Thoughts to Ponder

Happy Friday Beloved Reader! I have a few thoughts for you to ponder this Friday morning, and it might just take you the whole weekend to read, and get back to me cause it's a long lil rant here. I do hope you enjoy my ponderings though, and please, please get back to me with your own ponderings or if you don't ponder at least leave a mark to let me know you were here.  I like to hear what your thinking too ya know ;)
This whole blog started because I read the quote below;
"To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others;  to give one's self; to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm, and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived... This is to have succeeded." Ralph Waldo Emerson 

The above quote really got to me a few mornings ago. It was from the desk calendar full of quotes, that I have on our bathroom sink. Upon reading it, I thought two things; 
a. this quote for sure needs to be blogged about, so I have had this blog post waiting in the wings. and 2. who the heck is Ralph Waldo Emerson, because whoever he was/is this quote sums up and completely embodies the word success for me?
So I did some digging before I came to have this conversation with you beloved reader, and I found out some things about Ralph. But, before I go any further I just have to say that the name Ralph always makes me think of a very unpleasant bodily function. I do so apologize if your name is Ralph, but there you have it.  
Moving on before we all get a lil queasy ...
The first thing I found out about Ralph is that he was born in Boston, MA. which explains why he's so awesome. Most of my favorite people were born, and raised there and well, I can honestly say, that state has given this world some amazing people. I always say that I feel I was born on the wrong side of the states;) Can we all just take a moment to appreciate the beautiful scene here from North Boston? Remember, to appreciate beauty equates success.  Or so Ralph says ;)

  He also went to H A W VARD(say that with a Bostonian accent) clue number two as to why this man was brilliant. I wonder if he was a baseball fan?  Well, he did say to play and laugh with enthusiasm equals success so I'm pretty sure he would have appreciated the best baseball fans on the planet earth. They ARE certainly the most enthusiastic, I mean come on what other ball club do ya know that bust out singing Neil Diamond songs during the 7th inning stretch?   The most beautiful thing in Boston to me is...

Fenway Park.  Enough said.
Actually, I take that back, the most beautiful thing in Boston to me is my family. All of whom I love dearly, and wish on a regular basis that they didn't live so damn far away. Sheesh... see how easy it is for me to sidetrack when we get talking baseball. But, let's get back to Ralphing shall we? I mean to learning about Ralph.

So then I read that his first wife died after only two years of marriage, which really bummed me out for him. I mean I wasn't totally bummed cause he's dead too now... but ya know I was like... Oh that's so sad. I then went on to read that he was a minister, but was quoted as saying:    "I have sometimes thought that, in order to be a good minister, it was necessary to leave the ministry."

Well, that really stuck out to me, because not only have my husband and I been in formal ministry but we have left it. And I'm not sure we are better ministers now that we aren't paid to do so, but I do know we have come think of ministry totally differently.I've come to believe we are all ministers, or at least we should be. I'm not sure I agree with this above statement, but I wonder what it was that he noticed about the church and ministry of his religious organization that would make him say that?
Maybe it was something like what happened here; You Brought Me a Beer and Took My Picture this is an article about a new bill that was recently passed where it allows business owners and individuals to refuse service to anyone on the grounds of religious freedom. Very interesting article and sadly, how it came to pass is so very disturbing to me.
Whatever your stance on this issue may be, can we all agree these are the type of stories that give religion a bad name.  I'm pretty sure that as Christ followers we are called, commissioned even to love and accept ALL people, not just the ones that are easy and comfortable for us to love.
This issue is one of those social conditions we could redeem, or make a little bit better than the way we've found it.  It's about LOVE people.

We are all called to leave the world a little bit better than the way we found it, that's what I call ministry to the human race.
As I continued to read about Ralph's life story, I was really inspired by the way he came to view it.  Honestly, his life story is a beautiful one. He became an adamant spokes person to abolish slavery, and came to have an understanding of God and all things spiritual that I think is beautiful.
We all will have a life story, what will yours read like?
At the end of my little history lesson about this man named Ralph, who by the way later decided to go by his middle name Waldo (see even he didn't really care for his name) I realized once again why I love words so very much.
I would have never known of this Ralph Waldo Emerson if it weren't for the words he had spoken about what true success is. And that made me wonder, what is your take on what true success is? Whose words influence you the most? What words will you speak that will forever change the world ?
The words I hope and pray I live by come from a man who also happened to be God, some 2000 years ago... they go something like this;
 “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” Jesus WORDS From the gospel of John  chapter 13:34-35  Message  translation
I want to be recognized as one who LOVES because Christ first loved me.  I want to leave a legacy of LOVE even when it isn't easy to do so. And I want to speak out using words only when necessary. I want my actions of LOVE to be louder than my words.  That is the life I hope to live and that to me would be success. 

Is It Baseball Season Yet?

Those of you who know me and have been reading my blog for a while, know that I am a huge baseball fan. I think this enthusiasm for b-ball started way back when, I am sure I was just a little sprite, when I was a wee bit of a thing, when I was younger. I would notice as a young girl that my Dad, would get very, very excited around a certain time of year. Having no real idea why that was I began to take a closer look at why he was hooting and hollering at the television screen. And then one summer in LA we went to I believe it was the Dodger stadium for a real pro-ball game and I was hooked!

I had so much fun with my cousins and my family and it was warm and sunny, and there was popcorn, and I am sure peanuts, and all was just so right with the world. And so my love for this game began.
Now, what you must understand is that I am a girly girl beyond measure. I wear more jewelry with each passing year that, if you were to weigh me over half my weight would be from sterling silver and not meat and bones. At least that's what I keep telling myself. Don't mock me!

I also love makeup really a lot. In fact one of these days I am going to do a makeup blog. The only reason why I haven't yet is because then you would really know how much time I have on my hands, and I don't want to scare you all off. So I love jewelry, makeup, perfume, shoes... don't even get me started on shoes, basically accessories.. and well, you get the idea. Girly Girl.
At this point you must be wondering how or why does baseball fit into all of this.
Well I am going to tell you, because that's what you are here for. Or wait, is it what I am HERE for?

Noel's Top 5 Reasons Why I Love Baseball

5. The game itself well, It is easy to understand. I love Easy and what's easier than, A,B,C, easy as 1..2..3 (sing along) BASEBALL?

4. I like the number 3, 3 bases, 3 strikes, it just makes sense.

3. I like how the teams play each other more than once. It's a series kind of thing. Those of you who enjoy a sport that doesn't involve a series of events, well... I just feel sorry for you.
2. I like, no I LOVE wearing baseball hats. They work perfectly for my hairstyle which is usually non-existent.

And the number 1 reason... Drum Roll Please....

1. I like (and this is where it gets crazy because I never even played the sport) the smell of baseball gloves. GO ahead, find a glove, smell it, report back here!

Sidenote-And of course, I love the Boston Red Sox baseball team... greatest ball club EVER, END OF STORY, NO DISPUTE, NO COMPARISON, DON'T EVEN TRY TO DEFEND YOUR OTHER MEASLY TEAMS BECAUSE I WON'T HEAR OF IT!! I love Fenway Park. The history that is there, well it's almost tangible.

Well now here is where this part of my story for the love of the game gets tricky.
For so long I have loved The #1 Baseball Club Known to Man, aka BO-Sox and that was that.
Here is where my dilemma comes in.

I now live in Seattle.
We have a Pro Ball Club.
You might of heard of them... Probably NOT!!
The Mariners.
They are unequivocally THE WORST Baseball Team in the US of A!
Sorry but it's true.


They are the underdog of baseball teams.
They have more fans for the opposing teams, ALWAYS, that it's just so very sad.
It makes one want to root for them.
It makes one remember the little guy when they were little, and hope that one day they grow up to be a big strapping man that the BO SOX are someday.

Are you catching what I am laying down here people.
I remember being a fan of the Bo Sox before they won.
I remember the 80 year long stretch.
I remember when the dream team was formed in the inner womb of baseball and so began the story that changed baseball forever.

The underdog became THE DOG!


Well, don't hurt me Bo Sox Nation but I want that for the Mariners.
I really do.
Only of course when they are not playing against you Bo Sox.
Pshh.... Don't you ever doubt my love and devotion to you Boston, BUT... I have to break it to ya,

I do live in Seattle now.

And now for a real Top Ten From Big Man Dave...Hope you enjoy this Dad! This is high tech for my little blog here:

Ramirez and Ortiz

There will always be a special place in my heart for these two boys and one other Johnny Damon who brought the Red Sox to the play offs in 2003.
It makes me sad however in recent news to hear that they both have been in the press for alledgedly using drugs to enhance their abilities as ball players. Nothing of course has been proven about Ortiz but Ramirez being suspended in May, even if for another team, was a bit sad to me.
I am not sure how I feel about the use of steroids mostly because I am not that knowledable about what exactly it does to a person. I do however know that it's not something they are allowed to do when in contract with these ball clubs and that should be enough for them to not do it, right?

I have to say that I have had absolutely no inspiration for a blog lately. It could be because I have been gone every single weekend for the last month and that doesn't leave much time for the imagination. 

 I thought about blogging the trips I took but then that's kinda like sending one of those postcards from Hawaii that says, "Wish you were here" which to me is just plain rude! 

(Speaking of rude, Bon Qui Qui has got the number on that word, "RUDE-  Don't interrupt" if you don't know who this character is you are seriously missing out) Put in Bon Qui Qui on YouTube and prepare to enjoy.

I was home this weekend though and still no inspiration is on the horizon. Some would leave their blogs unattended for a while but NO, not me.

I will sit here and type about nothing-ness just to have something new to look at on my blog.  I think I might share some fun new pics though.

- So the first would be SF-Giants ball park, I do believe that I could become a fan over time. Not more than the Bo-Sox's mind you but I have to say that SF has a pretty great park going on and I want to visit this place again in my lifetime. 

-Second pic is of me and Mo in our bus celebrating 14 years of marital bliss!! :)

-Third pic is Auntie Jen and Lo with blue bubble gum at Isaiah's graduation. Chloe is 9 now. She has this one last year before I have 2 kids in double-digits.....Help me Jesus!!

-Fourth pic Savy Rae Rae is a 2 year old now. I am just not okay with all these birthdays that happen so fast this time of year. We have Chloe and Em in May, Jeremy and Savy in June, and Isaiah in July. It hardly gives this phlegmatic time to breath.

-And Finally Emmers is now 11 and let me tell you something ....well I am practicing saying No and not caring that if her looks could kill me I would be dead 1000 times over, that is all I can say!! No really she is such a good girl it's just this pre-teen stuff not sure how I feel about it.

Some more Random Thoughts

I think I am finally getting the hang of this family, working, school thing and getting into some what of a groove. I keep reminding myself that it is only for a few more weeks that I will constantly have the feeling of an ulcer forming in my stomach, feel guilty for blogging or any other Internet thing I do other than school and homework, and  in the back of my head always have  my grades that are looming.

It will get better and I will pass all of these classes and be one step closer to getting the hell out of the school system, at least in this way.

Tonight my baseball team gave it up to Tampa Bay. I have to say that I was so proud of them the other night when they came back from the dead and tonight...well.....I will admit I knew from the start that Tampa Bay wanted it real bad this season. SO now on to the playoffs which aren't nearly as fun without my team but I will be rooting for the Phillie's. Not sure exactly why that is except for that I can't exactly root for the team that beat my boys. It was a great season for the Bo Sox's anyways and as long as we have the Yankees beat we are good as far as I am concerned.

I experienced the most embarrassing moment of my parenting career this week. It was so embarrassing that I am not sure I want to share it here with you all except to say that can you guess who was the culprit??

We took the family into Scheels today and if you haven't gone into this Mega mini mall of a store yet I suggest you make the trip. It is well worth it. I thought for sure it would be boring , what could I possibly find entertaining in a sporting goods store but it is so much more. If just for the scenery make the trip over there. It is pretty cool, Farris wheel and all.

Well, I hope you all had a great weekend. I will be thinking of a topic soon to actually blog about other than my thoughts that are oh so random.

Boston Red Sox....

...made it to the playoffs.

 This makes me happy.

The Yankees didn't.

This makes me even more happy.

Can't wait for Darrell to get traded so then I will feel absolutely no guilt in saying that.

GO BO SOX'S NATION

On deck we have-

1. Isaiah smirks at Tampa Bay and has guns loaded.

2. Next shot, this  batter is up.

3. And finally Pirates in the Bo Sox's Nation, we say Arrgh Matey!!

So my hat idea didn't work but I do believe it is the reason for 14 FREAKIN INNINGS!! 

Just to be on the safe side

I may be a bit on the superstitious side here, and in jeopardy of making you all think that I am a complete and total heathen but here goes; 

Last night while at my Health and Nutrition class I wore my lucky Bo Sox's hat just to represent and mostly cause I was wishing I could have been there as previously posted instead of at TMCC. They won the game. 

Tonight I had labs for the above mentioned class and again was not able to watch the game but in my hurry to get out the door and also because I was having a good hair day I did not wear my hat. They lost the game.

Tomorrow night just to be on the safe side I will be wearing my hat. 

Hey, don't judge me. The disciples cast lots.

GO BO SOX'S !!!

Oh to be in Fenway tonight around 7p.  

 A girl can dream right? 

I believe I deserve this post because I really haven't said much all season but don't be surprised if my boys beat those dried up and tan boys from Florida. 

Baseball Season

I am getting excited that the season for baseball is returning. This year will be a bit different for us in that we actually have a kid who wanted to play baseball. I think my enthusiasm might have worn off a bit on him. Anyway, we signed Solomon up today and I am so excited to see how he does, if he likes playing it rather than just watching, and what it is like to be the mom of a b-ball player. He going to look so stinking cute in uniform I can hardly wait. Is it too early to be thinking of Fenway in his future?? Hee hee hee.

I apologize in advance for this.....

REDSOX PRAYER

Our Father, who art at Fenway...Baseball be thy game.TheyKingdom come,Playoffs need to be won,On Earth, then on to the Cask 'n' Flagon.Give us this day, a perfect Papi,And forgive us our losses,As we forgive those,Like Bill Buckner.And lead us not, into desperation,But deliver us from any losses.For thine is the Power,And the Glory,To beat the Indians,Forever and ever....the Yankees suck

A-men

I found these to be quite humorous and thought I would share. Wow, SOME fans are so radical.

I am SO excited, AND I just can't hide it!!!

Ah Yeah Baby, it's game time in my home of origin. Mom's a Bo sox's fan, Dad's a serious Angels fan and has won over some of my weaker siblings to the dark side. Dad, Gina, and Israel will be sporting the Angels hats meanwhile I will remain true to the Bo Sox's. This is going to be serious fun.


"It's game time, it's October," pronounced right-hander Curt Schilling. "This is when great players play great, and hopefully, we have a couple of those guys in this clubhouse."
"We have more things to do, but there's no getting around how excited we are," said manager Terry Francona, seated with a cigar in hand just a few feet outside his office. "This was a very big accomplishment for the organization, for the city, we need it to just be the beginning. But it's a big accomplishment."

Why I am a faithful fan........

I must take a moment to say why I could never ever turn my back on the team that will win the MLB playoffs THIS YEAR!!! That's right, I said it.

My family on my moms side is as true blooded Red Sox's nation as they come. Her mom, my gram was actually cousins with Rocky Marchiano who lived in Brockton Mass, while my gram, mom and family lived nearby in Braintree Mass.The east coast and all things Massachusetts will always be near and dear to my heart because my beloved of all grandparents was born and raised there, the woman who gave me life was born there,and many of my cousins, aunts and uncles, great aunts and uncles still live there and well.....it is the home of my heart. I identify with the culture, people, traditions, and basically have just been really blessed to say that I have a proud heritage there. Not something many can claim.

Although I jest all in good fun, I will never be a turncoat and go Yankee even if close friends happened to choose the wrong team to play on. Even if my own husband doesn't share my enthusiasm, this is a team that I will remain true to til the day I die.

So put up your dukes, I am ready to fight....it runs in my blood after all!!!!

DISCLAIMER- THIS BLOG IS MEANT TO CAUSE A REACTION, IF YOU FIND YOUR HEART RACING WITH COMPETITIVE BEATS YOU MAY NEED TO TURN OFF THE COMPUTER AND GO PICK A BETTER BASEBALL TEAM :)

Random Blog thoughts

Today was a great day. My moms group was awesome and it is simply because the people who come are awesome momma's who I am deeply grateful that I get to know better each week. Then I got to spend the afternoon with a wonderful friend and she brought her furry friend for a playdate with my new furry friend and it was really cute.Then tonight we had breakfast for dinner, yum(one of my all time favs) At my english class we read over the essay "A Modest Proposal" written like a million years ago and basically by a crazy guy who wanted to eat babies(not really but kinda) Then I went to the store to pick up a six pack of beer and got carded. That was fabulous because I know there will come a day when that doesn't happen anymore. Finally, I am here with some time to blog and that makes me happy. Not much to say that is really important just wanted to chime in with something new.

Oh yeah and one more final random thought, there is a player on the Bo Sox team this year named Coco Crisp :)

Fenway Park

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!

Boy oh boy would I love to go see a game there this season. Seems like everybody in my family has got to go BUT me, no fair!! Maybe someday that dream will come true. In the meantime I think I am going to order a new hat just for fun and just to get my dad going :)

Take me out ....

Take me out to the ball game
Take me out to the crowd
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks
I don't care if I ever come back
For it's root root root for the home team
If they don't win it's a shame
For it's one , two, three strikes you're out
at the ol' ball game.

First thought of the season... the Giants need to find themselves a pitcher!!!

For Jeni

I know I said there would be no promoting of any other sox team on my site but since you are illin Jeni and cause you are so sweet to my lil'peeps, and well just plain sweet, hope this helps.
Congrats, and take it all in cause it won't be happening next year!!
Dennis so sorry. I really was hopin they would make a comeback for you. That would have been some dramatic baseball kinda like another team I know.

Oh for the love of the game!!!

So , tonight the giant is in the garage with the guys doing mechanics stuff, the kids are all in bed and I remember my dad telling me today on the phone who would be playing ball tonight, and that he thought it would be a good game.
Now, I am not nearly as interested cause niether my mom's team(bo sox) or my dad's team (angels) are in the series but I decide to check it out anyway.
I turn the game on and see that it's the Astros vs. Cardinals. Now, niether of these teams do anything for me so I start to think like a girl. Follow my thought process here.......well, bo sox beat the cardinals last year so maybe ya know maybe they should win, and I don't really care for anything texan(except my beloved friends who live there) although, the texans they've been good to all those Katrina victims, but they are already ahead 4 to 2 so I'm just gonna root for the underdog in this .....yes......the Cardinals.
Okay, I have established who I want to win but it's looking pretty bleak. The Astro fans are going wild as it enters the top of the 9th. The Cardinals aren't working with me as they keep getting up to the plate. Strike one, Strike two but at least we have a few men on deck so maybe....... and then one of the Cardinals left hand hitters takes the plate and right away I'm thinking this would be so great, come on, being partial to lefties seeing as I am one myself I think this guy is gonna hit one out , way out. First throw and its a strike cause he's gunning for it Second throw, and see ya later Astros the score is now 5 to 2 . Not even a fan of either teams and I still have a moment of yesssss!!!!
Now, I may not know names and stats, rules or even the right verbage but I do love baseball.
Something about how it all can change in the last moments is so great, and the fact that not every game is as exciting or dramatic but it could be. Ya never know!!