On Deck: Work-Life Balance

In corporate-speak, "work-life balance" is the term used to describe the balance that an individual needs between time allocated for work and other aspects of life.

It's not even reasonable to expect this would be a 50-50 balance. But it sort of worked out that way this weekend. Saturday was "life" and Sunday was "work" with a little life to kick it off.

We hit the road for Twins Territory at 8 a.m. Saturday – Jim in his Reds hat, me in as many layers of Twins-wear possible, and Tony in neutral flannel.

It was a 1:10 p.m. game so the plan was to get to Target Field, see the sights a bit, meet up with my niece Caryn and head into the park – early enough to be the first 20,000 fans to get a Twins hat courtesy of DQ. Because I should make it an even dozen Twins hats in my possession!

First thing I realized was that I was the only one excited about taking pictures around Target Field. But I did force a few on the guys.

Jim and I before our rivalry kicked into gear.

Tony and I hanging out with TC.

Since Caryn had to work and wasn't getting there until closer to 12:30 or so, I sent the guys in and walked around snapping photos and getting steps.

Had to take this one for my BFF Christine who, though happily married, has non-secretly been in love with Mollie for like 3 decades!

You should not leave me unsupervised! I heart Joe Mauer!

Cool scenes from the outside perimeter...

Series wins that remember very well!

New statue of Tom Kelly – coach for those series wins.

The Peanuts gang! Didn't know they were there because I hadn't come in at that exit (right by the light rail) before.

Caryn got there in plenty of time for us to get selfies AND headgear! Whoo-hoo!

Funny thing was that she ended up buying a hat later. A winter hat.

Yes, it was a "mild" low 50s and sunny. But we were in the shade and I so grateful I was wearing long underwear. Not Twins long-johns, just normal. But they swerved their purpose!

Game was fun. Took pictures of some Twins AND Reds for a balanced scrapbook later on.

Another one for Christine!

Our seats, our view.

Reds homerun. Grrrr.

 Twins homerun. Yay!

 Our favorite players: Joey Votto for Jim and Joe "I love Robyn" Mauer.

And yes, despite the Reds beating the Twins on Friday and Sunday, they pulled out a win for me on Saturday! Yes!

 Rodney came into close...

And close he did!

Twins win! Twins win! 3-1.

I guess just about everyone got one of those 20,000 hats! Ha.


After the game, we met up with No. 1 son Casey (who lives in St. Paul) and his girlfriend. Met our grand-pup Rey Rae. And had some good pizza.

Got home after 10 p.m. On Sunday, had a choir cantata at both 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. church services. Had a meeting from 1-2:30 p.m. Then had freelance work to do until after 10:30 p.m. last night. Did sneak out for a quick walk with my boyfriend Buddy, but that was it for enjoying the nicest day of the year so far.

Thankfully, with this work-life balance, I worked today and could enjoy the great outdoors later – and Royals baseball and softball victories!

Forgive My Fair-Weathered Fan-ness

Due to a snow day earlier this month, the Royals had to hold a double-header against Auburndale today to get both that game plus today's rainy fiasco in. Mother Nature was only slightly more cooperative.

I went to baseball since I hadn't seen them play yet this week. It was cold and rainy and my fingers were freezing. Not to mention my camera wasn't having fun.

I bumped up the contrast on this picture so you could see a little of the rain. Uff da. Those poor guys and girls!

When I was chilled to the bone – admittedly under-dressed – I remembered I didn't HAVE to be there. I am normally not a fair-weather fan, but when I don't have a child playing and there will be warmer days ahead (knock on wood) and I am sitting outside all day tomorrow at the Twins game... well, then, it's OK to go home.

Seven years ago today, when this little fella was playing, well I would stick it out, of course. But mostly likely plan ahead with an abundance of layers and blankets in the trunk. Looks a lot sunnier and drier back then.

Times changes in all sorts of ways, doesn't it?

Tonight, I had the pleasure of a warm house while keeping tabs on both our softball and baseball games through an app on my phone called GameChanger. Girls won both today. Boys lost the first but are still playing the second.

Keep your fingers crossed for tonight and for sunny, victorious days ahead!

Moon Child

Since the "big kids" were playing baseball and softball away at Edgar, I took the opportunity to shoot pictures of our middle school baseball team in action. There are several younger siblings of high school athletes we've been cheering on awhile, so that was fun to see them. Rain held off, too.

I didn't stay until the end of the game since it was getting chilly and I came right from work and was not dressed for outdoor sports! So I headed home and got updates on the varsity games. Boys lost by 2, darn. The girls won again 15-0. Yay!

My victory for the night was trying my new lens on capturing the moon. It's not full yet but I wanted to practice before it is – just to see if my new equipment can bring me even more joy. Oh yes, it can!

The way my mind's eye saw it as still in a evening blue sky. First time I've gotten craters to show up and I was not even using my tripod!

In Photoshop, I selected "automatic tone" and altered the image to probably what it really looks like in the dark sky.

Either way, I like!

I'll wait a few days to start howling at it, though.

Always the Perfect Date

Today is always the perfect date, doncha think?

The meme is from the 2001 film Miss Congeniality, starring Sandra Bullock. The joke is that a contestant in a beauty pageant was asked to describe her perfect date (as in the kind you go on with a boyfriend/girlfriend), but Miss Rhode Island gives the date of April 25th for the reasons above. 

Just funny. No offense to pageant contestants, of course.

She was right, though. With temps in the 50s, it wasn't too hot or too cold. All I needed was a light jacket.

So happy Light Jacket Day!

Tomorrow we might not even need a light jacket around here. But probably an umbrella clearly April 26th is a not a perfect date. 

Finally... Play Ball

Finally – 3 weeks after they were supposed to start – the Assumption Royals could PLAY BALL today! And win while they were at it!

Got to see most of the softball home opener versus Edgar. Since we had such a large margin of victory, 16-zip, we got to play pretty far down bench to give almost all the girls some experience.

And give this photographer the chance to capture just about everyone. So after sorting through and posting hundreds of photos, I can't even see straight. I just happen to know where the keys are on the keyboard! But I'm keeping this short.

The baseball team had a shutout, too! They were at Edgar and defeated them 14-0. Oh yes we did! Hubby had to fill in as head coach so good thing they won.

And even though it's only one game... what a great way to start off the seasons for the Royals.

Now if Mother Nature cooperates, there will be more where that came from.

Play ball!

Some Bunny Loves Spring

I was so ecstatic that Spring Sports Season finally kicked off today – appropriately with Royals soccer – that I grabbed my camera and went to take pictures just to TAKE PICTURES! Then I get home and realize by the wildlife preserve in our front yard that I am not the only one who loves spring!

A trio of bunnies getting their salads in for the day! They are much more disciplined than me!

Definitely wild but still sorta cute!

I was especially relieved to see some robins. Yes! They survived!

Strutting past the snow like "we beat you!" Hopefully, it stays that way.

For those paying attention, the Royals are supposed to start their softball and baseball seasons tomorrow. If the weather holds. Nice enough at 62 degrees today, but I don't know if tomorrow will stay dry. If it does, softball has home opener vs Edgar and the baseball team is playing a "home" game away from home at Edgar.

Just hear "Play ball!" will be music to a lot of ears. Those other "some bunnies" who love spring for its sports!

First the Birds, Now the Bees

Naturally spring brings the birds and the bees – and I don't just mean the excitement of mating season.

I couldn't believe with all this snow that we already have those stinkin' long-legged hornets flying about. Last night I sprayed to death – I hope – the beginnings of a news under out front steps. Apparently, they must be building elsewhere because this guy was lurking about, too. Typically hubby doesn't need his Epi-Pen handy this early. Dang.

Other than that, no complaints about the absolutely gorgeous day.

Kitty loved having the windows open and screen door bringing in the warm sunshine.

Hey, who's out there watching me take a bath?!

It was so nice that Jim and some of us buddies actually went down to Wisconsin Dells for the season-opener stock car race. I had some projects inside to get done but was able to get out and about and get my steps.

Naturally, I could not resist a moment with Mr. Deck Chair. Got my cool Twins shades on and some lovely white beach sand in the background... ha, I wish!

Honestly, I only sat out there for a quick selfie. Not quite warm enough to expose much more than our faces or arms today. Plus, there's still that business of having to shave my legs. The one plus of a late spring!

Hope you found some spring-y joy on this beautiful SUN day!