Baseball, baseball, baseball. This week is tournament time and oh my goodness...busy! Last night they had a double header (Cobb then MP). They won the game in Cobb playing against Bear Valley, then they won in Mineral Point versus Mineral Point (the other team). It was so great. I have never seen kids so excited! Noah played third base and caught two to make the outs. He also made a base hit. I like baseball, but it really isn't my favorite. Watching the kids play really brings the game to life. Mineral Point parents are so wonderful also. No matter what, everyone is out there cheering with positive attitudes and hope for a great game. Teamwork is totally essential and can be seen and heard throughout the field and bleachers.

Tonight we played in Plain versus Plain. It was so hot : ( Plain had a great field, right next to a corn field - it totally looked like something out of 'Field of Dreams'. We lost, but we played good. Both teams were good; we lost 5 to 2. Noah struck out swinging both times he was up to bat. I think the batting cage is really paying off.

Thursday we finally get a 'day off'. I think Noah could really use it. We have our "sack" lunches packed and are going to go to Governor Dodge for a little bit of hiking. I think we will hit the pool after that.

Cecilia had her softball practice cancelled...I guess we will have to see how she does on Sunday. She has been at the batting cage a little with Erik this week also; hopefully this will pay off. She actually is pretty good at batting...it is the whole GAME thing she needs to work on : )

Hope everyone is staying cool! Good luck Mineral Point!!

It is so nice to go visit a "new" place...even though it was only Michigan (again), but it is even better to be home. I missed my kids so much.

Celia was so beautiful at her dance recital. I can't believe how much she has grown compared to last year. Last year she looked like a doll in her dress and this year she looked like a small princess. It is so adorable to see the little kids dance. After all of the work that goes into teaching them how to dance together, I often wonder how the teacher feels when they don't move in sync : )

Noah was not the pitcher tonight, or the catcher, and he did miss a ball that came into left center, but the team did win. He was able to run the bases after he was dealt a "ball", but I explained that baseball is a team effort, so it took the whole team to create the run score.

Memorial day is coming up, but I am so far behind on school work that I am afraid I am not going to get to take advantage of the vacation part of the weekend. The kids are going to be gone to Mom's and we are supposed to be going to the Brewer game and hopefully 'Cracked Pepper' in Dubuque for dinner. I am definitely looking forward to checking that out.

I have been so crazy busy lately that it seems like time is standing still...same thing every day. Hopefully some day soon, things will slow down.

On a crazy note, I for the first time, was able to try out bacon on ice cream...yes, BACON. It sounds entirely insane, but it was wonderful!!!!

Later gator-
j

Bad Day : (

It has just been a bad day all around for me.

Things at work are definitely not fantastic. I am applying again at a business for a position that I would truly find rewarding...now if they would just give me a chance.

Erik has had to listen to me complain so much lately and I really do feel like crying, which I am totally opposed to. I have been trying to find where I went wrong at my job, as everything seemed to be working out okay...I guess 'seemed to be' is the key here.

Our friend, Mary, we just found out has had cancer for over a year. The minute I heard about it, Erik and I plucked a couple of garden flowers and hauled up to the care center. I was not going to miss an opportunity to say hello and check in. She looked good all in all, although I feel sad for her. She was the most fantastic land lady and the kiddieos love her...they would go visit and she would give them cookies and let them drag the toys out to play with. There aren't many people in life that make you remember the "small" stuff.

On top of all of this, all of my baby fishies are gone and my tank is a complete mess. I find the "mommy" fish hiding constantly and she has not come out of the cave for about three days. I am going to again clean the tank and hope that they all overcome this. Although I saw the tank getting mucky, I did not want to purchase another "suckerfish" as I knew it would suck up the babies, yet the dirtiness has taken over.

We are thinking about camping this weekend. That would be fantastic. We have only camped once this year (for Mothers Day), I feel deprived! I love camping in the fall, it is so beautiful, and cool. I would camp every weekend if I could, even though we camp close, it still seems like a getaway. Plus, brats are always on our menu, and that alone makes me smile : )

I guess there have been a couple of happy moments today. Camping reservations and I got carded today. It happens once in awhile, but she said I just looked too young for her to assume anything. That made my day. 31 still looking 21....I can handle that!

My friend comes back from her honeymoon tomorrow and I cannot wait to hear all about it. I will be slightly jealous, but I wouldn't miss sharing her experience. Her wedding was beautiful, so I hope to see some pictures as well.

I guess tata for now. I am leaving with a smile on my face and hope in my heart.

-j

Day 1 !!!!

I live in a small rural town, and was quite frightened when it took me 2 hours and a "maybe" answer in my quest to regain my right to the internet. Here I am. Soooo....I am finally modern again. I have been linked back to the real world. Okay, okay I am connected again to the internet in the coziness of my own home, thank goodness. Talk about being on an island.

I wanted to start a blog so I could remain in close "speaking" distance to my momma, friends and anyone else who may be interested. I have found myself rapidly filling the ears of my friend day in and day out because she has been so gracious in listening and not rolling her eyes and walking away (thanks Jenny)....but guess what, I can write it down now and you can read it later : )

I am so excited!!!

I better stop writing for tonight, even though I have a million things to say. I will be back soon...