Shootin' Hoops Again

Christmas break is over for everyone. And that means high school basketball is back in action.

I knew tonight was going to be some tight action because we were playing a very good Auburndale team. My intention was to shoot the second half of the JV game and then all of varsity.

Got through JV game, which we won. But it took too much out of me after standing for the first half of the varsity game. I still don't have my energy completely back after sick.

Anyway, thanks for some good shots by players like Chase above, we had a slight lead at halftime. And are holding onto a lead with less than a minute to go. Crossing fingers. This would be a huge win.

Luckily there's plenty more to the season so I'll eventually catch ALL the action some night. Go Royals!

Spring Sports Weather

On the one hand, it was great to finally have spring sports resume today after several weather delays and cancellations this week. On the other hand... B-R-R-R!

Yes, I would say 45-degree temps only draw out the die hard fans and maybe one fair-weather photographer.

Does heat rise? Nope. I was on the roof of Witter Field and it was not any warmer. Not even by the stadium lights. Darn.

Still, I managed to get a little softball action in. See how cold they look?

We were leading 3-1 in the 3rd inning I think when I had to head to baseball to deliver Jim some warm mittens. I was just stepping away from softball when it started to rain anyway. The girls ended up splitting the double-header versus Auburndale.

Baseball was a tough battle. Our boys were struggling and the weather didn't help. Getting hit by pitches doesn't feel good either I'm sure.

There was a precipitation mix happening. My camera didn't like it. So I left after the first game, which we lost 8-1. And the second game was an even bigger margin of victory for Auburndale. Hopefully next week the weather is warmer and our bats are hotter.

Let's keep working hard, Royals!

You'll get 'em next time!

Ladies Night :: Extra Innings

Sun was shining and it was mild in the mid-50s so I figured it was a perfect day to swing over to Auburndale after work to catch the Lady Royals in action. They weren't the only thing in action. The wind just. Wouldn't. Stop.

I hate wind chills within days of May Day, don't you? I had a heck of a time keeping my hands – and my camera – warm. But I honestly didn't mind when the game went into extra innings after a 4-4 tie at the bottom of the 7th. Our girls were so determined, I just felt they could revenge Monday's loss to Auburndale. They sure tried hard in those two extra innings, but ended up falling 5-4 in the 9th. Dang.

I still managed to get some winning shots...

Sliding safely into 3rd.

 Focus.

And power.

Just me being creative. The coach just peeked out and I thought it was a cool shot.

Am hoping to get to at least get to one more softball game but some of the boys (off tonight) reminded me I needed to get my priorities straight. Ha. Gotta love that they still love their baseball even if they're struggling.

I love it, too! And softball. What a privilege to see both when I can. Win or lose, it's fun to be a Royals fan.

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!

Battle of the Blues

Some things don't make sense.

• Me getting rid of my hybrid car and then getting a commute. (Still wouldn't change that!)
• Eating a healthy but gross-tasting snack and having to "wash it down" with some chocolate. (True story.)
• A senior basketball player suffers a fluke eye injury – this after sitting out football season with an ankle injury. (His senior year.)

That last one's a tough one. Feel bad for a young man named Jake who just loves playing sports – and has the ability to match.

So while he recovers from a resistance-band snap to the eyes, his teammates are trying to keep the Royals on top of the South Marawood Conference. Remember I told you last week there were 4 teams tied for first? We beat Stratford to make it 3 teams and tonight, we played the fellow first-place (also Royal Blue) team from Auburndale. With tied 8-2 records, we knew we were in for a good matchup, with or without our usual starting lineup.

Hubby and I were there in plenty of time to see the whole game. Actually 90 minutes early because we didn't know the JV game was canceled. Due to Jake's and other's injuries, we don't have enough Royal manpower at the moment for two full teams and any sort of bench.

There was a VIP crowd on hand tonight with our friends Jon and Audrey – Carter's former sitters – and Mark and Brenda, who live just down the road but we just haven't seen them lately.

It was a tight game from the tip-off. Basically tied the whole first half, with the lead changing by increments of 1 or 2. The second half, well, that was a different story.

Gotta credit Auburndale's defense and their ability to shoot the 3 for their leap to a big lead. As much as 10 points a few times. But our tough boys battled to the end and came up short by only 4 points.

It is heartening to see that when one man is down, the others rally and give 100 percent to keep the great season going. Even with the loss, we are only one game down. Keep your chins up, boys. Soon wounds will heal and you'll be at full strength for when the games really count.

Win or lose, it's just plain fun to watch our Royals, don't you think?

Swing by Friday and join us. There's always room in the VIP section.

Season Openers

'Tis the season for "summer" time activities! I am putting that in writing only because I'll need proof – and a reminder – when it will be back to wintery-springy weather in 2 days.

Today was the home opener for the original King Cone in Amherst! Now it is officially on my way home from work instead of the "I'm pretending it's on my way but go 6 blocks out of my" location in Plover. A scoop of Blueberry Yes Please Cake flavor was the perfect way to kick off the season.

Managed to get back into Rapids in time to catch parts of both the softball and baseball games against Auburndale. We were behind by 5 or 6 runs when I left the softball game to head to baseball. I should have stayed. The girls rallied in their last at bat and won 10-9! Crazy.

The boys lost but still good to visit with my old bleacher-butt friends.

This evening, we helped some friends with their firepit season opener...

Thanks to Christmas lights in the fire, we had colorful flames. I always love that! It was nice to visit with the "summer" friends we don't see enough during the school year. And, as a bonus, no mosquitoes.

I guess that was the only un-summer part!

Oh, and that I needed to text Carter at home to turn on my blanket. Guess that's a year-round season in these parts.

Closed for Renovation... and Rejuvenation

We did it! At 3 p.m. today, I hung a sign outside our department with this photo and a caption that said: "Closed for the holidays!"

While we can't really close a magazine department, the three of us will not be there physically until Jan. 5. And hopefully not there mentally either. We all have a few tasks to complete over the next two weeks but nothing that will require a commute from any of us. We happen to have a gap in deadlines so this is a perfect time for us 3 editors to relax and rejuvenate.

Whoo-hoo!

Hello, couch. Hello, blankie. Hello, Hallmark Channel. Let's figure this vacation thing out!

To get it launched, I actually bypassed a Christmas movie for a live action one. As in real live action. Jim and I went up to Auburndale to watch the Assumption boys basketball team. It was a nail-biter of a game and we ended up winning by 1 point. The first time, I might add, since 2006 that we have beaten them.

Very cool to be a part of the excitement. Stopped "out" for  awhile after the game to celebrate. I figured I blow my curfew since I can sleep in tomorrow. Now I'm just waiting for my mattress pad to heat up and it's go time.

Hello, vacation. Let's do this thing!

Tables Turned

On the rare occasions I have a decent round of golf, I am dismayed the next time I hit the links that I can't shoot to save my life! How can this be? Where was the person who was putting for birdie last time? How can I be this inconsistent?

I guess the same could be said for any sport – individual or team. Tonight, for example, those of sitting on the bleachers in Auburndale were wondering where our team from last night was? That fired-up group that beat one of the best teams in our area.

They were there. It was same great guys. Just enough was different to result in an unfortunately different ending.

The tables were turned.

We were behind from the first inning. Down by one, then two then five suddenly. And more. It was not pretty. And while we rallied, down 11-3, we just couldn't make up the deficit with the time remaining. We ended up losing 11-6.

I still think we had some great at-bats. Just happened to hit the ball right to their team. We hopefully will stop doing that with the playoffs starting soon. Ha. If only strategizing was that easy! Just think of my golf game!

After our loss, we headed back to Rapids. Carter took the bus, of course, so hubby and I sneaked out for dinner at Ida's – a bar and grill in town that serves up only delicious food! Shhh. Don't tell Carter. He had to nuke his supper!

Now that we are home, the long weekend officially begins. Every minute of Saturday is already accounted for, but come Sunday, I might just turn the tables on the long winter and hang out with Mr. Deck Chair.... oops, I mean spring cleaning!

We'll see...

Friday Fun

With the month of May just days away, we should be much warmer than 60 degrees with an 18 mph wind creating a windchill.

At least that's what we keep telling ourselves – and our German visitors.

Still, we were happy to see the sun shining for a jackets-required baseball game this afternoon at home. Even though it was chilly, we were all better prepared than the other day! That was a good thing since the game almost went into extra innings.

We played a conference rival – Auburndale – which also had a 1-1 conference record. We fell behind early, then led until the Apaches tied it at 9-9 at the top of the 9th.

Carter was the courtesy runner for the catcher tonight and scored both times he was on base.

At the bottom of the 9th, we had one out and a guy on third base. Basically, the batter had to get a single so our player could run home to score.

Have you ever heard of a "walk-off bunt"? That is how we won the game! Crazy. A great play when it works!

After the game, the boys had a campfire party to go to for other host students and their guests. Yes, they do have more of a social life than we do! Not to be outdone, Jim and I had dinner with another couple from school at The Ridges.

Got home in time to coordinate some prom plans with the girls' mom, then went to pick up the boys at 10. They had a great time at the party – other than Lukas jamming a finger while playing basketball. I think he'll be fine. It was his right hand so I told Lucky Lefty he'll still be able to do homework okay.

I sure know how to bring the fun, don't I?

A Girls Night Out

I finally had a free night -- and some freedom from coughing to go with it -- so I could go see our Assumption girls basketball team play.

Hubby stayed home since his cough is still lingering. Carter had to play in Pep Band between the JV and Varsity games so I opted to get there for the JV game so we could watch some of his classmates play.

Going into tonight's varsity matchup with Auburndale, we had one loss so far on our overall record this season. Giving our defeatist Barneveld the top ranking in the state and holding us at #2.. not bad for the hundreds of Division 5 girls basketball teams in Wisconsin!

The JV game proved to be exciting. We were down 21-10 at halftime, then rallied to win by 9 points. Really nice job, girls!

The varsity game was a typical quick start for us with a sizable lead at halftime. Apparently our opponents' adjustments in the locker room had more of an impact than hours. We were slowly watching our lead slip away in the third quarter and my "daughter" got into foul trouble and eventually fouled out! She wasn't the only one on our team to do so.

Somehow we managed to hang on for another win, hopefully holding our current state ranking.

Since this is Finals Weeks, we're not going to see any more hoops action for the rest of the week. Probably best. Carter needs to study, hubby needs to recover some more and I have to adhere to my bedtime schedule better on "school nights."

Easier on my conscience when we win, of course.

Keep up the great work, Lady Royals!!

Phooey! Foiled Again!

The Red Team traveled up to Auburndale tonight for a 6 p.m. game. It took a few scoreless innings but after Carter got a hit (and I even captured action on my smart phone), we finally scored when he eventually made it all the way home, thanks to the next two batters.

For awhile that was the score. Carter's one run over Auburndale's none.

That was nice. Then the home team scored 4 runs in an inning and put us in a hole. Carter got up again and got on with 2 outs. Then the next few batters did a great job and we had runs coming in! Just not enough. Carter pitched the last inning and didn't give up any runs but we were unable to get any more ourselves. So we ended up losing 4-3.

Phooey! Foiled again!

But it was a much better outing than last night. Maybe a little sunshine goes a long way!

Now we (as in Carter's teams) are off until Tuesday so I can enjoy some other activities on my schedule. Do not rule out time at a ball park. Just sayin'. But I will be having some other fun, too, and -- at least for tonight -- getting to bed on time for a change!

Baseball-related laundry is just gonna have to wait.

In a Nutshell

I was feeling a bit squirrel-ly today and now it all makes sense! I AM nuts!

No surprise there.

Actually it was one of those days where I was running around like a squirrel, just trying to get everything done -- and in order. In a nutshell...

Worked at home and fought valiantly not to go outside in that 79-degree sunshine. Feel my will power!

I had a quick doctor appointment as a one-year followup to see if I was still nuts. Or at least still in need of medication for my anxiety/panic disorder business. Yes, I need another refill, Doc.

Productively got through my work "to do" list so we could go to Carter's 3:45 p.m. baseball game vs. Auburndale. We were down 4-0 and during our last at bat, we loaded the bases and brought in 3 runs. Very exciting but we still fell short. Meanwhile, I had delightful visit with my former pastor who retired 5 years ago from my church -- but had welcomed my church membership when Carter was just one week old.

After the game, it was a quick return to school for Carter to shower and get dressed up for the Spring Band Concert. That was wonderful, as always, and was kept under the rumored 2 hours, so that was good. Afterwards, Carter wanted to stop at Culver's with some friends, so we did for a bit and got home just shy of 10 p.m.

It's way past my bedtime. Jim still has work to do. And Carter, naturally has homework.

I am hitting the hay (do squirrels do that?) and will post a variety of photos tomorrow -- even video. Until then, go a little nuts! It's fun.

Love Will Keep Us Together

We heard Captain & Tennille singing "Love Will Keep Us Together" on the radio on the way home from a basketball game tonight. It's a good thing love will do that because we certainly can't rely on Cupid.

Today, for example, you would have thought Cupid called in sick and sent in Santa and Jack Frost to do his job. We really didn't need another 3 inches of snow or so overnight. I was not feeling the love when I was snowblowing on my "lunch hour" -- even if I was doing it to be nice to my Valentine!

Overall, it was a different Valentine's Day. We exchanged a few gifts before Jim headed off to work and Carter went to school. I worked at home today since I had what turned out to be two appointments with Dr. Fun. I suppose I should have given him a Valentine! But while I wasn't exactly loving what he was putting me through, I can say I love the results of his exams, extractions and tests. I am in good health! Whew.

After we picked Carter up from school, we stopped to get a heart-shaped pizza at Rocky Roccoco's. I even got a nice red heart balloon, too. We ate and headed up to Auburndale to watch the Assumption girls (conference champs!) play and keep their undefeated streak alive.

It was the closest, most intense game of the season. Tied after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd quarters. With less than 15 seconds left, we managed to get 2 free throws in so we led by 4. That was enough to do it and we won 45-41! Worth the road trip!

At some point during the game, Carter handed me a frosted, heart-shaped cookie and says, "Happy Valentine's Day, Mom." I say, "Oh cute, where did you get this?" The typical teenage boy responds with a sarcastic, "Off the floor in the boys' bathroom."

Well, the sentiment was there. Right?

Like I said, good thing LOVE will keep us together because we can't always rely on cookies or pizza or a good basketball game.

Some days, they are a nice bonus, though! Hope you felt some love today, too!!

Baseball Weather

Finally, Mother Nature blessed us with some baseball weather!! Carter didn't get to play at all last week so I was hoping he wasn't getting too rusty. He was. But just a little bit.

We hosted Auburndale this afternoon. Even though the photo conditions were ideal, I didn't take many pictures. Auburndale's uniforms are pretty much exactly like ours with royal blue on top and gray pants. It was just too confusing. I remembered who to cheer for most of the time.

It was an exciting game. For Carter's part, he struck out once, popped out once and walked once. So at least he got to do some base running. No mistakes playing second base either.

For the team, they were down 0-1, then tied it with a steal home from Carter's classmate Brady who was on fire tonight with awesome pitching! We went head 2-1. Then they went ahead 3-2. In our last at bat, we finally tied it... and, with bases loaded, brought in the winning run. Fun stuff.

Stopped at Culver's on our way to support our church confirmation camp fundraiser. And grab some supper, of course. Carter got a meal, hubby got large fries and I got a Mint Oreo Concrete Mixer. What? I have to support the kids!

I can't even use the excuse that I walked it off today. Figures that 6 days into my challenge, the battery on my pedometer went dead. So I lost all steps today but thankfully they could record my May 1-6 steps, which did average 5 miles a day, thank you very much.

Now I have a new battery (plus a backup) so I better get off the computer and get moving!

Out of Rotation

We had an interesting situation with our Middle School baseball team this year. With some 22 guys signed up, there's no way they could have just one team. So they divided them into three teams -- Royal, Blue and White -- and rotate who plays. (Royal & Blue, then Blue & White, then White and Royal)

Tonight was White's night off. That's Carter's team. So while hubby is a coach and still has to go to all the games, we got a night off. So what did we do?

Naturally, we went to the ballpark!

I had to get my "daughter fix" so we went to watch my girl Brittney play softball. Due to recent rains, they moved the game out to the Kellner fields near us so we didn't have far to drive if we got cold and wanted to go home. But we stuck it out and watched the Assumption girls shut out the Northland Lutheran team 4-0. Since Brit's brother was playing for the high school baseball team at the same time (in town), I got to text her mom updates during the game. It always feels good to be a useful fan.

After that, it was straight home to do homework. We just beat Jim home from the Middle School game up in Auburndale. We won that one, too! I think the high school boys won their matchup, too, so it was a good night for the Royals.

Feels weird to be out of rotation and not seeing all of our Middle School games. I guess there's nothing stopping me from going even when Carter is off.

I'm sure as soon as the mercury rises in the thermometer just a touch, my Royal self will be right there on the sidelines.

Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer

... When we found her Christmas morning, at the scene of the attack, she had hoof-prints on her forehead, and incriminating Claus marks on her back. ...

I'm not sure if I got run over by a reindeer or a Mack truck... either way, I'm in the hurt box.

I should have known I was in for a strange day when the moon was shining brightly outside our bedroom window -- when I got up for work! I was thinking our clocks were wrong or something. But it's just late December and we're closing in the shortest day of the year.

To back track on my back... It was bothering me a bit last week but I did not get around to seeing my chiropractor. I just ran out of time and when I remembered to call, it was after hours. So Saturday morning, I was really feeling it. Then Saturday afternoon, after our 4-hour drive Up North, I was really, really feeling it. I had my big strong brother-in-law Steve lift me up and try to crack it, but it just didn't work. (It just got me giggling.)

Was fine enough yesterday and even when I woke up this morning. I got through breakfast, curling my hair and brushing my teeth... but as soon as I reached up to put a necklace on, my back went out. And when I say "out," I mean it suddenly felt like the wind was knocked out of me.

There are days I would definitely opt to stay home in bed. But this week, where I have to get 2 weeks of work done in 3 1/2 days, it really isn't an option.

Yet.

I managed to shuffle around at work, like a Grandma -- not necessarily one who got run over by a reindeer. I had a some moments of normalcy where I got work done... then moments that took my breath away... in a painful spasm kind of way. Dang.

Left work at 2 p.m. to get to a 3 p.m. chiropractor appointment. He had a field day. And will see me again in the morning. And probably the morning after that, too.

Was OK to go to Carter's basketball game. Couldn't get too excited, though, because those sudden movements were hell on my upper back and neck. So I quietly cheered when he had a few steals and even made a free throw. Yay. We still lost to Auburndale, 39-30. Dang again.

Carter was playing in Pep Band tonight for the varsity boys game. I really wanted to go but just had to get home and get on the ice. I had one detour through Wal-Mart to get some stocking stuffer treats before they're all gone. But that was it. Now I took some nighttime medicine for the pain and will be out like a light in no time.

Hopefully, I will not wake up with hoof-prints on my forehead. But I expect hubby will be calling me Grandma!

I have been known to drink to much eggnog...

Victory :: We'll take it

Dateline AUBURNDALE -- When the score at the end of the first quarter was something like 5-5, we knew it wasn't going to be pretty. But in the end, an ugly win is still a win!

Our 8th-grade boys really did do a pretty good job on defense and held Auburndale to just 13 points. For the whole game! So we got our first win -- and on the road to boot -- with a final score of 22-13.

Carter had some good plays on defense and was 0 for 2 on offense. He was up against this giant of a man-child and couldn't get a shot over him. Oh well, at least he was trying.

On the way home, we had to spoil the victor (isn't that how the saying goes?) and stop at Chips Hamburgers to get him supper. He even ordered a mint shake and I didn't. (Just too many visions of sugar plums and pumpkin pies dancing in my head already.)

After depositing the boys at home, I went to Wal-Mart to scope out the store. Not really. I already printed out my Black Friday store map. I was just going to get a few ingredients for some salads I am making for Thanksgiving dinner and my family gathering Saturday. A surprisingly light crowd. And a surprising supply of ingredients still in stock. If I had the time and ambition to make a pumpkin pie, I could!

But I don't have either. Even if this is my "Friday" and I am not back in the office until Monday, I have things to do before the weekend -- cookies to sort and divvy up, an early Christmas present to wrap and at least one more Christmas book to finish.

Oooh, that last one involves relaxing under my warm blankets. Let's start there...

Smoke Signals

If you smelled smoke in Wisconsin today, you may have thought it was the now winless Assumption Middle School football team sending up smoke signals for help.

In reality, we are dealing with smoke from a massive wildfire raging through the Boundary Waters park area in Minnesota. Yes, hundreds and hundreds of miles away and we could smell it and see it in Wisconsin Rapids and even over in Iola.

This is especially devastating in such a beautiful natural area. But it sure made for some unique sunrise photos! Since Carter had a football game today I just happened to have my camera in the car on the way to work. No, the sky was not blood red like above, but the camera sure captured the "heat" of the moment.
The sky was not black either. Isn't it interesting that this is how my camera saw it? Even the wisps of smoke or light clouds take on a new aura.

Love the photos -- just not the reason for them.

I did take a few at the football game, too, naturally. But as you can see, they are mostly blurry. The sun was just at the right angle for me not to see my camera's viewing screen. So I just held up the camera, took random shots and hoped to get #81 in them and hoped they were in focus.

When we got to Auburndale (a tad bit late due to a detour), we'd already missed our first score on the kickoff return. We did score again later and so did those large farm kids. So yes, we did lose another game by a touchdown. But the boys were OK with that. One of these days, we'll get a "W".

Carter ready on the kicking team. He finally had his first tackle today!! And yes, the camera sat in the bag so I missed it on "film" but have it in my head. I made sure I had it out the rest of the time, but he did not have a repeat performance.

Besides being a kicking team regular, he subbed in on offense and defense again.

Kickoff coverage. (Sorry so blurry -- would have been a nice shot if I would have known he was in the frame.)

More kickoff coverage. Heading straight for the kick returner.

This time, a teammate got there first. Nice tackle.

Don't those gloves make him look fast? A teammate gave them to him since he got new ones. I thought that was generous. In fact, the way we see it from the stands, it seems the whole team is pretty supportive of each other. I like that.

Maybe by this time next week, there will be no more need for smoke signals.

Blogger Down!

Whew! I survived that past 48 hours without you!

And this wasn't your ordinary kidnapping either. I was held hostage by a technology I had no control over. In other words, the main website that hosts my blog -- and a million others -- was down due to some technical difficulties that I think lasted about 24 hours longer than they anticipated.

It was tough not to blog last night. I sat down at the computer with the most inspirational thoughts at the tips of my fingers, but alas, they had nowhere to go. Oh sure, I could have typed them up and saved them. But then the Schwan's man rang the doorbell and all thoughts (but one) went out the window....

A few things to report:

Yesterday was the warmest day of the year! Sunny and 70s! Awesome! I went for a run over lunch hour. Took a new route so I could get 4 miles in. This one goes near a lake, sort of. Close enough that for the first time in my "fabled" running career I was the hare instead of the tortoise! And I was grateful I could outrun that ferocious turtle. He was huge. I suspected he might have been a snapping turtle but I didn't hang around to find out. As far as I know, he's across that road by now but he did not beat me to the finish line.

In the late afternoon and evening we were hit with sporadic wicked storms. Carter still managed to get through his school baseball practice then tryouts later for the Rapids Rage 12-and-under tournament team (They take your age as of April 30 so even though he turned 13 the next day, he tried out for the 12U team). Hopefully we'll know in a few days how he did!

This morning, it being Friday the 13th and all, Carter overslept and I expected we might be in for an unlucky day. But that was it. He got to the bus on time, we went to work and the rain held off for a double-header baseball game over in Auburndale.

It was still very windy and cold (especially after yesterday's heat wave), but the kids played well. I was sitting with cold purple toes since my shoes and socks got wet in the super-soggy grass. But hey, it's not about me and my comfort.

We won the first game and then the second game looked like it was going Auburndale's way. But in the last inning, down 7-2, our boys rallied big time with 6 runs to win 8-7! Whoo-hoo! How exciting! It almost made us forget we were cold!

I vowed I would not need ice cream for 24 hours and just wanted to get home to turn my blanket on. But then we stopped at Chip's hamburger joint on the way home and would you believe they have mint shakes there? All year round? Not just St. Patty's Day? Well I was still cold but really, how could I pass that up?

I was almost relieved it didn't taste as good as McDonald's. Otherwise I'd be finding excuses to get over to the west side of town. We don't need that.

The last thing I need is to have my readers fear that the next time my blog goes missing it's because I've fallen off the wagon. And landed in a deep-freeze somewhere... surrounded by gallon containers and a big scoop...

Tough Competition

When we found out Carter could play in Pep Band tonight we decided to go watch the Assumption girls try to handle the tough Auburndale Apaches.

I made sure I had my camera packed so I could embarrass Carter by taking pictures.

I'm pretty sure it worked because my nephew Colin was sitting in the crowd and he was probably saying something like, "Look, it's Carter's mommy taking his picture!" I'm sure Colin wouldn't say anything like that, but when I was practically on the stage to get a good shot, there was no question I was there! I'm not even sure any turned out. I forgot my fresh batteries. So we'll have to see if I can post some on here soon.

That would be unfortunate if they don't turn out since he seemed to take an inordinate amount of time deciding what he was going to wear! This, only minutes after he had asked Daddy and me (separately, but we conferred later) about "hanging out" with some girl "friends" this weekend. Hmmm. Does he think we don't connect the dots?

So while our girls' hoops team struggled and lost against their tough competition, I'm wondering how the 12-year-old fared in the bleachers with his competition. From where I sat (with a good view, of course), I couldn't tell if he was competing with some other guy for some girl's attention or the 2 girls next to him were competing for Carter's attention.

Hmmm. I haven't connected those dots yet...