....so I was told in college.  I thought long and hard about that saying when the professor told me....and you know what, HE IS RIGHT!! <God rest his soul>.  ANYWAY......  things have changed for the Simpson household.  Lemme see....

 

I FINALLY quit my job at Michaels.... why?  Well, it was turning into a FULL TIME job that wasn't paying me to even show up.  The cost of gas alone was killing me.  Furthermore, since the manager that hired me is on maternity leave (and probably NOT returning), the interrum managers had a problem with me bringing the kids.  They didn't appear happy when I showed up with them in tow.  Retail is NOT a career for me.  It was making me a VERY BITTER old woman and I honestly believe that patch of gray in the front of my head....was the job!!  I also realized that since I spent allll day creating at work I was NEVER in a mood to spend time in MY OWN creating corner....the wonderful craft room my DH and I had made for me was collecting dust.  I knew it was time to go. 

 

SO...WHAT NEXT YOU ASK?

 

Well, I've talked it over with DH and if I can get a job in the school system back in my educated field...it would be ideal.  We live about 10 minutes from all of the schools here in the county so the gas to/from won't kill us.  Heck..it takes 7 minutes to get out of our neighborhood!!  I've had two interviews...the first job was a 365 day job...I am looking to work like a teacher does...when kids are in school and off summers....so, the second interview I had this week was JUST THAT.  I hope I get it...it's entry level but the pay is DOUBLE what I was making at Michaels and benefits of course.  I won't know until Friday...uggh!!  I hope it works out.  The lady, that will be my supervisor, and I hit it off...turns out she has relatives living in Easley and has spent some vacation time in/around Seneca...she thought it was nice to meet someone from there and we shared some thoughts about how pretty the lakes are.  We did most of the talking while waiting on the Principal and Asst. Principal to get their act together....so maybe she'll influence the decision and I'll have the job.  PRAYER is all I ask for now!!

 

DH is getting back into the swing of his Guard duties.  He flew a mission on Monday....was gone all day....got home around 7 that night.  Outside of that..he's working and coming home. 

 

Kids...they are fine.  We've been participating in the "Summer Reading Program" at our local library.  They have managed to read a TON of books in the last 20+/- days.  Besides reading...they've been enjoying their new friends in the neighborhood... riding bikes, playing baseball, hide-n-go seek, whatever....until dark.  It's not unusual for us to be rounding them up at 9:30 each night.  The other day, their Uncle, Aunt and cousins, that lives closer to the front of the subdivision, drove by on their Mule...asked if they'd like to go riding with them and they were having too much fun with friends to go...usually they hop on and go.  I'm glad they enjoy being home.  I do too. 

 

When we think back at all the changes our family has made since August 2005...it's amazing.  We survived my DH deployment to Iraq, his return, moving twice in the past year and job changes.  All in all... NOTHING IS CONSTANT BUT CHANGE.  We were nervous about the moving...afraid the kids would "suffer"...but it feels good to look out in the yard or in the court and see my DS playing with boys his own age and getting along.  They actually come looking for him...and that makes all of it worth while.

 

WELL..I'm off.  Today looks overcast...so I might focus on the garage today, all the toys/sports equipment is spread out everywhere...

 

TTUL

Thanks for Reading

CraftyCass

Well, the kids are out of school and sporting events are coming to a screaching halt.  Camps are starting soon and when Fall arrives; Soccer will be in full swing.  We'll also be juggling baseball in the Fall...since my boy is moving up a league; he has to play in the Fall.

 

So..while we've finally had some down time...we've actually gotten to enjoy being in our NEW home.  The kids are tearing up the court riding bikes, playing basketball, skating (on Heely's) or just playing and finding new fields to play in.  Recently, we couldn't hear a kid one from the court so my DH went looking for them...found them chasing a rabbit into the nearby farm.  It was funny, yet scary...sudden silence of nearly 8 kids worries any parent.  They just got caught up in getting that rabbit.

 

I usually sit on the porch, read a book or mess with my new camera.  I'm still trying to learn all the features of my Nikon SLR camera and trust me...reading a manual is boring...so I just pull it out and experiement.  Heck...it's not like I'm wasting film!!  I shot some photos of the kids using my FISH-EYE lens attached to the 18-55mm lens.  They were interesting!!  I also got some action shots of DD riding her bike.  Of course, the kids are so use to a camera in their faces...asking them to pose is NO BIGGIE to them.  I got a REALLY great close up of them and they actually look like they care for eachother. (Check the MESSIN' AROUND photo album)

 

Well, today is Wednesday, June 20th.  Tonight is the SUDDEN DEATH tournament game for our boys...after a near win on Sunday (Father's Day); it would be WONDERFUL if they could pull an upset and take out the #2 team in the league.  It's weird....the boys are 2nd from bottom and they draw the #2 from top team for tournament....a team that A) is managed by the league President, B) is stacked with kids who are on and have been on the ALL*STARS, and of course, C) has beaten our boys three times...does not sound like a true matchup for tournament if you ask me.  Heck...after watching the CWS (college world series) elimination games...I'm even more convinced these teams are unevenly matched.

 

NO MATTER WHAT.... I wish 'em luck and have been praying hard for them to pull off a win.  I hope that the few boys that usually come with bad attitudes show up and want to kick butt....we need them to believe in winning or at least show they tried.

 

-Cass

Funny how I forgot to mention THIS game...

 

On Thursday, June 14...the Reds hosted the Cubs in a regular season game.  First time the two teams had met on the field...well, they met once but the Cub got one hit and had runner on base and game was called due to weather.  ANYWAY!!! 

 

A team that was known to be aggressive baserunners...as was most of the teams so long as they could get on base.  The #1 problem most of the teams have in this league is pitching...kids just cannot seem to pitch.  In our case, we don't have that many pitchers on the team.  We have two that are good enough for starting pitcher...and a few others that could be relief pitchers that MIGHT throw a lucky strike or two depending on the homeplate umpire and the strike zone.  Ryan is one of those relief pitchers (RP).  ANYWAY.....as soon as they were given a base...they took off for second.  It was horrible watching that happen to the boys and no matter how much they tried to hustle back to the mound with the ball..it never worked.  Ryan was catcher.  Our homeplate umpire was one that we'd had before that was QUICK to yell at the crowd if we shouted out any disagreement in his calls.  YES...these umpires today are HORRIBLE..they are all thin skinned.  Because of all the IDIOTS parents out there that like to get into fist fights and what not during kids' games...our umpires have been given the "POWER" to throw any spectator or coach out of the game or out of the park ENTIRELY if they don't like our outbursts!!  Needless to say...we still disagree....and they yell.  Tonight was NO EXCEPTION!  The best..and most talked about was...the umpire yelled INFIELD FLY as our short stop was attempting to make a play on a ball that was falling just behind him in the grass.  We were immediately confused but we'd take that call...the boys had NO idea what the ump was saying and continued to play the game while the ump yelled "TIME" walked towards third base all the while runners were running by him... Ryan got the ball...stood flat footed on the plate and made a BEAUTIFUL tag on a runner sliding into home who missed it by about 6" ...he was about 6" outside the plate towards our side...the ump had his back to the plate and as our parents starting YELLING about it...the other coach was saying he was safe...then...when the ump realized he made a premature judgement on the "infield fly" he gave them the three runs that came in!!!  YES!!!  NO..Ryan didn't get credit for the out!!  Ryan was FURIOUS!!  Later, the ump wouldn't get out of his way on a wild pitch..Ryan was hunting for a ball that hit the umps foot and took a jet like path to the fence and lodged under it...Ryan screamed "TIME" and in come a run before he could get the ball and return to make the play.  Ryan lost it at that point...he jerked his helmet on....and under it I could tell he was crying.  His left arm got stiff as he clinched his fist in anger...then he plopped down into position and when the ball got to him he threw it with steam back to the pitcher.  He later settled down and managed to take down one or two at homeplate.  Later...on a walk, our pitcher was on the mound...ball in hand and before anyone knew it..the runner was advancing to second.  He'd actually gotten almost 1/2 way when the pitcher took the mound...I blurted out... "he wasn't 1/2 way...pitcher was on mound"..the ump turned towards me and yelled, "that rule does not apply"... WHAT!?!?!?      GIVE ME A FREAKING BREAK!!! The runner got TWO bases on a walk!!!  The umpire LET it happen!!!  Then...to our surprise...right in the middle of our pitching to a batter....game was called due to the 2 hour 15 minute rule that THIS particular umpire had gotten enforced....because he refused to umpire another 3 hour game for the small pay he receives (so that is what we were told!!).  Of course...the parents were like, "what!!! in the middle of pitching...you call game!!".... and I and another dad were talking about that idiotic call as the umpire walked by...he heard us and immediately looked at me and said, "you need to learn the rules of baseball"... I took a step back...looked around the shoulder of who I was talking to and said, "are you talking to ME??!"... then he approached me...yelling that "he had the power to throw me out for the rest of the season...blah blah blah blah!!" I held my hand up and said, "I wasn't even talking to you...the game is over and you ain't got no reason to be in my face".  I wish I had said, "I know the rules....at least I know what an infield fly is!!"..   He continued and I said, "you just need to move on...I WAS not talking to you!!"

 

I truly think umpires (in our league) have been given TOOOOO much power!!  Heck..to top it off, none of them are even certified umpires...nor have they had background checks.  One of them, we know of, has been arrested already this season for terroristic threatening and Lord knows what else.  I hate that someone gave them the power when I bet half of them can't even control themselves in society.  Furthermore....if I could just "WALK AWAY" when I was ready to at the end of my "paying" shift....that would be so nice!! To cheat the boys of being able to finish what they started is totally unfair.  Seems our boys struggle for the first 1/2 of the game...then the games are called. What few times we've finished a game...they've turned on just after about 1/2....and while they might not win..they play hard!!!  Needless to say....if you are going to be an umpire.... have THICK SKIN!!!!  Give me a freaking break!!  Yelling at umpires is a tradition in baseball and football....the football umpires get the "REPLAY" to make things right... baseball does not have "REPLAY".... THANK GOD!!!!!  Really...there are some really wild calls out there and we'd be playing for 4 hours if there was "REPLAY" in baseball.

 

OK.. I'm off my soap box!!! I have no pictures for this game..it was dark and I didn't want to flash the camera and distract the boys....EVEN THOUGH the other coach was doing it...I didn't!!

 

Gooooooood night (for me it's 11:40...we have a game at noon on Sunday!!)

OK...today was definitely a UNIQUE day for the Cub(bies)....they first took the field at 12:30.  The Red Sox was hosting the Cubs in what was sure to be a good game for both teams.  Having played them before, we had confidence in the Cubs taking them.  Unfortunately, a series of HORRIBLE calls, umpires getting ugly and screaming at coaches for asking about calls (and YES they truly ASKED..they wanted to know if a ball that was hit rolling ON THE LINE down first base, hits the base and pops up and over is foul....)... BTW.. ump called it fair.  The Red Sox scored several runs on that call....we still feel it was foul.  The boys had no idea if there was a play...so coaches were asking.  Then, as the ump walked away from his rant with coaches...he pointed out to the stands and shouted to ALL of the parents saying he throw all of us out too if we said another word.  Mind you..the crowd wasn't in that fight.  The Red Sox maybe hit the ball twice...maybe three times...but no more than five...and managed to score 20 runs on walks and stolen bases...they were stealing when our pitcher was returning to the mound, they were getting walked to first and taking off before the pitcher could get set to steal second.  All mind games that prove my theory... baseball is about 90% mental and 10% physical.  Our pitchers were exhausted...they tried and they hung in there...but all in all, the boys were all moving in slow motion.  Even Ryan wasn't playing his best game.  Our best hitters were striking out but we did have a few surprise hitters who managed to hit and score a run...a complete shut out was NOT in the cards for the Red Sox today!!  Final score... 20 - 1 Red Sox

 

At 5:30, the Cubs were hosting the Reds...second game this week...this time Cubs were home team.  On the field were a few changes...our normal starting pitcher was behind the plate as catcher, Ryan was on third, our regular short stop/outfielder was pitching and another was in short stop.  The boys started off looking really good.  As if they had taken the few hours after the first game to refuel and find their game.  Ryan played AWESOME on third...stopping a few balls and firing them to home to prevent scoring runs.  He 'could have had' a double play had he noticed the runner coming towards him he could have tagged and still thrown, but later...he said he forgot the runner and was focusing on getting that run.  All in all, his first time at third was really good.  He was the key player in two outs at the top of the inning.  Later, he would return to catching...tired...and having had the score run up on them...they were losing their game faces.  Later, the third batter (usually pitcher) ripped one over the short stops head into left field..it rolled by the left fielder and not only did he score but so did the batter in front of him.  A two run in the park homerun!!!  Just the shot in the arm the Cubs needed.  Later, our weak hitters (the ones that usually strike out or get walked) managed to really turn on and one got a double on a hit right down the inside of the third baseline bouncing into the outfield!!  Next, one of our batters was hit with a wild pitch..while the coaches were checking him, the Reds' pitcher retreated to the dugout to cry over it...and when our runner was given his base...the Red's were screaming for a short stop (the short stop had taken pitching mound).  The pitcher returned and of course, Ryan was up to bat.  He didn't get a hit...he watched too many good pitches go by.  The game highlight was when the Reds had bases loaded, batter hit an infield fly...the outfield umpire somewhat yelled "INFIELD FLY - BATTER OUT" as the runners took off anyway...our first baseman attempted to make a play on the fly ball...was hit by the runner retreating to first..causing our player to miss the catch..the ball bounced and hit the runner.  Meanwhile, the two runners ahead of him had advanced home...of course, the coaches and umpires met over that call and it resulted in two outs...batter and runner for interference...  YES!! Cubs got a chance to bat and managed to end the game with 5 runs on the board... game was won by Reds... 15 - 5.

 

Sunday, YES, FATHER'S DAY...the boys are playing their last season game.  A makeup from last week rainout....vs the Yankees.  We've heard there's been some "smack talking" from the Yankees about the Cubs...apparently, they look at the Cubs as being "fat and slow"...they can't see that the Cubs are the shortest and thinnest stature team in the league.  We have a few 'big' boys...but all in all, mostly very skinny bean poles.

 

OH WELL...kids can be cruel and parents allow it.  I don't understand why the parents promote that kind of talk.  Well, that is all for today....

 

LET'S GO CUBS!!!!

Today, the Cubs took the field against the Giants for the LAST time.  Of course, the last meeting was VERY ugly and parents were ready to walk if we had to.  The Cubs struggled ... our pitching is not as strong as othe teams...and gave up about 6 runs in the first 2 innings.  Ryan made the first out, taking down a boy attempting to steal home.  He actually took down 2 runs coming in and assisted an out at third base.  The Giants only scored on stealing.  They had maybe 5 hits the entire game.  By the middle of the 4th inning; the Cubs had decreased the score gap to about 1/2 then the Giants got a triple that scored two to bring the game to a 10 run spread.  They were at risk of calling the game because of the point spread, but the Cubs were at bat and managed to score more runs and began closing in.  The Giants switched pitchers, they had switched 4 total the entire game.  Maybe 5...I lost count.  Ryan was awesome the plate and he got the first hit of the game which resulted in the first run of the game for the Cubs.  Ryan also managed to protect the plate and surprisingly he took down one of their bigger boys on an attempt to steal home....the umpire even said ...."all he had to do was touch the plate, but when he went after the boy all he could do was say, OH NO!!"  It was a very good play....and I was VERY VERY proud of him!!

 

OK...next game is next week.  We'll see how things go...but as of now, the poor Cubs are last in the league.  They have a great team of talented boys and they've not given up....they are fighters and I think that if there's any team that deserves an award for "Good Sportsmanship" it's the Cubs!!!

 

After a few days off, the Cubs took the field against the Nationals for a third meeting.  The crowd was not really into the game when it started and the Cubs didn't seem to be either.  By the end of the 2nd inning, the score was already in the double digits to 0 (( IN FAVOR OF THE NATIONALS )).  Our pitching was "KILLING" us....we just couldn't find the strike zone.  There were SEVERAL good infield hits that SHOULD have been easy outs, but the ball took a hop or  the glove closed too quickly....or our trade mark move.. "holding the ball"!!  Poor Cubs...it gets by the infield and the outfielders get the ball and don't want to let it go. 

 

Let me step out as a mom for a moment and just say....I think the Cubs are a great bunch of talented boys who got shorted of a really fair season. It's bound to happen...I know...but these teams our boys are facing are stacked with heavy hitters, great pitchers and fielders.  We have about 5 regular starters and I've seen VERY good potential with the rest of the team.  Our coaches have YET to really TEACH the boys anything.  They put in a kid to pitch tonight that has barely learned to play short stop!!!  They were down 16 - 0 and they put this kid in!!! OMG!!!  The next score was like 27 before they got a chance to bat again!  GIVE ME A BREAK!!!  While this kid was pitching the coaches were trying to instruct him on "HOW TO PITCH" from the dugout.  They NEVER ONCE called "TIME OUT" and approached the mound to talk to him or anything.  He was being screamed at to 'cover home' on a wild pitch.... they very rarely if even ONCE yelled at the starting pitcher to do that for the frist 16 runs and TRUST ME...our starting pitcher does NOT move unless he has to!  As a child... being put in when the score is 16 - 0 is extra pressure.  Sure, his first few pitches were great...he got a few good strikes over the plate...then it was DOWN HILL from there.  Walks were evetually runs...then they hit grand slams to clear the bases....it became an ugly game FAST!!!!  What was our coaches doing?  Socializing!  YES... worse than a bunch of gabbing women.  The only thing I wish for the boys is "TO LEARN".  We are beginning to feel this has been a wasted season for them all....they are making the same mistakes and getting killed with scores that show it!

 

OK... that is my soap box of the day.  We are SUPPOSE to have another game Friday at 6pm.  If we don't have rain!  We can only hope they get at least 1 run!!

 

G'night!!!!

Well, the game started at 12:30pm.  The matchup was Cubs vs Cardinals...again!  Cubs were at bat first and actually got on the scoreboard with 2 points.  Ryan took the mound in his first start of the season.  He was a basket of nerves.  He wanted to pitch more than the two innings promised.  He warmed up good...but, once the umpire was in place...the strike zone litterally got as big as the ball.  Ryan couldn't get a pitch across the plate that satisfied the umpires expectations.  He made several great plays but again, the umpire was just not ready to let the Cubs have a break.  Let me set it up..

 

ATTEMPT #1: Batter gets lucky and swings for a hit..it trails down the first base line and our first baseman attempts to play the ball.  Ryan saw his teammate struggling and ran to cover first base. He was standing on first when our baseman was ran over by the runner as he tossed the ball to Ryan.  The runner goes down about a foot away from the base...Ryan applies the tag...the umpire says, "PLAYER INTERFERENCE!!!"  OH THAT WAS HORRIBLE!!!!  Our baseman was playing the ball...the hit took him on the line...yet...he was called on interference!!!!!  Ryan knew better and he was visibly upset. 

 

ATTEMPT #2:  Ryan pitches a wild pitch and with bases loaded, he ran in to cover home while catcher gets the ball. He's standing square on the plate as the ball is tossed to him, the runner is running in and Ryan applies the tag.  As the runner slides, he stops about half a foot shy of touching the outside corner of the plate.  Ryan had him OUT!!  Umpires view.. SAFE!!!

 

Ryan struggled and ended up walking several which resulted in his being pulled and placed on 1st base.  Initially, his head was low...then he looked up and got in the game.  He was excited when he got up to bat because he was using his wood bat he had bought with his own money.  Unfortunately, the strike zone was larger for the Cardinals and with one swing, he was out.  Next inning, the umpire notified our coach that he was going to open up the strike zone.  Our batters were up to bat and again, unabe to deliver hits or runs.

 

Later, Ryan was catching...wearing his new gear for the A/B honor roll.  A batter swung and foul tipped a ball, Ryan had the ball in his glove when the back swing of the batter resulted in hitting Ryan's mitt and knocked it off.  Batter was given the base for "PLAYER INTERFERENCE"... ugggh!!!!!  Ryan didn't know what happened...the batter was on base while the coaches checked on Ryan.... HOW did the batter KNOW he was going to get the base?  Did the ump make that decision BEFORE he checked on the player?  Our coach admitted he felt it was on the back swing...but he didn't argue.

 

I have but one thing to say...I cannot understand why an umpire is given POWER to make calls that are clearly calls that should require being seconded.  The field umpire was the father of the homeplate umpire...not likely we'd get a second guess from him!!

 

What I forgot to mention...the Cardinals pitcher at the beginning of the game was called on by the homeplate umpire for not keeping his foot on the pitching rubber.  He called a "TIME OUT"...approached the coaches and they met at the mound to discuss the pitchers stance.  LATER!!!  Their like 5th pitcher of the game, last game, was CLEARLY off the pitching rubber by at least 6"...VERY visible from the bleachers...Tom approached our coach and he said, "I know".  A few minutes later, he called time and told the umpire.  The umpire told him, "There's no rule against it, he can't do anything about it".  BULLSH**!!!  <sorry>  WHY did he stop the game first inning and warn the pitcher??  Of course, Tom found the rule in the book...it states that, "pitcher is to be warned and if he does not fix it, he's removed from the game".  NEEDLESS to say...the game was OVER due to the 10 run rule at the end of 4 innings.  Another rule that is only used when the umpire wants to.   That last run.. was a result of an error on a throw Ryan made to first in an attempt to pick off the runner; and of course, with bases loaded..runner at 3rd moved in for the 14th run.  Cubs lost again... 14 - 4....and if coaches had TRIED to fight for their rights a little it MIGHT have been less of point spread.  When the score was tied at 2 and 2...the game went downhill because of the plays the umpire called incorrectly.

 

OK...I'm done.  Next game is Tuesday...there's about 7 games left until tournament.  I wish the Cubs could just get a break...we have a team of boys with a great big heart and they cannot seem to get ahead.

 

.... g'night!!

Game time was 6pm.  The only game of the evening....Braves v Cubs... 2nd time this week...third time this season.  Could the Cubs take the Braves for the third time?  It looked hopeful in the first inning.  Even though the Braves scored a run, the Cubs were hitting good and running very good.  They too managed to score a few runs.  By the 3rd inning, the scoreboard read, 3 - 3 - 3....translated, 3 Cubs, 3rd Inning, 3 Braves...a reminder of what happened the last time these two met...it was this VERY same score and inning where the Braves coach was thrown out and the head umpire caused a delay to the game by calling the game and trying to force the Braves to forfeit.  Needless to say, it was resolved and resulted in a struggle for the boys to pull off the win.  NOW...would we make it beyond the 3rd inning again?

 

They did...but it was ugly!!  Ryan got up to bat his first time and was hit by a pitch in the side (just above the belt).  He took the walk with a few tears of pain...to eventually score.  They were alive now those Cubbies!!  Then...next inning, while Ryan was behind plate catching, he turned his body and was hit by a pitch in the right upper chest.  Proof to me that his catcher equipment was indeed in need of replacement...it didn't cover him well anymore.  I kept asking if he was okay, each time he would stand, he'd put his hand under the chest protector and rub it.  Finally, he had taken enough..he called time and as he took a few steps toward the coaches...he broke into tears.  His dad, myself and a teammates mom (nurse) all met him in the dugout.  The team mom (coach's wife) had already gotten him a bag of ice so we administered a few words of praise as we encouraged him to move it around and stay loose.  At first, he was unable to hod his arm above his head; but he got loose.  He was ready to go back in after 2 innings of rest.  His last at bat...he got two balls then BAM!!! He was hit AGAIN!!!!  This time, he jumped straight up to avoid a ball coming in low and it got him just below the knee....would have been the thigh if he'd stood there...but, it hurt and he went straight down!! EVERYONE was totally silent...I yelled, "you should give the boy two bases for that hit!" and the ump said, "I should give him ALL of 'em!!"  Needless to say...he only got to walk to first...well, hobble.  Then, they subbed him for a runner who eventually made it around to 3rd then the game was over.  Braves won...I forget the score...but at one time we were getting them...I think it was like 9 to 13 Braves.  Poor Ryan never got to swing the bat.  The umpire gave him a game ball and told him, "great job...you were a trooper!"  Shhhh...don't tell anyone...but I think that ump likes Ryan!!  He made a comment once to him that he needed him back there with him...that was cool!!  I told Ryan to get respect from an umpire is important...just like getting respect from the league President.

 

Well...I know I'm late writing this blog...we had some hardware issues here one day and Friday....once dear hubby got home and I watched a few innings of the MLB Cubs vs Braves...we went shopping.  Ryan got his new catchers equipment...he went with red...he wanted blue but the helmet looked purple and he wasn't that thrilled about wearing a purple helmet.  OH..I had a job interivew Friday too!!  I didn't get the job...but THANKS to those folks (coach wife and father-in-law) that made calls to help make the interview happen.  I think I was qualified..but being out of the computer industry a few years hurts.  Besides that...it was a full time year around job that I wasn't really hoping for.  I was worried all day after the interview how I'd save the kids' summer if I was working 8 - 5.  The good Lord worked that out for me....but, I'm being considered for a job within one of two schools...that WILL be off in summer and work during school hours...SO..let's hope for the best!!!!

 

TODAY....we have a 12:30 game.  Ryan is starting pitcher!!  YES!!!!  He's not feeling sore from the hits he took and he's ready to play!! He practiced in the yard a bit pitching and after fitting his new equipment..he's going to be pumped.  f course, the new equipment was larger and we had to find a bigger bag too.  He took some of his birthday money and bought him a wooden bat with Jeter's name on it...so he's going to be ON TOP of the world today.  He'll walk onto the field with new equipment, bag and a big smile!!  He says he wants to pitch more then the 2 innings coach expects.  So I told him, he has to deliver for the team then.  The Cardinals are the opponents and they tend to beat the Cubbies up...let's just hope for the best!!!!

 

OK.. off to start the day.  I've been up since 6:30...showered, washed hair, unloaded/loaded dishwasher...game time is 4 hours and 20 minutes away!!

Well, school is out!!!  May 31st was our last day here...we had snow days to make up.  The last day of school was eventful, as they always are.  It started out pretty normal; but at 9:45am I had to go get the kiddos and take them on a tour....of their NEW school.  See, since we bought this house they are in another elementary school district.  Now, I had asked their principal to permit them to stay where they were being as they had made so many changes in the last few years; but he wouldn't hear of it.  He got rather upset that the kids teachers were recommending that they NOT move.  He said, "It upsets me that they (the teachers) would say that, they are not guidance counslers, that is why we have guidance counslers".  THAT floored me!  I knew that this man was not to be reasoned with....no wonder he's called "Hitler".    Well, I had done my best.  I had a few other things up my sleeve and after talking to the principal at the new school; she too was upset he would move a 5th grader!  BUT, as I told her, I had told the kids that we have to find a positive in the move and run with it...so the kids and I talked through the positives and after they got to tour the school, meet their future teachers and classmates...they BOTH told the principal they wanted to go to the new school.

 

I, however, continued with my tricks up my sleeve.  I had applied for a job within the school system; thus permitting me to put them where I want to.  The kids are well aware of that and actually told me NOT to move them back to the old school....so that is good!!!

 

OK.. so the tour was over... they went back to their school and Ryan delivered  the bad news to his 4th grade teacher...she was so upset.  She's such a sweetheart and I think Ryan was one that reached her 'special' spot in her heart.  She hugged him a few times and later told me she'd jut fail him and keep him there.  Speaking of failing.... my boy made the A/B honor roll!!! YES!!!!   I was there to be surprised with the news too!  I happened to be working in the lab for his teacher when Ryan popped in to ask me to attend his "Celebration of Success" assembly...so I did.  He didn't know he was going to be recognized....and his teacher didn't tell me either.  She later told me she was glad I was able to be there.  Of course, I was there without my camera!!!  Oh well, he brought me his certificate and after a few hugs and my fighting tears of joy, I asked him "so, what do you think you deserve for that?"  he looked at me with that look of 100% confidence and said, "NEW CATCHERS EQUIPMENT!!"   God love him!  He had been trying to 'earn' that new equipment for about a month.  I guess his dad and I would have to do it now.

 

Anyway...the last day was OVER at 2:45...actually later, I noticed the principal was late in making end of the day announcements...that happens when you don't have bells in a school ... have you ever heard of that!??!  The kids and I returned home to cool down and relax before his game....

 

... READ ABOUT THE GAME NEXT BLOG!!