A Softball Story (rant)

(Baby, Peanut, Max)

(Mama, Daughter, Daddy)

If you stick around to the end of this post there is a cute photo of the other two daughters, Crackerjack and Mia!

We have been at our current little league for six years. This season would have been our seventh!. Honey has managed every year and has had winning teams five out out of the six years. This year the board decided Honey couldn't manage a team. We weren't told why just no. Have we done anything? Nope. Oh yes, we were trying to keep softball alive at our league. Six years ago, we had four teams in each division (minor, major, jr/sr), this year there is only ONE team in each division. There is no support for the girls. The board put $10,000. (I kid you not) into the baseball fields and ZERO into the softball field. Then they told the girls they were lucky to have one field.

Way back when we started, we went to our first umpiring clinic (little league is run all on volunteering, so managers umpire and we were there to learn how. Well, I was there to learn how, having never umpired a game in my life. (Which is a very bad memory of my childhood - being told I could not umpire because I was a girl!! Seriously?) Anyway, we showed up and we are the ONLY women there. A year later, Honey and I are certified umpires, two of three female umpires in our district. Now we are the only two female umpires in our district.

I was ok when the board told us the first place team manager, managed the all star team. I was not ok when they gave the team to a baseball coach, then the next year gave it to another coach because they thought Honey was more into umpiring and wouldn't have the time. Are you kidding me?! Not manage the all star team that our daughter is on, really?

During the fall, little leagues have what is known as fall ball. Except that our league there is no softball during the fall, girls must play baseball. Well, unless they goes over to ASA and play softball. Mostly the girls didn't play. This past season, we decided the girls should be able to play and joined up with ASA. We had 25 girls try out for 12 spots. And then went with two teams. The board was pissed we took girls over to ASA and wouldn't let practice on the field that WASN'T be used. Petty I know. Never mind the whole reason we were at ASA was there was no softball at our league. And as much as I believe that the boys and girls games are both just as athletic, at the upper divisions, the two games are so vastly different. Softball is a quicker, shorter game then baseball. I love watching both games. (Can't wait for Arizona this spring!!! Dodgertown!!! Opening Day, Spring Training!! One whole week! Yup, we are pretty much crazy for Dodger baseball around here!!) I have never loved discrimination at anything!!! The girls on our ASA team were all girls from our league and were going back to our league this spring!!! They just have never liked Honey and I. We get emails from "people" all the time about us being a manager and coach and umpires. These "people" didn't know that Honey is (was) the webmaster and read all of their hate emails. She only showed me one and it was so upsetting, she never showed me another one.

So, when she was told no to managing this spring, we decided ok, we will just be parents. Our two girls would still play at our little league. I was so upset. Honey of course, took it all in stride. She always does. I can't, it's the Italian/Mexican in me. Fiery blood I guess! Eventually, I just turned it over to the Big Man upstairs. It was just so unjust and unfair. No reason, just no. We only have two managers for three girl teams but you can't have one. The other manager is a teenager who coached middle daughter last year and she said the coach was more interested in being on her phone then coaching. THAT's who they gave a team too. Holy Moly!! And on top it all off, we have to now tell our girls that Honey didn't get a team. What do we tell them when they ask why? We just shrugged. We put off telling them for a week! Just didn't know what to say. Middle daughter was sooo excited Honey was going to coach her this spring.

Anyway, we got a call last night, and Honey was offered a team over ASA. I was not looking forward to going back to little league and now I don't have to!! Our experience over at ASA was so nice. And now I don't have to deal with our board anymore!!! Yeah!! Happy Day!!

Sorry for another long, rambling post. But I just had to let it out!! I can't yell at the stupid people I need to, but I can type really, really hard!! I feel better. Thank you.

Crackerjack and Mia at their home across town!! We see them all the time!

Project 365, Day 24

While on our Sunday morning walk, we saw these beautiful ears peeking over his backyard fence!!
The American flag on our local fire station fire truck!

Saw this broken bottle with twigs inside and I thought it looked pretty cool!

Not so Wordless Wednesday on Thursday!!

This is how my day started! Actually it started when it was DARK! So, I had to wait for daylight to take a picture.

Buddy
Buddy and Gibbs. I know its blurry and Buddy is blown out. But Gibbs is a fast chihuahua and Buddy has a white coat. White coat in full sun = blown out!!

This week has been cold. Freezing cold. So, the huskies have been sleeping in the house. Gibbs has been happy because he is warm now. Gibbs and Baby(the mama)

These are the pictures I got while a) waiting for AAA and b) while Joe the AAA guy was changing the tire for me!!! Tumbleweeds and Barbed wire.

Sunrise, Hernandez (Points if you know where I got the name of this picture!!) No flare

That's it. I had my one and only final last night. And I think I did pretty well. Joined the YMCA and my first visit is today!!! Yeah, swimming!!!

I hate being sick!

I just have the regular old flu but YUCK!!!!! Sunday, Honey made me a bath becuase apparently I had a fever! Who knew? But I'm still not feeling well and I can't get in to see my doctor until next week!

A few weeks ago, we lost our Chihuahua, Precious. She was fine in the morning but by 9pm she had passed away. She was only seven years old and the first furbaby Honey and I had together. She was an excellent alarm because let's face it, huskies aren't!!!

After a sleepless week, we now have Leroy Jethro Gibbs!

Gibbs has settled right in to our crazy household and Max has his back!! (that's Max in the picture with Gibbs!) Yes, he is named after the NCIS character! He is the "one in charge" that tells three others what to do!! Well, that is the theory anyway, he hasn't really started to alert the huskies to anything other then his reflection and the fish swimming in the fish tanks. But he is still just a baby!! (Three months old!!) I have hope!

My huskies are special dogs!! They live with cats (peacefully!!) and chihuahuas (somewhat peacefully - but that's due to the chis more then the huskies!)

We miss Precious everyday and she can never be replaced, but Gibbs is bringing his own uniqueness to our hearts!!!

Pictures

One of my assignments was to take pictures of a landscape. So, Honey and I got up before the break of dawn and headed of to Vasquez Rocks to take some breathtaking pics. However, the park doesn't open until 8am so I did some long exposure shooting: We then headed off to Little Rock dam and while Max had a blast, I had a great time shooting pictures (only one of which is below):

This last week has been great for sky pictures:

During Honeys football season I was taking pictures (having NO idea what I was doing) and got this shot:

Not that I know what I doing now, I just know what I DON'T know.

My sweet Peanut (and a little photoshop work!):

Some more photoshop!

Honeys new car!

Sorry it's been awhile since the last post!!!!!

Ok so the old, "I've been buzy with school!" excuse really is lame. But it is true. Not only did classes begin but so did fall ball. AND, both Peanut and Max are in training classes, hopefully Max will be ready to take his therapy dog teat in October. Let's just say there are reasons why not many huskys are therapy dogs! Not because they are mean or stupid but because they are STUBBORN! Max knows what he is supposed to do (listen to Honey) he sometimes chooses not to listen. Just 'cause. Gotta love him. But Princess Peanut is doing gangbusters, for a almost four month old pup! Her attention span is about two minutes long - but lucky for me she loves her treats. Our big problem is the sit-stay and I walk out of the room. She "forgets" she is supposed to stay until I release her. Oh well!

Fall ball has started and both girls are on the same team. And oldest daughter is pitching, youngest daughter is learning. =)
Honey is coaching the junior boys team. That is middle son in the catchers garb. Of course they are the Dodgers.
Here is oldest son - he is hoping to become a professional umpire someday. He graduates from high school this year and wants to go to umpire school next summer.
The goofs - I was trying to take a picture for class. I gave up.

Peanut in all her glory!
"artsy" photo for school. Hopefully I will get better at picture taking by semsters end!!
She really does like to play ball.
Brother and sister, I believe she struck out both times she was at bat. =(
Looking bad ass (as my sister put it!)

Aren't they the cutest things? I have never seen dogs so attached!
"We LOVE treats!"

Dad and Cracker Jack! I really need to find a home for her.

My week

So, on Sunday I went to my Knottyknitters meeting. I had a blast!!! Darcy modeled my bracelet purse. It was so great to get out of the house and knit with these women. I have been in a funk that I cannot pull out of and it was nice just being for a moment.
Monday morning, having been inspired by Leesa, I whipped up these bags for my small knitting projects. I have been using ziplock bags and as Leesa said - I needed to step it up! The pirate bag is from a pattern I got out of a quilt magazine. The drawstring bags, well are drawstring bags. I see many more of these in my future. They are really quick so maybe I can step up my gift bag also. Not just paper bags. This is Spot, aka Gigantor. The puppies are now three weeks old and eyes have open but not focused. They are getting up on their legs and not just scooting. And their teeth are coming in which is making everyone a bit cranky!!! But seriously aren't they cute?
This going to be my next pair of socks. Socks that rock in Christmas Balls and Rockstar. Purchased at Stitches. My plan is two at a time times two. One skein of Christmas and one of Rockstar. When I am done I will have a pair of socks in each. That's the plan.
I have completed one sock for Honey. She requested short socks. Good thing cause with STR yarn calling my name - long socks would have been problematic. Plus I don't think I will ever do one sock at a time again. Too much stress to match patterns and size.
Peanut trying to escape - couldn't muster the strength and took a nap instead!

Dad thought he was missing on all the fun of the puppy box. Baby was glad of the company, for about five minutes.

FREAKIN' ADORABLE!!!!!

Babies are babies.......

Whether they are human or not, having little beings in the house is exhausting!!!!! But they are the cutest little things. I guess exhaustion is going around. Ms. Baby is a great mom. But she needs to go out every hour or so, cause I guess, she is eating and drinking so much to feed all those mouths. Which means Honey and I are up every hour or so to let her out. Thank goodness my last class was today and my final is next Wednesday. Then summer!!!
I love this picture. The behind you are gazing upon belongs to Peanut, the smallest of the group.
Max is just confused and apparently not allowed near his puppies. Just yet. Another week or so I'm thinking Mom will be happy to let somebody else take over the watching of babies.

This monster is Spot, due to the fact he has a spot of white on his back. He is already spoken for being the only male of the group. And he is the biggest of the group.



Next week eyes and ears should open up. I am knitting right now. Socks for Honey but I am stuck at the gusset and heel. So, until I can get to a meeting, I think I will pick something simple to start. I really want to try Crazy Aunt Purls bracelet purse. I have the bracelets, just need to pick yarn and I think just to mix it up I'm gonna add some beading.

All stars is coming up soon and then blessed relief!!!!! Softball and baseball will be done!!!!!! I am really looking forward to some down time!!!!