The First Baseball Game

Bob and Tom and Dan St. Paul . Great for the bible loving folk. Because I can't embed YouTube videos, you'll have to go to the link. It starts at about 1:25.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEK_FtMD2QQ

Rant

Warning: Venting post. If you are looking for a post to provide comic relief or insight this isn't it. I would direct you to the blogs that are listed on my blogroll. You've been warned.

Today I felt as if I had the wind knocked out of me, or like I was holding my breath all day. The majority of it stems from the fact that my lab partner's last week is this week. We worked really well together. It was like watching a ballet; so graceful and flawless. As much friction as there was in the beginning you would have never thought we would be able to pull it off but we did. Now with him leaving I feel overwhelmed with meeting expectations and carrying more responsibility all without the support or acknowledgement of management. Add to that the text that I received, "Bad news, you need to call me." I called and it turns out that "The Big Cheese" wants his last day to be today. WTF?! Does anybody not care that we have study activity tomorrow and you just left us with 2 people, someone who can't think for themselves and a manager who has only been on the job for two weeks, has no lab experience and doesn't have a clue as to what they are suppose to do! I cannot wrap my head around the insanity of it all. I don't understand the thought process that was used and... it's like the game Pick up Sticks. All the sticks have been dumped in front of me and I have to get each one without disturbing the others. It's frickin' impossible! There is so much more too. Software, shipping, SOP's, timelines, etc. It's all been there, those aren't anything new, except now it all seems enormous.

When I came home today I changed and started running and didn't stop until I couldn't run anymore. I feel better now. Well, a little bit. I'll get through tomorrow. And the next day. hopefully each day will be a little less painful. For now, I'll go to the land of rainbows and puppy dogs and warm fuzzies.

a successful week

Tonight I was really proud of myself. I was able to finish the walkway flowerbed. I started on it this week and worked on it a little bit everyday after work. Cutting back the Hostas, raking out the old mulch, spraying with weed and bug killer and then finally tonight I laid down new mulch. Two neighbors even stopped by and complimented my work.

I am on the United Way Committee at work and today was our campaign kick-off. This was also my project to organize and over see. What started out as an idea with a pinata ended up being a summer theme. We held "Summertime Fun" on the roof of the hospital. Today couldn't have been a better day for it. We offered a water balloon toss, a game with cherries, squirt guns, and martini glasses where the object was to squirt your cherry down the board and into the martini glass, and we also had corn hole. I've never laughed so hard with the doctors and nurses. By the end of the day I was absolutely soaked. I think that everyone appreciated the opportunity to get outside and relax for a little bit. It was a great time and a successful kick-off for United Way.

I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend. I plan on going to the farmer's market on Saturday, preparing a lesson for Ablaze and hopefully publish a post about a book that I just finished. I am working the late shift tomorrow at work. Prayers for energy/stamina and for finishing the day well are appreciated.

5:1

On Sunday I provided some respite time for my parents as they juggled watching all five grand kids for the weekend. After church, I loaded everyone up in the van and off to the Children's Museum we went. When we got to the museum I laid out the ground rules: stay together, if you're going some where tell me, no fighting, who to go to if you get lost, names phone numbers, oh, and this is your first and last warning, if you choose not to obey then we are going home. (hey, when you're the only adult with 5 kids you got to be tough) Here are the kiddos shortly after arriving. (from left to right: Madelynne, Daniel, Alex, Beth, and Cameron)

We started on the lower level and then worked our way up to the 4th floor. All of them enjoyed the Egyptian exhibit and reading and learning about mummies. ( this exhibit was there when I was in elementary school, and I never get tired of going through it.) Next, we went to the comic exhibit and checked out the Batmobile. The boys LOVED drawing comic characters and the girls enjoyed dressing up. We must have been in that exhibit for 45 minutes. We hit up the crazy mirrors and the playhouses and then, THEN, we went to ScienceWorks. Oh, how I love Science Works. "Come on kids, let Aunt Meghan show you the difference between kinetic and potential energy. Wait, come over here I'll tell you about reptiles and freshwater animals. Oh, look! A pulley and wedges! Who wants to talk physics?!" I'm sure they're thrilled that Aunt Meghan is a scientist. This exhibit is where the kids had the most fun. (how can you not, it science!) They climbed through the cave, hula-hooped, played in the water, learned about healthy eating and exercise, and worked on some construction projects.

I can't say that I didn't lose anyone. Okay, so I lost all three boys, but not at the same time and it was more that they were temporarily misplaced. (We were always in the same exhibit together.) On three different occasions I rounded everyone up and we went looking for the misplaced child. Finally, I decided that I would allow the older kids to go play with a toy, exhibit, as long as I could still see them and I would stay with the youngest.

After 4 hours of running the ramps, going through all the exhibits, millions of times counting off 1,2,3,4,5, and only one bathroom break we were off to dinner. When we got to the restaurant (read: McDonald's) because I'm such a pro at wrangling 5 kids, I had them all sit down and I ordered for everyone, got the drinks, ketchup, and food and finally sat down. Whew! Of course there was the go around of opening the toy that came in the Happy Meal and putting it together. Cameron managed to bite his finger, probably thinking it was part of the french fry and then he fell off of his chair face first into the floor. (it was quite a drop for a four year old) After the standard giving of kisses and holding by Aunt Meghan all was right with the world again.

I really enjoyed being with my nieces and nephews. It is not often that they all get to be together. It was neat to watch Cameron look up to Dan and follow him. (Cameron called him "Danny" all day) Alex was such a big brother to Cam, and the girls really bonded like sisters.My wish is that their bond with each other only stengthens and grows deeper as they get older. I hope that they enjoyed the day as much as I did.

At the end of the day everyone was returned to Grandma and Papa's house fully intact, fed, and tired. (That's the way grandparents like them, right?) After kisses and "ever-so's" (our version of I love you) Aunt Meghan went back to her house to crash and burn.

Florida 2008

How to take a Vacation

Step 1: Pick the day(s) that you would like to vacation and schedule that time off from work.

Step 2: Buy any needed tickets (plane, train, boat)

Step 3:Pack for said vacation

Step 4:Board plane, train, or boat

Step 5: Arrive at vacation destination

Step 6: Relax!

I succeeded at accomplishing 5 out of 6 of the above steps on my first vacation. Any guesses at which one I had the most trouble with? If you guessed step 6, give yourself a pat on the back.

I left for Venice, Florida on Friday morning to visit dear family friends, Helen and Jim that have been like grandparents to me and my brothers. After landing in Ft. Myers and driving the 1hour and 15 minutes to the Venice area, we stopped off at Englewood beach for lunch at the Lock and Key restaurant. We arrived home in Venice and I headed out to the pool for a few hours. All the while I could not make myself believe that I was in the Sunshine State. The next full days were filled with trips to the beaches, Venice, Siesta Key, and my favorite, Manasota Beach. I finished 4 books while in Florida. Cross, You've been Warned, another James Patterson book and Dinner with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory; I highly recommend reading this book.

We dined at many restaurants during my stay. Turtles, Sam's Steakhouse, and an Amish restaurant were a few. Turtles sat on the water and overlooked Little Sarasota Bay. Every so often you would see fish jump put of the water. We were told that just before we arrived dolphins and manatee's were in the area. What a sight that would have been! Here we are at Turtles after dinner. (The talapia was amazing!)

There were many times when we would start a conversation with "Remember when..." Jim brought out a 20 year old VHS tape of my first dance. A video I had never seen before and had only heard of in dialogue with family. Uncle Ron and I danced to the song "Rainbow Connection" from the Muppetts. Here is a picture:

On my last day, Helen and I broke out my old domino set and played a few rounds.

I was definitely a little rusty. Helen won the first 4 games right off the bat. After a few games though, I was back on track.

I particularly enjoyed walking the shoreline and hearing the tides roll in and out, looking for interesting shells, and just being amazed by what was in front of me. It was a great visit with two very special people and time well spent.

Now, grab yourself a drink with an umbrella, sit back, relax, and imagine hearing the sound of the ocean waves.

Summer Slide Show

Organic Bovine, Rooftop dinner, and a window

Summer is the perfect time to check out the farmer's markets and stock up on local produce. I went to Trader's Point Creamery with a few friends and we strolled through the market and had dinner on the farm. The dinner menu included eggplant lasagna, garlic bread, fresh green salad and a drink ( I had the organic milk for the all around organic experience) For dessert we opted for some ice cream that is made right there at the farm. Everything was delicious.

Betsy and Frank making their way to the field.

The next night I headed down to Fountain Square to help Steph and Kate cross one off "The List" and enjoyed dinner on the rooftop of Shelbi Street Cafe. The food was great and the company was even better. The rooftop has a view of the downtown skyline and is the perfect place to relax and unwind.

I love living life with these people!

I took this shot on a whim while we were waiting for the elevator. I like the angle and how the sunset hits the bricks. It may just end up on a wall in my room.