And You Thought I'd Never Use Algebra

One of the first equations without numbers we all learned in algebra was something simple like this: if a > b and b > c, then a > c. Seems so logical, I thought I'd apply it to real life.

So going into Carter's baseball game tonight, I figured: if Reds > Orioles and Orioles > Brewers, then surely the Reds > Brewers. Right?

There's a reason we said in high school that we'd never use algebra in real life. It'll only get you in trouble. Sometimes those rock-solid thoroughly proven algebraic equations don't add up.

I will say that we could have and should have won. We had a few chances with loaded bases where we could have run up the score. We just couldn't stretch the momentum. In the end, we lost 7-4. But we're pretty OK with that in the Austin household.

Our little lefty finally started swinging.

And that was a good thing. I told him before the game if he didn't get a hit, he'd have to walk home. Hey, it's only 3 miles, if that. I don't know if that was a motivator or the fact that two 6th-grade girls (including his ex, the redhead) were in the stands. Either way, he got moving.

In Carter's first at-bat, he swung at the first pitch and got a foul ball. He had a few balls and ended up striking out. I was so relieved that he struck out swinging, I didn't even mind the out. (Probably some other parents did, but oh well.)

In his second at-bat, I thought he was going to let the pitcher walk him, but all of sudden he's swinging at a pitch he should be swinging at and, lo and behold, he knocks it over the head of the second baseman. Whoo-hoo! We finally have a hit!

(And Carter has a ride home.)

He was pretty jacked about that hit and some good base running (he didn't even slide so no laundry for Mom tonight). I guess it's better late than never. Like Coach Austin said, "One hit does not a season make." So hopefully he'll keep the momentum going into Wednesday's league game and this weekend's tournament games. For that, it's a pretty good time to start hitting.

Let's hope it starts to add up like it's suppose to. (Not that I know anything about math.)

Just Chillin'

The temps barely got up to 70 today but it was sunny so it felt pretty good. I don't mind the chilly weather when it doesn't have rain or wind accompanying it!

This morning was Carter's last day of Sunday School (ever, I guess) and also our church picnic. We basically had to eat and run so I had no chance to even win back one of my 4 cake walk items. Darn. That's OK, we still have some of Carter's "graduation cake" left.

We had to exit the picnic by 12:10 so we could pick up a baseball teammate at 12:15 so they could be at our house to ride with Coach Austin (assistant coach, that is) to tournament team practice. Made all my deadlines!

While they were gone, I finished watching a movie I rented, Dear John, and was relieved no one was around to watch me bawl over a silly movie. Hey, there's a reason they call them chick flicks! After my mushy stint, I spent a good 45 minutes attaching a water bottle holder to my bike -- which did not come with 2 screws built in for that purpose. This was actually the 2nd holder I bought for this bike, so I'm glad this one worked.

When the guys got home, I was just about to head out for a ride and it started raining. Where did that come from? Cloudy on one side of the house and sunny on the other, so I knew it was short-lived. I took a half hour ride in the sunshine. When I got home, Jim was grilling up some brats and burgers for the week (They have proven to be nice, quick meals.). I decided to chill out on the back deck in the swing and read awhile. That's my kind of Sunday.

I had to run a few errands later and now I come home to find Carter out and about and Jim gone to Menards for something for the batting cage next door. I better log off. The couch is mine and, better yet, so is the remote!

Earth Quenching

My family hit the road after breakfast today. We had a typical hotel continental breakfast for our guests -- scrambled eggs, sausage and cinnamon rolls. I'm still waiting for housekeeping to show up for cleaning detail though.

Seriously, it was great to have company. We live so far from everyone that it's a real treat when family can make it down. I'm glad they didn't stay for Carter's baseball game today 'cuz that didn't go so hot...

The final games for this particular tournament were all at 12:30. So after my parents and sister left, I took a quick 2-mile run, showered and got over to the field for the first pitch. It was not nearly as exciting as last night's game. In fact, the team seemed a bit sluggish. In the end, the Giants beat our Reds 4-0. So we finished 4th -- which was good enough for a trophy in a 6-team tournament. How wrong it that? I mean really, it's nice for kids to get trophies but I think that's really rewarding mediocrity. That's just my humble opinion. I could be wrong.

After the games, co-coach Mike and his wife stopped for a bit. Then I had to run some errands in town. And boy did I run.

I could say I went for 3 runs today. One down the road and then 2 at Wal-Mart running into the store and running out to the car. I mean literally running. It started raining in mid-afternoon and did not let up for several hours. Yes, we need it. The Earth has been mighty thirsty. And who cares if I looked like a drowned rat in Wal-Mart? For once I didn't run into anyone I knew anyway.

The rain finally stopped after 8. Which was a few hours after I made and frosted two cakes plus a batch of Rice Krispy treats for tomorrow's church picnic and cake walk. After I got that stuff done, I finally sat down (felt like the first time in days) and watched some kids movie (The Spy Next Door) with Carter. Not a great movie, but boy was it great to sit down and relax!

I am pretty sure I'll finally get a good night's sleep. Everything smells like fresh rain -- and it's just cool enough out that I've got my blanket on. Sweet dreams!

Goodbye, Grade School

If you ever question how quickly kids grow up, just look at pictures of Carter in kindergarten versus sixth grade. An amazing transformation!

Today was a special day for Carter and the other sixth-graders at Grant Elementary. It was graduation day! The day they mark the passing of grade-schoolers to middle school (aka junior high). Due to some restructuring plans for next school year, Carter's class also was the last 6th-grade class ever to "graduate" from Grant. (Next year, all the 6th-graders will be part of a middle school.) So they made a big deal out of it.

Daddy and Mommy worked a half day to get home, meet up with my parents and sister and head over to the school for the 1:30 p.m. ceremony. I knew as soon as they started playing Pomp and Circumstance that I would get choked up. Then, when they had a DVD presentation later -- which included "before" and "after" shots of the kids (like the ones above) -- I pretty much lost it.

Other features of the ceremony were two numbers by the 6th-grade band and a commencement address by state Rep. Marlin Schneider. Then all 64 students also got a certificate and memory book. So yes, it was more than an hour on hard chairs. I felt bad for my elders but was so glad both sets of grandparents, an aunt and an older brother got to share Carter's day with him.

Afterwards, we gathered here for some cake and ice cream and pats on the back.

We didn't have long to just sit around and relax, though, because the ball tournament is still going on. Carter's team played their second-round game at 5:30 tonight. This one went better than round one. Tonight the Reds soundly beat the Orioles 7-2. Carter did not get a hit but did get walked on and did some good base running (and stealing) to add to our total. So Grandpa and Grandma Hedberg and Aunt Romey got to share in the glory.

When we got home, we played cards (Dirty Rummy) until after 10. While this was sort of Carter's day, I just couldn't let him win at everything. So I took the honors... for tonight anyway. Now we're just tucking everyone in so we can do some of this all over tomorrow.

Well, the baseball part anyway. Unless we have cake for breakfast (which I will not oppose).

Tour Guides

My sister Romey drove my parents down to Rapids today so they could be here for Carter's 6th-grade "graduation ceremony" tomorrow. It was a surprise. And for once, it worked on the inquisitive Carter! He was suitably surprised and pleased to see who's here!

After work, we met up with them at a hotel in town and then took them to The Lure Bar & Grill on Lake Petenwell. It's a little bit of a hike south, but it is always a pretty place to take visitors in the summer. Jim gets to play tour guide and explain the man-made lakes and dams in the area while I snap photos and Carter makes sure they are serving BBQ ribs for the night. We succeeded on all accounts.

My dad seems to be doing a little better than when I was up there a week ago. We did our best not to tire him out. Tomorrow, we will meet here at the house around noon or so. (Jim and I will work in the morning.) Then head over to the school for the graduation program.

Due to the long distance between here and Luck, this is the first Carter program of any kind that my parents get to see. So this is very nice of them to come -- and very generous of my sister to drive them. We love to see family and it just doesn't happen often enough!

Hopefully, Mother Nature will cooperate and we can squeeze in some extra fun tomorrow. You know us, we never have an empty calendar on the weekends!

Round One Goes to the Phillies

The rain got past us just in time to get Round One of our weekend baseball tournament in.

The Reds are stuck in the same "pool" as the still-undefeated Phillies. And that's who they started off with this evening. Might as well get the tough one out of the way first.

It was actually the quickest game of the season. Mainly due to good pitching. Their pitchers pretty much retired our batters quickly -- 3 up, 3 down. We didn't do too bad on our side either. But we had one inning where some overthrows and misjudgment came to play, and the Phillies scored as a result.

Going into our last ups, we trailed 4-0. We got 2 runs in and had runners in scoring position to tie, but their pitcher got us again. So we lost 4-2. I was just glad they rallied a little bit. I hate skunks!

We left the ball field at 8:30, just an hour and 10 minutes after the start. This was good because I was just starting to get cold. And it's all about me, after all. (That's sarcasm.)

In Round Two, the Reds will take on the Orioles on Friday. In "regular season" play, we beat the Orioles handily so let's hope our rally mindset continues. And let's hope it's a little bit warmer and drier, too.

For the players, of course.

Up to Par

When it's too hot to golf for real, and the Wii game just doesn't cut it, you head to the mini-golf course (one that has ice cream, too, of course).

Some photos from our Saturday "outing":

Newman's Golf Course is a dinky little set-up that's been around for ages. But just because it's small does not mean it is without its big challenges...

Without fail, every time there was a moving obstruction, like this circling disc, one of us or both of us would hit it and have to take the extra stroke! Just could not get that timing down.

Here Carter celebrates after a hole-in-one! He wanted to count a second hole-in-one later but technically (after hitting a moving obstruction), it was his 3rd shot. Gotta learn to play fair -- even on the little courses.

Carter kept score and I have to trust him since I beat him in the end. By one stroke only, but it's still a victory (for those of us competitive types who care about things like that).

Carter had the pink ball (because he has not outgrown that love for pink yet). I had orange so it would match my flip-flips. Very good reasoning, doncha think?

Putting takes lots of concentration -- especially when Mom is constantly taking photos! If he missed, he'd say, "Oh that one was for the camera. This one's for real." Whatever, honey.

Now why would they need a sign that says "No Full Swing"?

Because a golfer is tempted to swing hard to get their ball over this water hazard...

or have to fish it out...

or, if they're lucky, just fish it out of the hole after a HOLE-IN-ONE! Whoo-hoo!

Ahh, finally a game that is up to par with my skill level!