Willie, Willie, Willie

Boy oh boy ... last night was WILLIE HARRIS NIGHT! Can you say, "6 for 6?" Even Sports Illustrated wrote about him ... http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/07/21/cards.braves.ap/index.html

I'm making my signs now for the Braves/Mets game in NYC (I go in 3 weeks!). One will read:

"ALL THE WAY FROM CAIRO, GEORGIA TO WATCH WILLIE PLAY!" ... and the other will read: "Jose who?" (For those of you who have a regular life and aren't obsessed with major league baseball, Jose Reyes plays for the Mets and he gets lots of press for being an exciting player ... Willie is more exciting).

He ... is 'da man ...

No words needed ...

Eli and his Granny

This photo is actually from a month ago, but I forgot to blog it then. Here is my little man playing in the ocean with his granny (Ron's mother). He is growing so fast ... almost as tall as I am ... and he's only 12. According to the notion that when a boy is 2 years old one can tell how tall he will be by measuring between the wrist and elbow and calculating ... blah, blah, blah ... anywho ... he's supposed to be at least 6'2".

Only 3 more weeks before he begins 5TH GRADE!

More Willie Harris

http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070710&content_id=2079284&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl

Friday the 13th

Today was supposed to be one of those days where everyone is to be on the lookout for bad things to happen. Incredibly, my Friday XIII came out in a very cool way.

See the pic of the good lookin' Willie Harris? Well ... while I haven't met him in person ...

I TALKED TO HIM TODAY ON THE PHONE!!
Okay, so here it how it happened ...

Not long ago I posted my connection to Willie Harris ... his soon-to-be wife and soon-to-be mother-in-law were students of mine. Well, I had to get the oil changed in the Pilot today, so instead of making an appointment at the Honda place I drove to Super Lube. Anita, my student and Willie's soon-to-be mother-in-law, had told me once that her husband Tyrone was the manager of the Super Lube. It just so happened that as I drove in the bay today, Tyrone was the one who assisted me. I introduced myself and told him that I had taught both his wife and his daughter ... blah, blah, blah ... and he says, "Oh, you're the professor who loves the Braves!" I confessed ... he was right ... I am obsessive about my b-ball and Braves ... so he begins prepping my vehicle for the oil change ... and the next thing I know he hands me his cell phone and says, "Here ... Willie is on the phone waiting to talk to you."

I can't breathe ... truly ... can't find my breath. I take the phone and admit to Mr. Harris that I am struggling for air. He says, "Are you okay? Are you going to need mouth to mouth?" I told him that I probably would, but I would somehow pull it together. Thankfully, air began to flow through my lungs again and I realized I could ask ANYTHING I wanted to ... so I asked if he was going to play tonight against the Pirates ... I told him that I wished he played left field more than Matt Diaz, to which he explained that Diaz hits left-handed pitches better ... and then I told him that I was sick and tired of the sports media making such a big fuss over Jose Reyes of the Mets instead of him. It's true - media say how exciting a player Reyes is ... yada yada yada ... and I told Willie that HE is a much more exciting player. He told me that the second half of the season would be spent showing the sports media that I was correct. He then asked if I was going to watch the game tonight (Of course I am!), and I told him how in 3 weeks I would be watching him in Shea Stadium as they were playing the Mets. I said, "I will be in field box seats near 1st base, so listen out for your name because my friend and I will be screaming for you!" He laughed and said he'd listen out for me ... and then he had to go.

Wow ... wadda rush. It was one of the most incredible phone calls I've ever had ... and now that I've been introduced ...

I BETTER GET AN INVITATION TO THE WEDDING!

I, of course, called Ron and told him ... and then proceeded to call everyone in my life! When Ron came home from work later he told me that he, too, went to Super Lube to get an oil change. He spoke with Tyrone and they had a good laugh about me. Ron said that Tyrone's wife Anita had actually planned to bring Willie Harris to my house to surprise me! Ron told Tyrone, "when you bring Willie, bring an ambulance, too."

Too cool ...

Happy Friday 13th to everyone else!

J

My son, the would-be Marine

See the photo? See the dude standing in the middle in the Marine dress uni? Okay, get a load of this ... my son has decided that he wants one. One never knows what Eli will gravitate towards, and surprisingly he has latched on to this. Evidently, Eli has been playing the DVD of A Few Good Men lately in his little portable DVD player (intermittedly, mind you, of Arthur and Seinfeld). If y'all have seen the movie you'll remember the scene where the guy who is supposed to testify the following day ... getting dressed for his impending suicide. It is THIS scene that Eli has played over and over again (minus the suicide).

He came to me sometime last week and said, "Mommy, I want a uniform like that." I sat for a while ... asked a ton of questions ... and HE HAS BEEN BUGGING ME EVER SINCE. So ... I got on the Internet to see what I could find. Eli was VERY specific about what he wanted .... so I searched, and I searched, and I searched. Finally ... hallelujah! ... I found one! I could only find one small enough that was new ... no luck finding one used (even on Ebay) ... or one that passed the "Eli litmus test," so it looks as if I am ordering the $128 uniform. It was listed at $185, but because it's an extra small I was able to get it for cheaper.

So ... stay tuned for photos of my handsome son in all his glory ...

This is gonna be interesting ...

Yankee Funnies ...

My friend Jinjaaaaahhhhh sent the following baseball jokes to me. I hate the Evil Empire (insert YANKEES here), so I think they're hysterical.

Enjoy.



On the first day of school a first grade teacher explains to her class that she is a Yankees fan.She asks her students to raise their hands if they, too, are Yankees fans.Wanting to impress their teacher, everyone in the class raises their hand except one little girl.

The teacher looks at the girl with surprise,"Janie, why didn't you raise your hand?"

"Because I'm not a Yankees fan," she replied.

The teacher, still shocked, asked, "Well, if you are not a Yankees fan, then who are you a fan of?"

"I am a Red Sox fan, and proud of it," Janie replied. The teacher could not believe her ears.

"Janie, why pray tell are you a Red Sox fan?"

"Because my mom is a Red Sox fan, and my dad is Red Sox fan, so I'm a Red Sox fan too!"

"Well," said the teacher in a obviously annoyed tone, "that is no reason foryou to be a Red Sox fan. You don't have to be just like your parents all of the time. What if your mom were an idiot and your dad were a moron, what would you be then?"

"Then," Janie smiled, "I'd be a Yankees fan."


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A family of New York Yankee fans headed out one Saturday to shop for the youngest boy's birthday.While in the sports shop the son picks up a Red Sox jersey and says to his older sister, "I've decided to become a Red Sox fan and I would like this Boston Red Sox jersey for my birthday."

His big sister is outraged by this and promptly whacks him upside his head and says, "Go talk to mother."

Off goes the little lad with the jersey in hand and finds his mother.

"Mom?"

"Yes, son?"

"I've decided I'm going to be a Red Sox fan and I would like this jersey for my birthday."

The mother is outraged at this, promptly whacks him around the head and says, "Go talk to your father!"

Off he goes with the Red Sox jersey in hand and finds his father.

"Dad?"

"Yes, son?"

"I've decided I'm going to be a Red Sox fan and I would like this jersey for my birthday.

"The father is outraged and promptly whacks his son in the back of his head and says, "No son of mine is ever going to be seen in THAT!"

About half an hour later they're all back in the car and heading towards home. The father turns to his son and says "Son, I hope you've learned something today?"

The son says, "Yes, Dad, I have."

"Good! And what is it you learned?"

The son replies, "I've only been a Red Sox fan for an hour and I already hate you Yankee bastards!"


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Four baseball fans - a Cubs fan, a Cardinals fan, a Red Sox fan, and a Yankees fan - are climbing a mountain and arguing about who loves his team more.The Cubs fan insists he is the most loyal.

"This is for the Cubs!" he yells, and jumps off the side of the mountain.

Not to be outdone, the Cardinals fan shouts, "This is for the Cardinals!" and throws himself off the mountain.

The Red Sox fan is next to profess his love for his team. He yells, "This is for everyone!" and pushes the Yankees fan off the mountain.


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A Red Sox fan liked to amuse himself by scaring every Yankees fan he saw strutting down the street in an obnoxious NY pinstripe shirt. He would swerve his van as if to hit them, then swerve back just missing them.One day while driving along, he saw a priest. He thought he would do a good deed, so he pulled over and asked the priest, "Where are you going, Father?""I'm going to give Mass at St. Francis church, about two miles down the road," replied the priest."Climb in, Father. I'll give you a lift!"

The priest climbed into the passenger seat, and they continued down the road. Suddenly, the driver saw a Yankees fan walking down the road, and he instinctively swerved as if to hit him. But, as usual, he swerved back onto the road just in time. Even though he was certain that he had missed the guy, he still heard a loud THUD. not knowing where the noise came from, he glanced in his mirrors but still didn't see anything.

He then remembered the priest, and he turned to the priest and said, "Sorry Father, I almost hit that Yankees fan."

"That's OK," replied the priest "I got him with the door."

(hee hee)

My birthday present from Ron

This is a photo of my birthday gift (that hasn't arrived yet) from my husband. Normally I would not encourage this kind of gift (most women read into this kind of gift as, "What? Are you calling me fat?) ... but I actually asked for one. I began looking at treadmills about 6 weeks ago, and I knew it would be the best option for me with my crazy schedule. I looked at used treadmills ... you know, too many people now use them as clothes hangers ... I thought that would be a cheap way to go. Then I saw the commercial for the Bowflex Treadclimber. Wow ... one can really exercise for 30 minutes on it and it is comparable to an hour on a regular treadmill? Hallelujah!!! Less time, more results. It's a fabulous thing ... well, all except the price tag. Ouch. But Ron uses his Bowflex machine 4 or 5 times a week, so this is something he can use for cardio exercises, too. So even though it's for MY birthday ... we're both going to use it. Oh, and Miss Hannah will, too ... of course, E-man (that's Eli) will want to try it out, too. I think we'll get our money's worth.

I'll keep everyone posted once it arrives ... you know, whether or not I'm dying ...

J :)

Before baby ...

This is Heather two days before she had Sydney. Several months ago when Heather and I were shopping, we ran across this frame in a store downtown, Firefly. Since Sydney's room is painted pink and brown, both of us immediately knew this brown frame with the painted pink writing (it reads: Before you were conceived I wanted you. Before you were born I loved you. Before you were here an hour I would die for you. This is the miracle of love) would look great in Sydney's room. It is our gift to Heather and to Sydney. It is a signed artistic frame that can become a heirloom for the Carroll family. Heather wants to give it to Sydney one day when she has her own daughter.

Sydney Rae Carroll

Our friends, Shane and Heather Carroll, are proud to present the newest addition to their family. Little Sydney was born on my birthday, June 30th, at 4:27 a.m.. I was so honored to join them for the birth ... I have never witnessed a live birth (other than the births of my own children, but they were both C-sections and I never saw a thing!). The birth of a child ... to watch them enter the world ... there's nothing like it, at least from my perspective. I was completely amazed ... crying uncontrollably while trying to take pictures with two different cameras ... it was an experience that I'll never forget. It was even more special that she was born on my birthday. I told Heather that Sydney will always love her aunt Jen because I will make sure of it!

And speaking (er, writing) of Heather ... she has earned my respect even more for her strength. As I mentioned, my two children were delivered by C-section, so I never had to endure a vaginal birth. Heather was so calm and determined ... and she looked great, too. Her hair and makeup stayed put which also amazed me! I looked like I had just entered the 24th hour of a drinking binge ... and Heather looked like she had just showered and changed. Truly amazing!

Anyway, here are a few photos of Sydney with her mommy and daddy ... ain't she beautiful?

AUGUST 9th

I am counting the days until August 9th. Why you ask? My very cool friend, Karli (attends Marymount College in Manhattan), works part-time with a real estate attorney on Wall Street. Her rich boss gave her his FIELD BOX SEATS for the Braves v. Mets game so she and I can go. I am sooooooooooooooo hyped. I even gave up my annual trip to Atlanta on my birthday so I can use that time in New York City.

I had a dream the other night that Karli and I ... all decked out in our Braves wear ... dodging beer bottles and popcorn buckets thrown by Mets fans ... were on t.v. yelling for the Braves!! Oh man ... I hope that dream comes true. Well, all but the bottles and buckets ...

I also plan to bring an empty suitcase so I can fill it with clothes and bags from NYC! No ... not for myself ... TO SELL TO OTHERS!!! I am going to make this trip fun AND financially worth it!

Willie Harris ... again

Do y'all remember my earlier post about Willie Harris? Well ... here's proof that I am connected in some way (think Kevin Bacon). His soon-to-be-mother-in-law brought this to me at work. I am looking at different boxes and shelving to begin displaying my MLB stuff, but haven't found exactly what I'm looking for. For now, this baby sits in my wine rack ...

Yep, his batting average is .379 ... but Bobby Cox doesn't have a place to put him permanently yet, so I get super excited when he does get some field time.

So now ... all I am waiting for is one more item with Harris' name on it ...

HIS WEDDING INVITATION!

The Lindquist's

These two people are related to me, and I don't think I've had the opportunity to blog their photo. Everyone ... meet my in-laws, Ron and Alene Lindquist. They look happy, huh? That's because my mother-in-law is drunk and my father-in-law is GLAD she's drunk!

I've been married to their son for nearly 19 years, and this is the happiest I've ever seen them.

The latest of Lane ...

I've given some blog space to little Lane before ... and it wouldn't be the same blog if I didn't update his photos! He is growing so quickly (to Donna Kay's chagrin, I'm sure), so I need to document all this growth!

Ain't he a cutie pie? Time for another one, DK ...

TU in Iraq

Ahem ... allow me to explain. The guy in the photo is a friend of mine, Kevin Ingram, whom I met in graduate school @ UGA as we were in a cohort together. We have further connections, too ... he attended Thomas University before transferring to FSU, and while at Thomas he served as SGA president .... I graduated from TU and I, too, served as SGA president my last year. See? connections ...

So ... about 2 months ago I sent Kevin a 50# box of goodies for he and his soldiers. In the box was the afghan that is pictured here. As you can also see, Kevin's sense of humor crept into his choice of locations. See the throne with the afghan? That's one of Saddam's thrones ...

Give 'em hell, Kev ...

S-O-D

I love these pictures of my men ... I slept in Saturday morning because I wasn't feeling well, and when I woke up and looked outside I see this scene - Ron and Eli in "do-rags" laying the sod. The "do-rags" are actually t-shirts that Ron has cut for them, but it cracked me up. I had to find my camera and share.

Gas Funnies ...

I love political cartoons. LOVE them. Here are a few a friend sent to me that made me give a giggle. Bear in mind friends ... I need to laugh because it helps dry up my tears after filling up the SUV. Oy vey ...

Enjoy!

Important Information

My dear friend, Donna Kay, sent me a forwarded email that contained a letter (see it below) warning about the dangers of hand sanitizer. Donna checked the story out on www.snopes.com, and apparently the story is true. I know too many of my friends (and perhaps other readers) have small children. I'd hate for this to happen to one of them.

Ok. I don't know where to begin because the last 2 days of my life have been such a blur. Yesterday my youngest daughter Halle, who is 4, was rushed to the emergency room by her father for being severely lethargic and incoherent. He was called to her school by the school secretary for being "very VERY sick." He told me that when he arrived that Halle was barely sitting in the chair. She couldn't hold her own head up and when he looked into her eyes, she couldn't focus them.

He immediately called me after he scooped her up and rushed her to the ER. When we got there they ran blood test after blood test and did x-rays, and every test imaginable. Her white blood cell count was normal, nothing was out of the ordinary. The ER doctor told us that he had done everything that he could do so he was sending her to Saint Francis for further testing.

Right when we were leaving in the ambulance, her teacher had come to the ER because after questioning Halle's classmates, we found out that she had licked hand sanitizer off her hand. Hand sanitizer of all things! But it makes sense. These days they have all kinds of different scents and when you have a curious child, they are going to put all kinds of things in their mouths.

When we arrived at Saint Francis, we told the ER doctor there to check her blood alcohol level, which, yes we did get weird looks from it but they did it. The results were her blood alcohol level was 85% and this was 6 hours after we first took her. There's no telling what it would have been if we would have tested it at the first ER.

Since then, her school and a few surrounding schools have taken this out of the classrooms of all the lower grade classes but what's to stop middle and high schoolers, too? After doing research off the Internet, we have found that it only takes 3 squirts of the stuff to be fatal in a toddler. For her blood alcohol level to be so high was to compare someone her size to drinking something 120 proof. So please PLEASE don't disregard this because I don't ever want anyone to go through what my family and I have gone through.

That's it. I deleted the names and everything because in the end it doesn't matter who it happened to ... only that they were smart enough to put the word out. Again, this story was checked out to be true, but for those of you who HAVE to do your own research - more power to you.

J

Mother's Day ... early

I am overwhelmed today. The day before Mother's Day and I've already been inundated with gifts. It was totally unexpected and completely unnecessary, but my husband has surprised me ... absolutely surprised me.

First, I was impressed that he even knew the name of the perfume I wear ... secondly, I was impressed that he bought me the perfume, powder, and body lotion. I love to layer my perfume, and somehow he paid attention. Kudos to the Lindquist.

The second overwhelming gift would normally be taboo on Mother's Day ... but this time I've made an exception. As you can see from the photo, it's a Dyson. I know Will is looking at it and saying to himself, "It's a freakin' vacuum." Some may think that, but I know there are those out there who KNOW what a Dyson is. I've yearned for one of these things for years ... that is, if one can actually yearn for a vacuum ... and now I have one. When we took it out of the box we did so very gingerly because if it didn't live up to the $500 price tag, we were going to pack it right back up.

Well ... lemme assure all of you. IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY. I can move from tile to wood to shag carpet ... back to tile ... all with ease and the same great effect. C L E A N. It is lightweight and very manuverable. I LOVE IT! Having a larger house has been nice, but cleaning nearly 4000 square feet of tile, carpet, and wood ... has NOT been nice. Now ... I look forward to cleaning the tile.

Who'da thunk I'd be excited about a vacuum? I'd expect my sister D.D. to be as excited as I am! I must give her a call!

Happy Mother's Day to all my friends and family!

J

Wild Kingdom

This is becoming quite interesting ... yesterday, two horses. Today, a beautiful peacock. What, pray tell, will show up on our property tomorrow?