Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Take me out to the ballgame!

I'm convinced that every boy, in his heart, would rather steal second base than an automobile.  Okay, so I can't take credit for that quote.  I heard it somewhere along the way and I liked it.  It came to my mind this week when Shawn stole home. 


He was safe - thank goodness!  I find myself doing one of two things during his games 1-holding my breath or 2 - yelling "go, go, go, go" really fast.  Usually it is the latter of those two.  I guess I feel like if I say it fast enough, it will make his feet move faster.  Now you know why Rodney chooses not to sit near me during games!
Anyway - I love baseball.  I love the unpredictability of the game.  You just never know what could happen.  As Shawn gets older I love to see the boys maneuver the ball and plays in ways that they couldn't just last year.  I love Shawn's passion for the game.  He constantly wants to practice and go to the batting cages.  I must say, he's a solid hitter.  He dreams of hitting a home run.  I hope he will one day.  But let's face it:  he's a hard level hitter.  His coaches love how hard he hits the ball.  And man can that boy run!

 Rogers Hornsby once said:  People ask me what I do in the winter when there's no baseball.  I'll tell you what I do.  I stare out the window and wait for Spring.

If you need me, you know where to find me!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

This isn't Kansas!

Let me just tell ya...last night I was scared!  I was home alone (well, me and the dog) when the TV screen went blank and a TORNADO WATCH came across the screen.  I was on the phone with a dear friend who I am not even sure I said "bye" to.  I ran downstairs with the dog, my cell phone and the house phone.  We live in a split level house, so there is not a basement.  I decided the hallway/laundry room was the safest place.  I closed all the doors and sat down and prayed.  I seriously had no idea what to do.  I just sat there.  My phone rang several time - my dad, Rodney, Rodney's mom, Holly.  While I was grateful for friends and family looking out for my safety, it all reminded me of the reality of the situation.  You see, the tornado was reported crossing the state line and headed for straight towards me.  After it was all over, I found out that the storm went just west of my neighborhood, but after seeing the pictures I don't regret spending 45 minutes sitting in a laundry room!

I am not sure who was brave enough to take these pictures (they should have been hiding in a basement!), but this is only about 2 miles from my house!
I think someone needs to let Mother Nature know that this isn't Kansas!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

OH the places you'll go!

That is my favorite book EVER!  I remember the first time I heard it... I was graduating from high school and the valedictorian read that book.  I couldn't believe that he was reading to mature adults from a Dr. Seuss book!  How Dorky!  But for some reason those words stuck in my head.  I went away to college and kept thinking "you're on your own.  And you know what you know.  And you are the guy who'll decide where to go."  Only I had no idea where to go.  So I transferred to a closer college!  When I got my first teaching job the words in my head kept jumping around saying "Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best.  Wherever you go, you will top all the rest."  I was ready and excited for my first job.  So what a better way to start the school year than to read Oh! The Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss.  Every year I start the school year by reading this book to my class.  I don't care how dorky it seems, I love it.

So why am I writing about this now?  My beautiful niece graduated with honors from  college on Saturday.  She received degrees in Radiology and Psychology.   The words bouncing in my head went something like this "be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea, You're off to Great Places!  Today is your day!  Your mountain is waiting.  So...Get on your way!"

I am so proud of her!  I know  she'll move mountains!







Let's Face It...

We've changed, we've all changed.  Our age, our body shapes, our thoughts, our jobs, our relationships...the list goes on and on.  Over the past month a lot has changed in my life; one of which is the decision to blog.  I have been following many blogs for a long time but have been against starting my own.  "I don't have time" I would say.  Or "What about internet safety?"  What it finally comes down to is that I need a way to help journal my life as it happens...the everyday things that I love about my life and don't want to forget.  I welcome you to join me along the way, but I don't promise any words of wisdom, profound thoughts or or lessons in life.  You're more likely to enjoy bloopers, mistakes and mishaps.  But let's face it...that's my life!