District Playoffs

Last week was a whirl-wind of fun. Both Rachel and Courtney's teams made it to the playoffs in softball this year.

Rachel's district tournament was in Troy. She played on Monday and Tuesday and lost both games. The team had nothing to be ashamed of though. Half the team consisted of young 8 and 9 year olds that decided to move up into the 11 and under league a year early. Rachel was one of them. She played first base and did a great job.

Courtney's district tournament was in Rogers. She played on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday going undefeated after four games to win first place. Courtney (3rd base), Meghan Malcik (2nd base) and Aayliah Montalbo (1st base) made the all-tournament team along with two girls from Belton. Courtney, a.k.a. "Slugger" led the tournament with a mere 7 home runs for the week. She is so small and puts everything she has into hitting that little yellow ball.

We are now preparing Courtney's team for the TTAS State Tournament to be held in Clifton beginning on July 20th. I have taken vacation time again since I am her coach and will need to be available for scouting the other teams and getting everything ready to go to give it all we got. Wish us luck and come out and watch a game if you can. I will have the first game schedule this upcoming Sunday evening.

Congratulations Pixie Styx!

Oscar Jam

Thomas Maddux has been working over the past couple of years to rebuild the Oscar Store and had it ready for its grand opening this past weekend to help celebrate the 4th of July. On Saturday, the events started early with activies for the kids, horse shoes and several live bands. We attended later in the evening and had dinner at the store. The steaks had really good flavor and the hamburgers must have been good too. The girls split one and both finished it all which rarely ever happens. After supper, we went outside into the yard where T.C. Taylor band was playing followed by Wild Horses. Thomas had a circle dance floor made out of concrete and Keith and I tried it out a few times. Keith was in heaven. He got to dance and wear shorts and sandals. While listening to the music, most people brought lawn chairs and Thomas also had some bench seats and swings and some real tailgates cut off the backend of some old pickups. It was really a neat setup. Amazingly, there were no mosquitos out either and the heat wasn't so bad after the sun went down. We plan to go back for dinner again soon.

Tom's

Friday started early with our 8:30 tee time at Sammons Golf Course in Temple. I used to love playing that course. Although there is a lot of water and trees to get around, it is a fairly short course to the advantage of the red tee box. We were quite surprised and disappointed that the greens were in horrible shape. The fairways were in pretty good shape though as usual. Despite the greens, we played fairly well. Some shots better than others. We ended up only playing 9 holes and between the two of us had 5 pars. Yes, I had one of them!

We ended golf early because I had an appt I could not get out of right before lunch. So we went to the appt and then had lunch at Luby's. We were looking for some healthy food for a change and we found it. The talapia was very good. While having lunch, my sister, Tammy, called to change our plans for the rest of the day. She had decided to come to get Dustin a day early to take him to Oklahoma for a few weeks. But don't worry, there was no panic to get him packed. Dustin had been packed for at least two weeks now, anticipating the big day.

Our original plans for the evening were to have a night out with Dustin to celebrate his birthday since he would be gone on his actual birthday, July 10th. Dustin had been nagging all week to let him go to Academy so he could buy a skateboard with his own money, but I would not let him. Yet he continued to nag. I got the hint that he really wanted that skateboard. So, after lunch Keith and I went to Academy and bought the skateboard and a razor scooter and brought it back home for a quick celebration of gifts before we loaded up and headed to Gatesville.

We met Tammy at Aubrey's parents house in Gatesville to make the delivery. While we went inside to visit briefly, Dustin was outside loading his suitcase, skateboard and scooter into Tammy's truck. He was ready to go. We gave our hugs and kisses and the usual respect speech along with the "you know right from wrong and don't let your friends influence you to do wrong" speech and then they were on their merry way. We are going to miss you, Dustin!

Rachel had earned through her grades a go-cart and since we saw a Tractor Supply on the way to Gatesville, she wanted to stop and "look". We stopped but they didn't have any worth "looking" at so we went on home. When we got there, we had the usual chore of feeding the dogs. Courtney was so cute hand feeding Rowdy. For some reason, he would not eat out of the bowl and Courtney was happy to help. She didn't like the slobbers on her hand so much, but she was very patient and immediately went to wash her hands when he finished.

Keith and I tried to get in a quick nap before getting ready to go out to Tom Sefcik's Hall. Our nephew Matthew Jahns and his friend Bret Marek were playing and singing for the night. Matthew played the bass guitar while Bret sang. Occasionally Bret's Dad, Glen, would take over the bass when they played some of the "older" songs. In his younger years, Glen played with the Vrazels. They sounded really good together and we were so proud to be able to attend. Ken and Judy came out for the entertainment too and then later in the evening Kelli and John came out. There were a lot of people there and everyone was having a good time. Rachel and Courtney played pool and then Keith and I joined them for a game. After that, the competition was on. Keith beat me two out of three and I am anxious for a rematch. Ken also took a stab at it after not playing for what, at least 50 years?

Happy 11th Birthday Dustin!

Dustin had planned a trip to visit his cousins in Caddo, Oklahoma. My sister, Tammy, was going to be in Gatesville on July 3rd to pick him up and take him home with her for the "summer". Since Dustin would be gone during his birthday, we had a quick celebration before we loaded up to take him to Gatesville. He couldn't wait for his cousins to see his new razor scooter and skateboard. He plans to stay for several weeks, but my money is on either he or I giving in way before that! We are going to miss you, Dustin. Happy Birthday and have fun!

Hot Dogs and Ice Cream

The kids had their SPJST Youth Club July meeting at Flag Hall tonight. Everyone met to make sure all of the necessary paperwork was completed for summer camp. Rachel and Courtney will be going, but Dustin will be going to spend a few weeks in Oklahoma instead. Afterwards, they enjoyed hot dogs and ice cream. Looks like they were good!

Just Golfin' Around

Keith and I are both going to be off on Friday for the 4th of July holiday. We decided it would be fun to play golf again although it has been a LONG time. To get ready for the big day, we went to the driving range last night with all three kids. We were both hitting as if we hadn't missed a beat. That's usually not a good sign for the next outing! The kids had a blast too. In between shots and sometimes during shots, we would hear "Mommy, Daddy, watch me" and sometimes in unison between the three of them. They were so proud to be able to connect with the ball and they actually had a few good shots. It was fun to get out and do a family activity.

Wonderful Weekend

It has been a wonderful weekend here at the ranch. When I talked to Keith on Friday for the usual "what's for supper" routine, I had it already planned out. We are going to grill steaks and steam some fresh vegetables while enjoying a glass of wine (or several). Keith got to try out the new infrared burner with the steaks and boy did they cook quick. They had really good flavor but next time he will cook them slower. The directions with the burner instructed to cook for 2 minutes each side on high. I'm glad he waited for the veggies to finish cooking before he put them on the grill! Our favorite wine wasn't available so Keith got another kind from the same region in Chile. It was OK, but kind of grew on us. Although the meal was very good, I gained most of the pleasure from being together as a family and enjoying our quiet time together.

Saturday morning came without warning as Keith awoke me at 7 am for coffee on the patio. As simple as it sounds, we plan to do this more often. Just watching the birds diving through the pillars on the patio and the bees pollenating the rogue sunflowers was very relaxing. I don't remember the last time I was so relaxed and really felt happy about it. We've been so busy here and there that we just haven't been able to enjoy each other as much as we'd like. This weekend was different.

Sunday morning started out with mass for which Dustin and Rachel were serving. This too turned to be eventful. The heat indexes here are well over 100 degrees which just drains the energy right out from underneath you. During mass, Dustin disappeared when it came time for the offertory. I wrote it off thinking he must have had to blow his nose and didn't have a tissue with him. I was relieved when he came back. But after that during the consecration of the bread and wine, he missed his queue to ring the bells as he was swaying trying to keep his balance. He rang the bell and then disappeared again. Now I knew something was not right so I went around to the sacristy to find him lying on the floor. He had gotten hot the first time and became nautious. The second time he got so dizzy he could not walk. He all but passed out. I felt so bad for him. He had not been feeling bad before this, so I really think the Texas heat got to him.

We got home from mass and had our traditional brunch of bacon, eggs, and biscuits. One of our favorite meals is breakfast and especially this one. Even Dustin made a happy plate, so I think he got over the heat episode.

Our community baseball/softball league sponsors a day at Summer Fun Water Park for all the players once a year at the end of the season and today was that day. Over the last few weeks, I have been taking the kids to swim lessons and they were ready to strut their stuff. Even Courtney is swimming like a fish. It was nice for all of us to get into the pool after such a blistering hot day. I noticed the temperature in the truck around 1:00 was already at 107 degrees and then at 5:00 it registered 114. I have never seen it this hot in June. We are hoping for a cold front soon to bring it down into the 90's!

Oh, and we did throw in some yard work this weekend. Keith spent all day Saturday and half of Sunday on the tractor moving the piles of rocks out of the yard. He did a great job and had fun with it so it wasn't so much like a chore.

The Inscription On The Door

The gospel from today's mass left an impression on me. Not that it hasn't before, but today I really felt it. The inscription on the door says it all...

Ann Jillian, a three-time Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actress and singer, is an American actress born to Roman Catholic Lithuanian immigrant parents. In 1985 the then 35-year-old actress was diagnosed with breast cancer. On her way to the hospital to check the nature of the growth which she had noticed, she stopped at St. Francis de Sales Church and read the inscription on the door. “The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.” She went into the church and prayed for the strength to accept her ordeal.

Today

My step-mother-in-law, Judy sent this poem to me today. She lost her middle child, David, this week to medical complications that were unforeseen. As I read the poem, I realized how it not only applied to Judy's unfortunate curcumstance, but to my life's journey. I'm sharing this with you as there may be someone that just needs a little lift today. It worked for me.


Today, I will delete from my journal two days: yesterday and tomorrow. Yesterday was to learn from and tomorrow...well that will be the consequence of what I can do today.

Today, I will face life with the sure knowledge that this day will never return.

Today, is the last opportunity I have to live intensely, as no one can assure me that I will see tomorrow's sunrise.

Today, I will be brave enough not to let any opportunity pass me by, my only alternative is to succeed.

Today, I will invest my most valuable resource: my time in the most transcendental work: my life...

Today, I will spend each minute passionately, to make today a different and unique day in my life.

Today, I will defy every obstacle that appears on my way, trusting I will succeed.

Today, I will resist pessimism, and will conquer the world with a smile and a positive attitude of always expecting the best.

Today, I will make of every ordinary task a sublime expression.

Today, I will have my feet on the ground understanding reality and the stars' gaze, and thus will invent my future.

Today, I will take the time to be happy and will leave my footprints and my presence in the hearts of others, not just in the sands of time.

Today, I invite you to begin a new season where we can dream that everything we undertake is possible and we fulfill that dream, with joy and dignity.

Today, why not perform a random act of kindness...?

And, if there are those that you love, tell them, you don't know when it might be your last opportunity. Tell them, as I have just done...today.

Have a good day, my friend and a better tomorrow!

I'm back

For those of you who continue to check my blog for updates, I apologize for my tardiness! I have been sucked in to the everyday life of building our dream home and yes, finally moving in over Memorial Day weekend. I have had my nose deep in the crevices of this house and have totally neglected my family and friends over the past year. I am sorry for that and just want to let everyone know that I am back among the living.