Man, what a crazy hectic week we’ve had since we last touched base. The nasty weather of last week has blown in above-normal temperatures and summer-like conditions that make us feel like we’re back in Florida (yeah, sunny & 80!!)! Before we get started with this week’s entry, I do need to say something real quick; Chad came over today and we’re sad to announce that his Dad is pretty bad shape, so our hearts and prayers go out to David & Donna and their family. It’s been a rough couple months for Chad…I think I need to treat him to some golf therapy soon…Abby got all A’s & B’s on her mid terms…which is more than I can say for Matt. On Monday, I came home early to get Abby out to softball practice where we practiced off and on during some nasty, windy, wet, cold weather. It was her first practice of the year, due to the scheduling conflict of dance classes on the same nights as practice. It was also my first practice as an assistant coach…not good! Anyhow, about 40 minutes in to it, we finally decided to call off practice after our third trip in to the dugout to get the kids warm. Ann picked her up at the field and ran her over to tap dance class while I watched Lukey and helped with Matt’s practice until it was dark. Matt’s team is the Brewers this year. They have a lot of potential on that squad and the boys are really starting to put it together and play well. Matt is hitting the tar out of the baseball in practice, enjoying the fat-barreled bats and metal spikes.
On Tuesday, we hurried home early only to have the coach cancel Lukey’s ball practice at the last moment while we were driving. By that time, it was too late to go back, so we just enjoyed a quiet evening with nothing to do but fall asleep on the couch for an hour or so, watch and vote for American Idol and eat some popcorn. J Matt was supposed to have a track meet as well, but it was cancelled due to the amount of rain and chilly temps.
On Wednesday morning, the kids dragged me outside before dawn to view the planet Venus (which was pretty cool) before we ran the Pacifica back in to the shop to have some work done on the suspension and steering rack (making awful noises) and differential (leaking). She rides like a dream again, so it was nice to get that work done. We got a call from MaryAnn that Abby wasn’t feeling well. In fact, her teacher had written in her agenda that she had to make a trip to the school nurse earlier in the day also. She came home and laid on the couch. She didn’t move until it was time to go to bed. Ann went scrap booking with Amy for the night, so I dropped off Matt at ball practice so I could be home with Abby. By the time Matt called from his cell phone, it was nearly 9 pm (gotta love daylight savings time!).
On Thursday, Bu hadn’t gotten any better and was complaining of a sore throat, so Ann took her over to Columbus for walk-ins at Columbus Pediatrics. Sure enough, just as Ann had predicted on Wednesday, she had strep throat. Bu was pretty upset that she snapped her streak of perfect attendance for a couple years. She was supposed to go and do a jazz dance class performance at the old-folks home. Obviously, she was too puny to dance. She and I were supposed to go to softball practice also, but I instead went to Luke’s practice and Matt had a track meet at North Decatur. Luke’s head coach split them in to three groups; which worked really well with keeping their attention…I was very impressed! In fact, the practice flew by. Luke’s team is the White Sox this year, so all this week he has been so excited whenever he hears about the Sox on Sports Center. J That night, Natalie called and said Mike wanted to know if I wanted to play in golf tournament on Friday. So, I called Dennis (my friend and now boss) and he said he would cover me; so thanks to him I got a three-day weekend! (Thanks buddy…I owe you a lunch!)
On Friday, I was up early to meet Mike at Deer Creek Golf Course, just outside Indy off 70 W. Can I tell you how thankful I am to have cruise control and a cell phone battery that lasts longer than 2 hours (I finally broke down and bought a new one off eBay for less than $10!)? It’s the little things in life that make it worth living, ya know! It was a really nice course. Thank God it as a scramble format, as I had some horrendous shots in my first action of the year. LOL! The guys said I need to get new clubs, but I love my vintage ’67 set of Gene Littler Ram GTM clubs. Mike said the newer ones are much more forgiving. J We had a great time, finishing in 4th place, two strokes off the lead, and had a legitimate chance of winning; but our ace player had to leave after the 16th hole. L We bogied and parred the final holes. I drove home afterward and took Luke over to mow at MaryAnn & Sandy’s house, as well as Deanna’s new abode, in the back lot. The house looks great, as Dee has all new paint, the floors have been redone and new siding was added. We finished up Friday with family night, as we enjoyed a pizza and movie.
On Saturday, we were up early for Luke’s first practice game at 9. He played well defensively at pitcher and made many put-outs and assists in the inning-and-a-half game. His head coach decided at the last moment to pitch to the kids for the first time this year. Needless to say; I don’t believe any of the kids got a ‘legitimate’ hit and had to use the tee…including Luke… He was disappointed that I didn’t pitch to him (and actually got angry when his three pitches were all outside where he couldn’t reach them. But, he appropriately took it out on the ball, smacking a double to the outfield grass! J We met the other three at the ballgame and ran out to the van to change real quick and left the van at the ball diamonds and rushed up to Indy in the Pacifica for another dance competition for Bu (when we got back at about 10, we found that Luke had left his sliding door to the van wide-open all day and night…but to Greensburg’s credit, we haven’t found anything stolen yet!). We arrived at Beech Grove High School about ten till eleven for the Showstopper American Dance Championship. Abby’s first dance was jazz and it went on at 2:35 in the afternoon. They did pretty well, earning a first place gold medal and eighth overall for her age division. She then did tap dancing at 4:15 and it was the best one of the night. The judges agreed; awarding the girls with a double platinum medal and best in their category!! It was the very first double platinum that the Dixon Dance Studio had received since the current owner (and her instructor), Laurie Ruble, had taken over. In fact, the judges liked it so much that they also earned the top stop, overall for their age division!! The girls were thrilled! Afterward, we celebrated Abby’s special day (and rewarded the boys for attending a 7-hour dance competition) with dinner out at her choice. Ann was hoping for Olive Garden, but Bu chose O’Charley’s in Southport. When we pulled in, there was a very territorial goose in the parking lot that was scaring off patrons. Luke couldn’t resist…however, when it started hissing and flapping its wings, he ran screaming back to Mom & Dad! J As for showing you the video of this day’s performances, I am going to again attempt to embed the video on this page below but will also post the link to YouTube as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeaVKw3DOis.
On Sunday, we worked around here getting the lawn mowed, opening the pool, repairing the vacuum cleaner and our normal Sunday routine. At 3, we went out and watched Matt in his first baseball game. He started at left field, moved over to center a couple innings later, then to second for two innings and then back out to left. He played well in the field, making one putout and hustling to three other balls that he couldn’t catch (two hit the fence). At the plate he was officially 0 for 1, with .750 on-base-average; getting three walks to go with one strikeout. He also stole two bases and scored two runs. We got back just in time to catch the end of the NASCAR race. What an incredible ending with that crazy wreck with Carl Edwards! We must’ve watched it a dozen times (much to Ann’s chagrin…gotta love that DVR baby!) J After supper, we planted an oak tree that Bu brought home from school on Earth Day. It is one of those that has little helicopter propellers, so we weren’t planting that thing in our yard! Instead, we went out to the woods in the back and planted along the bike trail that we use when we ride back there. Oh; also, I have also upped a video of Matt’s band contest in Columbus a few weeks back on April 4 to YouTube. I will also try to embed it here as well as give you the direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTsz-Q3A1Sk.
Things are sure to busy has hell around here next week as well, as Ann heads down to Florida with the girls from work this week! …should make for an interesting week; but one thing’s for sure – it won’t be boring…and to top it off; ISTEP testing begins again for both Matt & Abby this coming week. Please check-in next to time to catch up with us again. Until then, have a good one.
Later, Scheu