My son, Adam, often tells me he needs to talk me down from the ledge. Sons Trent & Ryan usually just tell me to calm down. I was, however, in a state over Beilein Watch yesterday. Going to tennis straight from work I realized at some point my cell phone was dead. If it hadn't been I would have spared myself a hour or so of anxiety as Ryan called me immediately when he heard on "Statewide Sportsline" the statement released by WVU that Coach B is staying. I probably have enough drama in my real life not to get so stressed by WVU basketball.
Something new has been creeping into my life over the past few years, and I finally have to acknowledge it. Yes, when Renea & Kelly became my daughters-in-law, they brought their love for country music into my life. Although I would continue to say I hated country music, I began to add "but I do like Faith Hill." Soon I was also adding a few songs by Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, & Keith Urban. Now with my nephew, Brooks, in college in Nashville, he has me listening to even more country songs. I still abhor the real twangy, whiny stuff, but I guess I can now add country as a category of music that I can rather enjoy.
Being outside the city I have a private garbage service. Oddly enough, the one thing this service will never take is yard clippings (the only thing that really would present no problem & could be dumped anywhere). I have had to be creative to find a way around this & will fill a bag approximately 2/3 of the way with clippings, then add other garbage on top to create the illusion of a regular bag of trash. I have recently found that many of my neighbors do the same thing. If the service finds a bag of clippings (& believe me, they look), they will just leave the bag. It's just frustrating that bagging garbage now requires so much ingenuity.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Beilein Watch
WVU's coach, John Beilein, seems to be a candidate for every single D1 opening this year. For me it is reminiscent of a time during high school when I dated a really gorgeous guy. It was hard to enjoy my time in the relationship since every girl in the school was always flirting with him. For me it was not "if," but "when," he would move on.
Although it is rather flattering to have Coach Beilein considered to be one of the best basketball coaches in the country, this constant speculation about his leaving is wearing me out. I have no idea if he is actively pursuing all these jobs; he may just have an agent who believes he should be a candidate for everything. He may just be so highly regarded he is automatically considered. However, there are other coaches who are held in high esteem & are not automatically mentioned every time there is an open position.
I would imagine all this speculation is quite a source of anxiety for our players as well as the seven new recruits. In addition, if he stays this time will it harm recruiting next year? It seems that it would be difficult for a player to commit to a program whose coach seems to always be seeking greener pastures.
Coach B has elevated WVU's basketball program to a new level and has done this with class & character. At the same time WVU has provided him an opportunity to receive national attention. He is admired here not only for his coaching abilities but also for his values. I hope he stays & that he will say something definitive to put the rumors to rest. . . if not, we will probably have a new Beilein watch every few weeks.
Although it is rather flattering to have Coach Beilein considered to be one of the best basketball coaches in the country, this constant speculation about his leaving is wearing me out. I have no idea if he is actively pursuing all these jobs; he may just have an agent who believes he should be a candidate for everything. He may just be so highly regarded he is automatically considered. However, there are other coaches who are held in high esteem & are not automatically mentioned every time there is an open position.
I would imagine all this speculation is quite a source of anxiety for our players as well as the seven new recruits. In addition, if he stays this time will it harm recruiting next year? It seems that it would be difficult for a player to commit to a program whose coach seems to always be seeking greener pastures.
Coach B has elevated WVU's basketball program to a new level and has done this with class & character. At the same time WVU has provided him an opportunity to receive national attention. He is admired here not only for his coaching abilities but also for his values. I hope he stays & that he will say something definitive to put the rumors to rest. . . if not, we will probably have a new Beilein watch every few weeks.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Transition
This weekend the arrival of Sammy the cat precipitated the transition from "unofficial" baby watch to the "official" baby watch. The plan is for Sam to stay here until Adam & Kelly have a larger place to live. Since he did live here for three years, we all hoped the adjustment wouldn't be too difficult. Sam arrived with his dad/owner, my son Adam, on Saturday. He climbed out of his carrier & was immediately filled with anger & anxiety. He began to both hiss & growl & was greeted with return hisses from my cats, Tigger & Trevor. He then headed for the basement to get away from all of us. Adam's efforts to coax him out were rebuffed.
Later Sammy did venture back to the top of the basement stairs where he lay hissing & growling at all passersby, human or feline. Both Tigger & Trevor were also hissing. At this point I began to wonder if Sammy would be returning to Maryland the next day instead of boarding with us. I was beginning to feel some anxiety myself.
Eventually he did come upstairs although he did continue to hiss. The growling stopped & was replaced by a somewhat pathetic meow.
At bedtime he went with Adam & only had one minor altercation with Trevor during the night. In the morning I found him napping in the living room & agreeable. I think he's beginning to adjust. Hopefully he will even come to enjoy being here. Tigger & Trevor are still a little skittish. None of them are eating much yet. So far there has been no actual cat fight, which was my biggest fear. So maybe it will be okay for all of us. Let the official watch begin . . .
Later Sammy did venture back to the top of the basement stairs where he lay hissing & growling at all passersby, human or feline. Both Tigger & Trevor were also hissing. At this point I began to wonder if Sammy would be returning to Maryland the next day instead of boarding with us. I was beginning to feel some anxiety myself.
Eventually he did come upstairs although he did continue to hiss. The growling stopped & was replaced by a somewhat pathetic meow.
At bedtime he went with Adam & only had one minor altercation with Trevor during the night. In the morning I found him napping in the living room & agreeable. I think he's beginning to adjust. Hopefully he will even come to enjoy being here. Tigger & Trevor are still a little skittish. None of them are eating much yet. So far there has been no actual cat fight, which was my biggest fear. So maybe it will be okay for all of us. Let the official watch begin . . .
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Unofficial Baby Watch
Unofficial Baby Watch
The unofficial baby watch has now begun for the new grandbaby, "BZ." Tasks to be completed during this period include, but are not limited to, getting directions to the hospital, getting a few essentials packed, & knitting like crazy to finish BZ's blanket.
I also am beginning to keep my cell phone on most of the time when I'm not at home or work. . . trying to be accessible 24/7.
Speaking of babies, how ironic is it that Tom Cruise & Brooke Shields both had baby girls yesterday in the same hospital?
Official baby watch begins next week. (April 23rd)
The unofficial baby watch has now begun for the new grandbaby, "BZ." Tasks to be completed during this period include, but are not limited to, getting directions to the hospital, getting a few essentials packed, & knitting like crazy to finish BZ's blanket.
I also am beginning to keep my cell phone on most of the time when I'm not at home or work. . . trying to be accessible 24/7.
Speaking of babies, how ironic is it that Tom Cruise & Brooke Shields both had baby girls yesterday in the same hospital?
Official baby watch begins next week. (April 23rd)
Monday, April 10, 2006
This & That
Spring, sun, daylight savings time . . . BRING IT ON!
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For years I believed that viewing golf on TV was about as exciting as watching grass grow. That all changed one spring when my youngest son, an avid golfer, & I went to Florida for Easter break. Since he didn't have his brothers, I was a candidate for watching the Masters with him. He coaxed me with talk of azaleas & patiently gave the back story on many of the players. Yesterday I found myself riveted to the Masters (as I have been during the past few years)as I watched my son's favorite player win, & of course, enjoyed the azaleas!
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They will never make a drug that provides as much exhilaration as spending a weekend with my exuberant two year old grandson. Is there a greater high anywhere that receiving an enthusiastic hug & kiss from this child? After hours of reading books, playing trains & trucks, & pretending to be animals, I am totally rejuvenated!
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After four weekends on the road it was back to reality this past weekend. Much of my time was spent in running errands & cleaning the house . . . Ugh! All necessities but certainly a lot less interesting!
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For years I believed that viewing golf on TV was about as exciting as watching grass grow. That all changed one spring when my youngest son, an avid golfer, & I went to Florida for Easter break. Since he didn't have his brothers, I was a candidate for watching the Masters with him. He coaxed me with talk of azaleas & patiently gave the back story on many of the players. Yesterday I found myself riveted to the Masters (as I have been during the past few years)as I watched my son's favorite player win, & of course, enjoyed the azaleas!
------------------------------------------------
They will never make a drug that provides as much exhilaration as spending a weekend with my exuberant two year old grandson. Is there a greater high anywhere that receiving an enthusiastic hug & kiss from this child? After hours of reading books, playing trains & trucks, & pretending to be animals, I am totally rejuvenated!
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After four weekends on the road it was back to reality this past weekend. Much of my time was spent in running errands & cleaning the house . . . Ugh! All necessities but certainly a lot less interesting!
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