, was totaled. Boy, was I sad. We were only going 15 miles an hour which then told me that some of these cute cars are not safe. Which is why....

We are going for safety. No matter how safe we are at driving, we need to be prepared for anything. Hopefully, we will not have to test its quality in an accident.

Ok, enough about cars. I am back at work and now have lots of paperwork to do to prepare for my first class next Tuesday. I am really going to miss summer.....Time for one last party.....

Take care!