Vacation ends with a bing, bang, boom, batterhorn

I have no idea how I do it but usually my vacations feel as if they lasted triple the actuality.

This one did not disappoint.

My vacation ended on a bing, bang, boom, batterhorn.

I hit Progressive Field's SnowDays. Amazing how the Indians transformed 'Jacob's Field' into a winter wonderland consisting of a huge tubing range from the scoreboard down to the infield...the Frozen Mile Skating Rink....a snow fight mound.....blazing fire area to stay warm.....and so much more!

I would have loved to have gone with that special someone or even my nieces and nephew but it was still ok.

I was in my own little dreamland, fairytale surrounded by 'holiday spirit' to finally begin my transformation into the holiday season.

Where else can you skate for hours, which I did, while watching scenes from your favorite Christmas movies or pretend you are in a Danny Kaye-Bing Crosby movie skating around the rink to your favorite holiday songs? Well, SnowDays is the best place to live out your childhood, holiday dreams.

I haven't skated since I was a kid. After once around, I left the rail and buzzed around for the next 2-3 hours! I did get a sore on my right shin but it was sooooo worth it!

What possessed me to try going down the batterhorn, no idea. Not only once, but twice. Terrifying. You feel so secure at the top of the mountain and they let you go to flail helplessly until you reach the bottom.

Yet, I went again. And the sign I should have kept it at one: I lost 2 camera batteries and salvaged my new Avon lipgloss and my pen.

All in all, I'm so excited to have gone alone rather than not at all.

And my time off ended with a bang at the company holiday party at Johnny's Downtown surrounded by good friends, festive music, delicious food, and lots of laughter. Perfect end to a terrific week!

Many places to call my 'home away from home'

We all work so much, it's a given that your work place is more than likely your secondary 'home away from home.'

For me, Progressive Field (better known as Jacob's Field) is really my 'home away from home' and more so this season than ever before!

I've even gone on the road with 'my Tribe' to Tampa, which ironically, though 2000 miles away, has become another 'home away from home' for me!

Not a bad place to visit on occasion.

I've been quite lucky...to have a friend down there. And it seems since he's moved away, we've seen each other more this year than in years past.

I don't have more vacation this year than last or the year before, but it does seem as if I have been off quite often. Each time I'm off, my co-workers will ask 'were you down in Tampa?' And luckily I've been able to answer a few times 'YES!'

So it just seems kinda funny that I was in Tampa last weekend and my best friend's back up north just 5 days later! This amazing life we lead.

Craig arrived in Cleveland and we continued where we left off just last weekend --cheering on our various sports teams: the Indians, the Browns, the Rays....sharing a few cocktails.....enjoying the beautiful weather which is a welcome break from 100 percent humidity down south, and just spending some more quality time together. This is bound to be yet another crazy week spent with good friends!

Life is too short to let it zoom by.....without enjoying the beautiful scenery.

My friend's mom is older. I encourage him to spend as much time with her but also say, NONE of us know how much time we have left. Age is not a quantifying factor. I never mean to be a downer, but I tell him --just one year ago, my Mom was still alive and now she's gone. Enjoy life. Enjoy family. Enjoy friends and what makes you happy!

Have as many 'home away from homes' as you can doing what you love doing!

Doing the right thing

(Picture courtesy Gloria's family)

I've said this before and truly believe it. When you do the right thing, unexpected miracles happen.

A parishioner and the sister of one of Mom's dearest friends passed away--Gloria Karpinski Battisti. She was a tremendous person in her own right; however, well known as well for being the wife of Judge Battisti. Click here to read a longer version of a story I wrote depicting her life.

So our choir wanted to sing Gloria's Funeral Mass. Now, if you have been reading previous entries, you know that I have been a bit under the weather. Mercedes and Diane, Gloria's sisters, asked my Choir Director if I could sing a few songs. God was with me. My speaking voice sounded awful but my singing voice came out like an angel. I'm not patting myself on the back. I felt like those singers from other countries who speak with an accent but sound 'American' when they sing. It was the funniest thing!

Mercedes and Mom would debate after Mass WHO I was singing to and for. Mercedes proclaimed it was for her, and of course, my Mother said hands down it was for her!


During the funeral, I recognized one of the funeral directors.

Talk about a small world and one of the strangest things I could ever imagine.

One of the funeral directors also works at Progressive Field during baseball season. When we would go to the games and Mom was tired, we'd often get a wheelchair at the gate. Well, time and again, this man got to know us and before we even requested a chair, had one waiting at the gate for Mom. He'd wheel her to the top of our row and come back at the end of the game.

We've met so many special people along our journey who were strangers and became dear friends.

Well, this was one of God's angels we met along the way.

And to see him again where I least expected to meet him was mind blowing.

Afterward, I went up and spoke with him. I happened to have one of Mom's letters and passed it along to him. He was very sorry for my loss yet his face lit up when he spoke of Mom. He gave me his business card and said to keep in touch and that he'd see me at "Jacob's Field" come April!

Then we were all invited to lunch after the funeral. I must say, I was a bit apprehensive because I really do not like doing things by myself. But, sometimes you have to do something that makes you uncomfortable to help others. And am I glad I did! Not only did I dine with Mercedes and Diane but while we waited for them to get to the restaurant from the cemetery, I met the wife of one of my contacts...the friend of someone I used to work with AND saw a fellow high school mate and her mother.

I had a wonderful afternoon and it all started with sweaty palms and heart palpitations because I was afraid to venture into the unknown.

Where God is involved and when you are doing something to help someone else, never be afraid!

Family fun on the 4th

I'm glad we could all get together for a while on the 4th!

It was a hoot.

We laughed. Watched tv. Ate. Took pictures. Relaxed. Roasted marshmallows.

But more importantly, spent quality time together, which really does not happen much anymore in today's hectic times.

Every time we get together, I thank God that we all 'are' still around to share special moments and make new memories.

Mom and I had the best of both worlds.

We were able to visit with the family and then hit our 'home away from home,' Progressive Field.

We finished the night with our 2nd family, the Cleveland Indians.

Not only did the boys win, fireworks quite spectacular, but Mom and I spent a great night together.

However, there was one noticeable, bothersome item.

It's Independence Day, and unfortunately, there were those in the crowd of all ages who did not respect the meaning behind today.

They kept their hats on during the Star Spangled Banner...and men kept their ball caps on INSIDE when sitting down to dinner at the Terrace Club.

What is wrong with people?

Where has their sense of respect gone?

I can understand little kids. Not really. I can't understand little kids. Their parents should have properly 'home trained' them as to the proper etiquette.

There is no excuse for anyone to keep their hat on during any patriotic song....for folks (other than handicapped) not to stand....for anyone to speak incessantly during the National Anthem.....or for men to keep their hats on inside and while eating.

Remember, WHY we are able to celebrate the 4th of July people. There is more to it than having a day off, spending the day at the beach and then watching fireworks.

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!

No day at the beach

Well, technically, it WAS a beautiful day at the beach, except for the outcome of the game!

For people who say there is NOTHING to do in Cleveland, they are just crazy!

Over 100,000 folks visited Progressive Field this weekend. We went over two million fans!

And the Indians' organization put on the best and biggest beach party! They displayed huge sand castles and concoctions on Gateway Plaza. Had a live band playing Jimmy Buffet Saturday night. There were giveaways all weekend long and an amazing set up for Sunday Kids Fun Day!

And just a few blocks away, the Ingenuity Festival! Come on, Cleveland IS alive.

OK, back to the game. Well, if you are a baseball fan, the 1st five innings phenomenal. Jeremy Sowers was pitching a perfect game. He looked good. So we lost, but if you look beneath the surface, his performance did and does give hope!

I'm glad Asdrubal is back. Something VERY cool--the son of one of my co-workers, Ben, was picked as a Tribe Starting Line-up Kid and got to shake hands with Asdrubal. I can only imagine how pumped he was to stand on the field when all the players entered! Go Ben!

So we lost, but you can not beat grabbing a delicious brunch in the Terrace Club and then sitting in the July sun with an amazing breeze watching our favorite pasttime and the boys of summer.

Pinch me!

Nightmare at Progressive Field

The day was coasting along flawlessly. A little Zoo action, the baseball exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum and off to Progressive Field!

As usual, the masses start greeting Mom since we are regulars (I am just her invisible sidekick!).

An absolutely PERFECT night for a baseball game. And we have missed our boys. They had an awful road trip but they are not that bad. They have a great team and we just need to get all the cylinders spinning together!

Things were humming along. The Shaw band, just back from Beijing, played the National Anthem. What more could we ask for on this perfect night. There has to be a catch!

And sure enough, the catch strolls in and sits in the row right behind us. A group of young kids who do not look like they are old enough to drink but most of them are drinking. They are loud, obnoxious and every other word is the 'f' word. Finally, a woman sitting a few away from us turned around and told them to please be quiet.

Well, this turns out to be the least of our worries.

In the 4th inning, Mom takes a bite of her grilled dog and begins choking. It was awful. Absolutely awful. I did not panic too much. However, it was proven again that Mom has a guardian angel over her at all times. A lovely woman sitting right in front of me, slowly turned around and began monitoring Mom. I knew deep down inside she must be a nurse. Mom kept trying to work the piece out on her own. She could still talk a bit and was not turning blue yet. Finally, after about 3 or 4 minutes, Mom got the pesky piece of hotdog out of her throat.

Turns out the 'guardian angel' in front of us WAS a nurse. She told Mom that she had plans for her but was hoping she could work out the item on her own. Basically, the woman saved Mom's life.

But wait, there's more.

The jackal sitting behind us, the drunken idiot revved up again and after some great play, hauled off and whipped Mom in the neck with his shirt. It was again, AWFUL! At this point, I have had it. I got up, checked to make sure Mom was ok, was not bleeding and did not have anything broken. I then proceeded to tell him that I was going to get an Usher and if that did not work, the Police. How in his right mind could he strike an elderly woman with his shirt. He said he did not do it on purpose. Not acceptable. This guy is toast.

He apologized profusely to Mom. She is better than I. She gladly accepted his apology impressing how badly he hurt her. We are all really lucky he did not strike her in her dialysis arm because that would have opened and she may have bled to death. It is an extreme challenge taking care of Mother 24/7 which no one, and I mean NO ONE has any clue.

After about 1 more inning, maybe not even. He and his group left giving their tickets to 4 other more civilized folks never to be heard from again.

The bright side is that Mom began feeling better on both fronts, and our boys put their hitting shoes on, especially the fabulous Casey Blake!

Maybe my ritual at the Zoo REALLY DID WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!?!???!!!!!!!!!!

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!'

Welcome home, old friend!

Omar is back, well at least for 3 games!

The crowds paid him homage! The Indians Front Office paid him homage with a wonderful pre-game 'thank you, Omar' Video. Afterward, Omar got an amazing standing O for at least 5 minutes if not more where he graciously waved at the crowd, placed his hand on his heart and blew kisses into the stands!

My eyes were not dry, and I'm sure there were many others feeling the same way!

The Prog is our home away from home....a lot of magic happens there! A lot of memories are made!

When the opening line-ups were announced & Public Speaker Announcer Bob Tayek read Omar's name, the throngs of applause.....you just knew, win or lose, it was going to be a magical evening!

During pre-game warm-ups, Omar went through his normal ritualistic moves....as well as signing autographs for the adoring fans.

The next momentous occasion: Omar comes out on the field during the bottom of the 1st inning and the fans go wild! Then Omar comes up to to bat and gets yet another standing O. The umpires and both teams were tres cool to let him stand up there and wave at the crowd again....

And then it goes without saying that Omar's prowess in the field has not changed once bit. He is simply amazing! He razzles, he dazzles the crowd with his acrobatics and skill.

And he's not so bad up at the plate. A perfectly executed suicide squeeze bunt which Casey bobbled, but even if he hadn't, not sure if he would have gotten Omar!

The Indians lost but the fans, as usual, were treated to something extra special.....

You can count on that night-in and night-out at Progressive Field, especially for the true Indians fans!

Thank you, Omar!