Jimmy, I have a message from Bob Costas!

You have got to be kidding me!

I must be the luckiest girl alive. My vacations always rule --totally epic. This one no exception! 2 of my dearest girlfriends and I hit the Indians' game....starting with a nice dinner up in the Terrace Club at Progressive Field! We had so much to catch up on and as we gabbed, a familiar man walked by. I quietly said, trying not to move, 'Is that who I think it is?' First of all, I have no idea why I was whispering in this paralyzed state. 2nd of all, my girlfriend said, 'don't make any sharp movements, yes it is.'

NBC Sports guru Bob Costas had just walked into the Terrace Club. I know a number of the staffers so we asked WHY he was in town? Apparently he has a group of friends who live in Cleveland who he visits a few times a year. When Costas realized there was a game going on, he thought it would be cool to have dinner at the ballpark and take in the game. And, I'm sure no one says NO to Bob Costas!

We still gabbed and caught up. I had my back to the man so my other 2 friends were on 'Bob Costas Watch!' Finally, he rose and was exiting the TC. My friend nicely asked if he'd mind taking a picture with us. Costas, quite gracious and soft spoken agreed. This was probably my one and only chance of ever seeing and speaking with this sports broadcasting icon. So, I put the usual 'shy Danielle' away for the next few minutes. I mustered up enough gumption to introduce myself and tell him where I work. You see, believe it or not, Bob Costas and I have a mutual friend. I know it's very hard to believe. But we do. The 1st words out of his mouth were asking about our mutual friend. I gave Bob the update on our friend, who is currently in the hospital....he was so kind and asked me to relay get well wishes to our friend.

Don't get me wrong. Meeting Bob Costas was quite the thrill. And I have a picture to prove it! But the bigger thrill for me was texting my friend with Costas get well message as soon as Mr. Costas walked out of view.

My friend was shocked. Not so much at the greeting but that we had actually run into Bob Costas at the Indians' game and had the chance and guts to speak with him. And my pal was very thankful for the text and well wishes.

The rest of the night & game with my 2 friends absolutely tremendous --making many new memories!

And friends, yes, I am batting 1.000 on this magical vacation so far. Let's keep it going....

Joy of watching baseball with new and old

What a weekend!

Filled with baseball, friends, family, and all that matters to me.

Saturday night I had the distinct honor of sharing the Cleveland Indians' baseball game with 2 friends who had never been to an Indians game or the Terrace Club.

What a joy! Let's face it. I learned from the best (MOM!) and want to share our love of baseball and the Cleveland Indians!

Not only spending time with good, genuine friends, but trying to impart on two people WHY I adore the game of baseball and 'my' Cleveland Indians. An absolutely magnificent experience had by all!

My friends had the entire reader's digest version: Terrace Club experience, rain delay, tarp pulling, extra innings, watching the game from our seats, and a come from behind win!

BONUS!

And fortunately a fabulous experience had by all --Lisa and Bob are hooked and said they'd LOVE to come back for more! Two more converts! I'm proud to have been part of the conversion!

Sunday enjoyed the game with two 'old' friends who are well versed in the game of baseball...but I had not seen them in a little while. What a great day catching up with Lydia and Marilyn!

Both miss Mom so much (as do I). Marilyn was so cute. She refused to sit in "Mom's seat."

Mom IS and will always be at the Cleveland Indians' games with us and in our hearts!

We love you Mom! I love you more, Mom! XO

New Tribe Skipper, Manny Acta

2nd day in a row I am hobnobbing with a Cleveland Indian.

This does not normally happen to me.

I was fortunate to attend the Press Club Luncheon with Manny Acta.


Though that in itself was a huge deal, there was an even bigger story unfolding.

This was the first time I had been back to the Terrace Club since Mom's 80th birthday bash and since she passed away. I knew I'd see old friends. I was looking forward to seeing familiar faces, I just did not know who they would be.

The 1st person I saw when I walked in was Kristan Dolan. Yes, she is related to the Indians' owner and she helped me plan Mom's party to a tee! But more importantly, Mom and I had gotten to know Kristan's Mom and Dad --two of the nicest people you could ever know. They immediately took a liking to Mom the minute they met her --the normal response when people met Mom.

I then saw Mary Jo, the manager. She and Mom were very close.

Many of the servers, the chefs, the bartenders....

The initial reason for me being back in the Terrace Club took a back seat to all of the emotions which came bursting through and I became teary-eyed and very shaken.

I had attended the luncheon alone so I sat at a table alone for a while. That was quite awkward. I hate events such as these. But, it was actually good I was alone because being back just knocked the breath out of me.

All of the great times Mom and I had there came rushing back and I was very overwhelmed. I have a feeling I will get this way time and time again until the day I die.

The lunch was fabulous as usual. And the presentation was tremendous. CLICK HERE for an article I wrote regarding Manny Acta's Terrace Club Event.


After his speech and the question & answer period was over, I was fortunate to chat with some staffers including Bob DiBiasio and Curtis Danburg. I shared Mom's story with them both and gave them copies of Mom's Christmas letter. I refreshed Bobby D's memory on how Mom sent him a letter way back when asking if any Indians could send her daughter 'sweet sixteen' birthday cards. Well, Mom came through. For my 16th birthday, though it was around Christmas and the off-season, I wound up getting birthday cards from all over the world from Cleveland Indians: Bo Diaz from Venezuela, Dave Duncan, Dave Garcia, Jerry Dybzinski, Rookie of the Year Joe Charboneau, Duane Kuiper, Wayne Kirby, and so many more! Mom always came through for me!


Then I waited in line to meet Manny Acta, get his autograph and take a picture with him. But more importantly, I told him that my mother passed away on the day he was named Cleveland Indians' manager. He and his team have the biggest Guardian Angel up in the Heavens and he better take advantage of that! He was very cordial, took the letter and said he would hang it in his office. Hopefully, if he does, it will inspire him and bring my Cleveland Indians --Mom's Cleveland Indians-- the luck they need for many years to come!


I managed to hold myself together until I walked out of the banquet hall. The minute I reached the elevators, the flood gates opened and never stopped the whole way home.

They were tears of joy. Even though Mom is gone, she continues making memories with me --making Cleveland Indians' memories with me, and it feels good!!!

Through someone else's eyes

A friend of Mom's went to the Indians' Game with me Saturday night.

Mom was not feeling well, and honestly, I would have rather not gone (I can not believe I said that. Baseball is my life!) My place was at home with Mom.

However, Mom's friend had never been to Progressive Field let alone a baseball game. She was so excited and we had promised.

When I arrived on such a rainy night, Donna said she had arrived when the gates opened so she could take it all in. She was like a kid in a candy store.

She did not know much about baseball but more than I expected.

She said it goes much quicker in person than on tv and is more exciting in person.

It was a pleasure answering her questions and explaining the basics to someone. Just possibly, I was helping mold yet another baseball fan.

She also saw how beloved Mom was as ushers, vendors and others went up and down the aisle asking where Mom was and asking me to please tell her hello!

Just as the mist began spraying a bit more, we made our way up to the Terrace Club to warm up, get out of the rain, and of course, get a delicious dessert!

Yet another new experience which made Donna's eyes bug out of her head!

And the cherry on top was when Jhonny Peralta hit the game winner scoring Valbuena which set off the fireworks, and put a nice ribbon on Donna's trip to Progressive Field!

She explained it as 'the feeling of a playoff or World Series game' as the players high-fived each other and pounded Jhonny on first base!

I rarely experience anything new with anyone anymore....just as much as Donna enjoyed the entire evening, the pleasure was all mine!

Good luck Nick & Missy

And because I am a bone head, I have no pictures of Nick and Missy!

Nick and Missy were servers in the Terrace Club at Progressive Field.

Being at Progressive Field often is a treat in a number of ways.

We enjoy a hobby we adore.

We spend quality time together.

We relax and escape from work or other issues for 3+ hours.

And we have an extended family--the people in your section, your usher, the vendors, and the folks who work up in and frequent the Terrace Club.

We knew Nick better than Missy. What a gem. Always bend over backwards for Mom. He continuously had a smile on his face and was one of the most pleasant young men we've met.

Missy was also a waiter/server.

They are moving to Houston, Texas after both finding fantastic teaching jobs down there.

Houston's gain is our loss.

However, Nick said he'd be back to visit next summer....gives us something to look forward too, especially since our Indians are not doing it for us this season.

We wish them well and the best of luck in their new venture!

On the go from 8am to 9pm

You have got to be kidding me!

On the go from 8am until roughly 9pm.

I thought this was the weekend. A time to rest, to rejuvenate, to escape from work.

Well, I never have a weekend. I may not physically be at my paying job, but I have a much bigger 'job' 24/7 which does not pay in money but gives great satisfaction and joy (as well as pain and stress).

Sunday's are yet another early early day for me being that I sing at Mass.

So I hoist my plump body from my makeshift bed/love seat and sing all morning long.

Then Mom and I made our way to the Indians' game. A 'fun' event in spirit but traveling with an older person makes it a challenging adventure with more stress than relaxation. But it's worth it seeing Mom's eyes light up as we enter Progressive Field and listen to her cheer on the guys rattling off stats that I never even knew she knew!

Sunday's they have a great brunch in the Terrace Club so we made our way upstairs.

Delicious!

Then we made our way down to our seats and our usher, who just loves Mom, saved her a seat at the top of our section so she did not have to sit in the sun. That is what I am talking about. With the stress comes such wonderful graces from God and amazing acts from our fellow humans.

The game sucked. I know that's not very literary but simply stated, the truth.

After the game, both of us were bushed. However, we had tickets for an event at the Cleveland Metropark Zoo with the Cleveland Indians. I told Mom, we may not get this chance again. So on we went to the Zoo.

Mom had not been there is eons. I was excited to share this with her. Not just seeing some of our favorite Tribesmen, but the whole zoo experience!

We wound up staying the entire event! WOW! Basically, members of the Indians were on hand to sign autographs and greet their fans. There were a few players at each exhibit. No way in heck to get every one's autograph but Mom and I were banking on just 2. We lucked out and got a few more than that, but had an amazing time.

We buzzed around the zoo seeing all of God's creatures. Each animal seemed to be more beautiful than the last. It turned out to be an extraordinary day. Pouring in the morning and sunny and 86 in the afternoon. A PERFECT day for a visit to the Zoo.

As we greeted fellow Indians' fans who we, on occasion, see at the games, we got glimpses of our boys in street clothes and made our way to most of the animal exhibits.

We were able to actually speak with Ryan Garko, Jeremy Sowers, Shin Soo Choo, David Huff, and a few more...they really are a nice group of guys.

And frankly, the Cleveland Indians are the best looking baseball team in the Major Leagues. Hands down. WOW! But, I've always known that!

As the sun began setting, and the little carts began leaving with our favorite ballplayers, we were not tired anymore. We were past the point of exhaustion. We casually made our way to the zoo exit realizing we had a God-given day filled with magic and memories.

Home away from home

What I am gonna say right now may make us sound like snobs, but that's why no one should ever assume anything.

One of my 'home away from home' locations is the Terrace Club at Progressive Field.

When I tell folks we ate up there or grabbed a drink or dessert, I get these looks like, "Oh, you are one of THOSE people!"

I guess I am.

We do like to frequent the Terrace Club, especially on colder days or hotter days. It suits Mom just fine!

We were there Sunday night enjoying the Tribe -Cardinals Game.

One key giveaway that you visit someplace too much is when Mary Jo the Manager greets you as you enter, all the waiters know you by name (Mom really, I'm always invisible) and the Chefs recognize you as you saunter from buffet table to buffet table!

So be it!

Progressive Field and the Terrace Club is our home away from home and we would not have it any other way!

Emotional weekend

Probably not particularly healthy but when I get very emotional and do not allow myself to cry, I get a huge lump in my throat that feels like it is going to just bust!

This weekend was chock full of those moments!

It began Friday morning (a vacation day) at 530am heading off to the hospital for Mom's procedure. I don't think I will ever feel what it's like to sleep in on a vacation day!

Things went moderately smooth today at the hospital except Mom was in even more pain than usual. It was awful. I'm not even going to go into any further detail or that lump in my throat will flare up. The good thing, all the nurses were extremely nice and Mom actually bumped into just about every one of her doctors! The nurses are quite caring and actually remember not only Mom but me too!

I must share this story--there is a little foreign 'house doctor' who is a trip. I'm not sure what he does, why they retain him, or what purpose he fulfills, but he brings comic relief. Right after the foreign doctor who speaks no English vacated our room, the nurse came over to assure us he had NOTHING to do with Mom's procedure!

Then off to dialysis. I have no idea how Mom does this?

You would think Mom would be exhausted and spent after dialysis, but she wanted to go to the Indians' game, being the final home stand, so off we went.

We did have a few scary moments. Mom had one of her post-dialysis episodes. We had to steal away to the Terrace Club bathroom couch for about 20 or so minutes while Mom recovered.

I'm very fortunate that I know what to look for and how to remedy the problem. Within 1/2 hour, Mom was good as new!

The game itself quite emotional with the big Fausto-Sheffield fight breaking out in the 7th inning. With this turning point, you just knew we were going to win the game!


Saturday: Do you ever feel totally out of control of a situation and a missed opportunity? Well, that is how I felt today. Mom and I went to Mass. Upon entering, we saw the wrap up of a bride and groom finishing their wedding pictures, family saying their goodbyes and parishioners entering for Mass.

We knew many of the wedding goers! I grew up with them. I felt as if I had missed out on a wonderful opportunity to sing this Mass while seeing some long lost friends! My best friend from grade school had been at the wedding but had already retreated back to her hotel. I have not seen Joan in years.

She's a wonderful girl who has had, at times a very sad life. Yet she has a tremendous core group of family and friends who have helped her get through all of her trials. Her mother passed away when we were in the 4th grade. Her brother passed away a few years later on New Year's Day. She lost a very close uncle and her Father, just to name a few awful moments. Though she still had a lot of family up here, she opted to go live in the same area as her sister and brother-in-law and nephews.

I miss her. I can not believe she was in town and I could not even say hello. I felt handcuffed and a missed opportunity that I will never get back. These feelings do not happen that often, but today was one of them.


Sunday: The final game of the season at Progressive Field. To us, this is a huge deal. Baseball is part of our life. It's part of the many fibers that make us who we are, give us strength at times, entertain us, yet saddens our spirit.

Overall, a festive day with us sweeping the Detroit Tigers. After all the celebrating ended, we realized that we will not be back at Progressive Field until April 10, 2009.

Good luck, Kyle!

One of our favorite servers at The Terrace Club is done for the summer but assures us, he should return in the Spring of 2009!

Kyle was a gem. Such a sweetheart! Such a professional! Added humor and had great people skills! Yesterday he brought two patrons their left overs and had formed their containers into the shape of a duck and a goose! What a talk-a-about for all the guests surrounding this table! He always brought smiles to his customers' faces! And you know me, anyone who is so attentive to Mom gets an A+ Gold Star in my book!

We spend way too much time up in the Terrace Club. However, Mom deserves it! So why the heck not! Right now because Mom moves a little slower than she would like, it is great to be able to spend rainy days or very hot days upstairs and not have to scramble when the skies open or the hot sun is baking us!

Mom has her own little fan club up there who just love her. I know I will forget someone but Kyle lead the pack along with Meghan, Mary Jo, John, Nick, Missy, Ruth, Marla, Chris, and the little girls who work there from our church! Such great people!

Well, Kyle came over to us today and said he was hoping we would be in so he could say goodbye, for now!

We wished him well and DO hope to see him come April, 2009 if not before!! Mom hopes to be doing cartwheels by then!

Magical Mystery Ball

Another magical night at Progressive Field!

So, I have not gotten everything done this week that I had on my 'to do' list; but the stuff I have accomplished has been successful!

What a great game C.C. pitched! A gem! And my guy, Casey Blake, is still on a tear! No better catch than the one Grady made tonight.....we were part of history seeing C.C. go head-to-head with Ken Griffey Jr. That's what this game we call baseball is all about!

Before the game even began, I felt like I was in a movie or a sitcom. I think this may have been the 1st time this has happened to me (if not the first, then one of the few!)....but, when we arrived at Progressive Field, the line to the Terrace Club was LONG. At least 30 people. However, because Mom had made reservations for the waiting list and because they absolutely adore her up there, the nice police officer called up to the hostess who said 'Let them up, we are ready for them!' Holy Cow, what a feeling to cut in front of 30 people. Only with Mommacita!

So this is the first time I have been able to attend a "Mystery Ball" event....and it was exciting. Once we got situated with dinner, I headed downstairs to search for the Indians' wives and their Mystery Ball fundraiser. It's kind of exciting to help a good cause and not really know what you will get in return. I bought Mom some baseballs and took them up so she could open them. She was utterly surprised that there were any left. They usually run out by the start of the game. We unveiled them with the servers and surrounding tables watching in awe. First mystery ball: Andy Marte. Next up, Josh Barfield. Oh oh, another Andy Marte which we will surprise our Pastor with.... And finally, we have Wally Joyner. WOW, he's a catch!

There were so many memorable moments tonight from the kid helping Mom taking off his shirt to dry her seat....to being ushered into the Terrace Club......to seeing all our buds upstairs.....to our Mystery Ball unveiling.....to just setting back and watching a fabulous ballgame.....to the colorful fireworks at the end of the game.......and more importantly, for Mom, a real trooper, who had a full day but is still going strong!

Can't ask for a better night to spend with Mom and good friends! This is what memories are made of...and what life is all about!

She is Royalty!

Mom is amazing! Everyone loves her. I know I have said this before and will say it everyday until I die, but it's worth repeating!

One good thing that has happened during my vacation is that Mom has felt up to going to all of the Indians' games (knock on wood!)....it's always a challenge but we manage.

A few nights ago we were in our seats and saw the grounds crew scampering. That is always a sign that within 15 to 30 minutes the skies will open. While we were planning our attack and escape out of the impending rain, our favorite usher, Laurie, popped over and told us that word has it the rain will hit at 915pm. She wanted to help get Mom to dryer ground. WOW! What an amazing gesture, coming from an acquaintance! So we grabbed our stuff and Laurie helped get us quickly up the stairs just under the overhang, where we sat for the rest of the game!

I'm awe-struck every day how folks (complete strangers and acqaintances) are drawn to Mom and just love her. I am invisible and think they may not be as nice if Mom were not there, but who knows...maybe Mom's charm is rubbing off on me too!


Then last night, the rains came as we were entering the ballpark. We did not have Terrace Club reservations but went up there to stay dry. As soon as we entered, the hostess jotted down our names for the standby list. For not having reservations, we got a MARVELOUS table for the entire game. Each server comes by to Mom and says hello. One darling server, Kyle, just adores Mom. He brought something out to us yesterday and said "my favorite customers!"

Mom spends time in the Terrace Club and friends know that. MaryJo the manager told Mom that Lydia Esparra had been up the night before nosing around for Mom. How funny is that!


And, though it was a kind of harrowing day yesterday, it ended nicely. First off, Cliff Lee pitched a gem of a game....All-Star caliber! Omar played his normal top notch performance....having Duane Kuiper in the yard was tremendous as well. He is also salt of the earth! A wonderful dinner at the Terrace Club topped off with their Raspberry Flan Dessert. And as we went to leave, Mom needed a little assistance. Who should come to help us than a long, lost friend, who Mom had not seen in years. Michael just started with the Indians over the last few days and was just as surprised as overjoyed to see her! Again, the love was overflowing and everpresent.

That's just the way this woman is --she IS 'royalty!'