Early Bird Special

They called this baseball tournament in Plover an "early bird" tournament. I guess it just means it's the first of the year and it is sort of a "practice" for what is to come. Each team played 3 games over the weekend and there were no playoff games for championships.

Probably a good thing. We got smoked today by the 10-run rule, 15-3. Yikes. Just up against a really good team that smacked the ball often -- and far. So we end the weekend 1-2, which wouldn't have earned us a playoff spot anyway. And certainly no hardware.

It was a good starting point, though. The team has 3 new members compared to last year so it was good to actively learn each other's strengths and build as a team. I look forward to their progress.

We also had an "early bird" summer peek at what Sundays might look like. In a word: Full.

We all got up for 8 o'clock church, then at 10:15 we headed back into town to a friend's house so Jim could help a bunch of other guys move a hot tub there. After that project, they fed us and we had to book it back out to our house so Carter could get his uniform on and we could proceed to Plover.

Crazy busy full.

It was almost too busy of a day to get any steps in. So when we parked at the ball field and I had an hour to blow, I walked over to King Cone and back. Oh yes, I stopped inside, too. Ha. I got more steps when we got back home and I had to run (well, drive) to Wal-Mart to get some groceries while hubby had a sports board meeting.

So now we're all under the same roof and it's almost bed time. The early bird gets the worm...

Or at least the shower first!

The Sequel

Today ended up being part 2 of the "Mother Nature screws up our tournament" show. Just like she did in Stevens Point a few weeks ago, she rained out our Sunday games and chances for a trophy.

It rained during the night and through the morning so the field conditions were awful and not playable -- even though the rain stopped by noon. What a bummer we won't know how the boys would have done. At least they can be proud they were undefeated through the first 2 days.

Since we had an unexpected free afternoon, Carter and I finally got to see an even better "sequel." We went to the Cars 2 movie. We've seen the first Cars together at least 50 times, I am sure. The second one had a much different story line than the first one but still very entertaining. And nothing beats good movie theater buttered popcorn for lunch!

It was very warm and muggy out after the rain, so we kept inside in the A/C for the most part. I did read a little on the back deck until I discovered a busy bee hive next to me. Why do I always find these dangerous animals in and around our house?

Late this afternoon, our friends the Jacksons came over for awhile. Christine and I relaxed in the hot tub for awhile. She's dealing with a stiff neck and my back hurts from all the lifting and sitting at the car show. Yes, we're getting old!

By the way, Carter's back feels much better now after he did some icing and hot-tubbing last night. So he really was all set to play some ball today. I sure hope Mother Nature gives him another chance next weekend!

We did awesome in Fond du Lac last year. I'd like to see the sequel to that!

Monday Happens

I have learned that no matter what day your week starts, it still has all the elements of a Monday.

It was nice after a relaxing Monday off to have a delayed start to the work week. Only because Friday is one day closer. Other than that, it had all the makings of a typical Monday today. Digging out from what work magically piles up over the weekend and answering to every person who couldn't get ahold of you on your day off.

And I wouldn't have wanted it any differently.

I normally can cope with a Tuesday with a healthy dose of Glee at the end of the day. Tonight, however, was a repeat plus I had some work that needed finishing up. But that was OK. I still found an effective way to cope with my "Monday" stress. A friend stopped over and we chilled out in the hot tub awhile. Well, the air temp was chilly, but the water was nice!

Later, I found I still had a little bit of Peppermint ice cream left, so that was an unexpected bonus. That doesn't happen every day!

Well, actually, around here, it does. A freezer without ice cream would be like a week without a "Monday."

It just doesn't happen!

Substitutions

I figure if sugar has a substitute in the form of Splenda, whipping cream has a non-dairy substitute in Cool Whip, and butter has a very non-dairy substitute in margarine, then perhaps Calgon has a substitute, too.

I found out today it does!

If you don't have enough Calgon on hand to take you far enough away, here are some things that work just as well:

• Getting re-aligned at the back-cracker first in the morning.
• Making it to work safely on the slippery-est day of the year.
• Developing plans to see your college roommate for the first time in 20 years.
• Reaching the half-way mark on an enormous project at work.
• Finding time to Shred during your lunch hour.
• Enjoying a Friday night fish fry with your son's favorite babysitting couple.
• Spending time with the in-laws (from sister to parents and uncle) at a basketball game.
• Hot tubbing with your baby boy on a mild winter's eve.

Ahhhh, something akin to Calgon did take me away... at last!

Eating Like Kings, Living Like a Queen

You know what's cool? Not only am I completely at ease being labeled an undomestic goddess, but my guys are, too.

I had to run a few errands in town after we all got home. When hubby asked if I was going to bring supper home, I said, "Sure, what do you want?" Instead of giving me a list of ingredients for some elaborate meal (and it doesn't take much for me to consider it elaborate), he said, "How about a 12-piece meal from KFC?"

I can do handle that. (I love that man!)

I'm not a fan of greasy fast food, but when I bring home KFC extra crispy, Carter and Daddy say they're "eating like kings." That's a direct quote. A reporter doesn't lie.

So I guess if they're eating like kings and the cat is a princess, then I must be the queen to fit into this royal family.

Does this mean I have to admit I'm spoiled some days? OK, most days? 'Cuz I am. I have a husband and son who love me, a job I enjoy, a hot tub at my stress-relieving disposal and, any minute now, the Schwan's man will be here.

Who wouldn't want to be queen for a day? (Or more...)

My Sympathies

I feel sorry for anyone that isn't me tonight...

We have this ritual that when we're playing a game or cards at the kitchen table, hubby plays classic country music on one of those cable music stations. If I'm good, he'll occasionally pick the '80s station, but 9 out of 10 times it's Kenny and Dotty and the redheaded stranger.

It used to be I'd know maybe 1 in 20 songs. But now that we've switched cable providers, the "classics" are a little bit more mainstream -- like Eddie Rabbit and Sylvia -- so I can guess those right now and then.

Tonight we heard a Kenny Rogers song I'd never heard before. He sings about how lucky he is to be with the woman he loves and feels "sorry for anyone that isn't me tonight." Jim and I feel the same way.

It was a rough day at work today as more downsizing was implemented again and we had to say goodbye again to 3 friends. We know this is a sign of the times and it's happening to a lot of friends and even family. But it doesn't make it any easier.

It does, however, continue to make us more grateful each day that we are both employed. And, thanks to insight today into challenges some friends and loved ones are facing, we are grateful, too, for our health, for our reasonably behaved children, for family, friends and our marriage.

Oh, and grateful for occasional "alone" time, too. Carter went with a friend to a basketball game tonight so hubby and I played some cards and enjoyed some time out in the hot tub. It's a mild winter evening with a slight breeze so it was perfect. The only sound was the wind and the occasional snowmobile in the distance. The only thing we were concerned about were coyotes (there have been reports, you know) and Carter returned early from the game!

We got out in plenty of time. In fact, Carter just got home and asked if he could stay over night at his friend's. So he packed up and left. So yes, we have the house to ourselves again.

Yup, I feel for anyone that isn't me tonight...

Once in a Blue Moon

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow...
gave the lustre of midday to objects below...

In case you didn't notice, we've had quite the full moon the past few nights. And it's not just any moon, it's the legendary blue moon!

According to popular definition, a blue moon is the second full moon in a month. But if you've seen it, you know it's not actually blue. That's just a name it acquired in some Farmer's Almanac back in the early part of the last century. Since then, we say something unusual happens "once in a blue moon." Blue moons, I discovered through some research, actually do occur about every 32 months. However, the chance of them happening on New Year's Eve are more like once every 19 years.

So blue or not, we had to enjoy part of our New Year's Eve out in the hot tub with friends -- under the light of the blue moon. Just to say we did it, you know.

It was partly cloudy that night, but last night, on New Year's, it was so clear out, it was almost like daylight -- just like the Night Before Christmas story mentions -- casting shadows of pine trees and branches on the snow in our front yard. It was so cool, I had to at least attempt to capture it with the camera. It turned out pretty good.

I'm starting to think it's an omen, though. Occasionally, about once in a blue moon actually, Carter beats us at a game. Between yesterday and today, he won Monopoly, Mexican Train dominoes and a card game. Crazy. I, in turn, kicked hubby's butt in cards today. Which happens more often than once in a blue moon (but not too much more).

Just to be clear, though. Blue moons do happen far more often than hell freezes over. So I don't think my Vikings will be winning any Super Bowl this year. But if the blue changes to a tinge of purple, we may have a chance!

Chilling Out

This will have to be brief since hubby just informed me the fresh water in the hot tub has already reached ideal temperature. Yay! What a perfect way to relax on this crisp autumn-like night!

Today was a good day. Hubby started out at the chiropractor but his trips there are far less frequent now. He goes back in 2 weeks when we have another "joint appointment." It's beginning to sound like couple's therapy, isn't it?

Work was much better today. I sweet-talked to my computer so all was good. I survived 24 hours without my BlackBerry and got that back this morning so all was really good!

Communicated with Casey a bit. First day of classes as a college student went just fine. Son #2 made it to school again, too, so we're on a roll!

Carter didn't have any homework yet -- besides reading, which he said he'll do each night from 8-8:30. We'll see how long that lasts. Last night he said, "Now don't worry about what I'm reading, Mom." So I'm thinking the worst when I went to check on him (read: spy). And what do I find him reading? The dictionary!

He was looking up a word for his teacher and then just casually reading. Right. I don't know that I buy that. But the thing with books is they don't have a "browser history" like the computer so I can't really spy on what else he might be looking up. I guess I just have to trust this quest for knowledge (for now).

Actually, he's reading right now so I should probably log off and spy, er, check in on him. See if he needs any help.

Then it's out the back door and into heated bliss :)

Small world

Friends of mine who have gone to Disney World and Disney Land say they hear the song "It's a Small World" no less than a dozen times during their visit. The lyrics are meant to bring us all closer, like one big happy family, but the song gets a bit annoying after the 8th or 9th time ... OK maybe after the 3rd time.

These days, when I think of a "small world" I look at the vast communication networks -- through phones, computers, satellites -- that make it seem like a friend or colleague in China is in the same room. All these technological advances are making this seem like a really small world.

Today, I got a chance to see just how small we are.

This afternoon we visited the state of the art planetarium at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, just up the road. It was a first visit for Carter and me -- and we were quite impressed.

The director spent the first several minutes pointing out stars, planets and constellations we likely would see on a night like tonight (close to the official end of summer). I think he could have spent the whole time teaching us on that and it would have been enough to retain. We saw the Milky Way and realize Earth is such a teeny tiny part of it. Literally a really small world.

The second part of the presentation was on the NASA space program -- its successes as well as its failures. (I still get choked up when I see the Challenger explosion from 1986.) What was interesting about this part is NASA's plans for the future. Did you know that by the time Carter graduates from high school in 2016 there may be an "outpost" on the moon? A place where astronauts and scientists can work, study and research? Incredible.

If you ever get a chance to check out a planetarium, I'd encourage you to do so. It's pretty interesting no matter what your age. And it gives you a new perspective on where we are and what's out there.

It's supposed to be a clear night tonight so I might just have to do a little star gazing in the hot tub -- hey, that's the best of both small worlds, don't ya think?