I can hardly believe it is time to look ahead to a new year, and to choose a new word. Before I explore that, though, I have a lot to be thankful for with the end of the "journey year".
Literal journeys this year added 5 new baseball stadiums to my places visited: Citi Field (Mets), Petco Park (Padres), Angels Stadium, Dodgers Stadium, and PNC Park (Pirates). I also added "on the ice at the Verizon Center" and "on the field for pre-game" at Nationals Park, PNC Park, and Orioles Park at Camden Yards. I traveled with a new friend to see some old friends in California, and road tripped with Nats buddies to see the team, explore Pittsburgh and meet a new work colleague.
My journey this year also led through some tough decisions - some job opportunities turned down, some memories finally filed away in a place where they won't haunt me every day, and with mixed emotions, a new church home for me and the girls.
I've made some new friends and some amazing memories due to the power of social media. We've laughed together, cried together. Hugged each other in times of great family loss and those moments of baseball agony. Cheered until we were hoarse. Witnessed history live - no hitters and 18 inning marathons. Tried new foods, some which were fabulous and some I'll never touch again, thank you very much. We've made memories I will cherish long after 2014 has faded away.
And I've been challenged beyond what I remembered possible
* with a new organization to give my time in a more deliberate way
* with my kids - the hard questions have started
* with my writing - I tried to go 31 days straight (and didn't get there, but got further than I would have last year)
* with my heart - could I let someone close again?
So as I reflect on the end of the 2014 journey, it's been a great year. Hard times, but good ones. And even in the toughest moments of this year, I wouldn't change a thing if I could. Even the results from the playoffs. Because the agony of defeat makes the forthcoming triumph that much sweeter. The deliberate focus on the process rather than the destination has been excellent for me this year. The journey goes on ... I pray the intentional choices will continue... but as we cross over to 2015, my new word is WAIT.
I am excited ... and very nervous ... about what exactly that looks like in this coming year. Brave, grace, and journey have ALL turned out to be just what I needed. Apparently "wait" is what I need now.
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Monday, December 29, 2014
Nationals Park Neighborhood Eateries: Justin's Cafe
Happy almost New Year! After a little side discussion, I am pleased to announce my first guest poster (and she's bringing a feature that will hopefully be a recurring guest post series until baseball season starts!) Meet Beth. She's one of my Nats park buddies, and she lives right in the neighborhood. The Nats Park neighborhood! She's been exploring the new eating places as the neighborhood grows. Since we are always looking for the inside scoop on the new munchies in town, the gang proposed that Beth be our Nats Neighborhood food critic. Only she didn't have a place to post her reviews. I am glad to share them over here - now we can all take advantage of Beth's knowledge and plan our next visit to the ballpark. Welcome Beth, and I hope all of you enjoy our tour of the restaurants around the ballpark. Hopefully we'll have a new post about once a week, and that should take us close to opening day. (Hurry up April! We miss baseball!)
~ Jen.
*Guest post by Beth Dahlman*
~ Jen.
*Guest post by Beth Dahlman*
Justin’s Cafe
1025 1st St. SE
Opened: April, 2010
I’m going to start off the first write up in this little series with a disclaimer: I’m totally biased about Justin’s. It’s the only place that I’ll be writing about that was in the Navy Yard/Near Southeast neighborhood before we were. Eating there after we toured the condo we would eventually move into in August 2010 is part of what made Dan and I know we could make the neighborhood our home. We’ve met dear friends playing trivia there on Tuesdays. The checks come with our names on them instead of a table number. After dozens of pizzas and hundreds of pints of Racer 5 IPA there’s just no way I can be “objective.” But I hope I can be helpful.
Since it was the only sit down eatery close to Nationals Park for many years it’s probably the spot most familiar to Nats fans, but I couldn’t leave it off the list of places I was going to write about (due to all the sentiment expressed above).
For those of you who haven’t been, Justin’s serves an American food menu focused on salads, pizzas and sandwiches. Dan is partial to the buffalo burger and I always take a couple of the 5 Guys-esque fries when he orders one. But to me the pizzas are the standouts among the Justin’s menu (and offer the most vegetarian friendly options). They are “neopolitan-American” style with a crisp, chewy crust (the chew reminds me of a good bagel, though it’s way less dense). One is more than enough for one pretty hungry adult. Less hungry couples could probably split one and be fine. My standard order is the Wentworth plus arugula (if you could start ordering that as “The Beth” and make that a thing that would be cool). Drinks are focused on American craft beers. There’s also wine and a full bar but to be honest I can probably count the number of times I’ve ordered something other than a Racer 5 without taking off my shoes.
Go if you’re looking for:
- Fun, neighborhood atmosphere for lunch or dinner. It’s the “Cheers” of Navy Yard.
- American craft beer
- Pizza!
- A selfie with a MASN personality
- The chance to lose to my team in trivia on Tuesdays
You might want to skip if:
- Crowds bother you (a smaller space + being the only option for so long means the place can get pretty packed, especially right before and after Nats home games).
- You’re looking for a leisurely, traditional brunch. Justin’s has a tasty but limited brunch menu (and it’s not served on game days).
- You’ve got little ones in tow during prime time. While I’ve always found Justin’s warm and welcoming, I can see the seating situation and crowds of baseball revelers making it a tricky option for families when it’s crowded.
- You’re a strict vegetarian with a soup craving (most of their soups are made with chicken broth)
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Time for a Change
This isn't an easy post to write... the big ones never are. I have been wrestling with a decision for close to a year, and The Lord has finally made it abundantly clear what the new path should be. Honestly, at first, I didn't like the answer, so I resisted the change. I continued to ignore the gentle hints. I plowed ahead. But there comes a time when you just need to listen. And obey.
It has been our privilege and pleasure to serve with our friends at Temple Baptist Church for more than 10 years. Friends, you have supported our family through the depths of despair and on our hardest days. You have rejoiced with us in our best moments of celebration. You have cried with me, held me, brought us meals and studied God's Word with me. You have loved my children and watched them grow. You have changed their diapers and wiped their noses; held their hands, taught them about Jesus. You have sung with us, laughed with us, played with us. You have been an example to us. And most importantly, you have prayed - both with us, and for us, every day. I can never thank you enough for being a part of our family, and for providing, with the Lord's help, just what we needed, exactly when we needed. it. We are forever grateful.
It is with mixed emotions that I say farewell to you all - the Lord has called us to serve elsewhere, and to grow in this next chapter of our lives in a different church community. We are excited for this new opportunity - the next step in our family's journey - but please know that we love you, and we are so glad to have had this time with you. We aren't moving physically - so we will still be around. Don't be strangers. We still want to see your smiling faces.
Love,
Jen, S & A
It has been our privilege and pleasure to serve with our friends at Temple Baptist Church for more than 10 years. Friends, you have supported our family through the depths of despair and on our hardest days. You have rejoiced with us in our best moments of celebration. You have cried with me, held me, brought us meals and studied God's Word with me. You have loved my children and watched them grow. You have changed their diapers and wiped their noses; held their hands, taught them about Jesus. You have sung with us, laughed with us, played with us. You have been an example to us. And most importantly, you have prayed - both with us, and for us, every day. I can never thank you enough for being a part of our family, and for providing, with the Lord's help, just what we needed, exactly when we needed. it. We are forever grateful.
It is with mixed emotions that I say farewell to you all - the Lord has called us to serve elsewhere, and to grow in this next chapter of our lives in a different church community. We are excited for this new opportunity - the next step in our family's journey - but please know that we love you, and we are so glad to have had this time with you. We aren't moving physically - so we will still be around. Don't be strangers. We still want to see your smiling faces.
Love,
Jen, S & A
Monday, December 8, 2014
Dear (Five Minute Friday)
I didn't finish my 31 days of writing. I might get back there. And I am a few Five Minute Fridays behind. I may or may not get back there.
But there's no time like NOW to get back on the wagon. I saw the word this week and it hit close to home. So I will write on.
Join us? Here's the link to "how it works" and at the end of my post is the link for this week.
DEAR
I'm a letter writer. A pen and paper girl. And for a very long time, I saved EVERY letter I got in the mail. Ever. Cards and notes and affections scrawled by friends of long ago. You would think I'd be a better emailer and keep in touch-er because of my draw toward letters, but I am lousy at real-time keep in touching. I stioll love a good piece of paper and a pen to send a note, though. And there's a few folks from my long ago writing days with whom I am still really close, albeit slow about my notes.
Last weekend I was cleaning out some more boxes from the move. (Yes, I know it has been a year since we moved, but at least I am still giving thought to this!) And I found the collection of letters and cards from my ex. The "dear Jen ... " From when we first met - and from before we met in person. And the cards and notes I had saved through all the years of our marriage. Including ones from the last few years.
I'd originally had in mind to save them for the girls to read someday. So, I;ve been moving them each time we moved, including the last 2 times when I moved without him, since he's no longer living with us. And as I pulled out that box, I took the time to really read the letters this time. Including those last ones. And I made a bold decision. They are filled with a lot of lies. Stuff the girls never need to see. I put the box aside and gave it some more long, hard thought. And I came to a decision. I shredded the whole pile. Every last word. Every card.
There was no way for me to continue to carry the lies and dead weight with me. I felt relieved once the shredding was done.
What about the early years? The letters that were "real"? Well, the stuff in there, based on the actions of the later years ... I don't know about that either. So it was better to get rid of it all than to engage in endless mind wars with myself.
My girls have the opportunity to know and love their dad as he is, and don't need to see the transition from who he was through the period of terrible to who he is now. They can form their own opinions and their own relationship, and don't need to see the spiral of hurt from this other perspective.
They are smart girls and they will ask the right questions when their hearts are ready to know. And then I can share an honest, but full of grace, perspective of how we got from those days to where we are now. But no collection of lies, mistruths, truth and clouds of letters needs to be sorted through to do that. So I shredded and today my heart is a little lighter.
--------------
Link up with this week's crew over here.
But there's no time like NOW to get back on the wagon. I saw the word this week and it hit close to home. So I will write on.
Join us? Here's the link to "how it works" and at the end of my post is the link for this week.
DEAR
I'm a letter writer. A pen and paper girl. And for a very long time, I saved EVERY letter I got in the mail. Ever. Cards and notes and affections scrawled by friends of long ago. You would think I'd be a better emailer and keep in touch-er because of my draw toward letters, but I am lousy at real-time keep in touching. I stioll love a good piece of paper and a pen to send a note, though. And there's a few folks from my long ago writing days with whom I am still really close, albeit slow about my notes.
Last weekend I was cleaning out some more boxes from the move. (Yes, I know it has been a year since we moved, but at least I am still giving thought to this!) And I found the collection of letters and cards from my ex. The "dear Jen ... " From when we first met - and from before we met in person. And the cards and notes I had saved through all the years of our marriage. Including ones from the last few years.
I'd originally had in mind to save them for the girls to read someday. So, I;ve been moving them each time we moved, including the last 2 times when I moved without him, since he's no longer living with us. And as I pulled out that box, I took the time to really read the letters this time. Including those last ones. And I made a bold decision. They are filled with a lot of lies. Stuff the girls never need to see. I put the box aside and gave it some more long, hard thought. And I came to a decision. I shredded the whole pile. Every last word. Every card.
There was no way for me to continue to carry the lies and dead weight with me. I felt relieved once the shredding was done.
What about the early years? The letters that were "real"? Well, the stuff in there, based on the actions of the later years ... I don't know about that either. So it was better to get rid of it all than to engage in endless mind wars with myself.
My girls have the opportunity to know and love their dad as he is, and don't need to see the transition from who he was through the period of terrible to who he is now. They can form their own opinions and their own relationship, and don't need to see the spiral of hurt from this other perspective.
They are smart girls and they will ask the right questions when their hearts are ready to know. And then I can share an honest, but full of grace, perspective of how we got from those days to where we are now. But no collection of lies, mistruths, truth and clouds of letters needs to be sorted through to do that. So I shredded and today my heart is a little lighter.
--------------
Link up with this week's crew over here.
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Taste (Day 18)
Tuesday night I went out for BBQ here in Eden Prairie. Cute
little place called Baker’s Ribs. I’m away from home all week, and eating alone
most nights, so I was looking for comfort food. I found it in a way I didn’t
even expect. I had ribs, and they came with 2 sides. I got potato salad (yummy)
and the carrot salad. (you know, trying to do SOMETHING healthy when eating out
every night and needing comfort food. Carrots, yeah, that might work.
Turns out their carrot salad is the same recipe (or close
enough that I could not tell the difference really) as my mom’s marinated
carrots. We used to have them in the summer at home and I always loved them. I
think the recipe originated with my Nana. So Tuesday night, when I was far from
home, far from my kids, all alone in a strange city, and admittedly feeling a
whole lot sad, the surprise of the taste from home was my jackpot find of the
week.
Thanks, Baker’s for being a spot of home when I needed it
most. The ribs cured my hunger and the carrots saved my heart.
PS you can read all 31 days here
Long (Day 17)
It’s been a long time (relative to this 31 days effort)
since I have written. Can’t blame it on a rut or being in a funk, or just being
busy. I didn’t make time. There always IS time if you make it. So now I am
really in day 30 of this month, and while I may not do half a month of writing
in 2 days, I might get close, since I am on the road this week. And now
baseball is over for the year so there is nothing to consume my evenings.
I’ve been thinking – long is all relative to perspective. A baseball season is long – 162 games over 6 months – compared to football (18 games over 18 weeks? <- don’t shoot me if the reference is wrong. I don’t know for sure and I didn’t look it up!) But in comparison to life, 6 months can be just a blip on the radar. For my 6yo, 6 months can seem like FOREVER. Who am I kidding – 6 minutes on time out for her can seem like FOREVER. But for me, 6 months isn’t so long. When my ex first left, the first 6 months dragged on. For what seemed like a lifetime – I wasn’t sure how I’d emotionally survive one day to the next, but now that I am about 6 years down the road – I look back at the past 6 months and it has flown. One baseball season.
I’ve made new friends, strengthened some other relationships, healed a few that were rocky, and made a whole pile of memories along the way. From the opening day road trip to the last 18 innings at home, the 6 months seems to have flown. So, as we enter the long off season, I am thankful that this part lasts not so long. It’s only until February when we get pitchers and catchers. Looming long off today, but one day closer every day, until the new season, ripe with hope and dreams, lays out ahead of us. Ready for another 6 months of fun.
PS you can read all 31 days here
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Adjust (Day 16)
I thought I could make a change overnight - to adjust to a new pattern quickly.
I did OK for a few days, but old habits die hard. They say 21 (or maybe 30) days to a new habit. And if you fall off the wagon just pick up and start again. It took me 30 years, but I have finally mostly kicked the bad habit of biting my fingernails - trying to keep them polished in some fashion seems to have helped a lot.
I thought that Write 31 Days might get me in a better writing habit. It hasn't really, yet, but there have been a few spurts, so I see some slow progress. Maybe it has been enough to adjust me back into the Five Minute Friday ON FRIDAY plan. Regardless, it;s been a good test - to see what I have in these fingers; in this brain - waiting to get out on the screen. And it's also provided some great discussions with the kids. And provided a distraction in the days of baseball absence. WHile I am not always writing, there has been A LOT to read.
Perhaps even enough to carry me through all the way until pitchers and catchers report.
PS read all 31 days here
I did OK for a few days, but old habits die hard. They say 21 (or maybe 30) days to a new habit. And if you fall off the wagon just pick up and start again. It took me 30 years, but I have finally mostly kicked the bad habit of biting my fingernails - trying to keep them polished in some fashion seems to have helped a lot.
I thought that Write 31 Days might get me in a better writing habit. It hasn't really, yet, but there have been a few spurts, so I see some slow progress. Maybe it has been enough to adjust me back into the Five Minute Friday ON FRIDAY plan. Regardless, it;s been a good test - to see what I have in these fingers; in this brain - waiting to get out on the screen. And it's also provided some great discussions with the kids. And provided a distraction in the days of baseball absence. WHile I am not always writing, there has been A LOT to read.
Perhaps even enough to carry me through all the way until pitchers and catchers report.
PS read all 31 days here
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Life (Day 15)
The next installment in 31 days of Five Minute Fridays. You can see everyone who is participating here. You can see my other posts in this series here.
LIFE
I used to wonder why people would say "get a life" to me. Happened a lot as a sarcastic teenager remark, I think. It used to hurt my feelings, too. I would think "what a dope. I have a life. Can't you see that?!"
But really, looking back now, maybe they couldn't. Teenagers (and some adults for that matter) can't (or won't) look beyond what they know. What they like. So, to them, my days spent reading books or with the band, or (now) at ball games or the library ... these look dull. Time wasting. And isn't the point of life, to so many people, to be living it up? Fun, fancy, furious pace... ambitious. Perhaps at the expense of relaxing, enjoying, soaking it up. Or perhaps spent trying to achieve someone else's vision of fun.
Instead of finding your own way; finding what works for you. A few years later, I am finally comfortable with the life I have. No longer striving to be the perfect image of what someone else wants. But rather listening to my heart about what makes sense for me. For my family.
And ... that's why you'll most likely find me at the ballpark, or at the library, or exploring something new with my kiddos - so they can learn what works for them.
LIFE
I used to wonder why people would say "get a life" to me. Happened a lot as a sarcastic teenager remark, I think. It used to hurt my feelings, too. I would think "what a dope. I have a life. Can't you see that?!"
But really, looking back now, maybe they couldn't. Teenagers (and some adults for that matter) can't (or won't) look beyond what they know. What they like. So, to them, my days spent reading books or with the band, or (now) at ball games or the library ... these look dull. Time wasting. And isn't the point of life, to so many people, to be living it up? Fun, fancy, furious pace... ambitious. Perhaps at the expense of relaxing, enjoying, soaking it up. Or perhaps spent trying to achieve someone else's vision of fun.
Instead of finding your own way; finding what works for you. A few years later, I am finally comfortable with the life I have. No longer striving to be the perfect image of what someone else wants. But rather listening to my heart about what makes sense for me. For my family.
And ... that's why you'll most likely find me at the ballpark, or at the library, or exploring something new with my kiddos - so they can learn what works for them.
Friday, October 17, 2014
Away (Day 14)
As baseball season goes away (SOB, SOB, SNIFFLE!) for the year, the girls and I decided we could make our list of the top 10 (or a few more than that) things we each enjoyed about the season. That will give us something to remember this off season until it's time to start next year.
S's list
1. Tyler Clippard bobblehead day
2. birthday cupcakes from Fluffy Thoughts
3. watching Asdrubal Cabrera hit a home run
4. Watching Bryce Harper's helmet fly off when he is running
5. Eating nachos
6. Seeing mom's Nats friends at the Red Porch
7. Watching Denard Span catch a ball up in the air jumping toward the wall (Spanning!)
8. When we were the East Division Champions! (Thanks mom for showing us the celebration the next day)
9. Watching baseball games on TV
10. Running the bases on Sundays after the games
11. When Screech was messing around with the Diamondbacks players in his snakeskin boots
12. Watching Ian Desmond play ball
A's list
1. getting my Jordan Zimmermann bobblehead in my birthday sack from the Nats
2. getting my bear named Buffalo (for Wilson Ramos)
3. Watching the Nats players hitting doubles
4. Getting a Wilson Ramos bobblehead
5. Teaching the Phillie Phanatic stuff from my Uncle that it needs to be "Nats fans"
6. That Jayson Werth has the same birthday as me
7. That Teddy was winning President's Races a lot
8. baseball poptarts with the Cleveland Indians symbol that reminds me of Asdrubal Cabrera's old team (we are glad we have him mom!)
9. sitting with Miss Jennifer
10. the Rally Elmo - both at the park and at Bobby Van's
11. screaming "Let's Go NATS!!" from our "pocket of 3 seats"
Mommy's list
1. Opening day in NYC road trip
2. Gentleman Jerry Blevins dress-up night. Never thought I'd wear a little black dress to the ball park, but it was just right
3. Countless afternoons and evenings at the Red Porch with Nats twitter friends
4. the grins on the girls' faces with all the fun pictures from the day we were on the field
5. watching batting practice from the field
6. Game 2 of the NLDS (all 18 innings) with my dad and my brother
7. Game 1 of the NLDS - taking the kids out of school for their very first playoff game
8. meeting Adam LaRoche and Brad Ziegler through the Act of Valor finalist presentation
9. Road trip to Pittsburgh for Memorial Day weekend
10. Working with Ian Desmond on the EndNF campaign in the month of May
***THE BEST MOMENT***: Witnessing Jordan Zimmermann's no hitter in person
It's been a baseball season full of fantastic memories. We are ready for next year!
------
You can read all 31 days here.
S's list
1. Tyler Clippard bobblehead day
2. birthday cupcakes from Fluffy Thoughts
3. watching Asdrubal Cabrera hit a home run
4. Watching Bryce Harper's helmet fly off when he is running
5. Eating nachos
6. Seeing mom's Nats friends at the Red Porch
7. Watching Denard Span catch a ball up in the air jumping toward the wall (Spanning!)
8. When we were the East Division Champions! (Thanks mom for showing us the celebration the next day)
9. Watching baseball games on TV
10. Running the bases on Sundays after the games
11. When Screech was messing around with the Diamondbacks players in his snakeskin boots
12. Watching Ian Desmond play ball
A's list
1. getting my Jordan Zimmermann bobblehead in my birthday sack from the Nats
2. getting my bear named Buffalo (for Wilson Ramos)
3. Watching the Nats players hitting doubles
4. Getting a Wilson Ramos bobblehead
5. Teaching the Phillie Phanatic stuff from my Uncle that it needs to be "Nats fans"
6. That Jayson Werth has the same birthday as me
7. That Teddy was winning President's Races a lot
8. baseball poptarts with the Cleveland Indians symbol that reminds me of Asdrubal Cabrera's old team (we are glad we have him mom!)
9. sitting with Miss Jennifer
10. the Rally Elmo - both at the park and at Bobby Van's
11. screaming "Let's Go NATS!!" from our "pocket of 3 seats"
Mommy's list
1. Opening day in NYC road trip
2. Gentleman Jerry Blevins dress-up night. Never thought I'd wear a little black dress to the ball park, but it was just right
3. Countless afternoons and evenings at the Red Porch with Nats twitter friends
4. the grins on the girls' faces with all the fun pictures from the day we were on the field
5. watching batting practice from the field
6. Game 2 of the NLDS (all 18 innings) with my dad and my brother
7. Game 1 of the NLDS - taking the kids out of school for their very first playoff game
8. meeting Adam LaRoche and Brad Ziegler through the Act of Valor finalist presentation
9. Road trip to Pittsburgh for Memorial Day weekend
10. Working with Ian Desmond on the EndNF campaign in the month of May
***THE BEST MOMENT***: Witnessing Jordan Zimmermann's no hitter in person
It's been a baseball season full of fantastic memories. We are ready for next year!
------
You can read all 31 days here.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Work (Day 13)
I wanted to skip this post. I love my job, but prefer not to think about work outside of my regular working hours. (Who am I kidding, I wanted to skip this anyway because I am - my own fault - behind and trying to reach day 16 in time to write tonight with the group)
So instead, I will tell you WHY I like my job. I am a project manager. So I get to organize things, corral people, point them in the direction of a common goal, and cheer (loudly and sometimes celebrate with cookies or fun dip!) when we reach the end. In short, I get to be bossy in a nice way and throw parties. It works for me :)
I have a super team of folks that make me laugh and teach me a lot. It's an environment that encourages learning and helping people improve. We serve a wide variety of clients. We serve a vast array of internal product & service teams. I learn something new every day. I laugh most days - some days a great deal. I occasionally want to pull my hair out, but I do that at home, too.
I'm thankful to work in a place where people care about each other as people, not just as co-workers. The team asks about my kids - and my baseball team. They share personal stories and they all give generously of their time outside work to help make the world a better place. I am so fortunate to like my job and the people I work with. This makes getting up each morning so much easier! (However, loving my job does not at all mean I don't look forward to Friday!)
STOP.
You can read all 31 days here.
So instead, I will tell you WHY I like my job. I am a project manager. So I get to organize things, corral people, point them in the direction of a common goal, and cheer (loudly and sometimes celebrate with cookies or fun dip!) when we reach the end. In short, I get to be bossy in a nice way and throw parties. It works for me :)
I have a super team of folks that make me laugh and teach me a lot. It's an environment that encourages learning and helping people improve. We serve a wide variety of clients. We serve a vast array of internal product & service teams. I learn something new every day. I laugh most days - some days a great deal. I occasionally want to pull my hair out, but I do that at home, too.
I'm thankful to work in a place where people care about each other as people, not just as co-workers. The team asks about my kids - and my baseball team. They share personal stories and they all give generously of their time outside work to help make the world a better place. I am so fortunate to like my job and the people I work with. This makes getting up each morning so much easier! (However, loving my job does not at all mean I don't look forward to Friday!)
STOP.
You can read all 31 days here.
Rest (Day 12)
REST.
There's a reason we have days of rest. I would do well to remember to use them for recovery. For down time. For time to stop and think. All too often I use that time to play catch up - to do all the things I never got to, or put aside because something more urgent seemed to present itself.
But really, I feel so much better when I actually rest. Sit down with a book, or my journal, or with a craft project that I find relaxing. That down time restores my attitude. It makes me less cross. It helps my patience bucket stay full.
When things were at their worst in the midst of the separation and divorce, rest was at the very, very bottom of my priority list. Because with resting came time to think. To feel. To hear the very loud silence. I solved for not being able to deal with the pain and loneliness and sadness by keeping myself busy. And then I could collapse into bed at night and fall asleep without my mind racing - the what ifs, the could haves, the what nexts?
I am so thankful that time has healed a lot of that. Forgiveness has helped. And now the resting - the thinking time - isn't so scary. I don't have to avoid it any more. It has returned to the welcome time of rejuvenating - to help me be a better me.
STOP.
You can read all 31 days here.
There's a reason we have days of rest. I would do well to remember to use them for recovery. For down time. For time to stop and think. All too often I use that time to play catch up - to do all the things I never got to, or put aside because something more urgent seemed to present itself.
But really, I feel so much better when I actually rest. Sit down with a book, or my journal, or with a craft project that I find relaxing. That down time restores my attitude. It makes me less cross. It helps my patience bucket stay full.
When things were at their worst in the midst of the separation and divorce, rest was at the very, very bottom of my priority list. Because with resting came time to think. To feel. To hear the very loud silence. I solved for not being able to deal with the pain and loneliness and sadness by keeping myself busy. And then I could collapse into bed at night and fall asleep without my mind racing - the what ifs, the could haves, the what nexts?
I am so thankful that time has healed a lot of that. Forgiveness has helped. And now the resting - the thinking time - isn't so scary. I don't have to avoid it any more. It has returned to the welcome time of rejuvenating - to help me be a better me.
STOP.
You can read all 31 days here.
Monday, October 13, 2014
Teach (Day 11)
TEACH
I shared this story on Twitter in short form, but now I can give it 5 whole minutes. You never know what you've actually taught your children until you see them apply it. I am teaching my girls to be baseball fans - well, Nats fans specifically! - and they have learned a lot, as we've seen throughout this season.
Example one: I was coughing the other day. I swallowed something and you know the phrase.. ." it went down the wrong pipe." However, this happened.
S: mom, are you ok?
me: yes, it just went down the wrong
<S interrupting>
S: mom, there IS NO WRONG PIPE!
<we both dissolve into heaps of laughter>
why on earth would we even have that interaction? because of this Nats celebration.
Example two: we went to the American History Museum on Saturday afternoon. The street pole banners celebrating the Nationals advancing into the postseason were still up. (and they say "We're in") A looked up and said, "oh, mama. That is sad. We aren't in anymore."
They're not as invested as I am ... yet ... but I am delighted to see that I really am Raising Nats Fans :)
STOP.
You can see all of my Write 31 days posts here.
I shared this story on Twitter in short form, but now I can give it 5 whole minutes. You never know what you've actually taught your children until you see them apply it. I am teaching my girls to be baseball fans - well, Nats fans specifically! - and they have learned a lot, as we've seen throughout this season.
Example one: I was coughing the other day. I swallowed something and you know the phrase.. ." it went down the wrong pipe." However, this happened.
S: mom, are you ok?
me: yes, it just went down the wrong
<S interrupting>
S: mom, there IS NO WRONG PIPE!
<we both dissolve into heaps of laughter>
why on earth would we even have that interaction? because of this Nats celebration.
Example two: we went to the American History Museum on Saturday afternoon. The street pole banners celebrating the Nationals advancing into the postseason were still up. (and they say "We're in") A looked up and said, "oh, mama. That is sad. We aren't in anymore."
They're not as invested as I am ... yet ... but I am delighted to see that I really am Raising Nats Fans :)
STOP.
You can see all of my Write 31 days posts here.
Care (Day 10)
It's the actual Five Minute Friday (of course late. Nothing new to see here). This month it's in a series of 31 days of Five Minute Fridays. Find all of those posts at Kate's place. You can find all mine here.
CARE.
The thing I've learned in the past 6 years is that just because you care about something doesn't mean someone else will care about the same thing. No matter how hard you wish they will get engaged. No matter how desperately you plead with them. Even if they used to care about it. You can only choose for you. And they can only choose for them. And if you used to be on the same page with caring about something and now you are not, there is nothing that hurts more than being on the caring side, watching the one you love stare you straight in the eye and tell you they don't care anymore.
Except perhaps when you ask them why and they give you some made up false sounding reason, or better yet a list of "things you could fix that will make them care again" ... and then you learn the truth. That all the reasons were lies, and the real reason is your worst nightmare.
6 years later, I finally don't care so much. But I have not yet hit the point where I don't care - where it doesn't hurt. Maybe someday that wound will be entirely healed. For now, I am thankful that it hurts less every day, and that both grace and forgiveness despite the hurt - have carried me every day.
STOP.
CARE.
The thing I've learned in the past 6 years is that just because you care about something doesn't mean someone else will care about the same thing. No matter how hard you wish they will get engaged. No matter how desperately you plead with them. Even if they used to care about it. You can only choose for you. And they can only choose for them. And if you used to be on the same page with caring about something and now you are not, there is nothing that hurts more than being on the caring side, watching the one you love stare you straight in the eye and tell you they don't care anymore.
Except perhaps when you ask them why and they give you some made up false sounding reason, or better yet a list of "things you could fix that will make them care again" ... and then you learn the truth. That all the reasons were lies, and the real reason is your worst nightmare.
6 years later, I finally don't care so much. But I have not yet hit the point where I don't care - where it doesn't hurt. Maybe someday that wound will be entirely healed. For now, I am thankful that it hurts less every day, and that both grace and forgiveness despite the hurt - have carried me every day.
STOP.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Join (Day 9)
JOIN
It's been a rough week. Highs and lows in baseball followed by aGIANT HUGE void. Worse than the All Star Break. On those days we don't expect baseball. We miss it but we know there is more to come. Tonight is empty because a maybe game wasn't needed. Sigh.
And so we begin the process of healing. Of reminiscing. Of looking forward to the new season. (Counting to pitchers and catchers!!)
I am so thankful for my "weird Nats twitter friends" who have turned into real life friends. (Not any less weird, mind you - but neither am I!) This weekend we are joining together to celebrate the 2014 Nationals and look forward to the 2015 season. With new and old friends. From far and near. Joys are multiplied when we celebrate together. Sadness is divided ... or at least shared well on other shoulders.
So I will see you, Nats twitter, on Saturday night. With my kiddos. Plenty of hugs (and a few piggybacks) to go around!
STOP.
PS You can read all 31 days here
It's been a rough week. Highs and lows in baseball followed by a
And so we begin the process of healing. Of reminiscing. Of looking forward to the new season. (Counting to pitchers and catchers!!)
I am so thankful for my "weird Nats twitter friends" who have turned into real life friends. (Not any less weird, mind you - but neither am I!) This weekend we are joining together to celebrate the 2014 Nationals and look forward to the 2015 season. With new and old friends. From far and near. Joys are multiplied when we celebrate together. Sadness is divided ... or at least shared well on other shoulders.
So I will see you, Nats twitter, on Saturday night. With my kiddos. Plenty of hugs (and a few piggybacks) to go around!
STOP.
PS You can read all 31 days here
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Say (Day 8)
The word of the day is:
SAY
Last night the Nationals' playoff journey ended. As a fan, it was heartbreaking. As a mom of fans, it hurt all over again today when I had to explain to the girls that the ride for this season was over. There have been a lot of people with a whole lot to say after the game / series. Lots of armchair managing and even, much to my dismay, a significant amount of player bashing. (TERRIBLE).
So with my five minutes today, I will exceed the time limit and give you my thoughts on not only the end of the season for my Nats.
I am a fan. An avid fan. A long time fan. But I don't know a lickety-split-bit about how to manage a baseball team and/or a game. I don't. I do know that we didn't hit well (.300 is good. .200 is icky. I think we hit .164-ish for the series. That's not good.) Without hitting - and therefore run scoring (hits do not always lead to runs, but no hits definitely means no runs...) it's going to be very, very hard to win games. Despite the "dead bats" we *STILL* almost won this thing. 3 one-run games. So *blah-blah-blah* criticize the manager for pitching matchups (or lack thereof) or whathaveyou - you will not hear that from me. This team played their hearts out. They did NOT WANT to lose. Today they are sad. They have finished a LONG, LONG season - and sooner than they wanted - so I won't second guess what happened. Instead, I will say thanks for the ride, guys. You have brought me amazing baseball this year.
I got to see a 10 game win streak. I got to see walk-off after walk-off, never the same way twice. I saw my first ever no hitter in person. I may never see that again. In my whole life.
I was lucky enough to get playoff tickets and to take my girls to a playoff game. I took my dad and my brother to the next game and sat through all 18 innings ...6 hours and 23 minutes.. of a 2-1 game. In the cold. In the wind. In all the crazy. Because that is baseball and I love it. It was a record-breaking game and I was there. I will always have those stories.
And then I stayed up late to watch. To see us scrape out runs on errors by the Giants. And then I stayed up to watch last night. When it didn't go how we wanted. But to the very last man - to the very last out, this team fought, and fought hard, to keep the season alive. They came back from all sorts of deficits all season long. They overcame injuries to the regular guys. They welcomed new guys mid season and they fit right in and kept playing. For 166 games this team gave me everything and I am so thankful to have been there and to have shared it with my kids.
THANK YOU, NATS, FOR GIVING ME YOUR ALL. Thank you for being a team of good guys - who my kids can follow. Thank you for taking the time to meet the fans. Thank you for stopping, for shaking hands a million times. Thank you for smiling for one more picture, even when it feels like your cheeks might explode - the way you make us all feel like we are your number one fan.
Many of you give of your free time to help others. And while the fans don't always see what you do, the people you help see it every single day. For them, you make the difference between a good day and a bad day - between a day with a smile and a day without. You support the community, the military, kids in need, single moms, and so many more groups.
To the Nationals organization - the front office and the behind the scenes folks - thank you for memories we never even could have imagined. Teddy delivering a cake ... scoreboard messages ... adding new slogans to the walls and new content to the in-game Nats HD screen (rally Elmo; walkup songs; Happy Gio; etc). To all the folks at Nats Park who make the games happen every single day all summer long. To every one of you who answered a question, waved to my girls, helped us in a concession line, kept the bathrooms clean and the paper towels full. For those who helped when we needed to get more tickets or change things around. To Maribel who brought A her birthday surprise sack. You all make our appreciation of baseball, and our game-day experience what it is. And I am proud to say that at Nats park, you are top notch.
Thank you especially for honoring our troops - my favorite part of every single Nats game is the cap-wave when we can welcome home our military. I stand, I clap, I cheer, and I cry. I watch our players stop and clap, too. Thank you for doing that. Every single game. Please don't ever stop.
To the Nationals players, the staff, and the organization: Thank you for another unforgettable season. Enjoy the time off ... and let's start the countdown to pitchers and catchers :-)
That's all I have to say about that.
I will save my amazing-baseball-summer-journey that goes beyond the Nats for another post.
A few pictures from throughout the season below. Not in any particular order.
PS read all 31 days here
SAY
Last night the Nationals' playoff journey ended. As a fan, it was heartbreaking. As a mom of fans, it hurt all over again today when I had to explain to the girls that the ride for this season was over. There have been a lot of people with a whole lot to say after the game / series. Lots of armchair managing and even, much to my dismay, a significant amount of player bashing. (TERRIBLE).
So with my five minutes today, I will exceed the time limit and give you my thoughts on not only the end of the season for my Nats.
I am a fan. An avid fan. A long time fan. But I don't know a lickety-split-bit about how to manage a baseball team and/or a game. I don't. I do know that we didn't hit well (.300 is good. .200 is icky. I think we hit .164-ish for the series. That's not good.) Without hitting - and therefore run scoring (hits do not always lead to runs, but no hits definitely means no runs...) it's going to be very, very hard to win games. Despite the "dead bats" we *STILL* almost won this thing. 3 one-run games. So *blah-blah-blah* criticize the manager for pitching matchups (or lack thereof) or whathaveyou - you will not hear that from me. This team played their hearts out. They did NOT WANT to lose. Today they are sad. They have finished a LONG, LONG season - and sooner than they wanted - so I won't second guess what happened. Instead, I will say thanks for the ride, guys. You have brought me amazing baseball this year.
I got to see a 10 game win streak. I got to see walk-off after walk-off, never the same way twice. I saw my first ever no hitter in person. I may never see that again. In my whole life.
I was lucky enough to get playoff tickets and to take my girls to a playoff game. I took my dad and my brother to the next game and sat through all 18 innings ...6 hours and 23 minutes.. of a 2-1 game. In the cold. In the wind. In all the crazy. Because that is baseball and I love it. It was a record-breaking game and I was there. I will always have those stories.
And then I stayed up late to watch. To see us scrape out runs on errors by the Giants. And then I stayed up to watch last night. When it didn't go how we wanted. But to the very last man - to the very last out, this team fought, and fought hard, to keep the season alive. They came back from all sorts of deficits all season long. They overcame injuries to the regular guys. They welcomed new guys mid season and they fit right in and kept playing. For 166 games this team gave me everything and I am so thankful to have been there and to have shared it with my kids.
THANK YOU, NATS, FOR GIVING ME YOUR ALL. Thank you for being a team of good guys - who my kids can follow. Thank you for taking the time to meet the fans. Thank you for stopping, for shaking hands a million times. Thank you for smiling for one more picture, even when it feels like your cheeks might explode - the way you make us all feel like we are your number one fan.
Many of you give of your free time to help others. And while the fans don't always see what you do, the people you help see it every single day. For them, you make the difference between a good day and a bad day - between a day with a smile and a day without. You support the community, the military, kids in need, single moms, and so many more groups.
To the Nationals organization - the front office and the behind the scenes folks - thank you for memories we never even could have imagined. Teddy delivering a cake ... scoreboard messages ... adding new slogans to the walls and new content to the in-game Nats HD screen (rally Elmo; walkup songs; Happy Gio; etc). To all the folks at Nats Park who make the games happen every single day all summer long. To every one of you who answered a question, waved to my girls, helped us in a concession line, kept the bathrooms clean and the paper towels full. For those who helped when we needed to get more tickets or change things around. To Maribel who brought A her birthday surprise sack. You all make our appreciation of baseball, and our game-day experience what it is. And I am proud to say that at Nats park, you are top notch.
Thank you especially for honoring our troops - my favorite part of every single Nats game is the cap-wave when we can welcome home our military. I stand, I clap, I cheer, and I cry. I watch our players stop and clap, too. Thank you for doing that. Every single game. Please don't ever stop.
To the Nationals players, the staff, and the organization: Thank you for another unforgettable season. Enjoy the time off ... and let's start the countdown to pitchers and catchers :-)
That's all I have to say about that.
I will save my amazing-baseball-summer-journey that goes beyond the Nats for another post.
A few pictures from throughout the season below. Not in any particular order.
PS read all 31 days here
 |
| with "MASN Dan" - Dan Kolko sideline reporter |
 |
| with Bryce Harper at season-ticket-holder day |
 |
| Adam LaRoche camo day |
 |
| Teddy!!! |
 |
| Danny "Espi"nosa |
 |
| piggybacks! |
 |
| with Screech, on the field! |
 |
| with Dad and Jeff. This is before the first pitch of NLDS game 2 - the 2-for-1 game. |
 |
| ABE! It was a hot summer day!! |
 |
| Opening day in Citi Field, NYC. That day was COLD. |
 |
| witnessing history in person |
 |
| GIO!!! |
 |
| with Doug Fister |
 |
| with the Buffalo ... Wilson Ramos |
 |
| from our season seats. "The selfie shelf" |
 |
| yes, indeed, we did a 14th inning stretch too. |
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Go (Day 7)
Woo hoo. Posting on the right day! How about that? (let's see if I can keep it up. Not holding my breath. But at least this is progress).
GO
I suspect I will shout and/or tweet the word "go" somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 times in the next several hours. (No, I will not count. Priorities!). The Washington Nationals are in the playoffs. It is an elimination game tonight. And I will be watching! Normally when it is a late game, I try to be a little restrained. Sleeping kids and all.
Tonight the kids are in bed, but our local flagship station is on their radios. And while I think they will fall asleep at some point, I fully anticipate one (or both) of them might wake back up to listen a little longer. And they will shout just like I will.
These girls are being raised baseball fans just like I was. I am thankful I've been fortunate enough to take them to a bunch of games this year. And that this adventure includes a playoff game. And that if we win tonight (LETS GO NATS!) we can do another playoff game together.
So from here, and from the rooms down the hall, the chants of "Let's Go Nats" will be loud and proud three times over tonight. Cheering on our guys for at least one more October game. We believe!
STOP.
You can read the rest of the 31 days posts here.
GO
I suspect I will shout and/or tweet the word "go" somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 times in the next several hours. (No, I will not count. Priorities!). The Washington Nationals are in the playoffs. It is an elimination game tonight. And I will be watching! Normally when it is a late game, I try to be a little restrained. Sleeping kids and all.
Tonight the kids are in bed, but our local flagship station is on their radios. And while I think they will fall asleep at some point, I fully anticipate one (or both) of them might wake back up to listen a little longer. And they will shout just like I will.
These girls are being raised baseball fans just like I was. I am thankful I've been fortunate enough to take them to a bunch of games this year. And that this adventure includes a playoff game. And that if we win tonight (LETS GO NATS!) we can do another playoff game together.
So from here, and from the rooms down the hall, the chants of "Let's Go Nats" will be loud and proud three times over tonight. Cheering on our guys for at least one more October game. We believe!
STOP.
You can read the rest of the 31 days posts here.
Know (Day 6)
Binge post 2 of 3. 1 hour exactly until the game starts. *KEEP GOING JEN* (end pep talk)
KNOW
A asked me today: "Mom, how do you KNOW that 8 + 8 = 16? You don't think it. S doesn't either. You just know it. How's that work?"
well... you learn it first. You practice it. And then after you practice and practice until it is stuck in your brain, then you know.
"Mom, how long does that take?"
depends. some things we learn fast. Some things make quick sense. Some things stick in our brain because we thing they are funny or interesting. And some things we take longer to learn so we don't know them as fast.
"Mom, oh! I get it. Like the songs we sing a lot... I know them. But then we get a new song on the radio and I don't know that yet. So I hafta listen close to the words. And sometimes they are crazy."
yep. Just like that.
"Mom, cool. That's fun. OK, let's finish this math. I want to get to the radio so I can know something else."
STOP.
PS You can see all the 31 days of (now not following a theme) posts here.
KNOW
A asked me today: "Mom, how do you KNOW that 8 + 8 = 16? You don't think it. S doesn't either. You just know it. How's that work?"
well... you learn it first. You practice it. And then after you practice and practice until it is stuck in your brain, then you know.
"Mom, how long does that take?"
depends. some things we learn fast. Some things make quick sense. Some things stick in our brain because we thing they are funny or interesting. And some things we take longer to learn so we don't know them as fast.
"Mom, oh! I get it. Like the songs we sing a lot... I know them. But then we get a new song on the radio and I don't know that yet. So I hafta listen close to the words. And sometimes they are crazy."
yep. Just like that.
"Mom, cool. That's fun. OK, let's finish this math. I want to get to the radio so I can know something else."
STOP.
PS You can see all the 31 days of (now not following a theme) posts here.
Stuck (Day 5)
Here goes (I hope) my binge posting session before the Nats game tonight.
STUCK.
I got stuck in a rut Monday and ran out of baseball things to say. Funny, because no one said I had to write 31 days of "random baseball fan observations." I don't know enough (in my opinion) to write an intelligent baseball blog. I am fine with that. I do know enough to teach my kids the basics.
And I learn something new fairly often. (in fact, just before I fired up the laptop I learned that you can't get an RBI if you hit into a double play. Even if it scores a run. So there you go, my second learned baseball rule of this week.)
So, now I am determined that I do not have to write baseball for 31 days. I can just watch and love it as long as my team is still alive. (next game 9:07 ET tonight!!) and write about whatever else hits my mind for five minutes at a time.
Related to stuck, it seemed the bats of my beloved Nats were stuck in non-hitting mode this weekend. 1 run in 27 innings (yes, only 2 games, but one of those was 18 innings. I think I wrote about that the other day). so - 1 run in 27 innings isn't going to do it. But last night they got UNSTUCK and then we got 4 runs. Not always pretty - but it worked. So here's hoping that tonight we remain in UNSTUCK mode and we get some runs ... bring it home to DC for game 5, guys!
Stop.
Link to all my 31 days posts can be found here.
STUCK.
I got stuck in a rut Monday and ran out of baseball things to say. Funny, because no one said I had to write 31 days of "random baseball fan observations." I don't know enough (in my opinion) to write an intelligent baseball blog. I am fine with that. I do know enough to teach my kids the basics.
And I learn something new fairly often. (in fact, just before I fired up the laptop I learned that you can't get an RBI if you hit into a double play. Even if it scores a run. So there you go, my second learned baseball rule of this week.)
So, now I am determined that I do not have to write baseball for 31 days. I can just watch and love it as long as my team is still alive. (next game 9:07 ET tonight!!) and write about whatever else hits my mind for five minutes at a time.
Related to stuck, it seemed the bats of my beloved Nats were stuck in non-hitting mode this weekend. 1 run in 27 innings (yes, only 2 games, but one of those was 18 innings. I think I wrote about that the other day). so - 1 run in 27 innings isn't going to do it. But last night they got UNSTUCK and then we got 4 runs. Not always pretty - but it worked. So here's hoping that tonight we remain in UNSTUCK mode and we get some runs ... bring it home to DC for game 5, guys!
Stop.
Link to all my 31 days posts can be found here.
Monday, October 6, 2014
Learn (Day 4)
On a roll with the posts! 2 in the same 2. 2 more to go today.
Day 4 - LEARN.
Remember that 18 inning game I just mentioned? (Those of us who were there will likely never forget it...) Besides learning that it is possible to sit in the wind and survive an 18 inning game, I learned something new about baseball at the game.
Until Saturday night, I didn't know that you could make a pitching change in the middle of an at-bat. I knew you could if your pitcher on the mound got hurt, but just "because you no longer like the matchup or whatever the reason was?" Didn't know that. Saturday I saw that happen. I didn't score the game (I might have run out of ink in my pen! And pages in my scorebook), so I don't remember the full circumstances. But the Nats had a guy on, and someone up at bat. First pitch the runner steals 2nd base. And then the Giants made a pitching change. At least I think that's what happened. So, you're never too old to learn something new about a sport you love. Especially in the playoffs.
---
PS I checked the play-by-play. It happened in the bottom of the 8th inning.
Day 4 - LEARN.
Remember that 18 inning game I just mentioned? (Those of us who were there will likely never forget it...) Besides learning that it is possible to sit in the wind and survive an 18 inning game, I learned something new about baseball at the game.
Until Saturday night, I didn't know that you could make a pitching change in the middle of an at-bat. I knew you could if your pitcher on the mound got hurt, but just "because you no longer like the matchup or whatever the reason was?" Didn't know that. Saturday I saw that happen. I didn't score the game (I might have run out of ink in my pen! And pages in my scorebook), so I don't remember the full circumstances. But the Nats had a guy on, and someone up at bat. First pitch the runner steals 2nd base. And then the Giants made a pitching change. At least I think that's what happened. So, you're never too old to learn something new about a sport you love. Especially in the playoffs.
---
PS I checked the play-by-play. It happened in the bottom of the 8th inning.
New (Day 3)
Today is actually Day 6. True to my writing habit, I am behind, and will now likely binge post. :-)
NEW
It's perhaps appropriate that I am writing this 3 days late, because now it works better. The Nationals had playoff games Friday and Saturday. I was there. I brought my kids Friday - anticipation was in the air. The pomp and circumstance before the game was fabulous, complete with the Marine Corps Quantico band and a flyover. WOOT!
But the game didn't end like we'd wanted it to. 9 innings later and the Nats had fallen to the Giants 3-2. I took my kids to their dad's house and they were sad. I must confess, I was sad too. Saturday was a new day. I brought my dad and my brother. They aren't Nats fans, but their team is home already, so they joined us and cheered with us. We witnessed history that night. 18 innings. (Not a typo) and 6 hours 23 minutes later ... having watched all 108 outs of the longest playoff game in MLB. EVER. we had lost 2-1. Crushing night. And that brings me to the word of the day. NEW.
Today is a NEW day. Baseball starts new every day. And the Nats are NOT OUT OF THIS YET. So tonight I will serve dinner in front of the TV as my little Nats fans join me to watch Doug Fister launch us on our comeback trail. We believe in this team. They've not quit on us all season, and I am proud to say that these 3 fans are not quitting on them.
Let's Go Nats!!! Bring us a curly W tonight!
To read my whole collection of 31 days, click here.
NEW
It's perhaps appropriate that I am writing this 3 days late, because now it works better. The Nationals had playoff games Friday and Saturday. I was there. I brought my kids Friday - anticipation was in the air. The pomp and circumstance before the game was fabulous, complete with the Marine Corps Quantico band and a flyover. WOOT!
But the game didn't end like we'd wanted it to. 9 innings later and the Nats had fallen to the Giants 3-2. I took my kids to their dad's house and they were sad. I must confess, I was sad too. Saturday was a new day. I brought my dad and my brother. They aren't Nats fans, but their team is home already, so they joined us and cheered with us. We witnessed history that night. 18 innings. (Not a typo) and 6 hours 23 minutes later ... having watched all 108 outs of the longest playoff game in MLB. EVER. we had lost 2-1. Crushing night. And that brings me to the word of the day. NEW.
Today is a NEW day. Baseball starts new every day. And the Nats are NOT OUT OF THIS YET. So tonight I will serve dinner in front of the TV as my little Nats fans join me to watch Doug Fister launch us on our comeback trail. We believe in this team. They've not quit on us all season, and I am proud to say that these 3 fans are not quitting on them.
Let's Go Nats!!! Bring us a curly W tonight!
To read my whole collection of 31 days, click here.
Friday, October 3, 2014
View (Day 2)
Writing late. Big surprise there. But - only a day late, and I will do today's too, so I can be caught up.
However, I love to be down close to the field. So, for the last games of the regular season, I splurged for some seats in the lower level. And the kids loved the final day because we sat with a friend. But on game 161, we sat just the 3 of us. And they were so disappointed.
"Mama when we are down here we can't SEE ANYTHING. That guy is too tall. Can I sit on your lap?"
"Mama, ANOTHER tall person got in that row."
"Mama, I can't see the ball. I can't see the peacock shadows on Anthony Rendon."
Baseball is fun for them, but they prefer the eagle eye view. Where they can stand, and sit and see the whole field in play. Where they can get the big picture, and where they can follow the ball.
So, lesson learned. Share the awesome with the kids from the cheap seats that they adore. And save the "mom preferred view" for games when I go alone.
DAY 2 STOP.
You can get the link to all my posts here.
VIEW
 |
| from our selfie shelf |
I
discovered something this summer. My kids and I don't have the same
opinion of what makes a "good view" at a baseball game. We have a 20
game season ticket package, up in the "high seats". Come visit in
section 405 if you are in DC. I like the view from up there, but I
targeted the seats for reasons other than the view. We're in a row of 3.
(Kiddos call it "our seat pocket"). No one crosses in front of us
during the games because we are right over the entrance into the
section. There is an aisle seat for each kid and I am always in the
middle. There's a great railing behind us so folks don't step on us. My
little one also calls it her "selfie shelf" (See pic). We don't bother
anyone when we get up to go to the bathroom. No climbing on folks, no
drink spilling. No apologies for getting up 100 times. Which we
sometimes do. 
However, I love to be down close to the field. So, for the last games of the regular season, I splurged for some seats in the lower level. And the kids loved the final day because we sat with a friend. But on game 161, we sat just the 3 of us. And they were so disappointed.
"Mama when we are down here we can't SEE ANYTHING. That guy is too tall. Can I sit on your lap?"
"Mama, ANOTHER tall person got in that row."
"Mama, I can't see the ball. I can't see the peacock shadows on Anthony Rendon."
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| our view from the close seats |
Baseball is fun for them, but they prefer the eagle eye view. Where they can stand, and sit and see the whole field in play. Where they can get the big picture, and where they can follow the ball.
So, lesson learned. Share the awesome with the kids from the cheap seats that they adore. And save the "mom preferred view" for games when I go alone.
DAY 2 STOP.
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| the girls' preferred view up high |
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