Spinach salad

Good morning! It's a beautiful day and time to get going.
I apologize for not posting more but school has started and I am pressed for time as I scramble to catch up with work. Part of my job has been to interview prospective students, therefore I have had to resort to SKYPE and use it at different times of day and night. The applicants like it because they do not have to go to campus. I am not crazy about it because I could be online with them any time of the day based on their schedule.....The good part about it, is that I can wear pajama bottoms and a nice top as I try to look uber-professional. OK, that is my only issue of the week....not so bad....although....

I spent 10 hours trying to get to South Carolina yesterday. Let me tell you....I was not pleased as I sat in Philly airport for 4 hours watching lots of planes leave for Atlanta, yet mine sat on the runway waiting for a part....then as I ran through Atlanta airport trying to catch my connection (I already missed 2), I made a mental note to start running again. As I arrived at the gate after weaving through countless travelers, I watched my gate close without me in the plane. Asking for another flight, I had the dubious honor of sitting between two large gentlemen as we flew to Savannah. Midway through the flight, I thought that I was perspiring because the two guys were in my space and I had no room, but the pilot announced that there was a problem with a plane generator and we did not have air conditioning. Ahh...that explains it.

No A/C....hot....between 2 big guys....no arm or leg room.....yoga breathing....in and out....Oh, by the way, we flew lower and slower so that we did not overheat the left over generator.....in and out.....Hail Mary.....



How is the big guy? Well, he has his semi annual cold. Yep, he overdoes it....does not take care of himself...gets sick...is salty.....finally feels better. He claims that he is still throwing well, which is good. But he complains that the trainer has them lifting weights twice a day then he throws. When I suggested that this may be due to current research in athletics and best practice models, he said something that I cannot repeat "%$($$$*$@)&!!.


'Nuff said.....I asked about the sofa....





"working on it...."


I asked about the internship...





"working on it...."


I asked about the post grade point averages in the locker room as the shortstop continues to look at his 2.1....


"still there...."





Yep...the Czar continues to humiliate the guys thinking that he is motivating them through this tactic. Uh huh...yeah, I definitely wanted my senior year gpa posted too....not! I worked all four years plus played on the tennis team twice a year leaving a little time for studying PLUS I had an incredibly hard major. During my senior year, I got sick of the juggling and left the team. I could not handle it any more and it was time to grow up.


These guys have a commitment to stay, yet the Czar is making it difficult. As I explained in class this week, a leader does not yell or embarrass to motivate. Motivation is intrinsic...within each of us. Therefore, it is up to the leader to find out what motivates each person. In my son's case, he wants to excel and get to the next level. Therefore, yelling, humiliating, benching, and so on have little effect except to anger him.

By the way, the Czar loved his essay on Evan Longoria which means that the lefty has finally figured out how to play the coach's game of 'love me...fear me....respect me...honor me...worship me....' Yep, he got it. Now all he has to do is to keep his head down, mouth shut, and throw the darn ball....that's it.


OK, I have a mountain of things to do starting with returning a zillion calls on my cell phone...


By the way, Sparky and the Baker are getting married on Sunday.

I have the honor of making 175-200 portions of spinach salad. I have to get my head around the math as I try to figure out the number of cups of spinach...oil....lemons....mangoes....apple cider vinegar....oh yeah...the secret ingredient.....honey! Sunday morning should be fun in the BP mom house as I put BP Grandmom, Grandpop, Tink, and anyone else who wants to chop mangoes and zest lemons....any takers? Frank Sinatra will be singing in the background.....love chopping veggies to the smooth sounds of the Chairman of the Board....

Later!

Fall Ball Year 5

Hello. It's an amazing day in the northeast and I am loving it! The twins are sleeping in their crates after gnawing on a super bone for 30 minutes. They are growing fast and still having accidents around the house. The piddle puddles continue to show up when I am not looking...little sneaks!

How are the kids? well, as you know, Pop passed away suddenly last week. It was not unexpected but we were surprised. With his funeral, family gathered in the south. This is usually what happens...right? Well, our Tink was admonished at work. It seems that she did not give two weeks notice to get the day off. That's right. A supervisor yelled at her because she did not write the needed day off in the request book two weeks before the funeral.


OK, for those of you who are scratching their heads, let me share that if Tink knew that she needed the day off for Pop's funeral two weeks ago, I am going to make some amazing money off her as she predicts the lottery numbers, Super Bowl winners, and Presidential elections. Sheesh......



The big kid continues his semester as his professors have been a bit more lenient than Tink's supervisors. The sofa? Well, it is still in storage and I'll bet the house and one thousand dollars that he will do nothing about it.

On the baseball front, he is throwing well and claims the grade point averages of each player are still posted in the locker room, thereby violating federal law. It seems that the Czar thinks that he is above the law and will embarrass kids to get them to follow his methods of motivation.

Interestingly, the kid made an observation this week which makes sense. The Czar never demonstrates fundamentals or has any ideas on how to improve technique. In fact, all he does is pontificate about the mental game, which he seems to know quite a bit about....while we were in the south, the big lefty had to write an essay on what Evan Longoria (a MLB player) means to him. That's right. The coach gave him homework! Will the essay be graded? Who knows? Time will tell.

As the team gathers for fall ball, the guys are getting to know each other. One new player asked him how stringent the drug testing was.....'do they care about the results? 'Cause, man, I really need to smoke...' OK.....Actually, who know about the drug tests. After all, two years ago, half of the team failed it and still started and played. Perhaps the drug screening is merely a suggestion as opposed to a mandate.



Time to run....

Peace!

Good morning! I am back and at the computer trying to catch up on a multitude of projects. Pop was laid to rest next to his beloved bride of 63 years. They have known each other for 70 years, so this was no surprise after her death. With that said, they are reunited, can see, hear, walk, and are whole again. Amen!

On to family biz....yep, it just gets nuttier and nuttier. Why?
Well, the big guy came back to the house the other night after he was almost arrested for trespassing. Actually, he was trespassing and got a pass from the police. Yet, he did it. What happened?



Well, as you know, he is NOT allowed to perform his training per the Czar, as the Pitching doctor instructed him. Therefore, in the dark of night, he finds a school wall and throws his weighted balls for 30 minutes of so. if you think about it, unless the wall is in the back yard, anywhere else he goes, he is actually trespassing. Thus, he had a conversation with the cops, sat in the back of a police car, and given a warning. Boy, was he lucky. As I say to the kids, I will support you any way that I can, but will not provide bail for anything. That is the line.



Would I have bailed him out of the pokey? For trespassing? Hmmm...tough call. I am pretty sure that dad would have done it. He understands the kid's drive to perfect his game, even if it means breaking the law. Me? not so much. Perhaps, he can find a wall sometime during the day so that he does not look like a felon at night.



I can see my next class reunion. You know how they go....everyone gathers after years and years and begin to brag...biggest bank account, car, flatest stomach, most unnoticeable plastic surgery, kids who are either the president of the US, law review, or governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

What do I say? I don't have the biggest back account (maybe the littlest), the car is dented and has lots of damage from the hail storm and is 6 years old, my stomach is far from flat (it is more of a rounded globe with South America in the center), no plastic surgery, no collagen, no designer clothes, Keds sneakers, a son who is a felon. I guess I would be the talk of the reunion. So, I think that I will bow out.

Actually, I have attended two reunions since high school. One at 5 years and the other was the 25th reunion....  Both times, the girls looked amazing while the guys needed the collagen and a total make over. Who cares what they drove? Sheesh...what happened to our high school football heroes? Oh yeah, they could drink beer at home rather than sneaking it from their parents' refrigerator in the garage and downing it in the back woods.

With that said, we are home from the funeral and the pups seemed to have missed us. Although their training hit a snag as the dog walker cared for them but did not train them. So, we start over again as the little boy has created 'piddle pools' in the house. Yes, I am doing my best keeping my eye on them, but they are close to the ground and have created these lovely circles of pee by my foot....then they smile at me and say: "See Big Momma, I can go potty...just like you tell us." Yeah, kids, I do tell you to 'go potty...' but you are supposed to know the difference between a rug and grass. These two are headed for remediation.....special education.....private tutoring......

I now know why people thought that I was crazy for adopting both of them. But I could not separate the twins. No way. So, I am taking it on the chin and looking to eventually purchase carpet and perhaps....a new pair of shoes....yep, ole Houdini (the boy) himself has confused the Sperry topsider with the grass. The little girl, Trouble, has not done this yet. She seems like an "A" student whereas Houdini...oye! He is in need of lots of attention.....



Ok, time for me to do some work. The house needs it and the students are sending out a search party looking for me.

Peace!

Unwanted advice

Good morning! I am home for a few short hours to take care of the dogs, pack, and return south. Sadly, Pop passed away on Friday morning a mere 6 weeks after the loss of the Southern Belle. He will be laid to rest beside her on Tuesday.

The family will convene over the next few days and I will have the opportunity to check the big kid out for myself. He has been feeling sick so I suggested that he see the doctor. First, I told him to eat better meals and get some rest. "yeah, yeah, yeah...."

On Friday, he was seen by the team physician who suggested....get some rest and improve your diet.
Nice. Profound.

Maybe I should set up a sign in the backyard for neighbors to stop by for my advice....

"Go to bed before 1 am..."

"Start your day off with a good meal...."

"Get rid of the Devil Dogs and Tastykakes...."

"Tell the kids to make their own dioramas...."

"You are not responsible for the middle school science fair. This is an assignment for the kids. yes, I know that the other parents are doing molecular research with their children, but honestly, they do not understand the meaning of a standard deviation...."

"Pop Tarts are not a fruit...."

"You do not need to wrap 100 Christmas gifts for a one year old...give them the boxes to play with...."

Finally....."enjoy the journey...they grow up fast...leave....then come back....and throw stuff on the floors and clog the toilets...."



Peace!

Violating regulations

Greetings. I am sorry that I did not post yesterday but had a long meeting and puppies to train. Just as I think that they 'got it', they poop under a chair or pee on my shoe. Lovin' it...yes, truly, I am so happy that they are here although, I cannot wait for them to get the rules of the house. Rule number 1: We do not piddle on Big Momma's shoe.....Rule number two: we do not eat mulch.....Rule number three: Trouble may not chomp down onto Chill's private parts...simple rules....



How is the Big guy? Sheesh.....

That's it....sheesh! "I am not motivated...I don't want to do this..."

Dude! Everyone hated their senior year. They are done! I hated mine and could not wait to be released from the turmoil of education....see where that got me....But he does not get it. He wants to play ball, but school is a means to an end. He has to keep the grades up to be eligible. Honestly, I get it. I would not want to be a 5th year senior either. But as I said to him: "Get off your butt and start working."

On to the first baseball meeting. The Czar decided to implement a new team policy...'everyone has an academic mentor.' To justify his policy, he shows the team each guy's grade point average. Now everyone knows how each guy is doing in school. Gang, this is a clear violation of federal law FERPA. That's right, it is a federal academic privacy law. To illustrate, I am not allowed to discuss grades with a parent despite the fact that they pay tuition. The law protects these individuals. Now the Czar decided that he is above the law and has decreed that each person will know how the next guy is doing. By the way, the lowest gpa was the shortstop's with a 2.1. If he doesn't crack the books, he will not be eligible to play this spring.





The big lefty now has leverage against the Czar that he can use if he needs it. He memorized and wrote down the gpas and is not afraid to use this against his coach if he needs to. Clever....

yes, once again, I can see higher education abiding by the rules mandated by the government and NCAA that are supposed to protect the athletes. Sadly, they are not protected but are a means to be on the athletic stage in the nation.

As you know, I am appalled by the goings on in this lofty institution and will have the final word when my kid is out of range. Once he is gone, we will have a chat with the athletic director with a letter to the Board of Trustees.

Oh, I forgot, the Czar also called him out in front of the team for not yet paying his tuition! That's right. Here is a guy who had been promised a scholarship when he was recruited. The money never materialized and it was too late by the time we realized that the coach had lied. And now, he is paying his own way and was embarrassed by the Czar in front of the team...again,.....another FERPA violation....

Does any of this make you tired? I can see why the kid does not want to get moving....he's done, done, done....no more...please!

Fortunately, he has not dropped yoga which will be good for his body and mind. And now...I gotta work! That's right...I am back cracking the books and whip at work.

peace!

Life Lessons 101

Good morning! I'm back and should be posting more regularly as work has begun and I should have a more consistent schedule. Also, the puppies are settling in and are adapting to life in the suburbs....although Lil Trouble started to bark at nothing today as I tried to teach using the leash to them. There was nothing to bark at....no one around.....but she had an attitude of defiance and 'don't mess with me' bark that seemed so familiar.....the Lil Chill just chilled and waited for his treat. She's definitely the dominant one.


OK, on to the big guy who left home on Saturday with seemingly no where to live....yeah, I know....

Here is how it went.

His dad wanted to teach him an important lesson in life. He has had multiple advantages and assistance and it was time for the baby bird to flap his wings and take over the journey...so, the tuition bill was handed to a guy who had no idea how to pay it. Life lesson number 1: when dad hands you a bill....you pay it......



Life lesson number 2: Do your research and figure out how the rest of the world affords college tuition. After a great deal of angst, he figured it out by heading to the Financial Aid Office. Gee, they have lots of ways to pay for tuition. Who would have thought? Yes, experts. He had his funds within minutes.



Life lesson number 3: Be proactive. OK, the big guy hates minutiae and details...kind of like his momma. I am not a big fan of following directions, but am smart enough to know when I can and cannot. And so, he sits in his bedroom with no where to live and only a few days to find a room.

What did he do? well, I did what I swore that I would not do and traveled with him to campus to speak to Financial Aid and locate an apartment. As I sat in the car while he ran into different buildings looking for help, I played Candy Crush on my phone and did not bother to help him. I strictly drove the car to and from campus. I would answer questions if he had any, but this is his party and not mine.

Typical of the big guy, he did not make appointments with anyone before we left for school and he did not meet with any body who could actually help him (except for Financial Aid). We drove by a few apartments which were too expensive for a guy with a budget to live in alone then drove home.

Not to be deterred, he finally went on line and found an apartment for rent that was within his budget, but it had been rented out that morning. Using the "I am on the baseball team card" he begged to landlord for some help and advice. The landlord mentioned that he had a friend who had just renovated an apartment and might possibly rent it to him. So, he had a connection. As he called this man, he again mentioned the baseball thing....and wham....got a place...send a deposit.....

Oops....deposit? Huh? Where do I get a deposit? Dad kept his mouth closed and watched from a distance as the kid had to figure out his next financial move. Ah...the bank....I'll go to the bank!



And so, he went to the bank and took out a loan. Yep, he is getting smarter and smarter....yes, he is now in debt, but he needed this lesson to make it in life and boy oh boy, has he learned a thing or two.



Now it is time for him to leave for school....bye bye...be safe....take care of your mind, body, and spirit. To be successful in life, you need to care for all three aspects of your life....Yeah mom, I got it.

Toward the end of the day, we got a call....mom! This place is amazing! I have a free parking space....jacuzzi tub...hard wood floors......island in the kitchen...it's huge!

And yes, folks....he has landed. Despite his procrastination, he lands on his feet again upright and even gained a ten from the Russian judge.

Was all of this worth the angst and trauma?

Yes! He needed a lesson in life. It has been pretty easy for him from a financial aspect. While he ate Chipotle for lunch, I took a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to work. As he sat on his deck tossing sunflower seeds onto the grass, dad was at work until midnight.....It was time for the lesson....although, I think that we will never be done....



Tomorrow, we will chat about his INTERNSHIP!!! and classes. Oh, there was a baseball meeting yesterday too. Stay tuned. It was three minutes into the meeting and the Czar not only violated NCAA regulations but the federal law.

More soon!

Peace!

Mr. Spock versus Dr. Spock: Two smart guys!

Good morning. I remain bleary eyed as the puppies have taken much more time than I budgeted. The vet, Dr. Fabulous, gave me the look like I needed my head examined when I walked in with two pups. Perhaps...although no one used the adjective 'sane' when they described me.

Anyway, life goes on with a little more coffee than usual. Although, I remain "Skittle-free". This is week 4 without eating one Skittle. I may have broken the habit. Now,  I have to work on sugar, caffeine, gluten, and reality tv shows. That's it. Otherwise, I am perfect...NOT!

How is the big guy? Well, I had a reality check in the grocery store on Sunday. I chatted with a friend whose son has gone to school with the lefty since kindergarten. Although this guy is one year behind my son, they have the same attributes.....procrastination.....procrastination....procrastination. Yet, this other kid has his internship finished so he is ahead of my boy.

As we chatted, she asked me where he was living this week on campus. As I replied "I dunno...", she looked at me the way Dr. Fabulous did when I had two puppies in my arms who had just piddled on my shirt. It was at this point that I had to explain my method of parenting. First....there is no book or brochure. The kids come to you without directions. Sure, I read Drs. Brazelton & Spock and some of the other experts over the years, but I doubt these experts had a case like mine.



This guy has had all of the advantages a person could possibly want growing up. We did everything a parent is supposed to do from funding extra curricular activities, schools, camps, cars, food, water, credit cards, and shelter. He had more than the 'average Bear' as Yogi would say. So, at some point, a guy who has everything has to rise and figure out life with the tools that he has been given (with love, naturally). Is he grateful-you bet. He's an amazing guy.....and I love him to pieces....

Yet, experts may agree that by the age of 22, a young man should be independent and be able to figure things out. Yet......

The sofa and other apartment furnishings remains in storage on my nickel.....

The internship is not done.....

The courses selected for the fall have nothing to do with finishing a certificate.....

He does not have an address for the end of this week. Oh, didn't I share with you? School begins at the beginning of next week. He says "I got it covered..."

I have to go with it. If he has it covered, then cool.....I am going to remain interest neutral and not ask any housing questions. In fact, I am not asking any questions at all.

Yep, I am sitting back and watching him in action. He either sinks or swims this year. With his expiration date stamped on his forehead, he knows what he has to do besides baseball. He has to graduate or else....He has to live somewhere with a bathroom (the refrigerator box violates borough code).....he has to finish what he started.

Is it stressful? Hmmm...yes! But, I have to let him go. I am sure that Dr. Spock would agree. Although, Mr. Spock might say that it is illogical. My friend Rose tells me that boys's brains do not finish developing until their twenties. Thanks Rose for the information. Although, I am not buying it. Developed brain or not....the rubber hits the road as he heads north to an unknown address completing an unknown major as he faces an unknown future.


Vaya Con Dios!

Peace!