Wednesday, May 31, 2006

A Great Night for Baseball

Ethan's team played the Yankees tonight. The coaches (Steve and Doug) were Ethan's coaches for the Phillies last year. The Padres spanked them with a score 9-8, helped not in the least by Ethan's GRAND SLAM!!!! Yeah, you read that right, Ethan had a Grand Slam! It was AWESOME! GO ETHAN!!!! Ethan and his teammate, Chris, also completed an awesome play to get someone out at first, ending the game.

PJ and his kids hit the pool tonight, taking advantage of our new membership. Ethan can't wait to go....few more days and then we'll be done with baseball.

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Wow! What a weekend!

On Friday evening, I picked up PJ’s girls and we headed home to do our chores and finish cleaning up the house. I was aiming for a 9pm bedtime, but 10pm had to suffice. Joe got home from work sometime after I went to sleep.

Saturday morning, 515am, the alarm went off. I had to get up and showered and out of the way so PJ could do the same. I was out the door before 7am (with two girls in tow) to get the donuts and coffee. Ouch! That’s early on a Saturday!

The roofing work pretty much proceeded according to plan. There was a little bit more rot than we anticipated, therefore, some of the work was a little more intensive, however, the roofers did a great job and we were all done with the shingling by about 300pm (I think). That was the part that surprised me most!

Sam and I had picked up lunch for all the helpers and cheerleaders. We had a 6’ sub from Subway. It was delicious and it fed everyone (about 20 people)!


After all the roofing was done and the major clean-up completed, we settled down to grill some burgers and dogs. It was an exhausting day! We still need to have new soffit installed and the gutters done and then we’re done with this project completely.

Sunday, we slept in until nearly 11am! That’s late even for PJ. Clearly, we were pooped. After we were up and dressed, PJ’s roofer friend, Tom, came by to check on the flashing around the chimney and then we headed to my dad’s for his birthday BBQ. Rob, Dawn, Heidi, Kurt, Julie (Dawn’s sister), PJ, me, all the kids (except Joe who was at work), Ben, Will, Kelly and Gram were there to celebrate with my dad. We had a good time and more good food. (Those cookies were to die for!).

Around 9pm we had to head home and get the kids (and us!) to bed. Unfortunately, I saw 11-something on the clock before I got to sleep.

Thank goodness for 3-day weekends. We got moving Monday morning and finished cleaning up the yard, tools and roofing stuff. The kids worked on various projects (chores, homework, whatever) and then Dad, Gram and Heidi stopped by to have lunch. Dad also cleaned my carpet. It looks great! We gave Gram the grand tour and then before long, they left.

In the afternoon, we signed up for a pool membership, ran a few errands and then dropped Joe off at work. We finished up a few things at home before taking the kids home and then running a couple more errands. All-in-all, it was a productive weekend, but I’m so glad it’s over.

This week, Discovery Park meeting tonight, game on Wednesday (and the kids want to go to the pool), I have dinner plans with Jen on Thursday and I’m heading to my friend, Julie’s on Friday. And don’t even get me started with all the plans for Saturday. I need another 3-day weekend soon!

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Vacation Help Needed!

I completely forgot this. We've already made vacation plans for this summer, but we're starting to think about next spring break and summer already (I know it's really far away, but there are potentially a lot of people to coordinate!).

The criteria: driving distance, some attractions (touristy or other), possibly the option to rent a house (as opposed to staying in a hotel), dog-friendly, preferably somewhere we haven't been before (we've been to: Las Vegas, Philly, OBX, VaBeach, NY, DisneyWorld, and that's all I can remember right now).

None of those are set in stone and we're definitely throwing around the idea of OBX or similar, but I was hoping someone out there would have some vacation ideas. I might even consider camping (Did I just say that outloud??!!).

So, if you have any suggestions, we'd mucho appreciate it. :)

A little behind the eight ball

I can't believe how busy we've been lately!

On May 20th, PJ and I went to Chili Cook-Off. It was a good time. Hoobastank, Tonic and Bloodhound Gang all rocked. Better than Ezra was fantastic. I *heart* them.

On May 22, Ethan had a game against the White Sox. We totally kicked their butt!

Tonight was the rescheduled game 10 against the Cardinals. We lost again. Their umpires are "questionable." Bummer. Anyway, the kids seemed to have a pretty good time. One more game until playoffs and I am soooo relieved. One less thing to do at nights!

On Saturday, we're putting a new roof on the house. PJ is taking tomorrow off to do all the preparation and to receive the supplies. I believe we have somewhere around 20-25 people coming to help. I better hurry up and order our subs for lunch!

I'll have a lot more to post after this weekend. Thank goodness for three-day weekends!

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Quick Recap

There was a game on Saturday. I don’t know the score. My mom, PJ and all the kids attended the game, so I did more talking than watching for most of it. I think they might have tied, but I may never know for sure.

Sunday was, of course, Mother’s Day. PJ’s kids were going back to their mom’s by 9am, so we were up WAY TOO EARLY (in my opinion) to open gifts. I received a bunch of socks and a salad spinner. I am quite anxious to use the salad spinner, but I haven’t had a chance yet.

After church, we headed out to Gainsville to see my mom. I was quite stuffed after our meal. Back at home, PJ did homework and stuff and I totally vegged in front of the TV. Hey, it’s my day to do that, so I did. Ethan sorta cleaned his room and played some video games or something.

Last night, there was a game. It was BITTERLY cold as I sat there and tried to watch. The longer the season goes, the less I care. Plus, it had rained a lot, so I had been hoping the game was cancelled so I could get something else done. Alas, that was not my luck and I shivered while the Padres got their butts beaten again by the Nationals. Oh well.

We did have a delicious dinner of grilled cheese and tomato soup though. Mmmm! I love that once in a while. It almost made up for the crappy game and weather.

Discovery Park meeting tonight. I'm looking forward to a "boring" evening sometime soon.

Monday, May 15, 2006

UPDATE TO ETHAN'S SCHEDULE

***beep, beep, beep****

Ethan's game on Saturday, 5/20 at noon
has been rescheduled to Thursday, 5/25 at 6pm, Jack Jennings Field.


***you are now returned to your regularly scheduled blogging.***

Friday, May 12, 2006

Title Smitle

Coming up with a title is the worst part of this blogging thing. grr

Anyway, Ethan had a game on Wednesday. It was against the Giants, who we've versed before. The Padres were down by 3 runs at the bottom of the 3rd inning. Somehow, we managed to get 4 runs and we winning! The inning was over and the players got ready to shake ("good game, good game"), but then the coaches thought it was a good idea to play another inning. Now, it's 10 minutes to 8pm. All these kids are between 8-11 years old. Most are in bed around 830pm. WTH is the coach thinking to start another innning??!! I mean, seriously, we haven't had dinner yet (well, I did, but Ethan hadn't) and there were other kids to deal with (Joe was with me, Megan was at a friend's and PJ & Sam were at a volleyball meeting). Anyway, like, I needed to get home!

So, I left Ethan in the care of his dad (an assistant coach) and headed home. Turns out the Padres and Giants TIED! Why couldn't we stop while we were ahead??!! And Ethan didn't get to bed until 930! GRRR! Ethan did have a couple of good hits and made it to home base at least once. Go Ethan!

In other news, the orthopedic doc thinks the muscles in Sam's knee are just weak and with some PT she might be okay. She has some very painful exercises to do over the next 10 days and then she goes back for a follow-up. She is trying to get out of the exercises...all of us are trying to convince her of the value of them and her young knees! We'll see if it works. She can't play volleyball with a bum knee though, so there is some motivation there!

Ethan has a game tomorrow morning at 0900 hours. Again, I am not a fan of these early games! I'll have him there at 0830...ugh! My mom is coming though, so she'll keep me company. All the kids have to be up early though...man, I love the no-kid weekends when we can sleep in! haha

Mother's Day on Sunday...don't forget to give your mom (stepmom, grandma, whoever!) a little love!

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Random information

I made the most delicious dinner last night. Now, if you ask Megan, she’d probably say it wasn’t so delicious, but she poured some Catalina dressing on and survived. At any rate, I made Parmesan-Herb Baked Flounder, Jasmine rice with herbs and some mixed veggies. I don’t often cook fish at home (the kids protest and it’s not as forgiving as chicken), but I felt the urge and flounder was on sale. I’d say the parmesan-herb topping was a little on the salty side, but still good. I had the leftovers for lunch today. OHMIGOSH! Still so delish! And the veggies and rice were still just as tasty. YUM!

Chili Cook-Off is less than two weeks away! Woohoo! More info at DC101 if you need it.

Joe has a great new camera that takes some great pictures, but I haven’t received them in electronic version yet, so I can’t share them with you. Since he has access to the kids’ blog, he might just upload them himself!

Poor Samantha has a knee injury. She’s going to the orthopedic on Wednesday to find out what’s wrong. I hope it’s nothing serious and easily fixable because she is too young for a lifetime of knee problems.

I’ve found an online calendar and I believe I’ve updated it with all our activities for the next few months. Birthdays too (in case you wanted to get me something). The calendar is in my links section to the right. FINALLY!!!

Monday, May 08, 2006

Another busy weekend

The phone rang at 0700 hours on Saturday morning.

“Mom?”
“Yeah.”
“I think I have strep throat and pink eye.”
“I’m sure it’s allergies; go back to bed for an hour and tell your dad.”


Honey, look at the clock before you call your dear mother on her weekend off. Please!

I had to bail on Ethan’s 9am game on Saturday. I just couldn’t bear the thought of sitting on the cold bleacher, probably unshowered, while my nice, warm bed was still available. I have to be there at 9am next weekend anyway. Unfortunately, they lost their game. Boo! Ethan said he got a hit, but I never heard any details.

Joe went to prom on Saturday. Whoa! That makes even me feel old!

PJ and I tried Bonefish Grill on Saturday night. Tres Magnifique! They were busy, so we sat at the bar. I tried an expresso martini. I’m not big on martinis, but it was delish! PJ didn’t like it; I have no idea why. I didn’t care at that point anyway.

My rhododendrons are blooming! *must take a picture*

We attended my friend’s 30th birthday party on Sunday afternoon. It was fun! And my cheeseburger hit the spot!

Ethan wasn’t feeling too hot when he came home from his dad’s. I sent him off to school this morning with the secret hope that I’d have to leave early to get him, but alas, he’s made it almost the whole day. I hope he gets his homework done and can rest up tonight.

Game on Wednesday at 6pm. I hope it’s warm. Daggone cold weather came back yesterday! And then Discovery Park reception on Thursday. I think it’ll prove to be yet another busy week.

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Thirty Lines to Make You Smile Today

I got this list in my email a while ago, but it still cracks me up. I was talking about it with one of my sisters-in-law and thought I’d post it. I highlighted my favorites.

My husband and I divorced over religious differences…he thought he was God and I didn’t.
I don’t suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.
I work hard because millions on welfare depend on me.
Some people are only alive because it’s illegal to kill them.
I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.
Don’t take life to seriously; no one gets out alive.
You’re just jealous because the voices only talk to me.

Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.
I’m not a complete idiot – some parts are missing!
Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.

Nyquil – the stuffy, sneezy, why-the-heck-is-the-room-spinning medicine.
God must love stupid people; He made so many of them.
The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.
Ever stop to think and forget to start again?
Being “over the hill” is better than being under it!
Wrinkled was not one of the things I wanted to be when I grew up.
Procrastinate now!
I have a degree in liberal arts; do you want fries with that?
A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance.
Stupidity is not a handicap! Park elsewhere!
They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was already taken.

He who dies with the most toys is nonetheless dead.
A picture is worth a thousand words, but uses up three thousand times the memory.
Ham and eggs: A day’s work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.
The trouble with life is there’s no background music.
The original point and click interface was a Smith and Wesson.
I smile because I don’t know what the heck is going on.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

I remembered my camera!



Ethan had a chorus concert tonight.


Based on the demographics in this picture, I don't think I need to point out which one is Ethan. LOL




Joe's 17th birthday celebration.








That's all I have for today, I think.

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Another one bites the dust!

I have forgotten my camera once again. Somehow I feel I may be a bad mom if I can't remember to take pictures of my son's various activities, but I digress...

The game was against the Nationals. We saw several of our old teammates! Unfortunately, they whooped us 11-5 (or thereabouts). Ethan made it to home plate once!

Ethan informed us yesterday that he has a new girlfriend, Nancy. Tori is "so last week." Anyway, he and Tori are still friends and Ethan confirmed that Nancy knew she was his girlfriend (as opposed to it being a surprise). Well, that's good, Ethan.

My Saturday plans got unexpectedly cancelled, which means that not only can I go to Ethan's game (at 9am), but I also get to see PJ some! I think we might even go on a date (though that might mean to a bar somewhere so he can see everyone he hasn't seen in ages...hmmm....).

If you're free on Saturday night, let us know, maybe we can meet up with you.

Monday, May 01, 2006

Whew!

The last few days have been a whirlwind. We had the viewing for PJ’s grandma on Thursday. The funeral was Friday. It was sad, as they usually are, but things went smoothly. We had a really neat funeral procession though. There were about a dozen vehicles and seven police officers. And they totally took us the long way to the cemetery in Arlington.

Friday night, Joe worked (see PJ’s entry on Joe's new job here). Ethan had a game. It was the make up game from the previous Saturday. They lost. They lost the last game too. I can’t even remember how Ethan did.

Saturday morning, Ethan had baseball pictures at 7:45am. Who’s idea was that??!!! Too damn early. Anyway, he had a game at 9 and they won! I can’t recall any spectacular feats by our favorite Padre, but he did cross home plate at least once. After all that, we helped a friend load up a moving truck, had a pizza lunch at Seth’s house (one of PJ’s friends/co-workers) and then headed home to mow our 22” grass. Yes, there truly were some blades that were that tall. We looked so white trash. I’m embarrassed!

I should have taken pictures first, but I completely forgot! Anyway, it took hours to get the yard back into shape, but it is now and everything that is gonna be mulched is mulched. Weeding, weed-whacking and edging were done too!

Sunday, after church, we had lunch with PJ’s family…early Mother’s day (for his mom), late birthday for Joe and right on time graduation celebration for Chris. Yes, I neglected to bring my camera, so I have no pictures, but it was fun. I don’t much care for Outback, but I think everyone else enjoyed their meal.

Finally, the kids had to finish their homework and PJ had to finish his paper. I have no idea what time he got done last night. The dogs and I went to bed at 10.

Ethan has a game tomorrow night, a concert on Wednesday and I’m getting my hair done on Thursday (finally!). Should be a busy week.