Geesh,...sometimes I think I need to just grab a pillow over here and curl up quietly for a while, while the man dust settles over in the General Forum.

Kinda hot over there,...and I'm not in the mood to play. Anybody got a good book they can suggest? ( I'll even settle for a cross word puzzle. ha! )

quote:

Originally posted by shortstopmom:
I'll even settle for a cross word puzzle. ha! )

Can you pass me one of them puzzle books SSMom? I need to spend a little time chillaxin(sp?) as you say.

Today is opening day!

However, Bordeaux has correctly diagnosed me with "PMS" (Pitcher's Mom Syndrome for our newcomers!)

We open up our season by playing the across town team who finished #2 in the state last year, we finished #3 in state. Lots of excitement with this game. We have 6 games this week. Friday we play the team who beat us and went on to win #1 in state.

Sr year, son getting the pitching start on Opening day, nice unseasonably sunny and warm weather....I'm so excited I can hardly wait till this afternoon!!!!!!!! hurry up, hurry up, hurry up, It makes me feel like a little kid waiting for Santa...

Hi ShortstopMom,
I'm an avid reader. I'd be happy to recommend something. Tell me what you like to read.

Ya know,... now that I think about it, there are so many various shades of pink,...I think perhaps today I like them all. Each and every one of them. Its my safe and happy zone here. I never feel like I have to referee & wear some ghastly black and white striped shirt here, nor do I ever feel like I am going to get my head chopped off for dipping my toe into the muddy puddle.
Some days I am bolder than others.
Today is obviously not a confrontational brave day for this tired mom.
Today I am looking for zen and peace.
Perhaps tomorrow I will battle,...but not today.
Call me lazy, but nor do I feel like being the voice of reason, either.
Today I shall just escape amongst friends and practice my " chill-axin "! ( tee hee!!!!)
Thank you gals! Thanks for always being here.

Dear Still Learning,..thank you for talking about something I can relate to!! After reading your post I could actually feel your anticipation for this afternoon's game. I'm so excited for ya ( our HS games dont even start until the end of the month! Wahhhh ) I wanna come watch!!!!

It's very enjoyable for this ol' Kansas gal to hear about what you all are doing in the different regions of our US of A!!

And, its your son's senior year. Such a special special year !!!!( my oldest graduated last year )

Let us know how things go. ( Don't forget the Tums bottle!,..and the camera. ) Got the car all loaded up? Dont forget sunblock,...nothing like winter white skin taking a beating on a nice sunny Opening
Day! Before ya know it,.....you'll have that famous Baseball mom tan,....ohhh, how I miss it!!! ha! You lucky duck you!

Colorado mom,...thank you!!!!
I never have time to read and I think perhaps I need to shut off the tv ( which seems to not stimulate my brain anymore lately. I wonder if its my age? Do we reach a certain age when tv just becomes boring?) and start exercizing my brain.

Anything uplifting sounds good,...not really into sci-fiction or romance novels ( but can appreciate them! The gals at work, love em'! ) A mystery sounds kind of fun,...just no sad stories about children. So many of Oprah's books in her book club were about abuse, death, and missing children,..that I found myself getting depressed. I want to read to be inspired or to perhaps learn something new.
I go to the book stores and get overwhelmed. Usually end up leaving with just the mocha left in my hand.
Anything you suggest, I will go look up! I am keeping an open mind, and willing to try almost anything!!!

.....again,..thanks gals!
Hugzzzzzz

We're on Spring Break this week and the weather is so Great today, upper 70's! I met some of MY teammates on the outdoor courts and played Tennis for a couple of hours. Our USTA season starts in two weeks. Then I went into the gym and worked out for another hour. Tennis players gotta do the same rotator cuff routine as pitchers!

Hoping that helps burn off some nervous energy and brings that zen feeling a/k/a gets the endorphines flowing for this afternoon. Oh, did I mention I'm signed up to work the gate?!?!? Aauughghh! No Large Bills, Correct Change Please if you have it!!!!! Hey---I can't SEE!!!!!




SSMom

Smackin' the fuzz off of yellow balls around can make ya feel good! Go ahead and take a swing at one or two!!

Oh Yeah, that winter white skin thing, I use that as part of my secret "innocent by stander" strategy...When the other team is on the field, I sit behind home plate and uncover my winter white legs and arms at strategic moments during the game and the GLARE temporarily blinds the opposing pitcher and/or defense!! HAHAHA

I posted the following the other week when we had our first game of the season ~ what an experience. (posted on "SSM I've found it..." thread.)

Now this week we have our region openers; maybe I won't be quite as nervous this time, though not so sure. Still just trying to enjoy the ride, the senior season, . . .


veryproudmom
Member

Posted February 28, 2007 08:53 PM Hide Post
[QUOTE]Originally posted by FutureBack.Mom:


Having quite a few years on most of you ... chronologically as well as PMS'ly ... I have found that the meticulous scorekeeping in a large score book is the essential tool to reducing stress. It lets you focus on the other players' mistakes (sorry moms of position players but we pitchers' moms need all the help we can get), all the pass balls (there is no such thing as a wild pitch, just something made up to calm the catchers' moms), and the lack of run support. I also 'perfected' my scorekeeping to the point that I use colored INK with various colors meaning different things. Just keeping the pens and pencils on my lap is effort enough ... no time to grab snacks when there are 10 colored pens rolling all over the seating area QUOTE]

Haven't really been too afflicted with this problem before (has bothered me some, but have dealt fairly well with it) ~ but Monday night I thought I was going to actually lose it! Have kept the books before, just because someone was needed; since Zach's debut on Varsity have kept notes, without the "acutal book" as a memory (and to help with website game summaries), but had already decided to keep an "official book" this year as a momento of his Senior Season. Also part of my quandry since I know there are conflicts with some of the JV games.

Anyway, here I was Monday, first game of the season, keeping my momento book, and since he was having a somewhat rocky first inning, actually started to get sick. . . in my stomach, in my throat. . . didn't want to walk, had to stay warm under my blankets;gets cold after the sun goes down. I just felt so bad for him, trying to get a rhythm going. . . course, I'm sure he was handling it fine. . . water off a duck's back, no ruffled feathers. He also handled himself well with the press ~

"I was a little shaky to start the season, but I settled down and just kept throwing strikes," ~

The comfort I receive from other's posts with the same experience is priceless. Thanks ladies!!



"How bad do you want it? How bad do you need it? Are you eating, sleeping, dreaming with that one thing on your mind? How bad do you want it? How bad do you need it? Cause if you want it all You've go it lay it all out on the line" ~ Jim Collins/Bill Luther

Still Learning ... best of luck to both you and your son tonight. May your weather be much warmer than what we experience about two weeks ago.

Keep us posted.

SSM- I try not to post in the general section too--its pretty tense in there sometimes!!
But--your post about the Schwinn bicycle sent a flood of memories my way. Mine was green and I know it was a schwinn but not sure about the stingray part. My dad didn't make it "big" at Reno--my mom bought it at a garage sale but it looked new and it was the nicest bicycle I ever had. I think it is still hanging in my parent's garage. I'm going to ask my daddy....

Still Learning - did you say 6 (SIX?!) games this week?
Is this HS? How can that be? How large is the team that has enough pitchers for that many innings?
I think our district allows 3 games/week max and that is unusual; it is normally just 2 per week.

Hey SSMom,
I love all the responses you're getting, kind of like conversations with my two sisters! Lots of tangents, all leading back to the boys, what we're really here for.

A few years back, maybe the first time I was on this site, I recall there was a thread started by a man who was really upset with the ignorant spectator who called out "nice hit" when their son hit a big loopy pop fly to the center fielder. The response I really remember came from a woman who said, you know, I'm the Mom, not the coach. It's not my job to critique everything my son does on the field, he gets plenty of that. If I feel like cheering him on, that's my business, thank you very much.

So anyway, I, myself don't have many good coaching tips, but I do know my boy better than anyone! I can tell when he's nervous, when he's angry with himself, when he's feeling good,and when he need a quick infusion of calories!

Here are a few book recommendations, and since we're in the ladies section, I thought I would stick with women authors!

For mysteries, a couple of favorites are:

Sue Grafton with her series starting 20 years ago with "A Is For Alibi" She is now on "S Is For Silence" The queen of women's PI mysteries.

Janet Evanovich starting with "One For The Money" She's now on "Eleven On Top" Hilarious fun. Some of the series is a little over the top, but this is one of the best loved series around.

Here are some recent non-fiction titles:

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. A journalist, after dealing with divorce, and heartache, decides to take a year to examine three different aspects of her nature. Pleasure in Italy, devotion in India, and finding balance between the two in Bali. The best part of this book for me was the fact that the author seems like such a lovable, goofy friend. Nice armchair travel too.

I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron. A book of essays about life, aging, home, and family. Quite humorous by the woman who writes movie scripts including "Sleepless In Seattle".

And finally, a big old-fashioned novel:

"The Whole World Over" by Julia Glass *Who won a national book award for her first book Three Junes*
This book is about a pastry chef, with a husband and son. Big changes in her life when she's offered a job as chef to the governor of New Mexico. Contemporary woman, lots of good food description, very readable!

quote:

I do know my boy better than anyone! I can tell when he's nervous, when he's angry with himself, when he's feeling good,and when he need a quick infusion of calories!

You betcha Colorado Mom!! I hear ya, and know exactly where you are coming from. All of us mom's can relate. Thats why this site is so valueable. It brings a bunch of gals from across the US who all have a common interest,..our boys and baseball.
There's just something really special about that!

And whats even as special is ya can be having a poopie day,...( or suffering from pms,..both the pitcher mom kind and the other! ha!) and still come in here and find comfort with gals that will pick up your spirits and point ya in the right direction to get your rump in gear. I LOVE IT!!!!!! And the coolest part is ya dont mind if my house is a mess,...my laundry has transformed from pile to mountain over night, I'm still in my bathrobe, and havent had time to shave my legs! ( heh!)

Still Learning,..I think you are right. I need more outside physical exercise and its just now starting to get warm enough to get going! Something rewarding to the brain when exercising outside as opposed to a gym all winter long. Good stress reliever.
I also want to know how YOUR yesterday went!!! Details woman,... please pass forward the details!!


Very proud mom,...

quote:

The comfort I receive from other's posts with the same experience is priceless. Thanks ladies!!

.......I couldn't agree more!!!

Colorado mom,..I am in AWE of your book list!!! I am especially intrigued about Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.
They all sound sooo good! You nailed me right on the money. Love the idea that you suggested female authors too!!...and for once luck is on my side and I actually have today off. Just threw dinner at the crockpot and guess where I am headed?
A quick hop to the book store,...then perhaps a nice brisk walk around the lake,...and later on this afternoon, off to watch son at practice. ( I park up a hill in back of center field and stay as incognito as possible, or so I thought. )

Son came home the other night from practice ( I had been working late ) and
said " Hey mom,..I didnt see the car. Where were ya? "
Hmmm,...perhaps ( wink-wink) he doesnt mind I'm there after all! ( yea!!)

Thanks a hundred times a million and then second that to the third power. You gals are too great!! I wanna hear about how the games are going. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the everything in between!! Ya promise?

P.S. Is it ok to pour hot fudge over salsa and salty chips?
Dang that sounds sooo good right now!
Crazy hormones! ( Geesh! )

HS try-outs don't start in NH until March 20th and the season wraps Memorial Day weekend, which is good because son's summer team (out of state) resumes practice Memorial Day weekend, and we just bought a house and are scheduled to close on the Wednesday after Memorial Day weekend, and my boss decided that while I've been a Quality Engineer for many moons, it would look good to our customers if I added alphabet soup after my name on my business cards (KMomNH, ASQ, CQE - American Society of Quality Certified Quality Engineer) which means a 5 hour exam on the Saturday after Memorial Day weekend. Is it okay if I skip the salsa and chips with hot fudge sauce and go directly to eating the full size frozen cheesecake?

The Secret Life of Bees - Sue Monk Kidd. It is one of the best books ever. She also wrote "The Mermaid Chair" which I just finished. I don't like romance and I tire of mysteries. I gravitate toward what I call "Southern easy reading". Generally set in the South with a cast of quirky characters and a dose of humor. I also love the "Miss Julia" series by Ann B. Ross and the "Mitford" series by Jan Karon. Fannie Flagg - "Fried Green Tomatoes" and "Welcome to the World Baby Girl!" also come ot mind. I love to read - nothing else gets done when I start a book.

Great memories of the Schwinn bike - mine was orange!

I always have a book going to try to relax after games - whether my son has a great game or not, I always have a hard time relaxing after the game. This game keeps our boys and their moms humble - great night one night - not so great the next!

My book club loves anything by Jodi Picoult. Her books always take a controversial topic and makes you look at both sides of the issue. One of my favorites of her's is "Plain Truth" - about a murder in the Amish country. I just picked up her newest release "Nineteen Minutes" - about a school shooting - shades of Columbine, etc. Should be a good spring break read - although it might not be a fun read! One of my favorite books ever is "The Sunday Wife" by Cassandra King (wife of Pat Conroy) - great southern novel about the wife of a pastor.

For sheer fun reading (no deep thinking required...) try romantic comedies by Susan Elizabeth Phillips - I find myself laughing out loud! She has writen books about a fictional Chicago football team with a female owner and some of their star players. Also for fun, the "Shopoholic" books by Sophie Kinsella - Excerpt - "OK. DON'T PANIC. Don't panic. It's only a VISA bill. It's a piece of paper; a few numbers. I mean, just how scary can a..."

Still Learning - Hope you had a great opening day last night and your son did well. Kmomnh - I think a frozen cheesecake is in order to handle the stress.
Shortstopmom - you may have created a new food group - fudge over nacho chips - may be the perfect cure for late night baseball stress!

curveball ...

quote:

you may have created a new food group - fudge over nacho chips - may be the perfect cure for late night baseball stress!

Personally, I get heartburn just reading that but then I have to remember something I read many years ago ... chocolate actually helps take the sting out of spicy foods so I guess with that combo and some Pepcid (prescibed to counteract my prednisone), I just might be able to manage a taste or two (or three or four ... you get the picture)

Oh Coloradomom,
Yes on Janet Evanovich! She's great - you can just see the characters in your mind! Lula and Grandma are just a kick! I sit and laugh out loud and my family thinks I've lost it. She is up to "Twelve Sharp". Definately a good read.

One of my favorite books is the "The Sweet Potato Queens Book of Love". I have liked almost all of the other Sweet Potato Queens books too. Hilarious and had some great recipes for stress food. I think they are writen by Jill Connor Browne??

Second the Sue Grafton recommendation. For something very soothing and simple, the Ladies Number 1 Detective Mystery series set in Botswana and awash in bush tea and simple philosophizing, plus some very charming characters.

My favorite book (that doesn't involve heartbreak on major proportions) this year is Digging to America by Anne Tyler. Truth is, it's hard to write a great book without some tragedy, but this is a very gentle, loving story too. Also, love The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri which is now a movie as well.

and the roller coaster ride continues...

When I arrived at the ball field an hour early to work the gate there were already several scouts in the stands behind home plate and by the time the game started there were ~ a dozen, including one scouts "boss" that was introduced to me. I'm used to seeing scouts at summer travel team events, even saw one at a scrimmage game last week, but I had not expected to see so many at our first HS game of the season. I think their presence kinda got the HS guys a little more excited than they already were about the game. Unfortunately, as a team we played less than our best and lost our first game, we were shut out . However, we did come back and win the game today, 11-0. That's one great thing about baseball---it's the next pitch, at bat, game.....

Inthestands - Yep, I said 6 games, 3/12, 3/13, 3/14, 3/15 travel day (7hr drive) 3/16 dbl header, two different teams and 3/17, 3/18 (7hr drive home) and this is High school! This week is spring break but next week we have 6 games also, 3/19, 3/20, 3/21, 3/23, 3/24 and 3/26. Last years record was 34-14, throw in scrimmage games and you've got well over 50 games played between March and the end of May.
There's 23 on the Varsity team, our coach is a retired D-1 college coach and IMHO tends to run the HS program much like he ran his college program.

It's raining and the weather is turning cooler/back to normal, I enjoyed the spring preview while it lasted. At least it's not very cold (yet) like it was at this time last year. Last year at this time we played while it was sleeting and freezing rain, Brrrrr of course there's always that last winter blast to come barreling through just when you've put away the long johns!

SSMom and other moms - What's in your vehicle during baseball season? Mine - Chair, Camera Bag, Case of Water, Bucket of Seeds, Scorekeeper book, pencils, Sleeping Bag (keeps me warmer than a blanket), extra hat and mittens, team sweatshirt, umbrella, sunscreen, insect repellant, sunglasses, reader's digest or current book, parking passes and tickets from previous tournaments, empty cups and wrappers from fast food joints!