Take me out.....

Its that time of year again.. baseball is upon us. I love this time of year. First off, its the one sport I understand AND enjoy. I rest certain in the fact that it due to my dads love for the sport and then the gradual transition into boyfriends and eventually my husband loving the sport. It was always easy for me to sit and converse about it with various members of the Y chromosome. I remember as a young girl hearing my dad explain to me "foul balls, RBIs, bunting and stealing bases". I grew up knowing what the phrase Dodger Blue meant and hearing the game on radios when we were away from a TV. Yes, baseball reminds me of my youth so it holds a dear spot forever in my heart.
However, as I grow older and I have my own boys, I realize that while baseball holds a spot in my past.. it is very much a part of my present now. Both my boys are playing again this year. I am always slightly amazed at how well they can play sports, (this naturally comes from their father.) He, as well, can play any sport with ease and perfection. Both boys seem to be on that track. But even if they were the worst kids out there on the field, I would live to sit out there and watch my children play. I can sit in the warmth of the sun on the bleachers and watch as the balls get hit-- or missed-- and feel the undeniable joy that comes with feeling one's youth whilst watching the next generation. And how can you not get a smile on your face when you are first hand witness to the look of bliss on a child's face when they hit a ball or make it to a base? How can I help but appreciate and absorb the feeling of success and excitement that comes with rounding third and crossing home plate? Even pick up games, with kids laughing in the fields and hitting balls with their friends. Its a wonder to watch. its a wonder to feel.
I guess that's why this time of year is so great to me.. watching little league or major leagues -- its all the same.. it all is my proverbial fountain of youth. And I bask in it happily.
Take me out to a ball game...

Ever?

Ever been so happy and you don't really know why?
It could be a million things...
the kids cleaning their rooms unasked,
getting a good parking spot,
getting work done ahead of schedule...
bills all paid and money left over,
your favorite movie is on TV,
anything
but whatever that "thing" is..
or all of them put together...
it makes you so happy..
so blissfully happy,
that you don't want the day to end,
that you don't want the moment to fade
that you don't want to remember what unhappiness is..
and you are just so very thankful for it.
That's me today--
that's me now
feeling the zen...

A ball of a time.

My new workout consists entirely of the ball. I sit on the ball to do weights. I sit on the ball to do sit ups. I lay on the ball to do back sit ups-- I am pretty sure that's the technical name for it. I LAY on the ball in a plank like formation to do more weights. It is not a graceful act. Scratch that... my BFF does it and she looks graceful-- therefor, it is not a graceful act for me. I tend to be cussing quietly under my tongue.. with a look of annoyance on my face.. and that takes the grace right out of the picture. My question is this: when did a ball become not fun? I look at balls now and my stomach immediately remembers to hold itself in. One would think with a giant silver ball to sit on, a workout would be fun! One would be mistaken. My scary trainer has us doing it on the ball because it saves time and works out several areas all at once. While this can be seen as a good thing, currently sitting here typing is making my abs ache.
All because of a ball.

Another day...

Today is Robert's birthday. Technically. For me, it is actually in the morning his day starts-- but he is halfway around the world from me right now and his morning sun is already bright in the sky. I sent him an email to wish him a happy day. I have no idea if I will be able to talk to him on this day. I did get the briefest of moments that I was able to IM with him, but it was cut very short by his Internet closing out. This could mean so many things.. but on this day I will only allow it to mean that there was a power surge and they lost Internet connection.
This is not the first time I have spent a birthday without Robert around. Life lessons assure me this wont be my last. However, this is the first time I have had to wonder what a birthday for my husband must be like when he has to wear an armored vest all day and watch where he steps as he carries a grenade launcher and rifle. I will never again complain about how heavy my purse is. This is the first time I cant call him a million times a day and sing to him in my best Marilyn voice and call him birthday boy.
And this is certainly the first time I have had to fear for his actual safety on his birthday. I guess like they say, there is a first time for everything.
And yet-- life goes on. I still have to wake up in the morning and feed the kids and shuttle them off to school. I still have to do the morning rush of activities and afternoon pick up chaos. I will still need to make dinner. And while he will certainly fill my thoughts throughout the day.. life still marches on. As he is so fond of saying-- its just another day.
Such is our life these days.
This is me.. clutching the Zen.

The weather ouside is frightful....

but inside is so delightful...
b/c I have a fire going!
Shall I make some cocoa? Come sit awhile?
Hey-- girls? How do I get your links on my page? I am so not a smart blogger...
Sigh-- I miss you all....

Boooo!

It's here.
Halloween is here! I love this holiday. Not only do you get to play dress up as an adult and not be looked at like you are crazy.. but it marks the start of the holiday season. Call me crazy, but I like the bustle of stores and people and music.. it is a whirl wind 3 months! And while, at the end, I am overcome with happiness that it is over, I really do enjoy it.
To add to all this, for the first year ever, my boys are up for being cool characters that arent on a tv show! This is exciting to me. After years of being Thomas or one super hero or an other.. this year they decided to be knights. I am doubly pleased with this because it makes my weekend trip to Vegas with the girls worth it. You see.. we stayed at Excalibur and I brought them home a set of knights and kingdoms from there. Yes, I agree.. it was a guilt present. HOWEVER.. they like playing with them so much that they chose to dress up like them for Halloween, making it somewhat educational. Hey, I will take it where I can get it.
I think I am going to go as Super Woman. Because what I do day to day fits me into her catagory. In fact, this is true for all moms. But for me, my cape randomly gets caught in the closed door. So I could use a reminder.. and a cool outfit serves as a great reminder. Plus, I can wear the cool bangle wrist bands.
So this year, I hope while I am out there with my cape flowing, and bangles flashing... I look across the street and see other moms and dads wearing their own capes, or their version of them. If we can all just start the season off remembering what it is to be youthful and fun and not afraid to dress up-- then there is hope it will be a good start to the holiday season.

Pass the Walker please..

When did I get old? I must have missed the memo.

I went to the movies on Friday night with my BFF for Girls Night. We went to see the movie "We Own the Night." When we got up to the counter to pay, I forgot what we were there to see. (ok- perhaps this IS a sign I am getting old) So I said to the kid-- baby-- child-- whatever-- taking my money.. "One for the Marky Mark movie."
And he said.... "who?"

Blank Face.

I mean come on! How do you not know who Marky Mark is? Has the Funky Bunch been banished to the archives with Mighty Mouse and the Fonze? Marky Mark doesnt sing anymore (ok, thank the heavens for that) but he is still around.. he acts!!! Frequently, in fact. Fairly well, in fact. Scrumptious , in fact. (hee hee) So really, how do the kids not know his self proclaimed nick name??
Because I am a well rounded woman, I was able to enjoy a good laugh over the whole fiasco with my BFF, but it still makes me a little sad. It seems, Marky Mark is a name that is now only known to the "older crowd", and I am a part of that crowd it seems.
Sigh.
Pass the Walker, and long live the Funky Bunch.