I got some 'wild friends'

My whirlwind year continues as I re-trace some of my steps, yet they are minus my best friend, Mom.

One year ago, Mom and I attended an Indians' game and after the game had tickets for the 'Indians at the Zoo' event. We were both kind of tired but loved our Indians as well as the zoo.

So we headed over to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo after the Tribe game for a night of not sure what to expect! I told Mom I could push her around in her wheelchair and she'd be fine. She was worried that I would get very tired pushing her around but did not realize it was my honor and pleasure!

We had a blast! Oh my gosh. Last year's event consisted of a nice dinner in the food pavilion of ballpark fare....then the entire team was set up a various stations around the zoo.

Last year we got some pretty good folks including Choo, Huff, Garko, etc., and I tried taking pictures of these guys as well.

Mom and I told each other --'we don't know if the Indians will do this next year so let's take advantage of it.' Little did we know at the time that Mom would NOT be here this year. A perfect example NOT to pass anything up that is very important to me. I have tried ever since that day and moreso after Mom passed away to live each day as if it were my last.

So when this year's event came along --I could not pass it up knowing full well it would be quite bittersweet.

My family was fortunate to enjoy the Strasburg game from a suite.....that was awesome. The entire family gathered together enjoying each other, a beautiful day, and our Cleveland Indians. We must have done something right!

After the game, flew to the zoo flying solo. Did not matter --I had SOOOOOO much fun! Oh my. Not only did I get so many great autographs and pictures but it was just a lovely night. I am a HUGE fan of the zoo and go every year.

What would have made it perfect --having Mom there or having the man of my dreams there (hmmm, which one would that be these days? There really are soooo many!) Then I look back and say, I had almost 30 of the men of my dreams at various stations around the grounds! Not complaining!

I can not even start with the highlights. Frank Hermann is such a sweetheart and so kind and pleasant with the most beautiful eyes. Carlos Santana signing autographs as he speaks on his cell phone in Spanish. Justin Masterson was asking the little kids for their autographs and Mitch Talbott was telling the little tykes how their autographs were so much more valuable than his!

When I got to the table to Mike Redmond, veteran catcher, and Shelley Duncan, OF-1B, I got flustered! I never even got a picture of them (and they are both so cute!)....but Mom must have been channelling inside of me because I did muster up enough gumption to tell Shelley that when I was 16, his father Dave sent me a sweet 16 birthday card! There were people coming in behind me so I did not even give him the overview of how that whole thing transpired but will write him a letter with the background! I'm telling you, they both flustered me! None of the other guys did that??? However, his reaction was great. He said, 'That's very cool!" And I totally agreed!

Russell the muscle Branyan had his cute little boy with him ...and all the Moms were asking if he was signing autographs....

And the cutest little boy replayed the night when Luis Val Buena hit a home run to win the game for the Tribe. Luis was extremely impressed with this little boy who could not have been more than 6 years old!

I was thrilled to talk to and get a picture of little Jason Donald --mark my words, he WILL be a great shortstop--2nd basemen for the Cleveland Indians!

I could not get the smile off of my face --but that is a daily occurrence in my life these days.

Immediately following the event, I could not wait to call my friend Matt and give him the play by play, especially about Branyan. Matt's always kidding me about #33's strikeout ratio!

It will be hard to top the 1st 2 days of my vacation...but I'm sensing I'll give it a good fight.....especially since my best friend is in town, Indians are in town, NBA playoffs continue and the weather is supposed to be just splendid!

Pinch me!