Sometimes you're the Dustpan...Sometimes You're the Broom

Apparently, the Sox are learning to play a new game...it's called Broomball.  Instead of bringing bats, it's played with Brooms.  Ok, maybe this ain't the Sox actually playing but there is a game called BroomBall and they do play with Brooms. 

The Sox caught fire this week and lit up the Angels melting their wings right off their backs. 
4 Game SWEEP!    I'm not even gonna recap...cos I'm so giddy it's enough just to know we did it.

BFF #5

Apparently before gates opened at Fenway tonight, there was a bomb threat. Bomb Squad was called but nothing was found. Had they waited around till the xx Inning, they would have seen it...go right over the Monster where Ortiz hit it. Of course, Munchkin pipes up and laughs about it retorting "Bomb Squad?...they're early"  I think he had a premonition since he's been speaking up for Papi with all the haters out there.  Beltre hit a bomb as well and Lackey took down his former bosses making Scioscia cry like a baby in the dugout.

But the real story (if that wasn't story enough for ya)  the Red Sox were honoring Nomar on Cinco de Mayo day. Nomar's entire family was there along with several players he had played with at Fenway.

















 And he scored pretty nicely....he got a pair of Fenway seats #5 and #6, him and Pesky's numbers :-)

He got to throw the first ceremonial pitch and see some of his old buddies and we got to see Trot. 
It was a sweet thing the Red Sox did this past Spring Training....signing Nomar to a one day deal so he could retire a Red Sox.  It was sweet and bittersweet seeing him....as he left on such awkward times but such an awesome year: 2004.  And although he did receive a World Series ring....it had to be hard for him to watch the team win it without him there.   Nonetheless, fans love Nomar...always will.

it really is DIRTY WATER

So yesterday Boston announces "DON'T Drink the WATER....Contaminated Leak" yadayada yada...

The Bruins and Celtics are in the playoffs.....Both Played Game 2....and BOTH WON!!!!!!!!!!!  I'm not a hockey or basketball fan but I'm really happy for my friends in NE who are. 

But then...the Red Sox came back into town dragging their slowasses into the clubhouse after getting embarrassed to high heaven at Fenway South.  You can read the stats and all the newspaper articles you want...I watched the game. And I wanna know what was said in the clubhouse this afternoon. I wanna know what they put in the water jugs.  Cos the team that played in Baltimore was NOT the team I saw tonight.

The Team tonight KICKED SERIOUS BUTT!!!!!!!!!!!!  I know...its just one game but they played the game I knew they could play.  And Beltre hit his first home run as a Sox!!!  and I CALLED IT!

Red Sox 17, Angels 8

and to quote a movie line   "How you Like THEM APPLES?"

Out with the Mold...In with the You

s

I was 'advised' to take down my profile pic on Facebook by a friend who said it wasn't appropriate and looked like a tramp stamp. Now I love this dear friend to death as we've been friends since 6th grade but it still hurt me that again....'the world' doesn't want us to really be ourselves.  I got on Facebook to have fun with my Red Sox buddies...next thing I know, I'm connecting with old high school friends.  I held my ground of the reason why I put it up there...it's baseball season and you're liable to see anything on my profile pic that I think will bring my team good luck. Today I put up my "Praying at the game" pic with my SG shirt on.  Now it wasn't because my friend suggested to remove my tat pic...it was because my team has been sucking loads lately.  So it got me to thinking this afternoon....if you were to have to select a 'mold' of yourself, could you pick one?  One single item that explained you...your life....your heart....your soul....Could you?  I'm throwing up this boot chocolate mold because I LOVE Cowboy Boots.  LOVE THEM. I only have two pairs...but I want way more.  I don't need tons of heels like most women...I want Boots and not the fancy 'copycat' 'wannabe' cowboy boots...I want the real thing.

  so then I had to figure out another one....the Running Horse....free spirit....strong....standing up to anything that comes it's way....and Running Hard to get to somewhere. Still not sure where but Running. 

I've been focusing on my goal of the company I work for to focus on being gender responsive with the girls we house in the juvenile facilities.  Society has tried to put females in a mold...in their place.  Problem is...I never listened.  I challenge all of you, female or male, to not put your life or yourself in a mold.  Be Yourself....Authentic Self.   

I love my dear friend still...and I'm over it...but it did cause me to think.

To lose patience is to lose the battle

It's almost May....we've only had one month of baseball. 22 games. 11-11.  We've got 5 more months and 140 games left.  Ghandi was a smart wise man who sought peace and freedom. He understood mountains couldn't be built in one day. He understood men couldn't tear down their walls of ignorance in one day. So he used patience as a weapon to win.  John Quincy Adams said "Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish."

The Lester we all knew was there finally arrived last night. The bullpen shined. Our last night in Canada and after two games that seemed like a struggle to win...last night we pushed through.

BELIEVE         FAITH               
Two words we say quite often in the Red Sox Nation
Two words I've been saying as a Mom.  
You see loving my team seems to follow the same path of the love I have for my only child, my son.  They do great things and I'm happy and delightful....then for no reason at all, they bomb and fall.  But I have this unconditional love for them. Sure I love my son much more...but it's truly unconditional.  He's done some things that I am totally against and never back him on....but I'm here still holding on to hope and faith that he'll come around.   Just like I do my Sox.   
After over 10 years of floundering in the world and screwing up any chance of a future, my son is growing up.  Making better decisions to become a man and quit being that little boy.  It just took patience and perseverance. 
Now about the Sox....we've seen 2 World Series Champions in the last 7 years.  TWO!!  Some Sox fans never saw any. So we should be thrilled but we keep saying "What have you done for me lately?"   It's tough to see the boys play so idiotic when we KNOW they have the ability.  Yah, I've felt that many times with my own son....but I just sat back and waited.  I knew in due time, in his own timing, it would come. 

So Let's get behind our boys and root for them all the way to October!! Even Darnell McDonald understands with Tatted across his chest are the words:

“Tough Times Don’t Last’’

 

The Rangers may know how to steal bases but Darnell Stole my Heart

Want to know what it looks like to be a hero of a Red Sox game?
His name is Darnell McDonald and NO he's not Irish.  Well, I really don't know if he is or not. But Darnell was born in Fort Collins, Colorado in 1978....same year my son was born.  He attended and graduated from Cherry Creek High School near Denver.  He had aspirations of college but was signed right out of high school...drafted by the O's and worked his way up through the minors to the majors.  While he was there, McDonald only hit .156 in 32 at bats (17 games).  YEP...that's it.  Next stop was the Indians....trouble followed and I don't feel it necessary to go there...He jumped around till he finally landed at the Red's and made his first home run in the majors last August....which leads us to this season when the Red Sox picked him up.

And last night...Darnell captured every single Red Sox fan's heart.

Yeah, the Rangers took our field by storm, stealing every base they could...making the Old Man look a fool...but the joke was on them when Darnell came to bat. (stole pic off of SG and have NO clue where they got it from..apologies to the photographer)

Beckett Finally Gets His Rocket On

So according to Hard Ball Talk and Masshole Sports, Beckett has finally "Put a Ring" on it.  Marriage.....it's not Rocket Science but can't hurt to marry one, I suppose.  Beckett  made it known his 'sports hero' was The Rocket growing up although I hope that has changed now with all his recent developments.  So I find it ironic that Beckett chooses a Rocket Scientist to marry. Is it just me?  or is the Rocket Scientist above sizing up Beckett's "rocket"?   You know...I'm sitting thinking perhaps this was a wise move on Beckett's part....finding someone who understands velocity, the study of movement and forces, the aerodynamics of how a ball is pitched through the air, and whizkid mathematics has to help them understand the 'Game of Baseball'.  I'd say Beckett showed he's alot smarter than some have given him credit for. (Snagged that pic of the two off of massholesports.com.)

So Holly Fisher is her name.  A few other Texas tidbits:
She's from Spring, Texas(same as Josh)
So this means she's from TEXAS!! GO JOSH!
Graduated from Spring High School 1999(Same as Josh) hmmmmmmmmmmm wonder if they dated??
Graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 2004
Got job at Boeing right out of college
Boeing is a global aerospace and defense aircraft manufactuer
Received her Masters of Science in Astronautical Engineering from U.S.C. all the while working at Boeing
Currently working as Space Engineering Consultant

Josh has made me dang proud...going after more than just a face, he's looking for that special someone who can help his ERA.

I'm just wondering when Holly will snag her first Buck at Josh's ranch.

Now...WHO IS GOING TO INFORM Crystal and Lydia?

The Pain is Killing Me

So I've been having some neck problems this past year.  It's gotten pretty bad and this January, the problems started affecting my right elbow and muscles. I was losing strength and it hurt to just lift my purse and I'm not one of those gals who has a suitcase for a purse.  

So last Tuesday I let them cut my neck. I am not going to detail out the specifics but just know that these pictures are of the beautiful neck apparatus I am to wear over the next month or so. YEEEEEEEHAW.

I mean you would think they would have various colors for us girls. I mean I'm not a girly girl Ok well maybe I am alittle bit of a girly girl but not High Maintenance Girly Girl.  But even I would like to not look so dorky.

Oh and they give me drugs for the pain which has been extremely helpful...ya know for the pain but moreso for the baseball games of late of the Sox.  I mean, dont' get me wrong, I was elated to see Josh do so well Saturday and then to see the Captain knock it out of the park twice.

So forget about today's game...take a tylenol pm or if you got pain pills like me...Tomorrow's a new day. A new game.  The Twin's played their first game in their new park....so fine. Let's give it to them.

Tomorrow the Game is ours.

Tonights the Night

Now that we've got that out of the way, we can get on with the rest of season. We have 159 games left. One Hundred & Fifty Nine games. 1 5 9 Games. Sure the last three count...but so does the next 159. So we got the Yankee series out of the way and on to play the formidable Royals in Kansas City.  So we won Opening Day's...er I mean Opening Night's game...and then lost the next two. Did I mention we have 159 games left in the season?
 EDIT
So I started this blog last night but wasn't feeling up to par to finish and NOW. We have 1 more loss with 158 games left.
Beckett is on the mound in Kansas City. Against Greinke, last years Cy Young Winner, Kansas City's lastest hero.
All I know is I want the Beckett who brings K's to show up and the team who bring Runs for us.
Not going to jinx...just plain and simple.

We need a WIN. DO IT

It's Next Year!!!!!!!!!!!!

My good friend, Josh Blue, created this for me some time back...pretty much sums up who I am.  Anyone from the east coast who has met me, in person or on line (and Yes you can meet people on line and know them...sorta), KNOW that I am a Die Hard TEXAN through and through. I am proud of my state, although not always proud of those who live here.  Texas has the history background similar to New England. We fought to be separate from another nation and be ourselves. But I digress...Today is about Baseball.  I have several friends there tonight!!  Cyn, Kelly and Quinn that I know of. I'm sure there are others. But I can guarantee you with these three at the  game, there will be AWESOME pics and Stories to be told. Today is about Baseball....Baseball and ....
..............The RemDawg                                                                                       

and Red Sox TATS
      
                                                                                                                                     Fenway and the flag

The Green MONSTAHHHH

  Friends from the beginning                                               and new ones                                              

 And last but not least....a friend of the past who we hope return this year

How Bad do You Want In?

Saturday night I was planning on relaxing at home after a long day of spring cleaning....then the phone rang.  My good friend, Rene', from high school called and asked if I wanted to head downtown to catch a flim as he had won free tickets to get into any of the films....I had a couple of hours to get ready....heading downtown the plan was to watch American Grindhouse at The Ritz Alamo...but alas, it was apparently a favorite and we were sent to the line of the other film showing at the same time: Brotherhood


Now mind you...if you know me, you KNOW I'm not really a movie goer and could care less about the Hollywood scene. I've just gotten burned out on the many dime a dozen movies...but it is SXSW and these are films not seen by the public yet and typically new directors/producers. SO I  was alittle excited to be a part of it all thanks to my good friend, Rene'.

Standing in line we made small talk with those in front of us....the girl was friends with the Director and others connected with the film. She and her hubby were there from L.A.   So asking what the film was about....I should have known: A frat house initiation party. Ohhhhhhhhhh GREAT. Another Frat film.  She does tell me I'll enjoy it and there's alot of twists and turns to it...and just when you 'think' you've seen it all...you haven't. She also gives me one piece of trivia...the film is a result of a short film made 10 years ago and was called Roslyn...to 'understand' that trivia, you'll have to watch the movie. Now you know a night can't go by without somehow the Sox being brought into this...WHY?  Because the Sox ALWAYS are in it..somehow.  Waiting in line and in front of the Ritz employee door...a worker walks out with a "B" cap on...excusing himself to everyone...I pop off  "NICE HAT!"  It was dark and I didn't know if anyone else noticed but the gal and her hubby we'd been talking to turned around to me, looking surprised asking "You a Sox fan?"  I laughed...gave a short film version of my story of how I became a Sox fan then the gal remarks "Well, I'm originally from Massachusetts" I smile..."Of course you are!"

We wait and finally they come out to tell us that only the front 5 are allowed in...BUMMER. Well, resourceful Rene' and persistent....went in to complain as we had tickets...the other people in line were waiting to purchase tickets. Persistence paid off....and before you know it, the dude working the door asks us to wait there while he checks on something...accidently brushes his hand across my breasts and I think he said "I'm Sorry" 20 times....then he returns and whisks us with him to the elevator...as we stepped in and the door closed, he told us we're going up to an area that may have someone already there so we needed to stay in the elevator for a minute while he makes sure it's clear...as we stand there holding the door open waiting....wondering where he was taking us...he motions for us to come on. As we walk through the production room upstairs and where they are showing the movie from...we walk through a door to find we're in this balcony with two rows of seats...or should I say Easy Chairs...wait a minute. What did the dude call them? Oh yeah, he said they're referred to as the "OH SHIT" seats....when you're not expecting them.
We had AWESOME view of the film from those seats...and then of course why I love the Alamo drafthouses so much...they come take your order for beer and food.
Sitting there....I was amazed at how much I enjoyed the film....definitely was a hit with me and many areas were touched on in this film....side note, Brotherhood was filmed in Texas AND the Director is from Arlington, Texas. EXCELLENT! 

The Q&A was great and informative... then they informed us of the After Party at where??? The Firehouse of course. :)
 I approached the Director of which I wish I would have gotten a picture with...but I wanted to let him know that this movie definitely changed my mind about movies. I have decided to give movies another chance. Took pictures with a couple of the actors...one of which I "thought" was on OctoberRoad but he corrected me, saying he got that alot but he plays on "Accidently On Purpose" with Jenna Elfman. I was like 'OH YEAH, you do"  He was such a great sport about it all!!  But like I told him...don't feel bad as I really am not into the industry. All in all, it was a fun night. 

And is it baseball yet?

Happy Birthday Dustin!

Earlier this year I posted a Remembrance post about Dustin on the day he died but tomorrow, Monday March 8th is his birthday and would have been his 20th. 

This picture depicts his sweetness and silliness. If I could do anything in this world....I'd bring back that day on the mountain so maybe things could be different. The family misses him alot. His little sister, Haley, has been missing him alot lately. 

March was always a crazy month of birthdays in my family....my own son's birthday is this Thursday, the 11th.  Dustin's was the 8th and his older sis's is the 14th.  My aunt Bobbi and her son Joey birthdays were in March along with my maternal grandmother's.  And my cousin Diane's too.

Having my son and 2 of my little sis's kids birthdays in one week was fun and easy to remember. 

Sending love and hugs to my sis and her family on Dustin's birthday....

No, I'm NOT a FANATIC, I'm a FAN

Baseball is here...Finally! Spring Time brings bluebonnets and baseball. And if 162 games a year isn't enough for me...I'm joining 3 Fantasy Teams. Yah...you see I have these different set of internet Red Sox friends who each have a Fantasy League...and I'm invited to two of them...and the third is Thank GOD a Fun League so I won't have to do alot of thinking.

In trying to think of a really good team name this year....I looked at one of my avatars and got my inspiration for the name: Kick Ass Hoots is my team name on all three teams. 

This year will be sad as I won't be able to make the number of games at Fenway as in the past....but I'll be cheering them LOUD and CLEAR...maybe even Boston will be able to hear me.

Meanwhile, I'll be waiting for August for the Sox to arrive Deep in the Heat of Texas. I'll bring the SG Youk shirt which brought us great luck last year. I'll be spending it with my Canadian gal pal, Leslie, who I met a few years back in Arlington.  She loves Austin...and I've promised to visit her next year for a game. 

Side note: I'm bringing into my FB fold some friends I met along the way in my Blog World who are AWESOMENESS!!!  CAKE and SPARKLES   I hope you find them as amusing as I do. 

So what if the game's about beating up on college boys?

B is for Baseball, Boof and Bonser

Ignore the box....and watch the man. Simple game. Throw the ball. Hit the ball. Catch the ball.



Baseball, She is HERE!!

There's Gold in Them Thar HILLS!

 

They came looking for  gold but ended up giving millions a reason to watch hockey today.   Team USA won silver while Canada took the Gold.  And when I say they 'took' the gold....I mean they had to fight for it.  The game was ON from the beginning....with Canada taking the lead and keeping it till further into the game...with a 2-1 lead....and looking like the gold was just not going to happen...USA tied causing the game into Overtime!!  Another chance at Gold.

But alas...Canada scored first so Gold to Canada with a 3-2 win over USA. Congratulations to our boys who worked very hard at this game. 

Meanwhile over on the east coast in warmer weather, the boys are prettying up for us to be shown in the game magazine.  

 And Papi in his search for Pedroia at Spring Training is inquiring Enrique's brother if he's seen Pedroia 

the fans in Florida are wondering the same thing as I am....

"CAN WE START BASEBALL ALREADY?"

Diamonds....the way to a Baseball Fan's heart

found this at Etsy's blog

Yeah...I tried to find a baseball calendar but when I saw this one....I smiled cos really...This is where it begins. 

Diamonds begin as coal....years of polishing underneath our Earth's surface....heat applied...and finally VOILA':  Diamonds and many men have spent WADS of cash making women smile with them.  Honestly, the money John Henry spent on new players this year has made me far happier than LindaLou could ever be with that large stone that makes her hand drag the ground.  I'd say there are other women (and men) who'd agree with me. 

March brings us games...practice games, but nonetheless, GAMES. I'm ready for Opening Day but March games will be fun to watch on NESN while we get to see the rookies and invitees and to see WHO lands on the Roster. Lots of debate and talk and discussion about who we'd rather see on the field.  Everyone's got an opinion...just like everyone's got, well, You Know the saying. 

Another year gone by that I will not be attending Spring Training....I hope next year that changes but in the meanwhile, I'll sit on my lovely couch watching NESN, read redsox.com and bostonglobe.com, and read SG to hear all about the ins and outs of our team.  Yeah...I'm a Red Sox fan from Texas. So SUE ME.

And They're OFF!!!

photos grabbed Barry Chin(Globe Staff)

 

 Pitchers and Catchers began yesterday....media frenzy quizzing Theo and Tito to death.  Who's going to be Opening Day Pitcher? Who's going to be in the 5-man Rotation?  Interviews left and right...all giving Wakefield his due respect.  Talk of Beckett and what's to come with an offer for him after this season....Tito saying Beckett is the Leader of the pitchers in the clubhouse...Lester saying we need Beckett but all acknowledging Theo and FO makes those calls. Getting used to knowing that Tek isn't going to be our 'everyday' catcher but somehow VMart captured my heart last season when he appeared from the Indians...he had me at the Ranger game with his last inning hit taking us to a Win.  You might recall that night when you saw me on the Telly...a picture many captured on their phones.

Thanks to some of my Red Sox friends who are avid Minor League followers of the Sox....I know many of those 'invitees' to Spring Training.  It's fun to watch the young ones compete to get 'a spot'...that's something I think I miss the most of going to Spring Training now.   

I don't know about you....but I am SO ready for baseball. It may be my saving grace this year to keep me sane.

We Wanna PItcher...Not a Belly ITCHER!!

BASEBALL....SHE IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

Boys to Men

Soft touch

Strong hands

Resilient yet insecure

Romping through playgrounds,

Through Sunday school,

Through ballparks,

Through marshes,

Through woods

And school halls,

Stopping in bars

For a while…

Then off again to

Search and explore

The world.

Boys Become Men.

Saints...Party of THOUSANDS!!!

lifted from flicker:tim.per.due

THROW ME SOME BEADS MISTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  will be heard throughout downtown New Orleans tonight....

There'll be masks so girls can remain Anon when they're flashing....With the parade float members wearing their gear

and of  course every parade isn't a parade without it's King

 

Drew Brees as King of Bacchus yesterday.

Roses are Red and so are the Sox

I'm hearing alot of folks grumbling about Valentine's Day and all the hype around it.  One more reason I choose not to shop much...that way whenever any holiday is castrated by shopping malls...I am not deluged with it. I don't watch alot of television during off-season so I'm not exposed to many commercials.  In fact, I have to admit that I'm not too giddy about Valentine's Day when I'm not in any sort of a relationship...so I decided this year to come home to visit my folks and show them my love.  Back to the reason for this post...the background of Valentine's Day. I'm just going to provide a short excerpt from a Wikipedia page(yah I know...real history)
"....appropriate lore has been embroidered in modern times to portray Valentine as a priest who refused an unattested law attributed to Roman Emperor Claudius II, allegedly ordering that young men remain single. The Emperor supposedly did this to grow his army, believing that married men did not make for good soldiers. The priest Valentine, however, secretly performed marriage ceremonies for young men. When Claudius found out about this, he had Valentine arrested and thrown in jail. In an embellishment to The Golden Legend provided by American Greetings, Inc. to History.com and widely repeated, on the evening before Valentine was to be executed, he wrote the first "valentine" himself, addressed to a young girl variously identified as his beloved, as the jailer's daughter whom he had befriended and healed, or both. It was a note that read "From your Valentine."

Now...I'd like to think that Valentine's Day was meant to be simple but sweet. I remember having to make my own Valentine Boxes for elementary school...I loved decorating it...it was the one time that at an early age I could really express my individuality.  Then you waited for everyone in the class to put their valentine's into your box....and THEN you got to open them while you ate cupcakes and punch!  Do they even do that these days at school anymore??  I remember getting a special made heart from a boy I liked in the 5th grade...he cut it out of one of those colored folders you used in school...it was a limeish green color. Then he wrote on it in the best handwriting I ever knew a 5th grade boy could do!

Rickey Dean Carter

    loves

Donna Gail Ellis

        4/ever

Rickey and I of course did not love each other forever but I do have to say that we did remain friends till his death last year. I didn't get to spend any time with him in the end but another good high school friend did (I'm looking at you, Z) and I have to say that it sounds like Rickey Dean was loved very much.  It's tough to find love in this world...the true love that no matter what comes your way...it makes you stronger.  If you have that sort of love, I hope that you're embracing it and stoking the fire to keep it going.  If you'd like to have it, I suggest you begin practicing that sort of love on your friends and a passion you have.  I find that is one thing that most people lack in their lives...a passion about something. I don't care if it's a hobby, a cause, or a baseball team

 

....but you have to have something else in your life besides work and friends if you have no significant other and kids. And no one said that love would last forever...death takes our loved ones sometimes...but it does NOT take The Love. Remember that. Love Remains behind...let it live on.

So today for all you Single Gals and Guys out there....I challenge you to Do Something on Valentine's Day...to show your love and affection for them.  Because honestly we are all loved by someone.