Iowa

Iowa

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

More Summertime Fun

The Cardinals were in town last week to play the Pirates. It's hard to keep up with who is playing with the Pirates, because as soon as someone plays well, they trade them. The young lads behind us yelled to McCutchen "Double deuce, don't play so well, they'll trade you". But Mia day was to go see the Pirates play and that we did. And what a good time we had! It was, again, dollar dog night, my favorite...sorry to all the vegans out there. The Cards have a very good team, I am told by Monkeyboy. Their first baseman did well in the all star game. I can't quote the stats the way Monkeyboy did, suffice to say, he is good. Pujols is his name, I believe. We find our way to the parking lot in good time. Monkeyboy's excitement is hard to contain. He has gathered all his mitts to distribute to catch fly balls and balls hit during practice. We arrive at the stadium and follow him to the seats, which are in the outfield bleachers. The kids station themselves at the rail with others to catch the balls. I sit in the seats, waiting to get the dogs. Waiting, waiting. A ball is hit my way. Oh my gosh, what to do? Two men are racing towards me. The ball goes into the ivy. I stand up, push the two men out of the way and race towards the ivy. People are yelling "You can't go in there". Well, I have no intentions of going "in" there, I am only reaching. The look on the kids face is one of horror, fearful that I shall be arrested. I reach for the ball through the fence...almost reaching it. The man reached around me...a quick shove to him and I have my hand on the ball. I hear shouting that I am not to be doing this. In triumph, I raise my hand holding the ball. Kids come back to seats after practice and tell me I should not have done that. What do they know...I have the ball. Time for those dollar dogs, so a trip to the food stand and peanuts, cracker jacks and dogs are there for the eating. Once our stomach is full, it's to the souvenir stand. Monkeyboy wants a McCutchen shirt, Bean opts for the McLouth shirt, which of course is cheap now since he is no longer with the Pirates. Monkeyboy puts his McCutchen shirt over his Bey (Jason Bey was also traded), and we go back to our seats. Monkeyboy shouts to McCutchen to throw us a ball, and sure enough a ball comes into the stands and lands on Bean's leg. Monkeyboy grabs it and now we have two balls. The game was a good one, we lost, of course, 6-4. We got two home runs which brought forth fireworks. It was a great evening. Well, there was this incident when we left the game, but I knew the bus wouldn't run us over.
It has been warm here the past few days. Sorry, Wacky Mommy, but I have air conditioning, and I have had it on. After a few days, I get tired of it. So (shhhh) last night I cheated and opened my bedroom window with the air conditioning still on. The cicada's are singing their end of summer song and I love to listen to it as I fall asleep. I lie there in bed listening and thinking about what a wonderful summer this has been. Tonight is cool enough that I have the windows all open and the air off completely.
I had another interview at Phipps. I think it went very well. I had to do a drug test and background checks and they will call me once they are done. I went from Phipps to my old office to see folks, and I do miss my unit! We all sat in my old office and talked for a good half hour. I saw everyone there and talked to all my co workers and friends. It was great to see them all again. I do miss them, but not the job.
There is another mini-family reunion coming up in September over Labor Day. It will be good to be together again. I am flying through Chicago again...and am hoping not to get stuck in the airport for 20 hours again this year!
Have a wonderful rest of the week!

29 comments:

Cathy said...

People are so silly, if the ball can go somewhere, why can't you go get it? How thrilling for the kids to get a ball. Did Bean let him keep it? Sounds like a great time, Mia.

Ben said...

It's great to keep in touch with the people you care about, mia. Just because you don't work with them anymore doesn't mean they cease to be friends. McCutchen is very good, and I agree with the fan that yelled, they probably will get rid of him. The baseball games are great to watch in he staduim. As much as people complained about the stadium when they wanted to build it, it is a great stadium. And you had the best seats, right there where the action is. Nice post, Mia.

Jen said...

Mia, that's great about Phipps! Sounds like you have it. We just got home from vacation and I was trying to get through the emails. I know what you mean about air conditioning, I hate to have it on, but I can't imagine living without it. Sorry Wacky Mommy, hope it is cooler in your area now. We are still hot, but cool at night. I love the baseball story! I can just imagine the looks on their faces thinking you were going to be arrested for going after that ball. Good for you guys!

Anonymous said...

Pirates are the worst team in the National League.

Jessica said...

thanks so much for that tidbit of information, anonymous. Brightens up my day. Your account of the game is very vivid, mia, I can see the scramble for the ball now. It isn't so much about the game, it's about the ballpark, food, family. I love to go to our games. It really isn't all about winning, you know.

SocialWorker2 said...

Nice to see your post this morning, mia. Always brings a smile to my face. Congratulations on Phipps, I hope it all works out for you. I agree regarding the air conditioning. I can keep it on for two or three days, then I get antsy for the outdoors and open the house for a day, then back to the air.

bean said...

I let Monkeyboy keep the ball. I wouldn't have done anything with it anyway. Thanks for taking us to the game, Mia. Good luck with Phipps.

Shelly said...

That Bean is such a good sister! Your post makes me laugh! Such spirit. Good luck at Phipps, mia, I know it is something you want.

JD said...

I think your pictures and posts are wonderful, very creative and amusing. Keep up the good work!

Mark said...

Nice to see your post, Mia. I remember as kids we used to collect the cicada shell.
They were pretty cool! I see now that the Chinese used the cicada for medicine and they are thought to be a delicacy to eat. I just thought their shells were cool.

Anonymous2 said...

We did that, too, Mark. We used to collect them, and the best ones were the ones that were still intact. Crossing fingers for you mia, with phipps.

Bill said...

Hey Anonymous (not Anonymous2), get a life. Who cares where they are in the standings? It is fun to go and watch them, and we do it on a regular basis, win or lose. It's a great family time, but somehow I have a feeling you wouldn't know about that. Mia, sounds like a great time. I had to laugh about the ball, I know just where you are talking about.

Tigger said...

I come from a baseball city and we love it here. I agree, Bill, it's going to the game and just having fun. Mia, sounds like a great night with two baseballs. Nice of you to donate, Bean. She DOES sound like a great sister, wonder what Monkeyboy would say.

Tim said...

I don't have a baseball uniform. Doesn't fit my style. They don't have cheerleaders. Oh, well, it's fun to watch.

Witty Kitty said...

Oh Tim, you have inspired me yet again. We can start a squad. Hmmm. I wonder who else shall try out?

Kevin said...

Hey, Steelers football is on ESPN...and they are winning. Wait, those stands look empty. Philly signed on the idiot. How sad is that?

SassySam said...

Wait, you could shop at the ballgame? How exciting is that? Did they have a mall or just the kiosks? Mia, you are the best, you make me laugh.

Twigs said...

Baseball is summer. It needs no cheerleaders. Just enjoy the game as Mia and kids did, Tim. Get your Steeler's game gear on if you like, but there is nothing like a baseball game.

Angela said...

I like football better than baseball, but it sure sounds like you had a good time! GL with phipps, mia.

Kevin said...

Nothing better than some dogs and baseball.

Cathy said...

Mia got the job! Let's have a cheer for Mia. Tim, do you want to lead us?

Ben said...

Way to go, Mia, see you at Phipps! Very happy for you. Congrats!

SassySam said...

That's great Mia, but that doesn't count as a post. They have somewhere to shop there, right?

Tim said...

I don't know if any of my cheerleading outfits include plants or flowers, but I'll do my best.

Bill said...

Phipps is such a great place. Good luck mia and congratulations. Maybe we'll run into you there. We always go for the Christmas display.

SocialWorker2 said...

What a great piece of news, Mia. Congratulations. How nice to seek something that you want and to get it.

Ginger said...

Just home from a long weekend visiting our son in Virginia.
Glad to hear you got the job, Mia.

The baseball game sounded like fun. I enjoy most sports, win or lose although winning is a little better.
But being there is exciting, you know the roar of the crowd and all.

Congrats again Mia!

Wacky Mommy said...

Congrats on the job! Now you'll have to show up for it, dang. That's the thing about jobs.

The game sounds fun.

re: air-conditioning. All I can say is, YOU'RE KILLING THE POLAR BEARS!

man i wish we had air. hot here again, in 90s this week.

Jessica said...

the polar bears can come live with me in my air conditioned home. I don't think I could exist since I have been so spoiled...sorry. :(