BASEBALL!!

I know, you thinking, now?  really? Baseball has already started?

Well for us, spring baseball has already started...  Lets backup and re-cap.

We played with the North Texas Glory in the fall,  that team pretty much fell apart and we went looking.  M went to 2 different tryouts, got offered spots on both of those teams so he had to choose which one. the one he chose?

The Dallas Tigers.....

We have had a couple of informal practices, including one good session of BP, but this was kind of our first real, big, team practice.

The weather was great and it was a great practice.  I really like the coach, his attitude, the way he works the boys, etc.  We are really looking forward to a great season of Baseball!

4 Christmas' and a Vacation

Well as usual, our holiday time is pretty hectic, and it started early this year, We had our first family "Christmas" the first week in December.  That one was for my dad's side of the family, Uncle Steve made his famous enchiladas, which were excellent as usual,  and a good time was had by all (except for maybe Owen, who kept getting beaned by balls every time he came in the room,  of course the people throwing the balls were the LOML and my child.. no surprise there)

Next was our crazy weekend, on Saturday morning we went to my mothers for the family "Christmas", which as usual was pretty exciting.  There were gifts with multiple tags, there will gifts with the wrong tags, there will gifts to people that the tag said it was from them!

The stove smoked up the house and as usual there was no where near enough food for all of us  (yeah right)  The three of us then ran off to the PG party at billy bobs,  then came back to my moms to drop M off, then went home to change, then E and I went to the PG concert that night at Billy Bobs,  we got home very late in the evening (or early in the morning, depending on how you want to look at it) and got up early and went back to my moms because we had "Christmas" for her side of the family that day at her house.  All in all M got way too many presents (and way too many Nerf guns) and we all had a good time seeing family.

Next was E's side of the family, we met his parents for dinner one evening and had a short but sweet Christmas but as usual with our hectic schedule, that is all the time we could pull together.

Then, we were off to Colorado,  we rented a house just north of Idaho Springs, got 2 feet of snow on the ground the first day we were there, and had a good time relaxing and getting away from it all.  We did manage to do a few things while were there, like go to the Argo Tunnel and Mill

The Railroad museum  (second best railroad museum we have been to)

The Coors Tour

Had many Snowball Fights

(cant have a snowball fight without a fort Squidward....  you didnt let me crouch down!)

and santa even managed to find us out there on the mountain and bring M a few things..

All in all it was a great December and a good way to close out 2011

here's looking forward to 2012!

Pat F'n Green!

Everyone who knows us, knows we are BIG Pat Green fans.  Every year Pat's fan club hosts a party at Billy Bobs on the day of his December Concert, and we go to the party and concert assuming our schedule allows.  This year, the schedule part was tough and we ended up driving back and forth across the metroplex all day long to get it all done, but we lived so I guess it was all good.

The afternoon party was great, we skipped the "wait for 2 hours in line to get your picture with Pat" part because we have a stack of pics of us with Pat and partly because the schedule for the day was pretty hectic.  We did get there in time for the question and answer part

and then the "private" concert.  Which as always he did a great job.

Then we were back that evening for the concert and it was great as usual.  Honestly it was like the Pat Green of the old days.  He sang songs like "Here we Go" and "Southbound 35" that are songs that made him famous at dance halls around Texas.

He did a cool version of "Galleywinter", and "Baby Doll" that both really show off his writing and performing talent.  Of course, he sang some of the more "pop" stuff for all the girls in the audience and he sang songs off his new album.  One was called "Austin" and another was called "All just to get to you" which they were also shooting a video for.  Its a cool song, he did it once during the afternoon party and twice during the evening concert.

Here is a video about the song I found on youtube from when he played western days in lewisville (which we did not go to, I know, we're bad)

All in all we were glad to see Pat back to his old self and had a great time at the concert.

The things I have to put up with...

see the kinds of things I have to put up with!

Link to story the LOML wrote.....

At the gun range

The Cone of Shame!

Remember the movie UP! and doug?  "I do not like the cone of shame"  (there are a lot of other great quotes in that movie from Doug, but for today, we will stick with the cone of shame)

Well Bo had to go to the doctor the other day and has become the second most expensive cat we have ever owned (and thats saying something) First on that list was Patches, and that a lllooonnnggg story, which we arent going to go into now.

After coming back from eye surgery, not only does he has (4) different kinds of eyedrops he has to have put in his eye on a rotating schedule, he also has to wear, (wait for it....)

The cone of shame!,  and he is not happy about it

He cant hide in all of his usual places because the cone does not fit.  He keeps running into doorways (because of the cone and also because vision on one side still isnt back to what is use to be) . and most of all, he cant rub his face on things, which he loves to do

and most of all, it is hard to eat with this thing on!

although it is kind of funny because he was scooping the food off the plate with the cone and then licking it out of the cone.

so for the next week or so, feel bad for our poor defenseless cat as he has to live with this thing wrapped around his head

The Myth of Sisyphus

Or otherwise known to me as, "The 7th Level of Hell"

In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was a brilliant rascal who sometimes played tricks on the gods to get what he wanted.  He even used trickery to avoid death.  Finally the gods had enough and condemned Sisyphus to eternal hard labor -- his punishment: rolling a boulder up a hill, only to have it roll back down to the bottom each time he finally gets it to the top.


I am convinced at this point in my life that it was not a boulder up a hill he was rolling, it is LAUNDRY.  Yes thats right LAUNDRY.  This is a project that no matter what you do, you will never be completely done with it.  The problem is, even when you are doing laundry, you have clothes on that you will eventually have to wash. (unless you want to go around naked all day, and well.... I dont think so)  I guess you could just buy new clothes each week and throw the others away, but that doesnt seem realistic does it. So what do you do? Do you wash them quickly so you only have small loads to do? which equates to doing laundry every day, all day, for the rest of your LIFE! or do you let the laundry pile up until you cant see large parts of your house and then spend the next week digging your life back out through the use and abuse of your washer?


UGGGGGGG  I get frustrated just typing about it...... and I roll the boulder back up the hill.

Annual Tree Pic

We planted this live oak tree the same year we moved in this house.  I've tried to take a pic of Bruiser and the tree each year after to show how much both have grown.  I definitely think he is out-pacing the tree.  Here is a pic from the year we moved in:

And here he is now:

How time flies!

Velocity

Since I'm posting, and put the LOML into cardiac arrest. I'd thought I'd post about what I've been doing the last couple of months aside from laundry, taxi service, maid, and housekeeper (oh, and lawyer).  In August I took the plunge and started working out three days a week at Velocity.  If you don't know what Velocity is here's a link to the Coppell branch:  http://www.velocitysp.com/coppell.  It's a crossfit program which combines cardio, weights and strength training.

Anyway, not to pat myself on the back but I am pretty proud for getting up and doing it.  It was very intimidating at first but now I've settled into a rhythm and have a good group that I work out with.  They are very encouraging and just all around good people.  I don't see the changes yet but others have said they do, I'm purposefully not getting on the scale and just doing the program.  I can do things now that I couldn't even dream of doing in August (like doing more than 1 pushup and running more than 10 feet).  So, if you want to come join us I'm there on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:00 and would love to see you!

If you want to know more about the program drop me a line or give me a call.

Christmas Thoughts

The LOML always gets on to me for not posting on the blog.  Well, a FB friend posted this and with things coming to that time of year I shared it with the LOML and now I'll share it with you:

CHRISTMAS 2011 – BIRTH OF A NEW TRADITION

"As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories have been in high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor.

"Let's make this year different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift-giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes, there is!

"It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese-produced wrapping paper?

"Everyone -- yes EVERYONE -- gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

"Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

"Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American-owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates. How many people couldn't use an oil change and lube job for their car or truck, done at a local shop run by an American working guy or gal?

"Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamins on a Chinese-made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or her lawn mowed for the summer, or their driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

"There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half-dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember folks, this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your hometown Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

"Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.
My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

"OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

"Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

"Musicians need love (and income) too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

"Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten-thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a $5.00 string of lights, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

"You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.

"THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

"Send this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations, and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn't that what Christmas is about?"

You dont have to go home, but you cant stay here...

It is officially cold, the leaves are starting to fall from the trees and the Pool is officially CLOSED for the winter

Here's the before...

and the after...

Only 134 more days till spring!!!

He's coming for you!

M was a Grim Reaper for Halloween...  complete with voice changer to make sure he sounded scary.

The Rebellion will be so easy to crush!!

one more notch in the belt of the darkside... (ahh, to feel the power of the darkside)

as of last night, my blackberry is no more, and in its place? well what else...

these guys never had a chance....

I now have a

Tumbling down the rabbit hole,  and loving every minute..

IMG00252.jpg

Drag Racing!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

San Francisco Trip

In what has become a tradition we made our final "just before school starts" trip of the summer.  This year the location was San Francisco.  Three reasons....  the tickets were CHEAP....  the weather should be cooler than Texas in August...  and we could check off one more Major League Ballpark from our list.  It was a great trip.

We didn't hve many plans, a few things we really wanted to show M as this was not the adult's first trip to SF.  One of the first interesting things we saw was right by our hotel - note the sign - under "FUN" - Avis Rent A Car....  hilarious.

The first thing we did was walk along the wharf, a nice view of Alcatraz and, of course, the sea lions.

Next we found the Maritime Museum and visited all of the ships there, very interesting so see the history and how long some of them had been in operation.

We rode the trolly and visited the trolly museum.














































We did manage to catch the Giants/Phillies game at AT&T Park.  It is an amazing park, very fan friendly.  The Giants weren't in it that night but we were able to catch our first fight where both teams cleared the dugouts...  made the whole game worthwhile.  Oh, and there was this really loud guy who sat next to us.... "HUNTER.... oh HUNTERMAN..... you're a follower".  He was a die-hard Giant's fan and razzed the Phillies outfielder Hunter Pence the whole game.  I'm sure Pence and other major league ballplayers have learned to tune that out but I really thing this guy got to Pence, even if just a little.  The funny thing was - Pence hit a homer...  priceless!

After the game we walked back to the trolly stop and caught the trolly back to the hotel.













On Saturday we drove out to the Winchester Mystery House... if you haven't been you really need to find a reason to go, it is so fascinating.  The tour was different this time than last time and they now have a behind-the-scenes tour which was very interesting as well.

















On Sunday we made the round trip around the bay - over the Bay Bridge, across the bridge from Oakland to Marin, then back across the Golden Gate.  Lots of fog around the gate every day we were there.  We spent the rest of the day walking around and seeing what we could find.











We found a Duck Tour - it was a lot of fun!!  Below are pics from the day including the view of AT&T Park from the water in the duck, again, FUN!!!!

Monday was our trip out to Alcatraz.  M really like it and we tried to lock him in a cell but he's just too quick for us now.  After we took the electric bus/street car downtown and watched the last of the Harry Potter movies.

The weather was great, almost chilly at times, we were interviewed by a TV reporter who recognized us as being from out-of-town.  I don't know if we actually made it on the news but M really enjoyed the attention.  A nice, cool, and relaxing trip... until next time San Francisco!!