It's been a very nice break

This spring break has been absolutely fabulous.  It's been a terrific mix of fun, productive, and relaxing.  We have 7-1/2 weeks of school remaining, and it feels really easy after this week.  I'll probably feel differently by about 10am Monday, but I'll take it however long it lasts!

I never really got into the basketball games last week.  There were only a couple of good first round upsets, and those teams didn't make it to the second weekend.  We had dinner plans with dear friends with Saturday and I did really enjoy that.

Monday was a day that I allowed myself to just hang out and do whatever I wanted.  The "thing I wanted" this week has been organizing photos, and I've gotten soooo much done.  I'm so pleased!  Tuesday, I worked, both at school and at church, and Wednesday I had lunch plans and then made a trip to visit my grandmother.  Yesterday, Andrew had a doctor appointment, so he was home, and we ran an errand and ate lunch out, then we settled in to watch Opening Day.  Not how we wanted it to go, but there are 161 games remaining.  Today I am home along again, although I didn't sleep last night.  I don't mean I didn't sleep well, I mean I literally couldn't sleep, so I've been awake now for the 25 hours.  I don't love that this is how break is ending, but I am super grateful I don't have to work today!  I've really appreciated the alone time from this week, but I've also really appreciated some time spent with family and friends.  It's been a fabulous break!

A new phase

Tonight, Thomas is sleeping in his new apartment for the very first time.  Last evening he FaceTimed us after he had gotten the keys and gave us a quick tour.  I think he is sleeping on an air mattress and living out of his suitcase, but still he's sleeping there tonight.  I'm excited him, but it still made my heart happy to hear him say he'd be "home" this weekend to spend some more time packing things in his room.  I know we will see him lots, and he's already been off to college for a year, but this is certainly more permanent.

Yesterday was also the day that Joey Votto retired.  I won't lie, it made me a little sad, but I'm glad he went out on his own terms.  We were at his last home game last year, and it was so very special.  I didn't realize it was also the game where he had his last Major League hit.  I am so, so grateful for all of the memories he helped to create for my family, including last year's game.  He was a great role model for kids, and I hope that his days in the public eye aren't yet over.

Life brings changes, but I'm grateful to be a part of them!

161 games of hope

Today was the last day of the MLB season.  The Reds were officially eliminated from the playoffs just yesterday.  It stinks that they lost the last two games of the season, but it's amazing that we still had hope right through yesterday.  While I would have much preferred that our season be able to continue, I take some solace that Cards finished in last place, and that the Cubs didn't make the playoffs either.

This week is going to feel like baseball weather though.  The highs this week are supposed to be in the upper 80's.  Not my favorite kind of weather, and I especially hate the thought of using the a/c in October.  But, next weekend looks delightful, and I'm ready for long-sleeves!

A fabulous sports weekend

In addition to getting to attend the Reds game on Sunday, the entire weekend was full of fun sporting events.  Friday evening was the first Friday in weeks that Andrew didn't have to attend the high school football game.  We enjoyed the Reds game on TV, but losing to the Pirates is NOT what we had hoped for.  Saturday we watched ESPN's College Game Day live from South Bend.  That afternoon we flipped back and forth between the Michigan/Rutgers game the UC/Oklahoma game.  Neither game went the way I had hoped.  That evening, we started watching the Reds game and were delighted when they jumped out to an early 9-0 lead.  That made the eventual 13-12 loss all the more crushing!  And of course, we watched OSU score with only a second left to defeat Notre Dame.  This is literally the only time I ever root against the Buckeyes, but rooting against them I was!

After we had a blast Sunday afternoon, we were able to watch the Steelers game that night.  We hadn't even realized that it was a Sunday night game so that was great planning!  I didn't stay up for the entire game, but Andrew did and was very pleased the Steelers were victorious.  The Bengals were also on national TV last night and won their first game of the season.  The Reds beat Cleveland tonight, and that guarantees them a .500 record after losing 100 games last year.  Their is still a mathematical chance to make the playoffs as a wild-card, but time is running out.

I'm so grateful I enjoy these sports and these moments.  As I pointed out to Andrew on Saturday, life is pretty good if the biggest disagreement is which college football game to watch!

A fabulous afternoon of family fun and memories made

Our family had a really wonderful afternoon.  Last spring, I had won tickets to a Reds game in an auction.  It wasn't until the middle of the summer I remembered that I needed to redeem them and pick a game.  I decided a Sunday afternoon would be the best because I wouldn't miss any college football that way.  I didn't realize at the time that the Steelers are playing this evening so that is perfect as well.

I also didn't really think about it at the time, but it was the last home game of the season.  It's so hard to believe, after losing 100 games last year, that the Reds are still playing meaningful games in late September!  With both kids taking class and not working right now we were pretty sure they'd be available to go with us, and they were.  It was so wonderful to have a few hours to spend together.

On Friday, I realized that with it being the last home game, there is a very good chance it would be the final home game of Joey Votto.  He came up in 2007, and my kids don't remember the Reds without Votto.  As he came up to bat the first time, the fans gave him a standing ovation and timeout was called so that he could acknowledge the fans.  It lasted a good amount of time, and fans were chanting his name.  It was a bit emotional, and the manager mentioned later that the team has some emotions as well.  Unfortunately, he struck out.  In his fourth and final at-bat of the game, he got a hit, and was pulled for a pinch runner.  That allowed the fans to stand and chant again, and he gave a "curtain call" by coming back out of the dugout.  Catherine doesn't love sports, but she knows about Joey Votto.  And Thomas definitely calls Votto his favorite player and was feeling a little sad about it.  Baseball is a game that transcends generations.  It's a game where our earliest memories of the game are often memories made with our parents and grandparents, and that is why I'm so grateful we were able to share this today as a family.

There are other things from this weekend I want to write about, but those will be another post.  I wanted to make sure I always remember our special afternoon!

This was exactly the Saturday we needed

It's been a long week in this house.  My poor husband had a sporting event every evening except Wednesday.  He even had to work the JV football game this morning.  It was a lot for him.  I developed a cold early in the week, and it has lingered.  Not awful, but enough to feel absolutely worn out.  Work has also been a bit crazy, but that isn't really anything new.

The weather this week has been beautiful since a front came through on Tuesday.  It's been almost chilly at night, and I've been able to light a candle and I'm even sitting here with a blanket in my family room.  It's still a bit early for fall decorations, but we are getting there.  Today I tried to hang out some laundry, and I think it's just a bit too late in the season for it to dry successfully.  It's really delightful.

And it's not just the delightful weather that is awesome...it's the best sports time of the year as well!  Not only has the NFL begun, but Saturdays are full of delightful college football.  Next week is the big OSU/Notre Dame game.  It's in South Bend, and I think ND has a legitimate shot to win the game.  And have we mentioned that there is MEANINGFUL baseball happening for the Reds?  I mean, it's the middle of September, and these games MATTER!  As of yesterday, the Reds were tied with the Diamondbacks for the final wild card spot, but the Reds hold the tiebreaker against them.  It's an exciting time to be Reds fan, and so very unexpected.

I've done almost nothing today, and this is exactly the Saturday that we needed.  Andrew came home and took a nap, and we've been watching football and baseball.  This is the kind of day that absolutely feeds my soul.  I love this time of year!

What game are we watching???

Today is the beginning of baseball season.  Anyone who knows me, knows that this is what I live for...I love baseball!  This year though, I haven't felt the enthusiasm.  Two years ago during the pandemic, I realized that tI could live without it...I had no choice!  There was no baseball to watch!  Last year, we weren't able to watch the Reds on TV due to our TV carrier.  The Reds weren't all that great either, and we just didn't really follow along.  Then, the lockout happened and my enthusiasm continued to plummet.  Once the lockout was settled, the Reds traded so many players that it all just seemed ridiculous.

Tonight's game is on ESPN, so we could watch it.  It was late enough in the evening that even Andrew would be home from his baseball coaching to watch.  This whole thing though, seems ridiculous.  First of all, I DETEST the designated hitter, and I hate that it is part of the National League game now.  I find it ridiculous that the catchers are no longer giving signs to the pitcher and there are communication systems.  It all annoys me.  Then, we have "entertainment" that isn't really part of the game.  As far as I'm concerned, the game coverage hit an entirely new "low" when Joey Votto, who agreed to be miked for the game, was expected to have a conversation with the analysts while he was in the field trying to play first base.  Andrew and I kept looking at each other saying, "What is happening?"  I mean, how is this okay????  The man has a job to do, and having a conversation during seems a little bit distracting.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Joey Votto, and I find him absolutely entertaining.  The problem is, I would really rather be entertained by the game itself, and maybe we could have a chat with the ball player later??  This is just odd, and I'm not a fan of the current game as it is!

Mid October thoughts

Here we are at the middle of October.  To say this month has flown by is an absolute understatement.  I can't believe it is already half over.  I noticed on my drive to work this morning that the sky is no longer even beginning to show a sliver of pink by the time arrive.  It is still completely dark.

I have no school tomorrow!  To say I am excited about the prospect of sleeping in is an understatement.  I have just been completely wiped out.  It isn't that my life has been all that busy, it's just that I hate getting up so early.  I can generally make sure I am in bed in plenty of time to get seven hours, and often even more.  It's just that I don't sleep well during the night, so it's not "good sleep".  I came home this afternoon, made myself a nice hot caramel latte (it is raining and the temps are falling) and the proceeded to fall asleep as soon as I drank it.  I still feel like I could sleep some more, but I'm grateful for a little bit of relaxation this afternoon.

I've spent the last two work days not being in a classroom, but being in the high school office.  I hadn't been there in nearly a month, so I didn't mind.  Especially since I didn't bother to work on the filing.  I got to do general office duties.  It made me realize that I really, really want this secretary job.  However, the posting has been removed and I haven't had a call for an interview.  I still know I'm a strong candidate, but again, I just haven't had a good feeling about this since it posted last week.  Because school starts Tuesday, they will need to act fairly quickly.  If I don't get a phone call tomorrow, I feel it will be a strong indication I'm not getting an interview, and not getting hired.

The grief process for that is beginning again.  I'm also grieving, somewhat, that I won't get to be at our school this year.  I've realized I no longer love subbing.  Every time the phone rings, my heart skips a beat in hopes it is a principal calling for an interview.  Life goes on though.

I was also saddened this week by the passing of Joe Morgan.  He is the first of the Great Eight from the Big Red Machine to pass away.  As my sister said, it is sad and humbling to realize our idols aren't immortal.

Life is rolling right along!

Opening day has finally arrived!

I just about 4-1/2 hours, the Cincinnati Reds are beginning their baseball season.  I am so looking forward to having something decent to watch on TV.  Andrew and I have mentioned how there are many times it would've been nice to have a game to watch.  The Reds are supposed to be improved over the last couple of years, so I'm glad we get to at least have an attempt at a season.  We'll see what happens!

A year ago today we were at a Reds game

A year ago today Andrew and I were at a Cincinnati Reds game.  It was the coldest (I believe) first pitch ever, and I'm pretty sure the Reds lost.  And to be honest, I had a blast.

As much as I had been a Reds fan, I hadn't been to a game in nearly eight years.  Honestly, going there was just too much for my anxiety.  I recognized it, and was happy to let Andrew take the kids at various times.  Last year though, there was a family special, and when we realized that the kids couldn't go on a date that was offered, I decided it needed to be a date for Andrew and me.  I had such a great time!  We went to two more games during the course of the season.  I realized a great deal of my anxiety before had been because the kids were little, and since they weren't little anymore that helped.  I also recognize that certain anxiety-causing dynamics had left my daily life, and it just allows me to feel less anxiety about everything overall.  It is such a wonderful memory I have!  I know we will get to go again someday!

Last year's Opening Day is better than nothing

Today is supposed to be Opening Day for the Reds.  Of course, that isn't happening, and we are months away from even thinking about it.  There is nothing like Opening Day in Cincinnati.  Nothing at all.  It means for months on end, there will be something to watch on TV.  It means spring is arriving, and the school year is nearing an end.  With it being spring break this week, I would've actually been able to watch everything on Opening Day.

This year of course, none of that is happening.  We may or may not, depending on things, have a baseball season this year.  I am optimistic that maybe we will, but I also know it isn't the most important thing this year.  Fox Sports Ohio has decided that today, they will show last year's first game.  It certainly isn't the same, and I obviously know how it ends.  I know how the season went...it's all already happened...nothing new.  But for today, this is still better than no baseball at all!

My sister made me cry this morning

Normally when my sister makes me cry, it's because of something awful she has done.  Not today though.  It's because she shared some thoughts and memories regarding the retirement of Marty Brennaman.  Like me, his voice is so closely tied to memories of our childhood, specifically involving our dad and grandparents.

I am sitting here, at not yet 7:30 in the morning, fighting tears.  Honestly, it's like losing a little part of my childhood.  He is also so closely connected to memories involving loved ones, and it is almost like losing those loved ones all over again.  I am really having a tough time with it.  Because it is an afternoon game, I won't be able to listen to the game today.  It is probably just as well.

Reds baseball on radio will never be the same. Never

I was born in late October of 1973...meaning after the end of the Reds baseball season.  In April 1974, the Reds had a new voice in the radio booth...Marty Brennaman.  He joined Joe Nuxhall in the booth for their first season together, and it was the first of many.

As you might know, back when I was a child the Reds were not televised in every game.  If you wanted to follow along with the game (and we did) you listened to Marty and Joe on the radio.  I have vivid memories of summer days as a child, where my dad would be outside either working in the yard, or working on a vehicle, or doing some other project, and we would have the game on the radio.  These memories make me smile, and also bring a tear to my eye because I miss my dad so much.

Marty Brennaman and Joe Nuxhall were "Marty and Joe" from that first game in April 1974 until October 3, 2004 when Joe Nuxhall retired.  Folks, for the first 30 years of my life, I had only known "Marty and Joe" on the radio...literally my entire life at that point.  I was 31-years-old before I knew anything else.

And here we are fifteen years later.  Marty Brennaman announced his impending retirement prior to the season.  This is his last home stand, and he isn't traveling with the team to Pittsburgh this weekend, so these three games are it.  Honestly, I am sitting here fighting tears.  I am a die-hard Cincinnati Reds fan, and for FORTY-SIX years I've been able to listen to Marty Brennaman on the radio.  Announcers don't call games anymore like he does.  If something stinks, Marty tells it like it is.  I have no doubt part of my dedication to the Reds is because I got to listen to the talented duo when I was growing up.  I'm very, very grateful that part of the connection to my childhood has been maintained for so many year.  Reds baseball on the radio will never be the same.  Never.

Getting to see a walk-off Reds win

We decided to take in one more Reds game today.  We had made sure Catherine didn't work today, and we hit the jackpot with the weather!  The temps are in the upper 70's, and the humidity is low...absolutely ideal.  We were pretty sure the crowds would be low with the beginning of the NFL season today and nothing for the Reds to really play for at this point.  However, they are an entertaining losing team.  You just never know with them!  The Reds were behind, then tied the game in the bottom of the 8th.  In the bottom of the 9th, two men got on, and then Michael Lorenzen, a relief pitcher, battled at the plate for a pinch-hit walk-off win!  It was so exciting!  Earlier in the week, he had pitched in relief for the win, hit a home-run, and played center field.  He is such an exciting player, and it was an awesome win.  While I've been to many games in my life, I rarely get to see wins, and I've never seen a walk-off before!

After the game we walked across the stadium to a gorgeous riverfront park.  We walked through the park as we headed back to our car.  It was a fabulous way to squeeze out one more afternoon of summer fun!

Trade deadline

I've been a baseball fan my entire life, and there have been many times in my adult life that this date, the MLB trade deadline, has made me unhappy.  That's the hard part of rooting for a team that often is no longer competing for anything by this time of year.  We had some hope heading into the All-Star break, but when we came out losing more than we were winning, I knew we were going to be "sellers" rather than "buyers" as this deadline approached.  Sure enough, the Reds traded Puig, Roark, & Gennett.  I wasn't surprised by the Puig trade, although I did enjoy watching him play.  Gennett was one I really liked, but this is life in the baseball world!

Hall of Fame year continues

After visiting the football HOF in April and the baseball HOF last month, we made a visit to Cincinnati this afternoon.  The Reds have the largest team Hall of Fame in the country, and we had purchased a membership for the year.  We had last been there several years ago, and many things had changed since then.  We all enjoyed getting to see the memorabilia, and the kids especially enjoyed things that were recent enough they could remember.  Even Andrew who didn't grow up a Reds fan, enjoyed all the memories.  We were only there an hour, but with a membership we get to go back again anytime in the next year!

After the Hall, we visited our family's favorite restaurant on the river.  It's tough not to overeat at this place, but even more than my stomach, I came home with such a full heart.  We loved our afternoon together!

A family Sunday afternoon at the Reds game

Our family enjoyed a family afternoon at the Reds game.  Unfortunately, they lost, but we sure had fun spending the afternoon together!  I was worried about the weather (thunderstorms were in the forecast) and how I was going to hold up after being sick all week, but it all worked out really well and we had fun!  I love having an afternoon to spend with my kiddos!

Baseball games

Last Friday I was finally able to attend a baseball game where Andrew was coaching.  I often find it tough to justify watching other kids play baseball when my kids are home or it would mean having to put the dog in the crate.  Last Friday though, Thomas was working the set, and Catherine looked forward to some quiet time with our sweet pup.  It was a fun game, but unfortunately it was a loss in extra innings.  They bounced back Saturday with a win, but it was an away game and I didn't go.  Monday evening was another loss.

The Reds have also been on a losing streak.  It was ridiculous!  They hadn't won since opening day.  Finally yesterday though, the flood gates broke open, and they had a 14-0 victory.  That is 40% of the runs they have scored all season!

I am so happy baseball season has arrived!

March did not go out like a lamb

Sunday, the last day of March, was definitely not a "lamb" kind of weather day.  It was sunny, but COLD.  Several weeks ago Andrew and I had decided to attend the Reds game.  We knew it could be chilly, but had seats in the sun.  It turned out to be the second coldest first pitch in Great American Ballpark history.  Ugh!  It was a pretty empty stadium, so we actually ended up sitting in seats in our section that were higher.  The clouds were heavy and there wasn't much sun, plus the higher seats blocked the wind.  It was definitely not a "lamb" weather day!  Unfortunately, the Reds bats were more on the lamb side, and we didn't get to see a winner.

We are having a few really nice days here right now, and this Saturday it is going to be absolutely wonderful!  Spring is springing!

Today is the Cincinnati Reds' Opening Day!

Baseball season officially gets underway in Cincinnati today!  I love this day!  Not only is baseball back, but spring can't be far behind.  Even though it has officially been spring for nearly a week now, we haven't had much springlike weather at this point.

For years, I have tried to make Opening Day a "clear" day on the calendar.  When I was in college it was fairly easy as my classes were usually finished by early afternoon.  Once I began working after college, I could usually have the radio turned on my co-workers were fans as well so they didn't mind.  Becoming a mother meant even more availability to "celebrate" the day!  I remember years of dressing the kids in either Reds clothing (or even just red clothes) and dedicating the day to baseball. 

When I began working, it became challenging because I didn't always think ahead before accepting a job.  And there were also years (as they do now) when Opening Day was moved to the middle off of Monday and to another day of the week.  Even when we moved and I didn't work for a few years, there always seemed to be a track meet on Opening Day!  This year, we have no track participants, but I'm working today, and I have to go straight to my church job right after school.  I hope to be able to accomplish only what I absolutely have to get done, and then head home.

This year, Andrew and I actually have tickets to Sunday's game.  It's going to be pretty chilly, but I am looking forward to an afternoon together with just him!