Humidity is natures way of flipping us the bird!

Well the humidity is back and kickin my ass! More of the same today and most of tomorrow. I think we are supposed to get a break from it by mid-week. I am sitting here sweating just thinking about it.

Update on the weekend activities. Saturday Drew had a all-star game in Grimes. The lost by the ten run rule after 6 innings. It wasn't a good game for anyone but Drew hit the ball well. He got on once and was fielded out twice.

Jess had her regional game Saturday evening. They lost but she had a very good game. She hit and got on base all three times up to bat. The team had only 6 hits on the night and she had three of them.

Sunday we went to Marshalltown for another of Drew's games and they lost 9-4. It was close most of the way through but the had a bad inning and it cost them the game. It was tied 1-1 after 4 innings. It was very hot and humid and sitting out there was not comfortable at all.

Here is a pic of him pitching in the game. I took it with my phone so it isn't the best.

Work is a nightmare right now but I won't go into all of that. Instead, I will continue with the saga of the California trip.

Day 5:

We had class like usual but we were planning on going to the beach and eating dinner there as well so we all hurried back after class to get ready to go.

We hop in the car and head to the beach. We go to Huntinington Beach and find a parking spot. Ok so this spot was just one of the first lots we saw and I just decided to use it.

Out to the beach we go and we walk along the shorline for awhile. We decide to go to a place called Ruby's diner. It is kind of a 50's style place. They have burgers and shakes, etc. It is at the end of this long pier so when you sit and eat you see the ocean around you. It is kind of cool but we didn't get a window seat. Oh well.

It was kind of breezy at the beach and I think Nancy had to wear a sweat shirt. It was a little chilly. So we walk back down the pier and see the sun starting to set. I suggested that we just walk down the beach back toward the car and watch the sunset. Well, I parked the car to the east and the sun was setting in the west so when we walked back, our backs were to the sun. Let the complaining begin.

We did get to see the sunset but it was very hazy on the horizon. They were having big fires up north and I think it caused the sunset to be hard to see as it decended. It was still very nice to watch.

We head back to the hotel and I was mentioning how we made the trip without getting lost or taking a wrong turn. I spoke to soon, I missed the turn to Disney and ended up on the 5. Since I have become familiar with the 5 by this time it only took us about 10 minutes to get back to where we should have gone.

We went to Downtown Disney for awhile and watch the fireworks. It was a pretty nice night. It was also the end of the conference and our last night at Disneyland. In the morning we have to go to a different hotel and we plan on going on a drive down the coast. We have a glass of wine before bed and get ready to start our sea side adventure.

More tomorrow.

It's one thing to lose but Cmon!

The weather today is going to be very good. It is going to be in the upper 70's, low humidity and sunny. What a day!

Jess had a double header last night and they got their asses handed to them. It was a complete blowout from the start. First batter for the other team----BOOM---Homerun! Third batter---BOOM--Homerun! 7 different girls hit homeruns on us last night.

They lost the first game 12-0 and the second game 13-1. Our pitching sucked, the fielding sucked, the batting sucked and it was the worst they have played all year. Jess played fine on 1st but didn't bat well. I think she was up 4 times (not much for two games but it shows how crappy they did) 2 strike outs and two popup flies. As a team they had one hit in the first game and 2 hits in the second game.

We play this same team at home Saturday for the first round of regionals. The season will end that day.

Tonight is the last regular season game. It is at home, senior night.

Ok, more of the California trip:

Day 4:

Normal stuff in the morning and afternoon. Breakfast - Classes- Lunch/Pool - More Classes. The only thing that was different this day is I had to do homework in the morning. I am taking an online class on how to teach online classes and I had to spend about 40 minutes doing homework and submitting it online before class.

The confernce gave us free passes to Disneyland and $25 Visa gift cards to use for a meal of for items in the shops. We decided to go the Disneyland.

We walked throught downtown Disney to the park and got there about 5:00. The place was pretty crowded but what can you expect, it's Disneyland. Anyway we wanted to go on some rides so we started in right away.

We went on the StarWars ride, it is a virtual ride. You are in a shuttle type thing and thy have a big screen in front and the shuttle car moves as the screen shows you flying, ect. It was pretty cool. We went on a ride called "The Matterhorn", basically a rollercoaster in a mountain. Lots of dark passages. It was fun.

Up next was Thunder Mountain. Rollercoaster in the form of a runaway train. Once again...FUN!

We also went on Space Mountain, maybe my favorite ride of all. A rollercoaster in the dark but it is like you are in space, so you see stars and planets and it is a great time. We went on the Indiana Jones Adventure ride and Pirates of the Carribean. I was getting tired and kind of grouchy at the end. The amount of strollers at this place was ridiculous!

We also watched a show. It was called Fanstasmic. Very, very cool. It was a big show kind of on a lake. They sprayed water in the air and projected animation on the mist. It was pretty awesome. They mixed the animation with the actual characters live on stage and they had fire and special effects. They also had a big boat with ALL the Disney characters go by. It was well worth the crowd and all crazy people we had to put up with.

They also had a big fireworks show.

The longest lines were for Space Mountain, 55 minutes and Indiana Jones, over and hour. I think we got back to the room around 11 or 12. We ate at a county buffet restraunt. I bought a tanktop with my money, Nancy bought a sweatshirt and Joyce bought a t-shirt. Even though I was tired and sick of all the stroller people, I had a great time.

This was the one day we didn't use the car so I didn't get lost and didn't end up on the 5.

The weather today is much like my psyche - a bit unstable

It is officially the hot, humid days of summer. The high is in the upper 80's and the humidity is terrible. Good thing we have air conditioning.

Jess had a game last night. They lost 10-1 but it was close until the end. They were down 2-1 until the 6th inning and then the damn broke and the other team rattled off a bunch of runs. Jess played well. 4 times at bat; she was walked twice, got on from a passed third strike and then put down a sacrifice bunt.

Drew has been going to weight lifting every day but his friends have stop going. He is disappointed because he likes it but the other kids have to get a ride or drive their bikes. He just walks over. Yesterday he went and there were just three girls there.

Tonight Jess has a double header in Adel but it is supposed to rain so I guess we will wait and see.

Ok more from my California trip:

Day 3:
So it was Tuesday morning and we got up like usual and attended class. Once again a big breakfast and big lunch. At this point the food is getting less desireable so I think we are eating less but it is still a lot.

After class we all meet back at the rooms. Did I mention our rooms were connected so we had a door in between so we could go back and forth without going into the hall. The only time the doors were shut was at night and when Nancy was taking her #2. (Just kidding Nancy.)

Anyway, we wanted to go out to eat but didn't want anything too heavy. Nancy thought a simple cheeseburger sounded good so off we went. Once again, I got lost and ended up on the 5. I eventually found a place that had a sign that read "Greatest Cheesburgers in America". We stop and go inside. Nancy and Joyce look at eachother and say "I don't think so". Back to the car and off we go again.

We eventually end up at a village inn. I had a fish sandwich. It was very good. Between getting lost and trying to find a good place to eat, we are gone an hour and a half. We get back to the rooms and then head out to downtown Disney for more music and people watching. At this point Nancy tells me we need to be doing more sight seeing because we have been there three days and haven't really done anything.

We make plans to go to the beach on Wednesday night, Disneyland on Thursday and then drive the coast on Friday and check out as many beaches as we can. Friday is a day we stayed extra. There are no classes, we have the whole day to do what we want.

During this whole process I am dilligently keeping reciepts. We are using the school credit card for our meal and the business office is very rigid when it comes to reciepts. They need to be detailed and specifically for necessary expenses.

Did I mention, Joyce had bought a box of wine. We had a glass or two each night at the room. My room was kind of the hangout spot. I would sit in one bed, Nancy would sit in the other and Joyce would take the chair. We would drink wine, chat, watch a bit of TV and just hang out. It was actually a relaxing way to end the day.

More tomorrow.

Did you know Nancy is a Forest Gump expert?

The first day back at work was a suckfest! We have a state report that was due a week and a half ago and it still isn't done. I spent most of the day working with the Department of Education trying to get the information to them. It isn't my report but if it comes in electronic format, it becomes my responsibility. Whatever! We should have it done today.



I mowed the grass last night and that job is becoming an adventure. The wheel keeps falling off and I had to fix it twice last night. I was grumpy to begin with and then having the damn mower wheel fall of TWICE was just icing on the cake. I am pretty sure I can get a replacement wheel for it, I just need to get my ass to the hardware store.



Jess has a game tonight in Huxley.



Ok for the continued saga of my California trip.



Day 2:

The time change was a little wierd because it was two hours later than it is in central time. I was hungry early and wanted to get up at 3:30 in the morning. Ended up sleeping until 5:30 am and then started to get ready for the first day of class.



They had a HUGE buffet breakfast for us at the conference. Eggs, hashbrowns, fruit, rolls, juice, cereal. I ate like I haven't ever had breakfast before.



Class went well in the morning and then back to another HUGE buffet meal. Lunch had two or three main courses and all kinds of side dishes and a big ol' desert table. Once again, ate like I hadn't eaten in a week.



Nancy, Joyce and I went to the pool and sat in the sun for the remainder of the lunch time. We got an hour and a half for lunch each day so we usually spent about 30 -45 minutes at the pool.



I went to my afternoon class and was in the wrong place. So I got up and went to the room they told me to go to. Once again, still the wrong place. I sat through the class for awhile but it was a low level class that I have done all the stuff they covered many times, so I went back to the room after break.



Once everyone got back we went to the pool and swam for awhile then we got in the car to find something to eat. We ate a place called "Bubba Gump's Shrimp Company". It was a blast. They had good food and the atmosphere was fun. Nancy and I inadvertantly bought drinks (non-alchoholic) for $7.50 each. I couldn't have the school pay for that so we paid for them seperately. At least we were able to keep the glasses. Here is a pic of Nancy and Joyce at the restraunt:


During the meal, the waitress came over and asked us a bunch of Forest Gump trivia. Nancy kicked ass.



After dinner we went to downtown Disney and watched the live music. Of all the days, this was maybe the most uneventful day of the week. Bubba Gump was a hoot though. Day 3 tomorrow.



Mom: Drew and I are planning on coming up for the 4th. We will leave around lunchtime and should be there by 4 or so. He has an all-star game Saturday at 1 so we need to get going early that morning. He needs to be at the game at 12:30 and I think it is out of town. I need to check and see where it is.

I can't believe it is Monday already

I am back in Iowa and getting ready to go back to work. What a drag!

The week in California was very nice and quiet memorable. There is so much to share that I think I will just post the events of each day, as I remember them, from last week. Here is the first installment:

Day 1 - The flight out of Des Moines was at 6:20 am so I got up at 3:00 and got ready. I picked up Nancy and Joyce at 4:15ish and off to the airport we went.

The flight from Des Moines to Minneapolis was fine, nothing too much to note. It is only about an hour flight anyway.

We had a 4 and a half hour layover in Minneapolis and it was FREEZING in the terminal. Well, Nancy is cold by nature anyway so she was freaking out because she was so cold. We walked and walked to find a sweatshirt for her to buy. She was, and I quote, "Unwilling to spend $70 on a Moose sweatshirt that she would never wear again.". I finally got ticked and told her to buy a blanket. She spent $40 on a blanket and it ended up being short and slick/shiny on one side. She was not a happy camper. Here is a picture of her being grouchy!

We finally got to California and picked up the rental car. It was a Grand Prix a new model and it was great. It was only supposed to be about a 15 minute drive from the airport to Disneyland. Well, we got lost and it took about and hour and a half. I kept getting shoved onto highway 5 and then the 405. Not sure how this kept happening but it did.

We ate at the rainforest cafe, went to the grocery store, registered for the conference and got unpacked. We walked around downtown Disney that night and watched the live music performances that they have down there. It was nice.

I will post day 2 tomorrow.

There are no games today. I need to mow the lawn tonight. Jess has games Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and then the regional game on Saturday. Drew has his first All-Star game on Saturday as well.

The kids plan on going to the pool today. It is going to be nice outside so it will be good for them.

I will post some pictures later.

I think its time to slow down and smell the flowers

Last night was a late night. The girls played a double header in Nevada and it is about an hour drive from here. I didn't get home until after 10:30. They lost both games but Jess had good games. In the second game she got on base all three times at bat. She had two hits and the third time she hit it deep and the outfielder dropped so it was an error but she still got on.

Our starting catcher is a senior and she got hurt last night. They thought she broke her ankle but it turned out to be a bad sprain. She will be out for two weeks which is almost the end of the season.

They play in a tournament today and tomorrow in Ames.

Today is my last post before the California trip. I am really looking forward to going, it is going to be very nice to get away for awhile.

Today I have my evaluation. I meet with the superintendent this morning. It should be good. I guess I will see a bit later.

While I am in California I am going to try to post to the blog a few times. If I don't get a chance to do that, I will be back to the normal posting on the 30th. I hope to have a bunch of pictures to post.

Off to start my Friday.

I wonder who thought black liquorice was a good idea

We have had a pretty good streak of good weather and I hope it last. It has been warm, sunny and dry. I couldn't ask for better weather and I think I appreciate it so much more because of the terrible weather we have had for so long. This is a needed break.

Jess had a game last night and they lost 10-0. She actually had a pretty good game. She got a nice slap hit and beat out the throw to first. While she was playing first, she said the other teams first base coach kept talking to her about track. She remembered Jess from track and said some very nice things to her. Jess said the coach was chatting her up through the whole first inning.

Drew has been going to weight lifting, basketball and baseball practice all week. It is good for him to keep busy. There aren't any kids in the neighborhood anymore for him to play with so it is good he has activities. I think his first all-star game is July 1.

Just a few more days until I head to sunny California. We leave Sunday morning bright and early. I hate flying but I am looking forward to the trip.

Today Jess plays in Nevada tonight, pronounce with a hard A between the v and the d. Not like the state. Anyway it is a varsity double header so it will be a late night. Well, at least late for me. I tend to go to bed early.

The bugs are starting to get bad outside. I am not a big fan of that. Time to break out the bug spray.

Trash day so the ladies should be out and about.

Off to start the day.