bucket list

Being married to a busy guy can have its challenges.  Lately, hubs has spent a lot of time going back and forth to Dallas due to a big project he's working on.  Last week, we had little family time together due to working overtime while he was in town.  We do what we can.  And Sunday, we made another trip to the airport.  *sigh*  Girl movie nights anyone?

We {as in, the girls and I} seldom {if ever} get work-related perks.  I'm not complaining.  Really.  In this economy, we're thankful he has a job.  It's just life.  Life, for us, goes on as normal.  Schooling, laundry, taking out the trash, running to the store, cooking meals, watering the lawn {texas drought}, miscellaneous errands, and even killing my own bugs.  

*shivers*

There's not a ton of time off for hubs, but I know that if something came up, his boss would be understanding.  There's something to be said for that.  Don't get me wrong.  He loves his job and co-workers.  There's something to be said for that, too.

However, this past Saturday, we were gifted with baseball tickets.  Yea!  A perk!  A baseball game is one of our favorite things.

Long story short, they were gifted to us from a co-worker of hubs who needed computer work done.  And these were not just any ol' tickets.  These were DIAMOND CLUB tickets!  Crazy, right?!

Four. rows. behind. home. plate!

Hubs said this was on his bucket list.  I quickly wrote it on mine and checked it off.  

We should seriously make one of these lists.  Have yew-awl?  Can't help myself.  We do live in the south, you know.

Things we will remember:

'free' parking.

really close.

the field, within arm's reach... as we walked out of the {seemingly underground} tunnel toward our section.

pence #9, on nator's t-shirt. 

trying to 'play it cool', as if we were not the only ones who've never sat in the 'rich people' section.

then feeling relieved upon hearing the row behind us gasp at the novelty of diamond club, too.

'free' peanuts.

'free' water, with service.

really. they kept bringing it to us.

cold. and wrapped in a napkin.

'free' frozen treats in a lil' freezer.

nice restrooms. 

a cool, cozy lounge for dining.

'free' buffet.

first time to eat a yummy, salmon salad at a ball game.

on a real dish.

seeing the players so close.

almost becoming famous... on tv.

only if the camera had panned a little more toward the right.

korean war veterans.

hearing the star spangled banner.

teaching the girls the etiquette of removing their hats.

even if we are girls.

johnson bobble-head giveaway.

several homeruns.

and the Astros win!!

The only thing that would have made this better??  If any of the Bush family had been there.  Seated 4 rows in front of us, where they normally sit.  What an honor that would have been.  We've been studying our presidents, you know.

Come to think of it, Nator said it right when she leaned over to me during the game... "I hope Daddy's friend has computer problems again."  

We're re-adding this event back to our bucket list.  Who says it can't happen again? ;)

Hmmm... What else should I add to my list?  
What's on yours?

Astros, a confession, and {Win}ners

I'm not a huge sports fanatic fan, but I enjoy a good Astros game... especially when I know things about the players.  You know, important stuff.  I like to know if they're married, how many children they have, favorite food, blond or brunette, and all the other lil' facts they share during a game.  No, I'm not a stalker.

Sadly, many of the players that were with the Astros from the beginning have moved on...  to others teams, that is.  There are many reasons, but apparently, you become expendable when you reach a certain age.  *ahem* 

Now, I'm {almost} back to square one.  I should write a questionnaire for the new players to fill out for fans like myself.  Inquiring minds want to know.  You know?

I put your lovely names in this fancy dish, once filled with ice cream that was inhaled at a game, long ago, I'm sure.

I wish I had a couple more books, so that everyone could have received one.  :(   That's the least I could have done for the few brave souls who volunteered to receive a book on natural hormones, right?  ;)

Three strikes and you're out.  Yeah, I said that a lot this week regarding my gym.  Sooo... I've been gym shopping.  I tweeted that I'd rather go to the dentist.  I wasn't joking.  All I ask is that they keep their equipment working, be nice to my kids, and keep the price fair.  Oi.

To make me feel better about the long story I'm sparing you {you're welcome}, hubs bought me two LARGE bags of M&Ms.  One, dark chocolate with almonds, the other is simply dark chocolate.  They were out of peanuts.  Oh, and did I mention that they were LARGE?!

After all these years, hubs still thinks I have self control when it comes to the pantry.  Pssh!  Yeah, I better decide on a gym... and quick!  Ha!

Okay... on with the winners.

First book goes to... Londa @ The Sneaky Mommy! 
Have you visited her yet?  She's great.  Such a sweet, positive, encouraging mama of three cuties.  You should go there.  In a minute. ;)

The second book goes to Susan D @ This Day!
She's my exercise hero.  When I grow up, I want to be like her.  Well, maybe minus the Harley.  I would probably hurt myself.  ;)

And the final book goes to Jen @ Scrapingirl!
She's a fellow homeschool mama to two little ones that keep her goin'.  Never a dull moment.  I can't relate.  At all. ;)

Congratulations, ladies!!  As soon as I get your snail-mails, I'll run to the post office for ya!

As my lovely assistant, Gracie, says, "Actually, y'all are all winners."   Really.  You are!

Pst... I'll have something to give away for the little ones soon.  Remember all those DVDs the girls handed me because they are so grown up now?  *sniff*sniff*  Yeah... some lucky bloggy follower will benefit soon.  It's bitter-sweet.  Sigh.  I should go console myself with a bag of a few M&Ms.

Who Dat!

 

 Watching the most exciting game ever played in football with friends may or may not cause you to jump up and down, screaming in excitement.

We needed some good news, ya'll.  A superbowl win by the Saints?!  

31 to 17.  I'll take it! ;)

  

I love my friends dearly.  They've helped me through some of the roughest patches in life these past several years.  There's nothing like good sofa therapy with a friend.

Well, there's always dart gun therapy...

  

Some of our little ones may or may not have licked the icing off the remaining king cake.  Oi.

  

In the end, the best part was simply spending time with some of our best friends...

even though one of them happens to be from Indiana.  We don't hold that against her.  She also happens to be a nurse.  With an exciting game such as this, it's great to have one on-hand.  Don't you think?

How did you spend your Superbowl evening?