A Prius and no plan

Good morning! It's a bit of an early morning since the pups needed to be walked before the crack of dawn. Usually, my neighbor who leaves at 6:30 am wakes me with the roaring of his range rover, but today....the little girl whined until I gave in. Oh well. I am glad to get early starts these days.

With that said, the big kid is headed to Texas and guess where momma is going? That's right. I will be taking an early flight to Houston then will drive 2 hours to the games. I asked for a Prius as a rental. I am not sure why I want the Prius, but it seems that the great state of Texas warrants a car with excellent gas mileage. If you have ever been there,  you know that there are miles and miles of roads before a person sees anything more than cows and ranches. A Prius would be perfect.


Yep, me...my luggage....lucky sneakers....rosary.....cell phone....and the open road. No Skittles.

Yes, you read this correctly. I said: No Skittles.



I promised the Beast that I would never eat Skittles again after I had such a drop in blood sugar during a tennis match. I could barely move after consuming a bag before the match, and vowed that Skittles were on the list of things that I would never eat along with liver, pate, lima beans, and chick peas.

Have I lost my mind?

Naw, I am still a great fan of Starbucks. The question is whether there is a Starbucks along the highway in Texas. One would think that all you have to do is turn your head and you see a Starbucks. But this is not true. For example, along I 95 as you drive through North and South Carolina, there are no Starbucks signs. If I get off on an exit to find one, I could be driving miles out of my way. Therefore, I need a plan.



That's right. A plan.....as of this moment. I don't have one. In fact, tomorrow seems so far away, that I will think of my plan in the airplane as I ponder how to keep the brain cells active as I try to find the stadium in the middle of No-where Texas.



And so, as I work on a realistic plan, I will be sure to share it with you...when I figure it out...sometime soon...in the next 24 hours.

As far as the big lefty is concerned, he will be coming out of the bullpen. Yes, I said 'bullpen'. He is not ready to start after his injury, therefore I will be back to square one. That is...waiting....waiting...waiting...until his number is called....watch him warm up...throw....throw...be taken out....game over....If he pitches on Friday night, I will be back home on Saturday. This would be ideal since I have memories of sitting in the stands watching three games over three days waiting to see the guy pitch. Sometimes he got in. Other times, he would get into the game during the last game in the last inning. Sheesh. Should I tell the Czar that I would like a Friday night save?

Aw, he does not care what I think. All I know is that this team is in the top 20 in the country. Our team should be in the bottom 20 in the country (recruiting to a cold mountain town is difficult even with beautiful facilities). The early pundits placed his team at the bottom of the conference standings. Oh joy, no one is too optimistic about this year....and so it goes....

Oh, the ups and downs of BP mom. 



Peace!

Cussin'

It's a snow day for most of the kids in the area. The plow came and covered my mailbox with snow and ice. Knowing that the postman only rings once, I started to dig it out in order to get my box full of bills. Then it occurred to me.....yes, I had a cogent train of thoughts....



Hey, I pay taxes. yes, I do. I have the receipts to verify that I did not bounce the checks. So, why am I paying the snow plow to bury the mailbox? Why am I digging it out? You see where I am going with this thought? So, I took a photo and emailed it to the township. Within minutes, the plow was back to uncover the mailbox. Should I be paranoid since my mailbox is the only one in the neighborhood that is buried with snow on a consistent basis? Maybe....

On to baseball.....

I am still not sure whether the big lefty is headed to Texas. When asked about his arm, he said that it feels good and that he threw yesterday. "For a guy who has not thrown in over ten days, I did 'OK'."

Is "OK" good enough to travel? Your answer is as good as mine. SO, I am holding off on buying a ticket until further notice. The last place that I want to be is in Texas (no offense) if my child is not there.

He texted me this morning and told me that the Czar called him a "dips__t". He wanted to know if it was a term of endearment in the Czar's family. My thought is that it is an expression of love and devotion...which leads me to ponder....

Is it bullying? Is it guy-stuff? Do guys and coaches talk like this in the locker room? Is this a normal practice? Is it cool to call each other these types of names? After all, my son was taught to curse in a sentence in Catholic school by his football coach. Before he played football, these four letter words were just....four letter words. The coach in all of his wisdom taught the guys how to use them in a sentence. Did he also teach them how to diagram these sentences? Are these four letter words noun, verbs, or adjectives? Should we explore this or let it go......Alright, let's let it go....

Questions to be answered in the next 24 hours:

1. How is the elbow?
2. How is the arm?
3. Velocity?
4. Location?
5. Got a plane ticket?
6. Still a dips___t?

Time to hit the gym.



Later!

Peace!

What to do?

Greetings! I would like to send a shout out to New England. Hang tough, spring is coming!

On to the news of the day...there isn't any...yet....

The Czar decided NOT to have a practice yesterday and opted to give the guys off. Did the big kid stay in the library and complete his work? Nope, he went and worked out by himself. First, he set his net up in his apartment to throw his weighted balls in the warmth of his home. Maybe he will crush a few of his ants who happen to be his room mates.

By the way, he brought home his laundry basket on Friday and snuck it by me breaking a house rule. No clothes from college in the house unless they are first cleaned in the Laundromat. No exceptions even for those kids with a boo boo on their elbow. Now, I have my glasses on and am looking to see if he brought his bug friends home for a visit or possible relocation.

What will this week bring now that the team's pitching broke down? Will they kneel before the big kid and ask him to pretty please throw the ball? Or will they continue to deny his existence and talent and pray that the chosen ones come through? I don't know, but guess what?

I am looking for air fare to Texas.



That's right.

BP Mom in the house to witness another bloody battle with a nationally ranked team. This will be interesting OR I could possibly leave the field early and look for the local outlet mall. Who knows? I don't. but I will be ready with my lucky sneakers, Kashi bar, rosary, and perhaps....a bag of Skittles.

With that said, although it is President's Day, I still have work to do.

peace!

Lows, lows, and more lows

Morning! This is going to be a quickie, since I am on my way to Hoagie-fest at BP Grandmom's house. You see every Sunday after the guys return from their weekend retreat, BP Gmom has hoagies. Since I LOVE hoagies, hence my oh so doughy shape, I will be there in full force trying to ignore the tasty sandwiches but eventually give in....



The big guy returned to campus yesterday after I begged him not to since there was snow in the forecast. You see, the Czar threatened to have practice early in the morning if they lost all three games in NC. True to his word, there is practice this morning after the guys get off the bus after 3 am.

It was a blood bath and the team gave up 30 runs in 3 games. Again, can anyone say 'pitching'? The big lefty did  not take delight in the losses. Instead he was solemn and felt bad for his team mates. This is a good thing.

Anyway, before he left, he went to the sporting goods store to buy a  net to place in his apartment to catch his weighted balls. He is going back to them and cannot throw outside at the pizza shop since his fingers freeze in the cold weather. He sent a photo to me to see the new set up.

He also saw Yoda yesterday and brought him a cake to once again thank him. Yoda no longer charges the big guy since they are now friends and we have 'paid enough' according to the  kindly, wise gentleman.

Yoda  bashed the university system and warned the big lefty that lifting and throwing are prohibited. He also said that he probably could have pitched this weekend, but the kid really needed some of ma's homemade chicken Parmesan and Yoda's advice that he was not permanently injured.

And now, my friends, here is what happens.....This is my prediction based upon logic....although, logic has never been a factor with this team. The Czar makes his own decisions based upon his vision of a winning team....

Here is what will happen:

As they return to the practice field, he will scream at them for two hours and tell them that they are mentally soft.
He will say that they can be replaced and since he has a five year contract, he will still be there.
They will run, be humiliated, vomit from too much running, and  threatened.

They will fly to Texas and be shelled.
The big kid will come out of the bullpen during Sunday's game after the team loses the first two in a very ugly manner. He will shut down the rally and be told that he was still not mentally tough.
He will sit in the bullpen for another few weeks until the Czar becomes desperate, then he will be a mid week starter. Once he succeeds at mid week, he will throw on Sundays only.
By the end of the season, he will be the Friday starter, much to the Czar's chagrin.

What should happen:

The Czar realizes that lifting and pitching should not go hand in hand
He will respect the kid's work ethic
He will allow him to use his Pitching Doctor's flexibility protocols
He will send the big boy to the mound on Friday nights
They will win one game per weekend.

That's it, folks....the lows and the lows...there were no highs this weekend, but more interesting baseball to come.

Gotta run!

peace!

Valentine's Day: Another Saturday

Happy Valentine's Day! Yes, it is the holiday when people all over the world buy roses, candy, and cards. It has turned into a buy at all expense day and if you do not receive something, then there is something wrong.

With that said, when I was younger, it was a big deal. I had to have it all to feel like I was worthy. Why? "cause someone on television made this into something more than it is. St. Valentine is not all about hearts and flowers. He was a martyr and saint and therefore should be honored through imitation rather than taking out the Visa card and buying flowers that die in days. BP Grandpop says: "Give me flowers now, not when I am dead."

Yeah. He's right. Why should I receive flowers on one day only? Why can't I get them on a random hot August day? What about Arbor Day? Give me a tree! July 4th? March 13? After I have a rotten day? After I have a good day?

That would be a demonstration of love. If the family saves their "I love yous" for February 14th, then there is a problem...a real problem....Therefore....

I have banned Valentines Day. That is correct. Do not buy me flowers. I do not want a Hallmark card nor do I want a box of candy. Nope.

I told dad not to buy anything and to make a card for me. He agreed which got him off the hook to drive by a supermarket and grab whatever is leftover at 6pm. To me, that does not say "love you." No, it says..."I was busy and did not forget that it was Valentine's Day."

Granted in college and as a young adult, I would have gone into divorce court if I did not receive the goodies.

At work, the chat would center around 'what did you get for the 14th?'  Now, I sit back, listen, and clearly say 'nothing' and smile.

Currently, I am waiting to see what kind of homemade card I receive as I have  already made mine...I even cut out red construction paper in the shape of a heart and used glue to paste it onto another piece of cardboard. No glitter...a nice note.....that's it.

I did get the kids something because I do not want them to have to abide by my philosophy of VD being a phony holiday. Let them make their own minds up about it. With Lil A and the big lefty here, I have selected some meaningful gifts.

For Tink....a DVD.....

For Lil A.....a cute teddy bear....

For the big guy....two 6 packs of toilet paper :-)

As far as yesterday's game is concerned, the team lost by 1 point...pretty good....but gave up 16 runs.....can anyone say "pitching?"  Can anyone say: "We NEED the big lefty?" Uh huh

Uh huh

Happy Valentine's Day!

Peace!

Opening pitch

Good morning! It is getting colder and colder here. Spring cannot be far away....I am thinking positively.

The latest news is that I hired the General Patton of the dog world to make a house visit to break these pups (in a manner of speaking). She was a no nonsense 'dog person'. Those of you who know what dog people are like....she personified it.



She looked around....met the pups....assessed the environment...measured Tink and me up for potential....Then she asked a million questions. Every time that I answered, I knew that she was thinking...'idiot...out of her league...what a dope....who gave her a dog let alone two....hopeless....hapless....impossible situation....'



Based upon her inquisition, I felt that I was not doing anything right. Although, once I answered a question correctly, Patton looked at me with surprise. I guess I am not the total screw up that she felt that I was. I have hidden potential. That's right. Potential. I can and will house train these dogs. They will sit when I command and come when I call. Yep. They are going to be good little soldiers. Right? Uh nope. Today, they were chasing each other. The male can jump on the sofa, so he lands on my lap. The girl started to bark to get at her brother when it happened....



What happened? Well, this has never happened to me before...but I was shocked when it did.

She bit my bottom.



That's right. She bared her newly straightened teeth and accidentally took a mini chunk out of my butt.

You know what?

It hurt and still hurts....not like a bullet wound or an abscessed tooth....or root canal...or labor and delivery of a 9+ pound big headed boy....but it smarts a bit.....I have little Maltese teeth marks on my left cheek right above my thigh. Sitting on it, I can feel something there and it is not a good feeling. She did not do it on purpose. In fact, she was playing and trying to get her brother off the sofa. But, you can imagine my surprise when I felt the teeth enter into the doughiest part of my body. Thank goodness for the extra pounds. Yep, this is where they come in handy. Maybe I will keep them...not! By the way, I am not going to turn her into General Patton. Patton wants me to keep a journal about the pups. There is no way that I am going to report the little playful pup, although, I may mention that she has a tendency to nip when someone is in the way of her playing with her brother....



On to the weekend....the first pitch will be thrown today at 4pm. A senior (who is on the poster) will be on the mound. Tomorrow holds a double header. Two freshmen recruited by the Czar will pitch. That's right. Frosh...straight out of high school...away from home for the first time will pitch the opening games.

If they lose, the Czar will hold practice on Sunday morning after they return to campus. Since they are being bused to NC, the estimated time of arrival on campus is 3 am. Therefore, they will gather for practice 7ish. Nice.

Are they going to lose?

Maybe....maybe not....

Probably....

Definitely.....

Although, who am I? What do I know? They have the best trainers and coaches in the country. These guys are mentally tough. Anything can happen...yet....

As a baseball mom, I have an inside knowledge of the game and the mindset of players AND I can evaluate someone's abilities. Yes, this is a gift. No, my analysis comes from experience and studying the game as well as being a former D1 athlete. I have been there and know that it will be rocky this weekend.

I wish them luck and success. My boy is headed home to see Yoda, but will turn the car around tomorrow to return to campus for Sunday morning practice. He knows that there will be blood shed in NC and wishes to the Good Lord that he was there to help his team. But once Yoda confirms that his elbow is ready to throw, the big guy will be back on the mound, because I predict that the freshmen will fold not because of the lack of skill but because they have no idea what it is like to play in a high stakes division 1 baseball game.

And with that, I am off to pick up Lil A who will be spending the weekend with us as her pop, Uncle Dr G goes on retreat with BP grandpop and Betty. By the way, at 88 years old, BP Grandpop has made 70+ consecutive retreats only missing one or two due to illness. He and BP Grandmom are our prayer warriors.

It will be nice to have a house full of laughter this weekend.

Peace!

Lights, Camera, Action: Drama

Drama...drama...drama....The day is young...so, no drama yet except for the puppies waking me up during a swell dream to go to the bathroom....

However....

Yesterday, the elbow was a bit better but the Czar and trainer still wanted him to throw. The trainer actually feels that his elbow is well enough to throw pitches.

Hmmmm

Let's ponder this notion.....

Swollen....painful....essential extremity needed to toss a ball over home plate....

Yep, let's start him on Friday night and watch fireworks explode over North Carolina.

And so, what happened?

Well, after spending a few minutes listening to 'no one listens to me...no one wants to see me heal....I was thrown under the bus by the trainer....', I was able to penetrate the granite in his head.

Dude, they are concerned about you. That is a good thing. OK, they are not in love with you enough to put you on the poster, but they care in their own demented way.

Second, what did Uncle Dr G say?

"If you have pain, then your body is telling you something."

Very good. Should you throw a ball if you cannot move your arm? It's not like you have an assistive device like Steven Hawking has to speak to tell us that there is no God and share his ideas about the universe. Nothing but a healthy arm can throw a fast ball.

"I know."

Then there is no discussion. Will they take you to North Carolina?

"No."

Then come home and talk with the doctors and Yoda....all people whom you trust and will help you.

"OK."

Go to bed.....

Fast forward to this morning and I received a text from the big kid: "I have a sore elbow, no internet, no toilet paper, ants everywhere, but for some reason I wouldn't change anything....odd huh? "



....."except fresh tp."

Interesting. This is a far cry from Monday and last weekend. I will hang on this text until I receive the next call when he starts throwing again. Until then, I will look forward to seeing him at home, cooking his favorite meals, chatting over a glass of wine....and then send him back to campus with ant spray and a case of toilet paper.

Have a great day!



Peace!