Squirrels and Irish Spring

Good morning! It's cold in the south.

Yes, I know that the north had more snow, but the south is not supposed to be cold in March. This is a fact. That's why the birds fly south. It is also the reason why restaurants created the early bird special, because we like a good meal at a fair price.



With the forecast out of the way, I am hoping....OK, praying that the game tonight is postponed for a double header tomorrow. Game time temperature is set for 35 degrees with wind. Even ice hockey players would ask for rescheduling.

Although, I am ready to hit the open road again, especially after taking care of my latest mechanical issue.

Last Friday, as I was running errands, I noticed that the car was not running efficiently and started to worry since I was scheduled to drive to North Carolina.



I don't know if you picked up on this trait, but I am a worrier by nature and thus called the dealership in a panic.

"Please, take the car and fix it. By the way, I need a loaner for the weekend. K?"



The dealership was terrific and gave me a brand spanking new top of the line model with XM radio, navigation, and weather forecasting. This was a very sweet ride. While I was driving my 2015 $60,000 car, I never once thought about the 2008 model that was sitting in the service area until I got the phone call.

"Hello, BP mom, hope that you are enjoying the car. Our top notch service team have found the problem in you car."

Ok, let's hear it. It needs a tune up, right?

"Uh,no, BPM, it is much more than a tune up and oil change. It seems that squirrels have been living in the engine while you have been hard at work in the northeast. Therefore, they have chewed through wires and left excrement in the motor."

Squirrels? Really? This does not seem possible because the car is garaged.



"You unbelieving fool.....look at this photo...."

"Please note the wires that have been chewed through...also note the squirrel poo."

Got it. This is not good, right?

"That is correct. We need a part which we can order. The car needs to be cleaned...rotors fixed....wires replaced and reconnected....and an oil change."



Ok, fine....price, please? Are we talking 'ouch' or 'mamma mia'?

"We are talking $$$$$$.00"

Dang squirrel! That's right! Double dang! Triple dang!

Let me call my husband and I will get back to you.

The following conversation could not be recorded in this blog. Therefore, I will just say "sheesh.....I did not chew on the wires nor did I live in the engine, so chill!"

After a few days, the car was ready to pick up. Naturally, they vacuumed the car and for the first time ever, my engine. As the service technician and I went to the cash register, I handed her my trusty American Express card which has not failed me this trip.

DENIED



Huh? No, not possible. Run it again.

DENIED



Deep breath...OK, try my Mastercard......

DENIED



Now, this really stinks....and I am incredibly embarrassed. This had happened once before when I was buying a pillow in the local southern Target. My credit card company thought that my card was stolen and put a hold on it. I can see one card denying the bill, but both? Obviously, the high invoice located out of the northeast placed a hold on both cards.

Crud. Double crud! Triple crud.

Unfortunately, I had to call the man in the northeast who has been shoveling snow since I left. Once again, I cannot share the conversation but the service tech could hear his voice over the phone. Not pretty.

Finally, he called back and gave me another credit card to use which finally worked. Actually, I am not sure what I would have done if this did not go through. After all, I could not wash dishes like I would have in a restaurant. Although with the expensive invoice, they would have had me hand wash every car on the lot before my bill was settled.

Bathed in a pool of perspiration, the service tech pretending that she did not hear the conversation, smiled, and gave me some advice.....

"Irish Spring soap."



What, I smell too? That's a personal comment, dontchathink?

"Use Irish Spring on the tires and place a bar in the motor when you are away. The squirrels hate the smell."

Oh....interesting....and now, I know something new.

Squirrels hate Irish Spring. I will use this information to keep my motor and wires safe from a hungry squirrel family. I can also pull it out when I have nothing to say at a party.

And with that said, I have to get ready to travel north in my poo free car.



Go team!

Peace!

Good morning! The weather is unbelievable. Every morning, I flipped on Sam Champion on the weather channel (don't judge) and he shares with us what is happening with winter storm, Thor....actually, it is the "Thor-cast". I have to say, we need a break. This frontal system has been "Thor-ible'. Everywhere.....north, south, east, and west....

Speaking of south, the weekend series will be located on the coast of South Carolina. For Friday's forecast, the high is predicated to be "41". The game is scheduled for 6:30 pm (I think). You know what? It is going to be another frigid night in the world of BP mom and I can tell you right now...the kid is going to pitch. That's right. The conditions are perfect for baseball....sub freezing, windy, a little misty rain. Yep, I am going to love this game.



After the coastal series, they travel to the middle of the state. Here is where it gets interesting.....the big guy is scheduled to pitch against a top ten team. Yes. I am not lying about this one. Not that I lie at all...right....he is going to pitch and he is excited. The last few phones calls have been about teeth punching, strike out pumping, and chest thumping activities. He is excited and thrilled.



He's not nervous....but I am. My heart is in my throat and this game is a week away. What's a momma to do?

Who knows. But it seems that I will need some deep breathing strategies, guided imagery, prayer, meditation, and perhaps some Skittles. Sorry, Beast, but this may be an emergency. I may have to fall back on the little multi colored candies to get through a heart pounding evening.

Why am I nervous? After all, he knows what to do. He has prepared for it for years. It is time to see if he can play with the big boys. Sink or swim, buck-o.

Yes, indeed, he is ready. I need to just chill. I can't let him know about my anxiety. He does not need to hear about his weak kneed mother. Nope, I am strong. I can be a pillar of strength. I will offer support and help him to remain positive. This is his break. I think....OK, I guess that I have to work on positive affirmations.....

peace!

Up....down...up....down....up....

Good morning! It's time to apologize to my northeastern readers as I sit in the sun in 70ish degree temperatures. Yep, it is very nice here. Now, before you start throwing darts, let me start with the fact that I have shoveled hundreds of feet of snow in my life, slipped on numerous icy patches, and sat in the house watching the snow fall praying that the dog would not use the carper as her toilet since she did not like to void in the snow.

The only reason that I am missing the snowy fun is because I am following the big kid in his southern adventures. That's it. Otherwise, I would have the baking soda out to melt the ice on the porch while begging the dogs to pretty please...go to the potty outside.

And now, here is the update....

After the weekend series in NC was cancelled, I settled in to wait for the next group of games which take place this weekend. Naturally, the weather is calling for 40's and unless there is snow, the games will be played.



I got a text last night. It was cryptic but I understand code. It read: "start against SC." OK, this seems to mean that he is being given the ball not during the weekend series but during the mid week games.

Is this a good thing? Yep, although it seems that the Czar will continue to go with his guys over the weekend despite their incredibly high ERA. Whatever. At least he gets his shot and if he does well, he will move up the rotation.



The season is merely a few weeks old and we have run the gamete of highs and lows....
1. before the season, he was first pitcher
2. before the first series, he was dropped to 3rd or 4th
3. right before the first series, he had the elbow pain and was shut down
4. he missed the opening series
5. he was dropped to the last guy out of the bullpen
6. he sat on the bench during the second series (Custer's last stand) until the end of the third and final game
7. he is now the 4th starter
8. Who knows what will happen next....but stay tuned, folks.

Gotta run!

Peace!

Never give up

Good morning! It's a bit overcast and misty but at least there is no ice. In the northeast, Tink needed a ride to work this morning since it was not safe to drive. Spring...soon, right?



Where was I? Hmmm...it's been an interesting weekend, as I was able to see BD, Bull and Lil Sis. We had lunch and then went to the Will Smith Focus movie. I liked it. I kind of like Will Smith in some of his movies. He was very good in this one. I give it 4 stars. That's right. Four BP Mom stars for this movie.



Yesterday was the big kid's birthday. Yes! Twenty three (I know. I am old) years ago, he was born after a days+ worth of labor. Not wanting to get into the raw details since it is best saved for the labor and delivery room, as the doctor was pounding on my stomach trying to get this kid to move out, I remember a few things about the moment. First, he was stuck. Second, the doctor exclaimed in a very loud voice in front of the myriad of folks in the room, including nursing and medical students, "This kid's feet are huge." Hey, what about his head? Why do you think that he is stuck?



Finally, he was free and entered the world screaming. Oops. Does this mean something? 

Yes, it did. 

It meant that he would scream and scream as a child until he got what he wanted. When he was able to speak, he worked his magic with his big doe eyes until he got wahat he wanted....in a way. For example, he never had an allowance. If he wanted money for something, he earned it around the house. When old enough, he got a job, which did not last long due to his complicated baseball schedule. However, one day, he came home from the golf course with his tip money. "Look, ma! Fifty bucks!" Yes, for three hours works, he made great money. Sadly, he was sort of let go (in a mutual manner) since he had to play baseball when they needed him to collect the balls on the driving range. He also picked up Lyme disease.

Then of course, he had an injury, surgery, and needed a job to pay for his car. 

Here is where I thank the Baker and Sparky profusely for turning his life around. When he had to start cleaning the garbage cans, he had an epiphany. "If I had a college degree, I would not be scrubbing the trash."

Yes, my son. This is true, a college degree opens quite a few doors. The bakery is a nice place to work, but not long term, unless you own it. And you don't have the skills to own a house plant, let alone a business. So, he went back to school. And guess what? he made the Dean's list and started to ace tests. Yes, indeedy.....he had a major paradigm shift.

And now, he sits in his fifth year of eligibility after his surgery and red shirt year primed for the next phase in his life. He is actually ready to own a bakery or play in the minors. Now all he needs is a shot on the mound. I have a feeling that he will get it.



Last week, after the five pitches against a nationally ranked team, the head coach of the Texas team stopped him and complimented him. Hmmm....after 5 official throws, he could see his skills. Too bad the Czar cannot figure out what is right under his nose. But, I digress.

That's right. Five pitches. Then he was taken out for a right hander. 

On his way back to the airport, he texted me that he did not throw full throttle and hit 89 mph. Then he said "I have 96 in me. I just need the right coaching."

That's pretty fast in my book. Much faster than his entrance into earth on his birthday. I guess that over the years, he picked up some speed.

And with that, he is officially a man. Although, I will always see him as my baby. 

A big baby....super-sized model...with a heart of gold.

Let's tip our baseball caps to the big lefty who lives the immortal words of Winston Churchill:  "Never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.'' 



Have a great day!

peace!

Who ordered the snow?

Good morning! It is cool and damp in the south, but there is no snow. Although......

The weekend tournament in North Carolina has been cancelled as the teams did not want to play snowball. Who could blame them? Who planned the snow? When does this happen?

And now, I have a few days off without baseball. This is OK since I have things to do....sort of.

I had made the plans and scheduled everything out from the trip south to the trip north...back south again...then north.....I guess this means that I can accomplish more work. Nice....or not.....

I would like to hang out with BD, lil Sis and Bull, therefore, I will point the car north and hit Starbucks......you know the drill.....I95....radio.....caffeine....no Skittles.....that's right. I am true to my word and am completely Skittle-free. As a Skittle addict, I could possibly slide back into the habit, but I made an oath to the Beast and a person does not cross her. Ever!

Back to baseball....the sad reality of the guys having to stay north has sunk in....I had planned a birthday celebration on Saturday and now I will wait until next weekend. BUT.....

here is the latest news....

The team was asked to go to Florida but turned them down knowing that they would be playing in NC this weekend. As BD and I discussed, the storm was a surprise. So, the team stayed home.

Today at 6 am, they have an inter squad scrimmage. Tomorrow, the scrimmage is at 5 am then they have to attend the women's ice hockey game with another practice on Sunday morning. The coaches want to keep the guys out of the bars since this is the weekend before spring break. Why is this an issue?

Well, the weekend before spring break is designated as St Patty's day on campus and the entire university goes on a binge. That's right. A binge. And so, the coaches are afraid that the guys will also drink so they scheduled their entire weekend. Nice....or not nice.....this seems over the top. Let the guys be guys and make their own decisions. Really!

With that said, I got things to do, places to go, people to meet, articles to write.

Peace!