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Forever a Fan

15 Jul

Many of us have something we cherish from childhood. Whether it is a memory with a loved one we hold onto, a favorite stuffed animal or book, or a movie or song that takes us back. But what happens when you grow to dislike the thing you treasured so much? It happened to Andrew, with his love of baseball.

He tells stories about being little and watching Cal Ripen, Jr., his ultimate favorite player. He talks about how he detests the Braves because they beat the Pirates out of going to the World Series in 1992. He collected baseball cards, player figurines and helmets from games. He almost caught a foul ball from a regular season Pirates game but a man stole it from his 10-year-old hands.

It’s hard to believe that all that love for something could fade but a baseball strike and the steroid scandal that plagued the sport for years really wore on his respect for the game. The atmosphere changed. The integrity. The desire to play because you love the game. Not because you want to make more money or break records.

Andrew may have continued to feel that way if it wasn’t for his little boy. Nate has a pure, untarnished love for baseball. The sport brings him shear happiness without any of the politics and controversies to cloud it. He asks his daddy questions about the game, teams and players. He asks his daddy who to root for and who to boo. He asks his daddy to play. His spirit is contagious and Andrew loves watching the sport through his son’s eyes. It’s helped him find the fan he used to be.

I love being a spectator to their baseball bond and am so excited to share in their love of the sport.  (And spoil them with gear proudly displaying their favorite team.)

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Does this scrunchie go with my outfit?

13 Jul

What? What do you mean it’s not fashionable to sport scrunchies anymore? Well, I guess that’s good info to know. I likely won’t respect that rule though.

I think I’m just too darn lazy to be a fashionista or concerned with the latest styles. It’s something I’ve come to realize as I experience more situations that call for me to make vital fashion decisions.

For example:

  • My idea of getting dolled up is attempting to wear some eyeliner and remembering to don some of that costume jewelry I have thanks to my mom and sister.
  • I’d also rather not subscribe to fashion magazines because I don’t want to know how many faux-pas and don’ts I’m committing.
  • I don’t just fail at clothes and jewelry though. I’ve never used the most feminine “grooming” products.  (Some cringe when I tell them I use the cheapo razors to shave my legs. Add the fact that I rarely use shaving cream and they think I’m barbaric.)
  • I don’t take care of the hair on my head like I should either. It is never trimmed within the range of fashionably acceptable.
  • I’ve had the same makeup for months (it’s years for lipstick). I’ve never followed the rule of replacing makeup every so often. In fact, how often am I supposed to replace it?
  • As for nail makeup, I rarely remove my toenail polish to apply a fresh coat. Nope. I just try to fill in the chips. Like I said, lazy.

When I think about it though, I guess I’m not as lazy as I think. Being lazy didn’t contribute to my favorite article of clothing – my holy jeans. I had to work to make all those holes. That’s a style I’m proud to wear.

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My Do-Overs

7 Jul

If I knew then what I know now I would have:

  • Worn a bikini more than I did
  • Kept my hair long for longer (I wasted so many “young” years with a short ‘do)
  • Not jumped out of that moving car that one time
  • Taken a home economics class so I would know how to properly set a table
  • Said no to that perm I got in 7th grade
  • Paid more attention to the breathtaking cross-country road trips I got take with my dad, Kris and Mel
  • Learned how to properly apply makeup so I wouldn’t be clueless at age 32
  • Not wasted so much time worrying about certain boys
  • Cut back on the brewskies during the Ben Folds Five/Beck concert so Andrew could see Beck (sorry about that Andrew!)
  • Paid more attention during my Spanish classes (the cheat sheet didn’t help either)
  • Worn a bikini more than I did (this sentiment is the inspiration behind this post)

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Watching Us, Watching Them

5 Jul

Fish Frenzy

This is not meant to be a negative reflection of the Georgia Aquarium and all its greatness. I love it there. It’s incredible. The kids ooh and ah at every swimming creature and we cherish the pleasant memories we make there. I just don’t love what we put ourselves through to try to create those pleasant memories.

Maybe I’m high-strung. Maybe I expect too much. It’s just, it’s almost impossible to really enjoy all the wonders the underwater attraction has to offer. All of the bodies outside of the tanks hamper it every time.

I’ve been to the aquarium four times so far. Each time, it’s the same thing. Hordes of people crowding around tank windows of all sizes, crammed into caverns or awesome tunnels, trying to get a glimpse of something. Don’t stop or look too long because then you’ll be criticized or shot a dirty look by people who want to rush through. Don’t rush through because then you’ll get a head shake by those who want to appreciate it more. I overheard one girl say to her fellow tourist, “People with strollers and others just want to stop and look. I mean, come on! See it and then move on.” Oh, and forget running into a nice person who will offer to let a child squeeze through to get a better look. I mean, they’re two to four feet tall, I guess they could get in the way.  (No!)

Front Row to the Fish Show

I wonder, what do the fish think looking back at us? They have more room in their tanks then we do outside, looking in. Do they think we are crazy? All those people sardined in, pointing and peering, looking at each other rudely as they wait to get a better look. “Did they really pay to (not) see us swim around?” “Look at that one, picking his nose.” “Why do those little ones keep slapping the glass?” “Why isn’t anyone over here at my window nook?”

I paid to watch the fish and sharks and stuff but I got a side of people watching for free. I’m not sure you can put a price on that level of entertainment.

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Yo-GAH

19 Jun

Reasons I love Yoga:

  • I can do it barefoot.
  • The relaxation time at the end. (When I sometimes doze off.)
  • The giggles I get when trying to stretch and contort my body into positions my body rebels against.
  • It can really tone you.

Reasons I do not love Yoga:

  • The complicated narration. “Look with the backs of your eyes to your inner self.” That sounds like it will hurt worse than that look over my shoulder and lift my leg thing you just had me attempt.
  • What just popped/cracked in my body?
  • I’m always off on the breathing. Inhaling when I should be exhaling and laughing at myself when I should be inhaling.
  • Um, it gets kind of boring after the 15th downward dog in a row.
  • I thought this was supposed to be relaxing and peaceful? I shouldn’t want to cuss out the nice, bendy lady on the screen.

Deep breaths. In and out. Or was it out and in?

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Dancing Bean

15 Jun

I have such fond memories of dancing when I was a little girl. I was a Steel City Strutter and loved marching in parades  and getting covered with blue eyeshadow and red lipstick for recitals. My mom tells stories of the time I yelled to our neighbor from the stage, “Hi, Jimmy!”

Nia the Tapper

I loved to dance but I was never the best. Just average. I had a lot of heart and really tried to remember all the steps and hit them on beat. Nia, though, is such a different dancer.

She took the stage for her first recital last weekend and she did so well! She got a little nervous during her first performance when the audience laughed at how cute she and her “fluffy powder puff” friends were but she didn’t give up. Under the bright lights, in front of all those people, she kept going. How did she not freeze up there? Where did she find that bravery? She went on to nail her other three performances and had such a great time.

I watched my little girl grow up a little more that day. She didn’t need mommy as much as the night went on. After each performance, I would rush backstage to help her change costumes but I would find her already getting ready without me. I’m so proud of her. Not only did she do such a wonderful job on stage, she acted like all the prep was no big deal. While I was a bag of nerves, she was cool and gave me the feeling of “I got this, Mom.”

Our little dancing Bean. You make my heart so happy. I can tell, dancing makes yours happy too.

I Feel Good – Tap Routine and Nia’s Favorite
Fluffy Powder Puff – Ballet Routine

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I Know a Mom

9 May

I know a mom who loves her children more than herself. She kisses their boo-boos and rocks them (and sometimes herself) to sleep. She usually ends up on the other end of projectile yuck but she does what is necessary, cleaning up the mess while letting her child know it’s going to be ok. She takes the time to play games with them, color with them and read them books. She tells them how to spell “love” and answers their questions that she isn’t even sure she knows the answers to.

I know a mom who does it alone. She plays the part of mommy and daddy, working to pay the bills while loving and caring to make sure her child knows he is supported and cherished. She goes without to give her child what he needs and wishes for – new shoes, sports dues, the latest gadget his friends have. She wears his sports picture button proudly on her purse.

I know a mom who has a child who suffers and struggles with an illness or special need. Her child is not able to do the same kinds of things other children do. She constantly worries about her. She stays up at night to comfort her angel through a difficult time and then manages to get through the day doing everything she needs to do for her family. She often feels helpless that she can’t make it all better but she is strong, patient and resolved to do all she can.

I know a mom who works all day away from home. When she is home she cares for her family while trying to care for herself – planning out their clothes, their meals, their activities. Making sure they have everything they need to be ok during the day while they are apart. She wishes she could be home a little sooner each day but she makes the most of their time together.

I know a mom who takes “staying-at-home” to a whole new level. She balances it all (and sometimes more) and takes pride in all she does for her family. She loves every second she gets to spend with her children and never tires of the routine of things. To her, it’s not a job – she wouldn’t have it any other way.

I know a mom who isn’t sure what she’s doing half the time and isn’t afraid to admit it. She loves her children with all her heart and tries to be the best mom she can be. She is a good mom. A great mom. An all-of-the-above mom.

Thank you moms. You are remarkable, beautiful, respected, inspiring and loved. Happy Mother’s Day.
 

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Livin’ for Friday – Already?

12 Mar

Working for the weekend, it’s such a common thing: Is it Friday yet? It’s almost Friday. Just two more days until Friday! Don’t worry about your bad day – it’s Friday! T.G.I.F.!

There’s really no harm in it. What’s so wrong with looking forward to the day before your days off? Can you remember when you first started cheering for it? It seems it starts younger than I thought/remember.

The kids are already being trained to have those same feelings. If Nate gets through the week with good behavior, he gets to bring something for show and tell on Friday. Friday is shop at the junk “store” day in Nia’s class. Friday is no homework day. Friday is stay up late(r) day.

I can’t really explain why (and it’s not a major deal) but it made me feel a little sad for them. I just want them to grow up looking forward to each new day. Not just the end of many days.

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Wanna Play Baseball?

7 Mar

It’s a question we’re asked over and over each day. Even after we just get finished playing catch or batting with Nate, he asks, “Momma/Daddy/Nia, wanna play baseball?”

The little man loves the game. Everything about it. He wants to bat. He wants to catch. He wants to throw. He wants to run the bases. He wants, of course, to hit a home run. Now, he’s closer to doing all of those things – on his pre-tee team.

Swing away!

The first practice was a little haphazard and dangerous – the kids kept rushing the ball when it was hit – almost ending in a pileup each time, one poor kid kept crying every time he didn’t get to the ball before the other kids and we all gasped when Nate threw the ball at the kid running the bases, hitting him in the helmet. (Luckily, the little runner didn’t even know it happened and when I apologized to his grandma she said, “That’s ok honey. That’s why we’re here. To learn.”)

Fielding

The next practice went a lot better. The coach put Nate in as the pitcher because, in pre-tee, after the batter hits, the ball gets thrown to the pitcher and then the runner has to stop. He chose Nate because he’s the only one who can catch/stop the grounders right now. (We’re so proud! It could be because he will sacrifice his body to stop the ball too – yeah.)

Daddy Coaching Son

Playing baseball is making Nate so happy. He lives to play. He wakes up and asks, “Do I play baseball today?” Before he falls asleep he asks, “Do I play baseball tomorrow?” When we tell him yes, he lets out a squeal and giggles. I hate it when we have to tell him no.

Little Ball Player

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Unclean House Confessions

28 Feb

I try. I do. I really would not say our house is messy/dirty. There are places where mess accumulates but with that I just have to shut a few doors and – tada – the house is ready for a surprise visitor. There are quite a few things I slack on though.

  • I should definitely scour our shower more than I do. In fact, I really don’t do it. Andrew does it because I whine about it so much. I’ll clean all the bathtubs – no problem. There’s just something about our shower that defeats me every time.
  • I have never cleaned inside the oven. I will only dive in there when it’s an absolute must. Like when that runaway fry escapes from the pan and starts burning and junk. Then, I’ll just use some tongs and remove the blackened tato.
  • I can’t tell you when I last dusted the light fixture hanging above the dining room table that we never use. Come to think of it, that light really never gets used either.
  • Are you supposed to wash curtains? Just kidding. Ha, ha, ha. Well, I have washed the sheers on the windows – at least once. (By the way, is there an easier way to clean wood slat blinds? I’ve tried dusting them – that takes forever. I’ve tried using the vacuum attachment – that didn’t really work at all. I can’t figure that one out.)

I just feel like I can never get ahead of it all. I have to do all the basics in spells – here and there. If I see dust, I dust. Since I have the dust spray in my hand, I might as well do the upstairs. (I tell myself I’ll do the downstairs later.)  If I have the glass cleaner out to clean one mirror that’s bothering me, they’re all going to get cleaned right then and there. It just all feels so scattered. The only time it all gets cleaned at the same time is when guests come to stay. Thankfully, we have guests visiting quite a bit.

(*This post was inspired by that runaway fry.)

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