Last night was a late night (as usual, lately) for all of us. The girls didn't get in from their games until about 11:00, so she spent the night at her dad's. (They were sleeping in this morning & will check in school about 11). The banquet wasn't over until a little after 9:00. We left there, picked up Lulu, & made it home just before 10:00. She was so tired that I sent her to bed & let her get her bath this morning. I also let her sleep in a bit & took her to school cuz the bus comes at 6:45a (too early).

Unfortunately, Tay & her team didn't win either of the games last night as they were defeated by W Morgan 4-0 in both games. They're now out of the play-offs. For such a young team, they had a great season. We watched them really grow from where they started out. They've had lots of experience with these other teams so they'll have a good start for next season. Our pitcher was hurt & possibly sprained her ankle, so she missed the last of the game.

Now I'm down to only Lulu & her softball games. They also lost their game last night. We have another one tomorrow night, if it doesn't get rained out.

The Athletic banquet was really nice. The dinner consisted of lemon chicken, scalloped potatoes, green beans, rolls, salad, peach & apple cobblers. It was really good! Several of the female athletes were not there due to them being at the game. A few of them play softball & basketball (Tay included here). They'll be presented their awards probably today.

Good news? Tay "lettered" in basketball! That's unusual for a freshman to do that. She'll be ordering her Letterman's Jacket soon & now will have her first item to be placed on it. In order to letter in a sport, you must have a certain number of hours played in games to qualify. She was a starter, & their "jumper", she played every game - usually the whole game. I was proud.

So it looks like our softball season will be winding down the end of this month when Lulu finishes her games. She's having about 3 a week.

I have to call all of my cheer squad parents today as we have a meeting Friday night. My duties as Cheer Sponsor/Coach have begun with light duty. That starts full force in June.

If you're still "with me" here, thank you for reading & your interest. I try to keep these short & to the point.

Have a great week!!

On my previous post, I talked about the Area (Sectionals) Tournament. Well, we came in runner-up there, but still get to go to Sub-State. There are 3 rounds of tournaments in this before heading to the State Tourn.

Tay & our other girls are on their way, right now, to the 1st round tournament for Sub-State. It's nearly 3 hrs to the field so they're leaving early so they can get there in time to rest up, etc before the games.

It's the best of 3. They play at 4:00 p, & again at 6:00 p. If one team wins both games, it's finished. If they each win one, they play again at 8:00 pm. The winner of 2 out of 3 games will proceed on to the 2nd round. Good luck girls!

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Lulu also has a game tonight at 7:00 p. I'm having her ride home after school with one of her friends/team-mates. She'll stay with them & go to her game. I wish I could be there, but I had to make a choice...

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...& I had to choose B this time. The Booster Club's Athletic Banquet is ALSO tonight at 7:00 p. It's to honor all of the varsity athletes at the school. (Tay won't be there, along with the rest of the softball team. A few of them are on the basketball team too, so we'll be missing several female athletes.) But, this is an important event that they look forward to, & I want to be there with B on "his" night. The last couple of months have been all about the girls & their softball. I decided that tonight is HIS night for his mom to be with him.

I hate to have to pick & choose, but I'm always at Lulu's games - & Tay's (unless Lulu has one same time). This time I'm choosing my son.

We (along with 3 other area teams) are in the midst of the 2A Sectionals/Area Playoff Tournament, starting last night & going on through tonight (& Sat, if needed).

Piedmont & White Plains were playing when we arrived. The winner of that game was to play the winner of ours. We played against Sand Rock & won that game pretty easily. Now, game 3 was against the 1st game winner - Piedmont, & the winner of the 2nd game - US! This game started a bit after 8pm & lasted until nearly 10! It started off pretty slow with no score, but soon we jumped to a 6-0 lead. The next inning, with a missed ball at 2nd, they scored 2 runs. We had one more missed ball that allowed them to get 2 more runs in as the bases were loaded. It's 6-4 & they have no outs! It was definitely a "nail biter" by then because one wrong move & the lead could be gone! Thankfully, we pulled it together & got the 3 outs we needed (with my Tay getting one of them).

This 2nd win put us up for the area title game to be played tonight! If When we win tonight, this will put us to where we will be hosting the first round Sub-State game to be played Tuesday night.

We are SO proud of our team! Back from 1994-2001 we were the State winners! It's been a loooong time & we are way overdue for this again. I think we just might have the team & "want to" to get to State again. We hope to be starting the trend over!

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Lulu has called me 3 times while she's been gone to the beach to let me know how much fun she is having!

Hiya Streamers!

Things around the Secret house have been really busy as of late - which is nothing out-of-the-ordinary, I know - but there is some excitement too.



Lulu is leaving this evening to spend the next 4 days at the beach with her aunt, uncle, their son & his little boy. They don't see each other but a couple times a year, but they play so well together. I sure wish I was going to the beach too! They do this every year, but this might be her last as she has to miss 2 days of school. Next year she will be in the 3rd grade & I know they do much more in-depth work, so she'd miss too much to be out of school for those 2 days. Better enjoy it while it lasts!

Tomorrow starts the Area Tournament for Tay's softball. If we come in 1st place, we will host the sub-state game next Tuesday evening. If we come in 2nd, we'll have to go to another school about 2-3 hrs from here. If that's the case, I won't be able to go. (If we place 3rd or 4th, etc, we're finished for the year - but we don't even want to think about that!) We could very well be on out way to the State Tournament! Right now we're ranked 9th in the state.

Tuesday evening at 7:00 is their annual Athletic Banquet too. The varsity players for the school (football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, track, etc) will have dinner & certain players will be given awards (MVP,etc). I know B will be there & I'll be there with him, for sure. If we win & host the sub-state game, the girls will be able to make it too; otherwise, they'll be out of town for a game.

Lulu also has a game Tuesday night at 7:00 - the same time as the banquet. I think I'm going to get her to ride to her game with one of the other players so I can be with B for his time. It's been all about the girls & their games for the last couple of months. This is a big deal to the kids. I want to be with B, & feel like I should. I'm with the other 2 at their stuff all the time. It Tay goes out of town, her step-mom & probably her dad will be there, so someone with be with her too while she's gone.

I've still be looking for someone who can clone 2 of me so I can be at 3 different places at the same time, if needed.


Anyway, I'm just going to get through the next 4 days & then we can go from there.

Hope you all are having a wonderful week!

Vampire #1: The Sob Sister
Every time you talk to her she's whining. She adores a captive audience. She's the person with the "poor me" attitude who's more interested in complaining than solutions.
How to Protect Yourself: Set clear boundaries. Limit the time you spend talking about her complaints. With a firm but kind attitude say, "I'm sorry I can only talk for a few minutes today." And go on with your work and life.
God, I hate "attention addicts."

Vampire #2: The Drama Queen
This vampire has a flair for exaggerating small incidents into off-the-chart dramas. My patient Sarah was exhausted when she hired a new employee who was always late for work.
One week he had the flu and "almost died." Next, his car was towed, again! After this employee left her office Sarah felt tired and used.
How to Protect Yourself: A drama queen doesn't get mileage out of equanimity. Stay calm. Take a few deep breaths. This will help you not get caught up in the histrionics. At work, set kind but firm limits.
Say, "You must be here on time to keep your job. I'm sorry for all your mishaps, but work comes first."
It is always something……………… it is so childish.

Vampire #3:The Constant Talker or Joke Teller
He has no interest in your feelings; he's only concerned with himself. Initially, he might seem entertaining, but when the talking doesn't stop, you begin to get tired.
You wait for an opening to get a word in edgewise but it never comes. Or he might physically move in so close he's practically breathing on you. You edge backwards, but without missing a beat, he steps closer again.
One patient said about such a coworker, "Whenever I spot this man my colon goes into spasm."
How to Protect Yourself: Know that these people don't respond to nonverbal cues. You must speak up and interrupt. Listen for a few minutes- then from a neutral place politely say, "I'm a quiet person, so please excuse me for not talking a long time -- a much more constructive tack than "Keep quiet, you're driving me crazy!"

Vampire #4. The Fixer Upper
This vampire is desperate for you to fix her endless problems -- at all hours. She turns you into her therapist. At lunch, she'll make a b-line to your desk, monopolizing your free time. Her neediness lures you in.
How to Protect Your Energy: Do not become the "rescuer." Show empathy but resist offering solutions. Be supportive but tell her, "I'm confident you'll find the right solution" or sensitively suggest that she seek a qualified professional for help.
They need to get a life and a hobby.

Vampire #5: The Blamer
This vampire has a sneaky way of making you feel guilty or lacking for not getting things just right. Whenever my patient Marie, a book editor, sees her boss she's on guard; her boss had a way of cutting her down that saps her energy.
She always has a negative comment to make.
How to Protect Yourself: Try this visualization. Around this person imagine yourself surrounded by a cocoon of white light. Think of it as a protective covering that keeps you from being harmed.
Tell yourself that you are safe and secure here. The cocoon filters out the negativity so it can't deplete you.
These are THE worst………..they can't seem to see THEMSELVES. They are morons.

Vampire #6: Go For The Jugular Fiend
This type is vindictive and cuts you down with no consideration for your feelings. He says things like, "Forget that job. It's out of your league." These jabs can be so hurtful it's hard to get them out of your head.
How To Protect Yourself: Eliminate them from your life whenever possible. For a boss who isn't going anywhere try a visualization that put you at a distance from them, and refuse to ingest the poison. If you don't want to switch jobs, realize he's a wounded person; try not to take his meanness personally.


One word……….HITMAN