Countdown is On....

Better bite down real hard Wily Mo...the season is just around the corner and the Red Sox still have questions for us. I found this pic of Wily Mo reading an article about baseball superstitions....he bites his bat??? well to each his own I always say as you know one of my philosophies I leave by is "To Thine Own Self Be True". There's absolutely no real reason or rhyme to this post. I just felt in necessary to get on line and update. I've been out of town this week in Tornado Alley. Glad to be back in Austin. Opening Day is Monday in Kansas City and I still won't have DirecTV hooked up which gives me a perfect reason to visit my fav watering hole Pluckers with some friends to catch the Red Sox play. It's been a long long winter for me. But like I posted on New Years...I feel I've turned a corner and finally things are looking up. Life is good so long as it's baseball season right? Each year I tell myself I'm going to slack up on going to games cos I should probably be spending the money on something more important...course then I come to my senses.

My itinerary for the year SO FAR:

April 6, 7, & 8 Arlington, TX The Ballpark Red Sox vs Rangers

May 25, 26, & 27 Arlington, TX The Ballpark Red Sox vs Rangers

June 22, 23, & 24 San Diego, CA Red Sox vs Padres

July 16 & 18 Boston Fenway Pahk, Red Sox vs Kansas City Royals

July 20 Boston Fenway Pahk, Red Sox vs Chicago White Sox

September 8 & 9 Baltimore, Camden Yards Red Sox vs Orioles

Hand Over that Bat Wily....I may need to chew on it too.

Lets Play Ball!!!

The Rookie

Stepping into the box
But not on the plate,
The boy searches for a way
Back home.
A five-tool player waiting
to enter the Big Show
for more than a cup of joe.
Walking, running, stealing, hoping
For another’s mistake
to help him along the way.
Facing the green wall, then
into the eyes of old-timers
anxious to hold on to their glory.
Ducks on a pond
crouched like tigers
waiting for an opportunity to
come home.
Surrounded by men watching
His moves, his stance, his swing.
Feeling boxed in, he looks
for a way out.
In a park where thousands sit
and nine men play against one,
shines a diamond
to where his future may go.
Out of the bullpen and onto
The mound, a Fireman
faces the boy.
Arms cocked, bat
swaying
in the
air, changeup
or a slider?
a step and wood
connects with leather,
a crack deafening to
the masked men’s ears.
Watching the rookie’s future
sail over the Closer, the dirt, the bags,
But not the Monster.
Inside the park grand slam.
Bringing in his first steaks,
to The Show.

I felt it in order to post one of my baseball poems today with Opening Day around the corner. and thats Tiz pitching to his son in Ft Myers.

Second Chances....

If you're lucky in life and love, you're given a chance at some great opportunity to add quality to your day to day routine. This may be meeting someone who is your soulmate...it may having the perfect job that helps you to excel at your god-given talents and skills. Some of us take advantage of these chances given to us...some of us squander them away, only to realize years later our foolishness cost us true happiness.

Then there are some of us who squander it....but through some quirk or angel looking out for us are given that Second Chance at that same opportunity that you came across years back. Its in that second time you stop and soak in the experience and learn from it. Its at this time you realize if you have actually grown up and learned any lessons at all. You want to make sure this time you don't screw it up...you dont make the same mistakes....you 'get it' this time.

But what about those who are on the receiving end of your Second Chance? What about their second chance? Basically your second chance is entirely dependent on their open heart and soul. If you're this person....it's easy to take advantage of this situation and make the Second Chance person squirm. But I advise you NOT TO....you may be given a Second Chance one time in your life...and you'll be hoping you will be received with open arms.

If you could choose a Second Chance ...... what would it be? these days I'm rethinking it all...for I am that person on the receiving end of someone elses' Second Chance...

All Good Things Must Come to an End....

So Monday....we head back to the park to watch Beckett pitch. I am psyched cos I get to fly my flag again. SotB and I head to our bleacher seats...but we decide to sit on the berm..ya know the lawn out in right field...anyway a couple of older men are trying to get comfortable on the berm when we offer our bleacher seat tickets in exchange for their berm seats. It was a father - son and the father was around 80 yr old. they thanked us and headed up to the bleachers while we stretched out enjoying the sun. I got to show off my tat and flag to others around. After awhile both SotB and I returned to where Brenken, Lynn, and KellyJ were sitting to visit....the game was nice but then we had to head to the airport to drop off SotB. Brenken and I returned home to get ready for dinner. We were meeting up with Kelly off SG and a couple of her friends. Lots of alcohol and laughs later....we headed back to Brenken's home to get a good nights sleep....she and I begin talking about the fact that Tek is renting a condo right around the corner from her home...its behind one of those REAL gated communities. Its about 10pm....and the next thing I know.....we're turning down the condo road!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok so I felt like I was back in high school...stalking that guy I had a crush on....sneaking around. it was one of the most exciting things!!! I never told Brenken thanks....so Thank YOU Brenken for giving this Texas Gal some Night Time Fun!!!!

So Spring Training is Over....time for home and reality. And soon Back to Regular Blogging....

the Panthers await....

So it's Saturday morning ..... SO IT'S Saturday MORNING!!!!! Another game....but this time Brenken's daughter is singing the national anthem...so we HAVE to get there on time.
It's actually an uneventful day till that evening. We leave the game early so we can return to Bonita Springs to get ready for the SFAC dinner. Knowing Curt usually doesn't show up till later...we're not worried about being alittle late. Walking and picking up our table assignments...Brenken rushes over frantically gushing out something about Curt's here and people are already in line getting autographs...wait What?? Glancing over...sure enough, there's the Bloody Sock guy signing autographs and taking pics with fans. I grab my item to be signed and rush over like an obedient girl. I had this whole rehearsed phrase I was going to say to Curt but thrown a curve ball (no pun intended..ok well yeah) anyway...I totally forgot to tell him about my idea to secretly install the GPS with Curt's voiceover into CHB's car....a blown opportunity! oh well I get my item signed AND get Curt to sign my cast! TC and his wife take a pic of me with Curt...Sssssswwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

Ok now off to the silent auction....i see exactly what I want....Beckett's autographed ball!! I warn everyone to stay away....ok auction's over and the dinner begins. blah blah blah (thats the speaker....I get Beckett's Ball, Btlgrl gets Lowell's Ball(well his good one) and KellyJ gets Papi's Big Black Stick...anyway we all leave happy and head to Mona Lisa's to parTAY!

SotB heads over to sign up to sing(karoeke) and we all settle in for our beers. After bearing through some of the wretched singers on stage...finally they call SotB's name and we head into the stage area. I hold her beer while standing at the edge of the stage....SotB begins singing "Sin Wagon" of the Dixie Chicks.....I'm doing a jig near the stage.....sorry no pics :)

Sunday hits and we head to Hammond Park for the Twins game. It's a fairly nice park but alot in the sun. We're watching batting practice....leaning over the dugout I'm waiting to see if anyone will autograph...SotB is standing next to me when all of a sudden she runs over to the end of the dugout screaming like some 16 yr old girl "Tek!!". Before I know it....dozens of kids have surrounded her and she throws her Tek jersey at him, he signs it but by this time he's pointing at WHO gets to throw him items to sign...he ONLY points at KIDS!!! I'm there with my hoots hanging out and all and he points to KIDS???!!!! Sheeeeeeesh another blown opp to get Tek's autograph!! PFfffffffffft! Oh well so I got back to watching the boys....finally I see David Murphy and begin yelling at him. A guy next to me suggested I wait till David walks back to the dugout....so I did...patiently....as David walks slowly and deliberately trying NOT to look up....I yelled at him and held up my TEXAS Flag....the smile that came across his face was undescribable! His face lit up as if seeing an old friend! He walked over and I asked if he'd sign the flag...he nodded then I asked him to sign the star....to which he smiled again....of course he said. Well THAT made this girl very happy!!

Leaving the game...we're headed to the car....passing a couple of car loads of Sox fans standing out drinking and eating in the parking lot...they yell at us asking where are we from. There are 4 of us and we're all from 4 different states....but as soon as I say Texas, one of the guys says some smartaleck remark about the Rangers. I prance over to him, moving my hair from my shoulder I reveal my Red Sox tattoo...you see it's my PIC here. He turned me around and said to me, "I gotta kiss a Texas gal who sports a Sox tat!" He pecked me on the cheek and then we were off.

What a day it was!!! Schilling and Santana pitching and we won!! Bonus I decided to stay an extra day and I was gonna see Beckett pitch the next day. Ok I think I am almost through with past Spring training games.

Sheeesh...this Walking Pneumonia killed me.

If You're Going Through Hell....

I just posted Rodney Atkin's song on myspace yestereday cos it occurred to me that sometimes when life circumstances bog us down and we just complain and moan about what is happening to us.....we forget that we control the destiny of how we react to these catastrophes.

This song is so Right On about how to handle things and it says it in the simplest of fashions...

"But the good news is there's angels everywhere out on the street
Holdin' out a hand to pull you back up on your feet
The one's that you've been draggin' for so long
You're on your knees might as well be prayin'
Guess what I'm sayin' "

I'm writing this in response to Ted's blog today (Red Sox Dad) as he reminded me that sometimes people just make wrong choices...and don't step up to the plate and just say that...they blame the past, their parents, their ex's, their friends, their enviroment, hell they just blame the world .... but in reality, People need to just stand up and say "Hey Im an ass and did an Assclown thing...but I get it now and I'm making changes"

If more people would do that, they'd have my respect. But more so, they'd have their own lives back.

Delayed Spring Training Stories

I suppose most of you read by now that SotB and I both came down with some nasty stuff on vacation. Let me tell ya it hit hard...hard enough to knock this Texas gal on her ass for the last 3 days.

BUT...that is not why you're reading this.

Friday afternoon.

So you know the Flag was flown for Texas Independence Day...even if Timlin or Beckett didn't pitch.

OK so SotB, Btlgrl, Ken and I leave the game alittle early as we have to retrieve our food from our hotel. We were staying in Bonita Springs which is about 20 miles from Ft. Myers. We gather up our goodies, get cleaned up, and head to Brenken's house WITH directions. Now, I love Brenken to death and all for all she's done....but my group voted her off the "mapmaker" job status. Mind you, we've been to her house at least twice before...but this was once a year. After taking a wrong turn...calling and turning around...almost there and STILL taking the wrong turn AGAIN...figured it out and finally made it to the GATED community of XXX. (hey there has to be SOME privacy). Anyway this is one of those REAL gated communities where you give the person's name you are visiting and your name. I started to yell out, "just tell her Tex is here", but I let Ken handle it since he was driving. As we drove through, we recalled how to get to her house but as we were turning this curve and passed this condo addition....we remembered....rumor was Tek was renting one of those condos!! ok so we behaved and went to brenken's house. (you'll hear about the night I did go soon)

Seriously, the bbq was fairly tame....between my cast, CBKen's and Soxy's recent hospital stay, JimEd's just getting over being ill and TomCat being sick....we were a bunch of lightweights. I brought the usual Sam Adams and it was gone in a snap. We left early and headed to the store to get more beer. JimEd had flew in from Manchester even with that storm! He was ready to party but we all were pretty tired and so we drank a few but called the party short as we had to get some sleep.

You see the bbq is usually on the last day of the weekend...but we were trying to have it on friday so more could come......also we need to have it on Sunday because by then...everyone is relaxed and comfortable and really don't care about behavior...we were just getting into partying.

oh yeah today at the ballpark some guy stopped me and asked, "hey where'd you get that Red Sox cast?" (this was before the Schilling sig) I looked at him...bit my tongue...and just explained I had a red cast and I put the tat on there. I wanted to tell him, "Dude, there almost out of them in the Souvenir Store...better hurry up" But hey...it was pretty cool to think I have a Red Sox Cast!!! Maybe the ARI* was worth it.

for those ignorant to acronyms

*Alcohol Related Injuries

2nd Day....

Long long long day today. We headed to the park and arrived around 11am. It is crazy there I tell ya! First thing is to get a fresh lemonade inside the park...YES I said FRESH lemonade NO alcohol. I save my drinking for after dark....pretty much the agreement we have on Surviving Grady for Tek-Thirty.... no Tek's ass pics till after dark. Ate the ritual dog and drank my lemo...met up with all my LMotfer crew which was great to see!! We were enjoying the game....when all of a sudden we see CHB in the pressbox upon which SoxontheBeach began ranting at him....gesturing and yelling. We all began yelling "Giant Sphincter". You know the new GPS system that supposedly Curt Schilling's voice is installed???? Well so I was thinking if someone "ME" could secretly installed this system into CHB's vehicle with special messages such as "Turn Right AssHole" or better yet "Only Sphincter's turn right". I don't know...it's just an idea.

The group headed to our friend's for our night bbq....which has to remain a secret as What Happens in Ft. Myers stays in Ft. Myers.

Tomorrow is our 2nd game....and the SFAC charity dinner benefitting ALS of which Curt will be there. I have still yet to get an autograph on my cast....we'll see.

pics coming......stories undetermined....

The 1st Day

Flight Days can be long and dreary......if there is no entertainment. But I try to make a habit of making my own entertainment. Today I get to the airport and due to my personalized red cast....I get 'selected' for special scanning. I know ya saw my posted itty bitty cast here....like what could I hide in there?? a nail clipper??? Sure TSA...have at it!! But good thing they let me get into the PreBoarding line....WoooHOOOOOO!!! So long flight from Austin to Orlando....getting off and heading to other plane. Finally getting on and getting situated....two other women ask to sit in my row....the 2 men and woman sitting behind me began talking.....before I know it, entertainment has begun. Apparently the Lowell Spinners' clubhouse manager was sitting behind me and was quite the entertaining fellow. I am not certain of his age but know he has grandchildren. As discussion began about relationships with "ex's", he stated for at least 3 months he resides with his ex and her hubby!! Ok everyone around put their magazines and books up, pulled off their i-pod earphones and kinda like that commercial says "when e.f. hutton talks, people listen.." It was air flight entertainment at its finest!!!

I land in Ft. Myers and head to drop off my carry-on with the friends at Chili's in the airport...go to Baggage FINALLY get my one bag....heading back to Chili's when a REALLY CUTE airport staff in one of those dorky orange vest walks by me and says something but I didn't quite hear him and asked him what he said....he looked at me and said..."Why are you Mean?" For a second...I looked at him dumbfounded...THEN I recalled...I had my tanktop on from my favorite bar...The MeanEyed Cat...it is a black tanktop that just says...MEAN across the front. I laughed it off...headed to my friends...although thinking, "hey, I got hit on within 30 minutes of being in Ft. Myers!!" That's got to be a GOOD THING!

Yeah we all went and ate and drank but tonight is the slow night....I Promise...Plenty of Stories yet to come!!!

One quick story from this morning as I got ready for the trip. I do not have a dryer...TED????
anyway...I took my clothes to dry them....sitting there in the laundromat looking out the windows I saw this lady walking her dog....she had shorts on...with tall skinny RED SOCKS ON up to her knees!!!! any other time, I would have snickered at a get up such as this...but today....I just smiled...cos I thought "I'm GOING TO SEE THE RED SOX THIS WEEK!!"

Life is good.

Red Sox FANatic

When you become a Red Sox fan…you don’t just do it half-way….it’s with your heart, soul and mind. It shows in your daily life, your job, your clothes, your home, EVERYTHING…it may take awhile for you to realize how much love you have in your heart for them….but you have this moment when it hits you….you are not just a fan of this team…The Team IS Your Family!!

That moment came today as I sat in my doctors’ office waiting to have my cast put on. I was giddy as a schoolgirl in her first crush as I watched him put on the RED cast. Yes…I said RED CAST. Ya see…my doctor found out that I was a huge fan and suggested we put on RED to which I replied with a gleeful look, “YOU CAN DO THAT??!!” He smiled. Well not to be outdone…I went home and searched till I found them, the temporary tattoos I found at Spring Training last year. And so I disobeyed the Doc…using a small amount of water I put the Boston Red Sox tat on the front. It looks real nice. I’m heading to spring training this week and hope this cast will assist me in getting autographs. You see….Manny isn’t the only one who can be goofy.

MannyAntics

I want you to take a good long hard look at this picture and tell me what you see....do those fans act like they are yelling at Manny for causing so much trouble?? HELL NO!!! They are just happy he HAS ARRIVED!! It never ceases to amaze me how the media focuses in on "the player" who can give them the most to write about...and I'm not talking about stats....I mean the "Manny-Rama" !!!

Manny heads out to participate in drills with his teammates and somehow takes a wrong turn???? Wait....I mean this isn't Manny's first trip to this park...doesn't he know the way to the field??? Manny cracks me up!! He is such a trip to watch and one of my sistahs off SoxSistahs Blog made the right analogy over on SurvivingGrady today: "It must piss HIM off that he's like they kid who doesn't have to study EVER and still gets all As."

Manny makes baseball look effortless...and THAT is the beauty of him playing. He knocks it out of the park, jogs around the bases then takes his place in leftfield....laughing with the fans, taking a leak behind The Monster, or picking the flowers (you remember the kid in T-Ball?). That is why I love Manny because he loves the game and the game loves him back....it's not that he lacks respect for the team or the game....he just wants to play baseball....ya know, catch the ball, throw the ball, and hit the ball...HIT IT REAL HARD!!!!

BullShit

Short post tonight as I'll be going into my surgery in the early morning for repair to my thumb. I'd post here what really happened but then the secret would be out. So instead I'll tell you "a story" of how I hurt my thumb.

So I'm sitting at this bar minding my own bees wax and all when this chick comes up to me asking if I got a light for her cig. I tell her no, I don't smoke those nasty things. She took offense to my comment and called me a choice word. I sneered at her and told her "it takes one to know one". Yeah I know, Real Mature(even in my stories, Im a smart ass). So I tell her she could probably light her cig from all the hot air coming out of her mouth. She doesn't like this comment either and begins berating me for my tattoo. WELL....ya know you can call me alot of things but do NOT talk about my tat. That tat was designed with love and care and devotion for 2 of the 3 things I love most, my state and my Sox. (the 3rd is my family) I stood up at this time and it was then I realized she was about a foot taller than I was (which isn't saying much since I'm only 5'2") So I stood on my chair to look her in the eye.

The waitress didn't know what to do cos she was this frail bony frame who looked like she'd seen some gangstah out of L.A. I shoved Mizz NastySmoker into the next table and jumped down from the chair before she could knock it out from underneath me. Well the gals at that table weren't too happy with all this as their precious fruity drinks were spilled all over the floor. So now I had 4 pissed off chicks at me. Then the bouncer came over and said I had to go...which was fine cos I was through drinking anyway. I headed to the door and just for shits and giggles, I shoved one of the fruity drinkers aside. She fell which caused one of the other ones to fall.....well Mr Bouncer wasn't laughing and grabbed me saying he was gonna have to call the POlice. I disagreed with this choice but he declared his Authoritie and held my arm very tight. So with all my texas might with my left hand I sucker punched him...well I tried but my hand hit the door and jammed my thumb.

What? you don't believe me??? you don't think I'd have the nerve?? or that Im not a smartass enough?? Well that story is better than the truth.

The 3 Little Words that makes my heart flutter..

Its Valentines Day with love in the air and flowers being delivered everywhere. Lovers holding hands, stealing kisses and marriage proposals. Red roses will be abundant in tall vases to those who are in love. FTD and Hallmark must make a mint on this holiday....Godiva and local candy shops selling the latest craze of chocolate covered strawberries YUMMMY! Let alone the jewelry stores selling diamonds by the pound. With all this frenzy of hearts and love......

there are only 3 Little Words I long to hear.............. Pitchers And Catchers!

All I could think about was Truck Day. Don't you think it's odd that Truck Day falls so close to Valentine's Day? It's about the love of our Sox! My heart flutters at the thought of Tek catching Dice-K! Hearing about Lester back in Ft. Myers already? The boy has got True Grit!

Many new faces but the same numbers on the backs will be strange to see but it's a new team this year, that's for sure.

While other girls will be admiring their flowers, chocolate and jewelry, I'll just be anticipating Spring Training and the beginning of the 2007 season......The Year of the Dice.

What Dreams Cost

Going after your dreams is supposed to be good. They teach you about going after what you want out of life.....taking risks to reach it....what they don't tell you is going after your dreams can have negative aspects. Today I realized that.

Moving to Austin was part of going after my dreams and goals.....I had to leave behind my family in Orange. My granddaddy died when I was 16 yrs old during my senior year in high school. His brother, Vernon, sort of became that substitute for the grandfather figure in my life. My uncle Vernon passed away this Thursday almost unexpectedly. He had a heart attack recently but was doing fine. This man went to visit everyone all the time. He was driving around town up until he had the heart attack. This man was the kindest gentlest soul I've ever known. This man loved his family. He visited you when you were sick or in the hospital. He loved to drop by my parents home and have coffee. He will be missed...and that is an understatement.

I travel for my job and had this girls weekend planned for me and Soxonthebeach. I couldn't cancel this weekend. My mother phoned me Friday morning to let me know...that he had passed on Thursday. The funeral was this morning and I wasn't there. I wasn't there to cry. I wasn't there to hug his son's and tell them I was sorry. I wasn't there to put any flowers on his grave. I wasn't there because I'm here in Austin pursuing my dreams and making a new life for myself. I wasn't there because I'm here in Austin having a girls weekend with SotB and having fun. I wasn't there because I'm here in Austin.

One more death in my family that I wasn't there for....my feelings are mixed. I got to see Uncle Vernon every time I went home for a visit as he would visit my parents on Saturday mornings for coffee. I will miss him.

Loyalty

I felt the need to re post something I posted in my Sox Sistahs Blog. With the beginning of a new season and my latest tshirt coming from josh's line of clothing, I feel compelled to explain it all.

The one question I get asked when people find out I am a Red Sox fan and a born and raised Texan: Why? Why the Red Sox? Where’s the connection? What about the Astros or the Rangers? Where’s your loyalty to your own state’s team? So I tell them…you want to blame someone or something…blame Roger…blame Roger Clemens and blame the passion of the Red Sox Nation.

In a state where Football is God…I became a baseball fan. I am not sure if it came about when I rode my bike to the Little League ball field to watch my friends play or because of the high school ballplayers in their tight white pants. Perhaps it was because I became enthralled with the way a ball came across the plate where a wooden bat connected and whacked it hard over the pitcher and shortstop, falling short of the centerfielder, while watching the batter haul ass around the bases trying to make a triple. Maybe it was how the catcher “sits” behind the plate calling the pitches, while the runner on 1st tries to steal 2nd. Or just that I enjoyed the sound of the ‘thump’ of the ball hitting the catcher’s mitt from a fastball pitched. It really doesn’t matter because at some point in my younger life, I became an avid baseball fan.

Diamonds

They say diamonds are a girls’ best friend

Perfect in shape and form

brilliant color reflecting in the admirer's eyes.

Each one different than the next;

yet all bring the same feelings,

the same joy, the same smile

when a man steps up to the plate and

Finally says, "Play Ball!!"

I did follow the Astros, that is, until Roger. I attended Lamar University, a local college in Beaumont, Texas where the baseball program was as important, if not more important than the football program. (by the way, Lamar is the alma mater of Kevin Millar) Coach Jim Gilligan made it that way and still does today. Following baseball, I heard of a baseball phenom at UT, Roger Clemens. I followed Roger to the Red Sox and watched him succeed. So blame Roger…he is the reason I became a Red Sox fan. So now you ask, why didn’t you follow him to Toronto or to New York (gasp!)? Because after following Roger to Boston…I became a more avid fan of baseball but even more so…a fan of Red Sox baseball and became a part of the Red Sox Nation. How can you watch the BoSox fans and players and not get caught up into the passion of it all? One thing I learned was Boston loves the Red Sox.

Make no mistake, I am a Texan so unlike some in the Red Sox Nation in Massachusetts, I still love Roger and follow him from afar, wishing him well even when he was playing for the enemy. So there, that is my story of how a die hard born and raised Texan gal became a Red Sox fan. And if you want to judge my loyalty or whether I'm a die hard Red Sox fan..just ask any of my friends, they'll tell ya.

Signed,
Texan By Birth
Red Sox Fan by Choice

FRIENDS

They come in and out of your lives…..for a reason. Some friends stay for a lifetime….also for a reason.

You have your childhood friends. These are friends who either you grow up with due to you live in the same neighborhood, attend the same school or church, or your families are friends. You form bonds, close bonds. You share everything with them, they know everything about you. Or they think they do. Then you grow up and go off to college or workforce. I had lots of friends in school, close friends who I thought would Always be there for me. The one friend I remained friend was my friend, Deb, who went to church with me but another school. Our mothers were friends before we were born and we all remain close even today. One story stands out that will explain why: We were raised in a church that shunned dancing. One of the local bars created a Teen Night where teens could dance alcohol free. So of course, I wanted to get in on the action cos I loved to dance. I went with my friends and while on the dance floor I looked across and saw Deb! We laughed abit and then promised not to say a word. To make a long story short, parents find out everything and my mother found out and I got grounded. Some parents find out everything but much later….so Deb is sitting eating breakfast at home before school when her mother asks her if she knew what I had done, ya know the “dancing” sin. My friend Deb looked right at her mom and said to her, “Well I was there too.” MY FRIEND, Deb stood up for me because she wanted her mom to know that I was not a bad person.

You make friends throughout your adult life from college, work or just through other people. I made a new friend in college, Pam. She was a school friend of Deb’s. She stood by me thick and thin with so many relationships and she loved my son as much as me. I introduced her to alcohol…although that’s not something to probably brag about. I reconnected about 5 years ago with an old high school friend who I was very close to, Rene. I have another friend who I met through work years back who lives near here. Don’t get me wrong I have a lot of friends here, but these are the people I know I can count on besides my family.

But that wasn’t enough, now we make friends on the internet from all across the nation, all ages and cultures. I have met so many people off a couple of Red Sox boards, some who I have gotten to know quite well, some I have gotten to be good friends with. Janet has become one of those who I've gotten close to. We have this agreement...what happens in Ft. Myers, stays in Ft. Myers. We used to have the same cell phone service but she's changed....I think I may have to change cell phone services or up my anytime minutes. It's funny how something as simple as baseball can bring two people together to become close friends.

We allow people into our lives. Some we let stay, some we don’t. Some stay for awhile. Whatever the time frames, friends are in our lives for reasons we may see and reasons we don’t. Because of the internet I have friends from California to Massachusetts, from Canada to New Zealand. Everyone needs Friends…..if you say you don’t, you’re lying.

Play Ball!!!!!!!!!!

I hate doctor's waiting rooms...mostly because strangers are staring at ya wondering why you are here, hmmmmmmmmmm. I hate virtual waiting rooms because the dang thing sits and goes hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! I had to work Saturday morning so I could not get on early which meant I had to wait and wait and wait.... Finally I decided to forgo the Saturday, July 21st game I wanted with the White Sox (thanks to my new SG friend Kelly she scored us tickets for the Friday game) and got 2 tickets to the Wednesday game with the Kansas City Royals...of which I am going to the Monday night game too with my LaMotfer gang. SO I decided to not be greedy again. I have 3 games I'm attending while in Boston this year. Plus I am going to all 3 games of both series while the Boys are in Arlington, Texas. AND I am going to the 3 game series in San Diego this year!! (Yay another Park!!) A total of 12 games in all! I say it every year that I will cut down on my tickets but I don't. Well I had planned on it for Texas but when a friend offered up he and his gf's home for me to crash at and they'll go to the games with me...heck that's saving me money from hotel bills! I can't turn that down.

Tickets for the Texas games don't go on sale till March 2nd...Texas Independence Day when I am going to be in Florida at Spring Training!!!! Jeeeeeeeeez...how come they want to make it so hard for me??!! It's ok I got it covered...I got someone buying the Opening Day series tickets and I'm paying them later. I got People!!

I'll be going to a couple of Astros games as well this year as I always do...getting to see Loretta over there. Yah Baseball Season is near and I CANNOT WAIT! 162 Games of Die Hard Pleasure and Pain....You are welcome to join me. If you approach my front door and you hear screaming and yelling and cursing....no worries...the baseball game has already started...don't knock just come in and grab a seat!

Random Post

So I'm on the countdown of my upcoming Spring Training trip. Nothing else seems to matter at this point but flying into Ft. Myers on March 1st and meeting up with 3 of my friends there at the airport. Our agenda is filled with many important events that will take place....going to baseball games, drinking, getting autographs, drinking, getting my cast autographed, drinking, walking on the beach, drinking, going to the SFAC charity dinner and drinking, drinking, going to Mona Lisa's bar and drinking, drinking, oh and did I mention drinking? Of course I'm just joking around about the drinking so much. Many things to watch out for are: foul balls and thrown bats, drunks on the road, and panthers. We all hope for a Schilling sighting again this year at the dinner.

The group I am meeting are off another board whom were a part of my 1st "internet serial killer" group of friends. It is amazing how we all became such good friends over the internet. Of course, being me I don't hang with just one click so I have now made friends with some on the SG board as well and cannot wait to meet them this summer...well I will get to meet Kelly at Spring Training! And come to find out Kelly already knows Cyn of my other friends! Small world!

All I know is in one month I will be flying for a little R&R to watch the Boys begin the Season and I'll hopefully get to see Dice-K pitch in one of the first games as a Red Sox....and my mouth widens to a smile right this minute.

no philosophy or thoughts of wisdom tonight from Tex.....just good ole' random posting about something I love.

Red Sox Nation

If you would have told me 3 1/2 yrs ago that I would be planning annual vacations alone to Boston and spending any extra money I had in florida without seeing the beach, I would have told you HogWash! As I wrote on my original post last year, I fell in love with the Sox because of Roger....Because of a man who many in Boston loathe. So even though I was devastated when he left the team...I could not hate him. I couldnt hate the man who brought me to a place where I feel at peace...where I feel joy and laughter while watching them play. I can't hate him. On my first trip to Boston, I was with 3 other girls for a baseball trip. We went to games in Philly, New York and Boston. I have to say that when we got to Boston I was thrilled to be there. The day I walked into Fenway blew my mind. Walking up to the field seeing the diamond come into view.....then the Monster!!! I just stood there in awe.

From that day on I knew...I would be back again....and again. I met some great people each year but the oddest thing happens when you meet Red Sox fans: You become a part of a much bigger family than ever imagined, The Red Sox Nation. I have my own family who I love dearly. No one will replace them. They don't share the love I feel for the Sox....they tolerate it and even think its endearing. One of my niece's once asked me if my room was decorated like the show "Fever Pitch". I laughed and said, "of course not" (Well not my bedroom but shhhhh, what she doesn't know won't hurt her).

I begin meeting fans on line on the Red Sox message board and met many of them at Spring Training in 2005. The next thing I knew I was flying off to be at Opening Day just to celebrate with them, I didn't even have tickets! These people became friends off this board and were actually Friends! AND they wanted to be MY friends TOO!! They opened up their arms and welcomed me as a fan...never questioned my loyalty to the boys.....never doubted me. They opened their arms, their hearts, their homes, their pocketbooks...ok well maybe not their pocketbooks...BUT several of them gave me a bed to sleep in when I got into a jam. This Motley Crew or LaMotfers as we're called are dear to my heart. My friends here in Texas laugh at me saying that I'm going off with my serial killer internet friends. One of the girls and I have gotten to be pretty good friends and have used each other's homes for mini-vacations like for Austin City Music Festival (HEY I do like other things beside baseball), games at Anaheim and this year at San Diego! She's even coming in next month just to have fun...no baseball or music involved...well ok we will be going to see live music. I just can't believe how in a matter of a few years I have so many new friends all thanks to the internet and my passion for the Red Sox. This year our group is meeting for our 2nd annual July Gathering at the Game. 30 of us will gather and bring havoc upon Fenway....well maybe not havoc.

This year I started posting over at Surviving Grady at the coaxing of Soxonthebeach....and wouldn't you know it...this group is JUST as friendly and warm!! I will be going to games this year with a new group of friends I've yet to meet...you know who you are!!! I love this fan base and it's none like I've ever seen.

The Red Sox Nation reaches across our entire country....it may be transplants who've moved or it may be those like me....who for some reason or another became a Red Sox fan, scuse me....a die-hard Red Sox fan till they day they die.

Saying Good-bye

How do you tell someone good-bye? When you know you'll never see them again as they were... You think about the last time you saw them. about the last thing you saw them do. Remember their smile, their eyes...

We lost a great member of the 2004 World Champion Red Sox Team today....to the Indians...THE INDIANS!!! He endeared himself to the Red Sox Nation with his die-hard work ethics. He played harder than any other player I can think of on that team...and it showed because Trot Nixon's hat and uniform seemed to NEVER be clean. He reminded me of a little boy whose mother just put on his Sunday's best and he couldn't wait to get home to play and get dirty...even if it meant in his best clothes. Played his heart out with everything he had, with no regard to injuries, with no regard to anything BUT helping the boys win the game!!
Trot understood the team concept that many other athletes do not get. He understands what his job is and does it. Trot was also a family man as it showed when his determination to get home on 9-11-01 for his son's birth. I remember watching the last game Trot played...I was watching it on tv. I remember him turning to the crowd and making a grand gesture of good-bye like he knew...he knew that this was his last at-bat. So that is my good-bye to Trot...

But that is baseball and not real life...how do you tell someone good-bye who you'll never see again because life cheated them. But you didn't know that it was the last time. Today was 5 years my 11 yr old nephew Dustin was killed in a snow skiiing accident. He was a little boy but a mature man inside. He got dirty as dirty could get....found all dirt holes anywhere within 10 miles of the house. He loved to fish and play all day. But he was unique in the sense he stood for what was right and insisted his friends did too or they would be history. My last visit with him was short and sweet. I wish I could go back and talk to him. I would tell him how much I love him and what he means to me...but I cannot.

How do you tell someone good-bye when you know you'll never see them again? You live your life so that they'll be proud to meet you when you go.