Happy birthday, coach

Last night Colleen had a birthday party for Coach. She wanted to host an event where friends and family would come together to share memories with Maddux and Josie. She had a journal that people could write down their stories, and then someone was videotaping as people around the room would recollect a touching or a funny story. There were lots of kids there and the most important impression I got in the room last night was how important his family was to him. Happy birthday, coach; you're missed very much.

Baseball and bento boxes

This year to celebrate our anniversary, we tried to keep it low key. It probably seems like all I ever write about is going out to eat, but honestly, trying a new restaurant is probably one of my favorite things to do. I definitely live on a budget, but I think it would be really hard to cut out this indulgence! So when Corey suggested we combine some retail therapy and baseball (after I nixed his suggestion to go to Valley Fair), I thought his "planning" was perfect. Friday night we went to Midway Stadium to support an alumni and watched a pretty good game. Good memories--we hadn't been there since we were supporting the last alumni who was playing for the Saints. We were seated in the family/friends/wives/trashy girlfriend section and man, that is an entertaining sight to watch--I can only imagine what I would find sitting behind Kate Hudson at a Yankees game. Despite games being family-friendly events, some obnoxious superfan decided it was completely permissible to smoke a cigar at a sold-out game. He was approximately 30 rows in front of me and I was this close to walking down and offering him $20 to put it out. Saturday I introduced Corey to the mecca otherwise known as Ikea. At first I was sort of wandering around aimlessly, commenting on all the items I could use from the staged rooms. We had planned to buy some inexpensive lights, but most of them weren't hard-wired. We ended up with this really great, traditionally-styled wardrobe. Ding, ding! Instant closet. There's even a mirror on the front, which saved us from having to buy one and hang it. We tried this great restaurant for lunch at the MOA called Crave; the food was really good and reasonably priced. Corey had the free-range Chicken Caesar salad (where the lettuce was grilled) and I had a bento box--complete with fruit, sushi, seaweed and tempura--for $10. The Twins had a horrible game--despite a HR in the last inning, but sitting up 4 rows was ample compensation. Lots of bums during warm up...I had my mom's not-so advanced camera, but I managed to nab a few good shots (bad day to not bring the wide-angle lens). We walked back from the lightrail to the hotel in the POURING rain, but it was actually worth a few good laughs.

the Emerald City

I actually didn't know this until I arrived but this is Seattle's moniker. At first, I was thinking, "But Oz is the Emerald City..." OK, so I'm a little overinvested in fairy tales. I had never been to the Pacific Northwest before and despite not being able to hike, mountain climb, or take the ferry (all items for future trip with husband--one of our top 4 future destinations), my bird's eye view of the city was lovely. Our hotel was very centrally located near some important landmarks: Starbucks (duh), J Crew, Nordstrom et al. Work commitments really sucked up my time from 7:00 am until after 8 most nights, so I took an afternoon to play hooky and spent most of it traipsing through Pike Place Market. This is indeed a foodie's paradise: any type of fresh produce (and some I didn't recognize), in addition to a mile of fresh-cut cacophony of sunflowers, lilies, snapdragons, lavender...The honey tasting was one of my favorites, and I'm so glad that many booths started selling 3 oz. containers of their wares. I continued my tradition of collecting a piece of local art from my travels, and I bought a gorgeous painting of a ginko leaf from this artist. I really respected what this marketplace represents and how much the city and its businesses appreciate tourism. Great restaurants I was able to experience: RedFin Sushi--amazing crunchy tofu roll w/ spicy aioli; Anthony's at Pier 66--tender chargrilled halibut with a spectacular view; and a definite cheat-worthy pain du chocolat with almond paste at Le Panier. Next time I'll bring my hiking boots and passport, as I'm sure the views from Rainier and Olympia are well worth the trip, not to mention a night or two at Safeco Field.

CARH's visit

CR was home for a week-long visit and we had a great time. Sadly, there are no pictures to justify that fun was actually had, but indeed, it was. Most of our time together included lounging, referring to house decor magazines and picking out our future designs, drinking pinot grigio and other chilled items, looking at very comical high school pictures (and notes), and talking. We went to this new restaurant and the food was delicious. We had Yellow fin tartare for an appetizer, I had halibut and CR had whitefish. I took her to this new bar and we tried to fight off the 40-something medical device salesman. Note: don't watch sports when you are in a bar (force of habit) because men think that is a telltale sign for conversation. This picture is my absolute favorite--from our Senior Prom. Thanks for spending so much of your time with me, friend!

Lull

Well, the season ended for the team, and it was a long, phenomenal ride. I look back at what the coaches and the team have accomplished this year and it is nothing short of amazing. Just speaking from my perspective, a non-player, non-coach but busy yet involved spouse (BYIS), it's also been a tough, rewarding, emotional ride. The conclusion of the season signaled a date for us out to a movie. We're making plans for next weekend, too, which includes some serious yard projects.

Rest in Peace, Coach

I can say with complete certainty that the amount of people I have met and grown to love was directly impacted by knowing Coach John Baggs. When Corey and I first started dating, I never predicted how his baseball life would eventually carve out a big part of my life as well. Not that I had ever gone out on the field, never traveled to Florida to watch the team play during Spring Break, and oftentimes, when I went to games, I would start chatting and realize that I hadn't yet looked at the scoreboard. But more than just the team, the Family, is ever-present, ever-expanding, and unbelievably important. Every time I attended their alumni banquet, I was blown away by the love, admiration and support that these men had for the game, for their coaches and for one another. Our wedding list included almost 90 people that are directly linked to baseball and/or our alma mater. Some of my favorite "action" shots from that day are of Corey and I being hoisted up (rather dangerously) by some of the guys. No matter which couple was being celebrated, you knew that at the end of the night, everyone there would be standing around in a circle, arms linked, swaying to "Piano Man." I also think of the lovely women that I never would have otherwise known that are so close to my heart--how lucky I am to have them, those who understand what this whole "baseball thing" is really about, because in reality, it's about so much more than just baseball. It's about the things that matter--family, commitment, tradition, support and love. And as the family expands--either with new alumni, or with children, we all come to understand the weight of house that Baggs built. It's a foundation that extends to his own family, too. I remember when he and Colleen asked Corey to be Josie's Godfather. She said, assuredly, that Corey was family, and that he would always be there to support Josie. Thank you to the Baggs for being a part of our family, too. You've instilled in so many of us incredibly valuable and treasured gifts. We'll miss you, Coach.

If school were more like baseball

I was helping Corey in his classroom earlier this week, and he gave me a copy of this poem that he used for National Poem in Your Pocket Day:

If school were more like baseball /
we'd only have to play. /
We'd hang out in the sunshine /
and run around all day. /

We wouldn't have to study. /
We'd practice and we'd train. /
And, best of all, they'd cancel /
Whenever there was rain. - Kenn Nesbitt.

To all of you who are going back to school or have someone in school, good luck this year!

Family, friends & baseball

This weekend we headed south for multiple forms of weekend entertainment. Friday we stayed with the Despins, & Liz & Bryan, the newest members of the city, came over for dinner. We went to the local baseball game to see some of Corey's best play. It was Plunger night (who thinks of these promotions?) so Nathan had a great time plunging everyone's legs. Saturday we got to see the Pershing's new homestead and headed to Karla's for their housewarming. I think ladderball is the most popular outdoor home sport. Saturday night we stayed with Nick & Anne, & headed to the Twins game and then had a great dinner at Joe's Garage. My & Anne's purses were so big collectively that at the game, they got their own seat.

Upright again

After almost an entire week of being infirmed, I was really glad that I could enjoy some activities this past weekend that didn't include juice, dry toast and the boob tube. My inordinate time on the couch did allow me to finally watch Frida, Antwone Fisher and The Sea Inside, but let's face it: being sick gets you down (duh). Friday night's labor of love was Corey's multimedia video for environmental education (we watched the finished product at a modest 4:00 am); Saturday at 7:00 am we flipped pancakes for a fundraiser at his school. I was the syrup girl. Tres chic. His students love him. It's pretty incredible to see, actually. It's nice to be reminded that during those formative years, you really do remember those teachers and their impact on you. The weather is finally coming around, so spending yesterday afternoon at a baseball park was pretty much the best day I could ask for.