Baseball in Houston

We had quite the surprise on Tuesday. We were given tickets to the Padres vs Astros game. Not only were they FREE tickets, they were along the first baseline (okay mostly right field) and in the 2nd row! We were very close to action. We could see Brian Giles get hammered with all the balls that made it in the gap in right field (maybe we should become Astros fans?)

A couple of things I noticed. First was the sign telling us to "Beware of Bats and Balls Leaving the Playing Field". That gives you a little pause, as well as the fact that the ball boy who was sitting almost directly in front of us is required to wear a helmet. Why does he need a helmet and me - sitting 3 feet from him - do not?
We also sat close enough to see kids swarm the fence to get autographs. Hunter Pence the Astros right fielder was more than obliging and it was fun to watch kids of all sizes rush him to get a signature.

I also noticed the best and worst of fans. First I started a conversation with a gentlemen sitting near us before the game. I never remember talking to anyone at Petco! Then as the game got a little ugly for Astros fans there was the booing, the yelling "pull him out!" and the controversial play. Now while I understand passion in sports and the cheering and jeering, one "fan" behind us couldn't let the play go. He kept yelling about it and bemoaning it - with expletives - well beyond the need to vent. Did he really think the umpire would hear him (and I'm sure he could) and say "My bad, he was out". It was amazing how all this venom quickly turned to praise as the Astros bats warmed up and the Padres made all their fans again wonder "And why didn't we acquire some HITTERS this year?"

All in all it was a fun evening. The roof of Minute Maid was open on one of those rare evenings in Houston. We decided too that San Diego needs a song to sing in the 7th evening after "Take me Out to the Ballgame". It is quite something to hear a crowd sing (and clap) to "Deep in the Heart of Texas". Wow! We live in Texas!

Flowers

Today was another day spent with wildflowers. I barely noticed wildflowers before. Whizzing past them on the road only to notice the blur of color as I drove by. These days I really notice wildflowers. With a son working on a wildflower project - it has somehow turned into a mother son project ....primarily since he can't drive to find the flowers. I find myself slowing as I drive if I spot a patch of color, wondering if it is a variety we need. The process has been tedious as the directions were only fully read on our third trip out making most of our flowers useless. I have perfected pressing them - though no one but our immediate family will see most of them. Tonight's count of useable flowers - eight. We need fifteen - the project is due Friday - guess what I'll be doing each afternoon this week.

The good news is when my only son went to the grocery store he saw flowers (he obviously is also getting a keen eye for anything floral) He suggested that they buy me some. What a wonderful surprise..........and I don't even need to press them!

Meaning What They Say

During our recent adventure to Memphis we stayed at a Hampton Inn and Suites instead of our normal Residence Inn (they are GREAT for families our size). We were generally pleased with our visit. The few missing items or items needing replacement were done quickly and courteously and we thought we got our monies worth. The breakfast was the only let down.

So when we received an online survey we responded to it giving our input and shared our opinion of the breakfast. A week later as I was updated our finances, I noticed a credit from the Hampton Inn. It seems that they have a satisfaction guarantee or your money back - they meant what they said - we didn't even ask. What a refreshing idea!

Unexpected Sightings

Every once in a while you see something that stands out from the norm; an interesting unexpected visual sighting. Recently I have had a few of those:

1. An email from my sister with a link to pictures of a wedding cake the bride had made look just like her....in full size

2. Last night at our ball game seeing a grown man with a full mullet (don't see those too often in San Diego)

3. Our hunt for Easter eggs turned up spotting one green egg that turned out to be a frog on our chair

4. The most disturbing sight....sitting eating Easter dinner in our dining room only to look up and see our neighbor from across the street walking up and down the sidewalk on his cell phone without his shirt. We closed the blinds

Road Trip - the final day

Our final day of our trip was actually a day early. We were getting ready to visit Graceland and at least take our pictures in front of it. Our plan was to leave after lunch and head to Little Rock - maybe see the Clinton Presidential Library.

A check on the Internet to see weather conditions showed our entire route for Tuesday in red with a severe storm warning. There was not one inch not covered in red. The hasty decision was made to load up and head straight home and avoid it all. Everyone pitched in and we were amazed how quickly it all came together. By 9:30 a.m. we were on the road ready for our 10+ hour drive. Once again thankful for technology, DVDs and multiple drivers.

We were all sad we had to leave Memphis and friends so soon. Definitely need another road trip - soon!

Road Trip Day Three

Day three started with church and seeing the best youth facility I have ever seen. We headed off to lunch where we waited for "10 minutes" to eat GREAT BarBQ ( I wish I had a plate right now) with a great appetizer of sausage and cheese.

We visited the Peabody Hotel where we saw ducks in the lobby and a piano used by Frances Scott Key. On the roof we saw amazing views of Memphis. We then took a trolley ride that cost $1 a person that gave us a view of downtown and the Mississippi river. On part of the ride we passed the Civil Rights Museum. It was the actual hotel where Martin Luther King Jr was shot. We passed by and saw the actual balcony. It is hard to describe the feeling seeing it in person - the balcony I saw in text books and in the papers right there in front of me. It made it all very real.

Road Trip Day Two

Our day began with the realization that the breakfast cheerfully being served we had seen on the billboards did not exist. I opted for danish and fruit, while a few decided to try what turned out to be powdered eggs.

Day two also meant freeway driving hours for our aspiring driver. I have to admit it is hard to ride in the backseat at such times. While she did a great job overall there were times I held my breath. Fortunately I was able to be distracted by the saving grace of the road trip the TV with DVD - ours the old school version of an actual TV on the floor of the van. A bit of a crick in the neck but it worked.

We drove across the entire state of Arkansas and appreciated the fact that the speed stayed the same - unlike Texas where the speeds went from 70 to 60 to 55 to whatever the town decided. We were blessed with wonderful weather the entire way.

We finally arrived in Memphis excited to see familiar faces. We were in awe of the home they were renting and appreciated "the wing" that our family could call their own. It's not too many people who would venture to house a family of our size.

That evening we dined in downtown Collierville (the home of FedEx World Headquarters). It was a cute area of little shops (all closed early on Saturday) and trains that came through for added ambiance. We also began to learn our lesson that a "only 10 to 15 minute wait" translates to over a half hour.