End of the Road Trip

I miss blogging.

However, I'm still on the road.  I will see you sooner than later blogland!  

Mid Week Mute

Tortoise This

Did you ever notice that some days seem to have a theme to them? 

Today's theme in my life was that everyone was moving in S L O W  M O T I O N.  I'm talking snail's pace.  Tortoise and the Hare slow.  Slow and steady.  REAL slow and steady.

It started with me waking up slowly.  I then realized I had forgotten some papers that I needed to take to our Columbia office.  (thanks Steven for going to get it for me!)

Driving to Columbia was slow.   Sure, I was driving at a fast clip, but it seemed to take forever and ever. 

Our computers at work were slow.

On the way home, ALL other cars were going slow.  All the slowpokes were driving in the fast lane today.  I am not a tailgater, but sure was tempted to today.  I got stuck behind big trucks, people talking on cell phones (can't wait for THAT to be outlawed!) and oversize loads.

I decided to stop and buy new pj's today and, you guessed it, I was in the slow line.  I was behind the woman who was buying items AND paying her credit card bill.  By check.  I was also behind the woman who just knew she had a coupon somewhere in her purse.  I finally was able to complete my transaction and got stuck behind her, AGAIN, as we exited the store.  Step.  Step. Step.  SLOW steps.  Puuuuuussssh open the door so slowly.

I know I live in the South, and our pace is slower, but this was getting ridiculous. I truly understand that patience is a virtue, but I am only human!!  And, I am all about stopping and smelling the roses, but can we move a little quicker to get TO the rose garden?

So, finally back at home, and what happens?  The night is flying by!  No fair, I say!   Ach!

Rosie

Here's to the best appetizer maker I ever knew. I could really go for some of your garlic dip today.

Thanks for everything Mom.  I miss you every day.

Bowl Me Over

I am not athletically inclined. 
 


Oh, I know all sports. I love all sports.   I understand all sports.  I know what to do, where to do it, what makes what happen, and all the rules.  But, I can't make my body obey my brain.  This was quite the hindrance when growing up in a family where athletics were the only thing that mattered. 

 

Over the years, I've dabbled with softball.  Again, I can hit the ball, but never quite far enough to get on base.  Steven's mother summed it up perfectly, I'm always one step away from being safe. Or, if I hit it just a bit further, I'd be safe every time.  I did, however, play on a team that won ZERO games in the regular season, but went on the play the Losers Bracket Tournament, and we won that tournament.  I guess you could say we were the best of the worst?

As you know, Steven and his friends play soccer/football.  (depending on where you call home)  At their post game pow-wows (translation:  beer at the bar), they started yammering about all of us going bowling.  This idea has been bantered about for months and we've finally had our initial match of the  Hampton Park Moes Triangle Steven Mccabe.com (thanks Darragh) bowling league. 

We will bowl the first Tuesday of every month, whoever can make it.  It's a low stress -  high beer drinking kind of thing.  Two person teams; man and woman.  Highest combined score wins.  We eat loads of fried food and drink that bowling alley beer.  (My friend Larry says it's laced with opium, why else would it affect us the way it does?)  And, I must point out, bowling alley food is really good.  Seriously!

Now granted, we've only made it through session one.  But, I am proud to tell you that this non athletic dorky kinda band camp flute playing gal was on the winning team!  (We actually won two of three games)  I think bowling is the great equalizer.  This old gal managed to stay competitive with the young bucks. 

Of course, I had  shin splints and a sore neck the next day.  Hey wait, that's what happens to athletes, right?

Mid Week Mute

My Acme

Did I ever tell you about the time I sang in front of 55,000 people?  No?  Well, let me tell you....

Years ago, I used to sing the national anthem at sporting events.  I sang frequently for the SC Stingrays and the Charleston Riverdogs.  It was super stressful, but I always enjoyed doing it.  I never forgot the words.  (although, one time I came real close)

Over the course of these singing gigs, I became friendly with the marketing director of the Stingrays.  She was a young college grad and was seriously as sweet as pie.  After her stint with the Stingrays, she moved on to work for the Cincinnati Bengals.  She was moving up in the world.

Well, she took me along for the ride.  She called me one day back in 1997, frantic that their scheduled singer couldn't do that Sunday's game.  Would I like to sing?  Uh, hello.  Would I like to sing?  But of course!  Who cares that it's in Cincinnati and I'm in South Carolina?!  We'll make it work.  This is an NFL game.  There will be more people at that game than live in my little town.  Oh, and the team they're playing?  My dad was coaching them at the time.  Kismet?

So, I went on the whirlwind of finding something to wear, finding someone to keep Taylor, selecting shoes, makeup, etc.  I can still remember the excitement I felt at the opportunity I was being given.  It's probably good that I didn't have a lot of time to think about it all.  When I think of it now, I do get a little sick to my tummy.

So, off we head for Ohio.  It's an all day trip.  We rehearse at the stadium, and have dinner with my dad when his team arrives in town.  And, then I wake up and it's Sunday.  In a few hours, I put myself out there with all sorts of chances to screw up.  (forgotten words?  trip and fall?  hit a bad note?)  And, really, it meant so much to me to have the chance to impress my dad.  He was not one for compliments or praise.  I wanted to move him to feel proud of me.

It went off without a hitch.  They put my picture on the Jumbotron.  (as one friend said, "your head is the size of a garage door!")  I remembered the words, I hit the notes, and I didn't trip.  I had a 'standing ovation' from those 55,000 people.  Granted, they were already standing when I was singing, but I'm taking it.

I walk off the field, and look for my dad.  Remember, it's kickoff time at this point, so he's "working."  But, I got that precious thumbs up I was looking for.  (literally)  And, really, that was probably the best "singing" moment of my life.  I'm glad he saw me at my best.

If you dare, you can watch it all here.  Forgive the camera work--he was trying to take still photos and run the video camera. 

***I have to give special thanks to Johnny for transferring this from old fashioned VCR to a digital copy.  He's helped me to save and hang on to some very special memories.  Thanks Johnny!***