Thursday Thirteen

1. Flights for Spring Break 2016 are booked.
2. Fiji and New Zealand, here we come!
3. I was trying to put the flight times on my calendar, and then realized we fly back in time coming home. So my flight from LA to Milwaukee will happen before my flight from Fiji to LA.
4. I can't even wrap my mind around that.
5. C-man is leaving one of his camp modules to opt-in to a math class.
6. Whose child is this?
7. Granted, it's sports math, so they're figuring out batting averages and slugging percentages. But still!
8. I'm really tired of my rotator cuff hurting. I did get a little relief with the chiropractor, so I should probably figure out how to get back.
9. Tomorrow, I'm doing a video shoot at work. I only have two scratches on my face from Beasley punching me. Dumb dog.
10. Speaking of dumb dog, I took him for a bath yesterday because we have people coming over to the house tomorrow, and he was gross. He moaned for the whole thing. Like really moaned, this pitiful long moan. Seriously. The drama.
11. I'm heading to San Francisco in two weeks. That should be a fun time.
12. Maybe I should think about whether I have the right clothes?
13. We are having a party at the house tomorrow, and this weather has been stupid. I really hope it's nice so we can hang out outside with the fire.

Fernweh Suffering

Once in a while, I come across a word that really resonates with me. And I just found one that fit so well, it was magical.

Fernweh.

It's a German word that happens to be untranslatable into English. Meaning the opposite of homesickness, it is that feeling of longing to experience something away from home. Away sickness, if you will.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am a hard core Fernweh Sufferer.

I've never felt quite comfortable while at home. I don't revel in that feeling of joy or safety in sitting down on my couch or a comfy chair. In fact, when I do that, it's all I can do to not look around the room and think of all the things I don't like about being there. Or realize with a sigh that I should get back up to clean or arrange something because everything is a mess. And I really hate cleaning and arranging. I hate having stuff I don't know what to do with. Even worse, I hate looking at other peoples' stuff and not knowing what to do with that either. I dislike the routine of every day being so similar to the last, with the same expectations and same chores and tasks.

But get me on vacation, or even just somewhere where I am not at home, and I feel complete and total bliss. The happiness rips through my blood, and it just feels like I can breathe easier. People often talk about whether you prefer the beach or the mountains, city or country, warm or hot. And to that, I say, YES! Yesterday, I was logging in to my credit card account, and was asked to answer, "What is your favorite country to vacation?" I sat for a moment, puzzled. Um... All of them?

I know they say home is where your heart is. But I think I've come to realize that my heart lies out there. Somewhere in the lands of the nomads and gypsies. Somewhere far from what I know.

Is it the weekend yet?

• I saw Daniel Silva speak at the local Jewish Community Center last night. He was really great.
• I went to the event alone, because I am the only one who reads these books in my house.
• I realized that was a mistake about 20 minutes into waiting for the talk, after 3 older women had already set me up with their "very nice sons".
• Note to self if I ever find myself un-wantingly single again - the JCC is a quick fix for that.
• Speaking of older people - why couldn't any of them figure out how to turn off their cell phones? Seriously - the whole 2 hours the things were going off at obnoxious decibel levels.
• We have the A's coaches and their families coming for dinner Friday night. So far, the house elves have neither cleaned the house or the dog. Sigh.
• C-man wears flip flops to camp and then changes into athletic shoes. Something Beerman and I have declared as dumb. Today, he called because he only had one shoe. That'll teach him. Just what it teaches him, I'm not sure, because I'm sure he'll do it again.
• Is it the weekend yet?

Yeah, so it's Monday again...

Perfect goodbye

What a perfect way to end the long weekend. I really hate to see it go.

Independence Day

Summertime

Last night, C-man had his last appearance as an A at the league's All-Star game. He proudly played short, second, and caught. It's a complete exhibition game, and meaningless, but he had a fantastic time in the dugout with his good friends. It didn't hurt that his side won, either.

I asked him how it felt to be done as an A, and he just shrugged. "I'm moving on, Mom. 38 days until football." At least he has his priorities...

Ahhh...

I haven't been feeling well at all this week. Sore throat, headache, and just overall super tired. If I didn't already have mono in my life, I'd blame it, I've been so tired. Which is why it's spectacular that I have tomorrow and Friday off for the long weekend. I can't wait to do some sleeping and planting and more sleeping. Ahhh...

Extra time

Today is LEAP SECOND day. Don't ever say I didn't give you anything.

And now it's Summer

With baseball officially over, and the Fourth of July around the corner, I feel like our Summer can officially begin. While I don't want it to now get all over-scheduled, I also don't want to waste it. So here's my remainder of Summer bucket list:

• Spend an entire day at the beach
• Take C-man fishing
• Geocache
• Go see some Chinooks games
• Eat some more s'mores in the back yard
• Take some non-baseball photos (I've taken enough!)
• Organize my house
• Enjoy it

Extra innings

Over here in the land of tournament baseball, the A's played their last game of the season. They were up against the undefeated number 1 seeded team, and stayed alive into extra innings. It was another day of almost every team in the league standing around in disbelief, watching this little Cinderella team do something nobody thought they could. (And rooting heartily for them, because it would mean big things for the other top teams!)

C-man was unusually cold at the plate, which kind of sucked. But since he was pitched out (much to my happiness), he caught for all 7 innings in the heat. Hardly a ball passed by him, which was one of the big reasons the game stayed as surprisingly close as it did.

This team was by no means as talented as others he's been on. And having Beerman as head coach about killed me. (We're never doing that again!) But it was really great to see C-man have the opportunity to stand up as a leader on this team. He got to (deservedly) be the #4 hitter all season, and play the key positions on the field. Another season of character building. But the tears were smiles and giggles by the time they'd left the fields. Ahhh, to be 10 again.

And now, it's time to tend the gardens and enjoy the beer gardens and hang out with friends in the back yard. You know, until football season starts...

This week in baseball

It's tournament week over here in baseball land. The A's pulled out a dramatic one today. And by dramatic, this thing had everything - ahead, behind, controversial calls, a coach thrown out of the game (not ours), tears, cheers, a pickle (my fricking kid - he ended up being safe, thank goodness), and finally, a win on a passed ball steal home. C-man hit well, pitched decent enough, and helped his team make it happen.

And now, it's time to enjoy s'mores and a fire. Because tomorrow, they play the best team in the league. At least C-man is pitched out, so he will only catch or play short tomorrow. Man, that pitching takes a lot out of me...

Bee visiting

I took the day off to go see my bees. Plus, I'm sick of work, and needed the time off. Beyonce didn't take. She never laid any eggs, and the hive never got new bees. I'm thinking something is wrong with the hive itself - pesticides or something else that got tracked back. So I'm officially down to two hives.

Abigail, who I didn't see, had brood. She's getting honey bound (frames filled with honey so there's nowhere to lay eggs), so I added a honey super on top. And then there's Caroline, who I also didn't see. Her hive is slowly growing, and there were eggs and larva and capped brood, so she's been there within the last 3 days. It's growing much slower than I want, as she's still only in one brood box, but there are many more bees than there were two weeks ago.

So it's official - I am not a very good bee farmer. But it's still interesting, and they were quite gentle (if not irritated) still. AKA - no stings.

In black and white

Before work and camp yesterday, C-man and I were reading the newspaper. He came across an article about the Confederate Flag and the controversy surrounding it, and started to ask questions - What was really happening, who wanted it, why would they want it. It occurred to me a few minutes into answering the 'why' questions, specifically, that he has no frame of reference for any of this to make any sort of sense. He's learned of racial tensions and prejudices and the history of it all. We haven't shielded him from the stories of police brutality and Ferguson and the local Sikh temple shooting. But it makes about as much sense to him as the proverbial fish on a bicycle.

This child has no frame of reference. No experience. No understanding. No comprehension. Zero.

Now, my child is incredibly privileged. He has never known not having. Our education decisions for him are between which private top-notch education he'll experience. When he struggles at the plate, he goes to a special batting session with a semi-pro coach. And if all goes according to plan, he'll make it to his fourth continent by age 11. And I was privileged. While I didn't have the range of experiences that he has now, it never occurred to me that I would or could be poor or uneducated or discriminated against.

So I struggle with this conversation. Partly, because I know how important it is that he understands what is happening - the futility of it, the unjustness of it, the uneducated unnecessaryness of racism and mob mentality putting yourself over another. But part of me wants to shield him from it all. Because if it makes sense to him, then that means he has a frame of reference - an experience or understanding of how it is possible.

In the midst of all of this, his incomprehension gave me hope that maybe... just maybe...

Wordlessly Pitching

Penultimate regular season game

Tonight is C-man's second to last regular season game. (Then the tournament and the All-Stars)
For the first time ever, I'm glad it's almost over.

Random crap on a Monday

• C-man's team played the team whose coaches are also the post-season tournament team coaches. You know, the ones who said he wasn't good enough to play, but a couple of 9 year olds were.
• He crushed the ball with a few monster hits. I think he may have had a little to prove.
• It was a really nice, but busy weekend. C-man got to play with his friend and teammate, which they've been organizing forever. And Fathers Day was nice.
• I never did get to my beehives. Depending on how the tournament play goes, I don't know how I'm going to get up there before the 4th if I don't take a vacation day Friday.
• Mmmm... vacation day on a Friday...

Happy Fathers Day!

Fantastic Fridays

• C-man didn't make the post-season tournament team. He was so wrecked.
• Last night was improved with some baseball practice, the promise of a sleepover tonight, and ice cream.
• The neighbor kids are being awful, and C-man hasn't been playing with them lately. I can't say it makes me very sad. Especially when the parents try to justify it as, "Pre-teen behavior" with an eye roll.
• At least he has been loving Shark camp at Discovery World, and has made lots of friends.
• Speaking of friends, they're all chomping at the bit to get to University School camp next week.
• I'm so grateful he has such great summer experiences.
• Speaking of summer experiences, I'm going to go see my bees tomorrow and see if I need to combine two hives.
• I read today that beehives were in Israel at least 3000 years ago. Land of milk and honey wasn't a metaphor, apparently. Amazing.
• I think I'm going to audition for another role in a play. Auditions are in August, and the play is in September or October, I think.
• Enough time has passed, that it sounds fun again.
• I'm really looking forward to the weekend. Fridays are fantastic.

Thursday Thirteen Good Things

I haven't been the happiest lately. I've been mentally and emotionally down. Physically, the inflammation has been high. So it's time to think positively!

1. C-man tried out for the post-season tournament team last night and slugged a giant hit to center field. We don't know if he will make the team (2 dozen kids tried out for 13 spots), but are very proud he tried.
2. I've been tracking my DNA to my family tree to figure out which chromosomes have come down through which lines. Fairly fascinating. (Granny Bert is strong in this one...)
3. I've downsized and rearranged my workspace, and it feels so much better. I've never been one for much clutter or disorganization at work, but this even feels nicer.
4. The spa visits and comedy club tickets are purchased for the Pelot Women Take San Francisco trip in July.
5. The spa informed me we can stay by the pool all day and order room service if we'd like. Ummm... maybe?
6. Little League has been doing a photo contest this summer. It's with Canon, but that's okay. I've been submitting photos with their themes anyhow. I won't win, but it's always nice to have a purpose for the shots.
7. This morning, C-man declared the camp counselors like him best. It's good to be noticed. And humble.
8. I rounded up the medical bills this year and submitted them for FSA reimbursement. A broken finger and a bunch of PT really adds up! That'll be a really nice deposit later this week.
9. Beerman has our Spring Break trip almost figured out. I'm giddy with excitement that it may actually happen. I may actually leave the country again. Ahhhh....
10. The cabinet maker finally sent us our last two kitchen doors yesterday. Small miracles do happen!
11. Beasley has a vet appointment today, so I get to bail out of work a bit early.
12. There are only 3 games left of C-man's season. Usually, that makes me sad. But this year, I feel quite differently about it. It'll be a relief to be over.
13. I'm on my third cup of coffee today, and it's amazing.

Forwardly

• C-man's post-season tryouts are tonight. They were postponed from Sunday due to weather.
• I've been finalizing the pieces of the girl's San Francisco trip. It's shaping up.
• I started watching Wild last night because I hadn't seen it and love Reese Witherspoon. Wow, that is a slow moving movie.
• C-man, meanwhile, was at Jurassic World with his friends. Ahhh, summertime fun.
• He also declared he has several new best friends from Shark camp. To be young and social...
• I'm going through Game of Thrones withdrawal. The finale mostly didn't shock me. It did, however, make me very sad. (FYI - I thought Mommy Stark was supposed to come back?)
• It's Father's Day this weekend. Right now it's calling for rain. So much for outdoor fun.
• I went to the gym yesterday and actually worked out by myself in the yoga studio, which I liked a lot.
• Until a guy showed up to do yoga and insisted on turning down the lights and doing this weird breathing thing. I left.
• I'm making it a goal to get to the gym at least 3 days a week now.
• My shoulder is still a mess. Thousands of dollars in PT that did nothing. What a waste.
• Maybe I should start growing my own pot like my own mother suggested. (Dear Homeland Security - I'm joking!)

Brain blob

I've been so disinterested lately. Exhausted, but not tired. Last night, the boys went to baseball practice, and I just sat in a chair and watched the cardinals and doves at the feeder. I don't think I had any thoughts. I was a complete blob - sitting, my body functioning, but the brain almost off. For 90 minutes. I don't think I've ever felt like this. And it doesn't seem to want to go away. I need my brain back! And my body, for that matter. Ack!

Time for Summer Fun

I've been feeling really discouraged lately. I know it's mostly first world problems, but I'm struggling with getting excited about much. I know I need to start exercising hard to try to make the pain and the brain fog dissipate, but that initial inertia and initial pain is such a struggle. It's my own vicious cycle, for sure.

At least it's summer camp time for C-man. No school, no homework, and lots of fun. I think I need to make my own bucket list of summer fun.

Lollygagging

It's only Saturday!

• I woke up this morning thinking it was Sunday. So it was a nice realization when I was informed it's only Saturday.
• I've got the house picked up. If it ever dries out, I'll get the lawn mowed.
• Then I'm set to be a bit lazy.
• There's no baseball or wrestling this weekend.
• Unless you count tryouts for the post-season tournament.
• Which I really don't, because I won't have to sit through it.
• Speaking of baseball ruining my fun plans, I've decided we need to work ahead. So we've been trying to firm up our 2016 Spring Break trip.
• It's always good to set Beerman on a trip planning mission. You end up with way more ideas than you'd bargained for.
• But now that we've got a plan, I need to start working out to get my body ready for hiking.
• Beasley now insists on a game of backyard ball every night.
• He's gotten attached to us now, which is nice. His a-holeness has decreased exponentially.
• He is, however, still 95 pounds of oaf, which isn't simple.
• It's Polish Fest this weekend, which is always fun.
• C-man has a cold, which he kindly passed on to me, though, so I doubt we'll be up for it.
• But at least it's only Saturday!

A day off

C-man is done with school, so we headed north to see the bees today. I'm losing all hope with this beekeeping thing. Abigail, the strongest hive, has mites walking around in it, and I didn't see the queen. (Grrr to mites! I know it's common, but not in first year hives, which means the supplier stinks.) The new queen, Beyonce, wasn't killed, but she is just walking around and isn't laying any eggs, which means certain death to the hive if she doesn't start immediately.. And the Caroline hive is not expanding very quickly, although I saw the queen and eggs. So that's the hive I have the most hope for. Such a frustrating day. At least it was beautiful and sunny, we got to have lunch with Grandma, and I got hours in the car to chat with C-man.

School's end

Today, Beasley watched C-man board the bus for his last day as a fourth grader. Well, pending that social studies grade he's been fearing. (Seriously, it's like I haven't even had a single ounce of anything to do with bringing this child into the world. He doesn't think twice about math, but social studies is a problem? How is that even possible?)

The A's won their second game in a row last night. C-man isn't feeling well. And with what I'm tallying up as a giant hormonal growth spurt and change in his body, he was just off. Not terrible, but it's like he just can't focus lately. He has a week off now, plus school is done, so things should lighten up all the way around for him.

In other news, C-man being off school means we get tomorrow off together. As long as the weather holds, we're going to go check on the bees. And it's a good thing, because just like C-man, I think I could use a mental break, too.

Weekend, ho!

Wordlessly Yellow

And it's Tuesday

I'm still ornery. This week needs to perk up soon. Or maybe I just need to get some sleep.

I've really got nothing today...

A good day to be C-man

Today was a good day in the life of C-man. Not that good days for him are that unusual, but this was a really good day. He slept over at a friend's house and road his bike around the neighborhood until it was time for lunch. Then he came home to get ready for his baseball game, which they won.

Which was made even sweeter because his cousins and aunt were there to see it happen.

And the real icing on the cake was when he learned that his team (unanimously) voted him into this year's All Star game. Happy, happy boy.

Baseball Saturday

Today was all about baseball and then the baseball fun day. Beerman got put in the dunk tank since he was a coach. Good times. Good times.

Finally

It's Friday again. Thankfully. I ordered some more beekeeping equipment, although who knows when I'll actually have the time to get up to see them again to use it. (And when I'm soooo curious about how Beyonce has fared!)

But Beerman is home again (and miraculously has no immediate travel plans). And with the sun setting so late now, that I'm really looking forward to a nice, leisurely family night in the backyard. Because tomorrow and Sunday are all about baseball.

Thursday Thirteen

1. I had secured two Packers tickets for the 10/18 Packers v Chargers game for our 14th wedding anniversary. (It being the "gold" themed year and all)
2. Melvin Gordon (formerly of UW-Madison) is now on the Chargers, and the jersey C-man wants more than anything this year.
3. We decided to not tell him we got two tickets lest it break his 10 year old heart.
4. Aunt Lonnie texted that she we just won the Packers lottery and have four tickets.
5. Just in case there was any doubt, Jesus is a Packers fan.
6. I had my video shoot in the bees yesterday. I find it so strange to be in front of the camera.
7. It was a beautiful day and the second frame I pulled had the queen, so it was lucky overall.
8. C-man is eligible for Lego League at school next year. He's wanted to do it forever.
9. It is on Saturdays in Fall.
10. Sorry Lego League. You don't even come close to the reverence we hold for football.
11. Speaking of C-man, the kid is totally irrational lately. And he's been eating way more than usual. (How that's possible, I'll never understand.) This had better be a growth spurt.
12. How am I going to survive a teenage C-man if this is what 10 looks like?
13. It's supposedly #hugyourcat day. Um... no.

Humpity Day

C-man got two singles and a really nice double last night. Unfortunately, the game ended with his strikeout (the bat of which we will never speak of again), and had a bad inning of pitching that ended in him crying sadly from the mound. (A collective "awwwww" came from the crowd.) We had to have the "You have a whole team," talk, when he was putting the 2 run loss to a pretty decent team all on himself. And really, considering the team they have this year, and that there were only 9 players present, it was a respectable outing overall. By the end of the night, though, he was moving on. So that's positive.

Today, I'm getting myself filmed while beekeeping for a video at work. I'm using hives that aren't mine, so I sure hope it all works out.

And that, is my hump day.

Weekend Wrap-up

It was a busy, but good weekend overall. We saw Big Fish at First Stage, got some tools at an estate sale, ate some burgers, and played some baseball.

And now, it's C-man's last full week of school, and I've got a full week of work. (Not my last, however unfortunate that may be.) Onward, I suppose.