Austin Senators, Part 3

So, Saturday night finally arrived. We started off our pre-game activities by bringing the Austin Senators players in on vintage convertibles. I traded a local car club for tickets and publicized an upcoming event they had for these Mustangs. As you can see, the fans treated these guys like celebrities. I knew we were in for a special night.

After they got out of their cars, we had the guys throw "ceremonial first pitches" in what I describe as a silmutaneous wave sort of fashion.

We had little leaguers catching their first pitch balls - kinda just brought that whole generations of baseball full circle.

Immediately following the first pitches, we had an autograph session. We were a little concerned in our planning that not many people would show up. So we put them all in one long line, and hoped for at least 30 people. Boy, were we wrong. We have had celebrity autograph sessions here that were 10 times shorter than this one. This was, by far, our longest autograph line ever. Around 500 people waited in line for over an hour. The guys ate it up. You have to remember, while a few of these guys went on to major league careers, not all of them did. And even those that did, none of them would be considered superstars. So I just love that they had such an awesome autograph session! In fact, I actually had to cut the line off, because we were running out of time to get them down to the field for their 7th inning ring ceremony.

That's coming up next!

Breathing Space

We took a few days off to go home, regroup, relate and renew.

We were able to enjoy God's handiwork:

Instead of spending 20 minutes answering emails, phones, and noise, we watched this guy get his meal for the day:

For a few days, it was nice to keep our heads here:

Precious, fun time with them:

And our hearts, minds and souls at peace:

Austin Senators - Part 1

So, you'll remember I warned you how behind on life I get during baseball season...something about 80-100 hour work weeks that turn you upside down! But, no complaints here...it has actually been a wonderful season for me despite the long hours and our team's dismal record.

What has made it so special for me was a special project I have been working on - the reunion of the 1959 Austin Senators baseball team. The Austin Senators won the Texas League Championship that year, and went on to win the first-ever Pan-American Championship - all without recognition. They never received championship rings for their accomplishments. Obviously, this is the 50th Anniversary of those championships.

Back in February, a few of my bosses called me in their office to let me know they were putting me in charge of the weekend. One of them predicted "this will be one of the greatest projects you'll ever get to do." How true that statement ended up being - but those words don't even come close to wrapping around how my heart feels.

I started researching, and long story short, I found 12 surviving players scattered across the country. I can't tell you how exciting it was to find them! Some of these guys have fairly common names, and the last address I had for most of them was 1959! I felt like a private detective....and then to make the phone call explaining what we were doing and hearing their surprise was awesome. Planning began, and 11 were coming. We were flying them in, putting them up in hotels, and all the details began to emerge. Every few days for the past 5 months, I spoke to one of these gentlemen (now mostly in their mid 70's) or their families, and I could tell how touched they were that anyone cared, that we were doing this, and the attention to detail we were giving. As the date neared, rather than stress over the event, which I tend to do - I was so excited. I couldn't wait to meet them all! And most importantly, I wanted this to be the most wonderful experience for them and their familes.

part 2 coming soon!

p.s. how awesome was their logo?

Peace

'May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.'

Thanks for sending this, today, Melissa....

lovely week

I had the most wonderful week - a road trip from Austin to New Orleans to Panama City Beach to Dothan and all back again. It was a whirlwind, and I think I'm a bit run down, as a cold is taking hold of me. My parents' friends had a party for us in Dothan, which was so nice. I got to see old and new friends and catch up with some wonderful people. A longer post to follow...it's of course craaazy at work, so I am still here working at 7:47 p.m.....but here are a few photos to make up for the lack of words -

"three little birds, each by my doorstep:"

peacefulness:

on the drive to Dothan, my Mom's favorite piece of land:

makes me happy - my parents' screened in porch:

my friend, Hillary's boys at their Big Daddy and GiGi's house in Dothan:

my friend, Sarah, and her twins (her son had an incident with the night stand in the middle of the night, thus the shiner!) at her parents' house:

Sarah's 6-month old...a happy little girl!:

Chris and I enjoying a BEAUTIFUL DAY:

Mama and I enjoying the same beautiful day, in the exact same spot:

Me and my Dad, getting some shore fishing in:

my precious and hilarious nephews, stowing away in the back of our car for the ride back to Texas:

overwhelmed

I get overwhelmed a lot...I think a lot of us do. It's hard to work, work, work, keep your house up, keep yourself up, cook, exercise, do laundry, pay bills, go to church, read, (do a blog post), work in the yard, much less volunteer and do creative projects on your "list." AND I DON'T HAVE KIDS. I can't even begin to wrap my head around all of you that have children on top of all this...it makes me wonder if I can ever do it...how can I expect to take care of a child when I can barely keep up as it is? I have so much admiration for you amazing moms! There are different things I tell myself or read when I feel like this...but would like to know, what do you do when life seems like a never ending, never catch up list?

Peanut Butter Jelly with a Baseball Bat

I am not a regular watcher of this show, but if you ever have a stressful day, just watch this clip.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Gardenias

I have killed many a gardenia bush in my life as a "grown up." We grew up with a beautiful gardenia bush at my grandmother's house. It is my Dad's favorite flower, and we planted a bush in our yard for his birthday one year. They have the most incredible smell, and I have been trying for years to recreate that, to no avail. This year, I gave it another try. But, it was dying. I read something that said I may be overwatering, so I quit watering so often. Then my mom came to visit in July. She said I wasn't watering it enough and started dousing it. It actually shaped up! I've been keeping her watering up, and it is now so beautiful! Late last month...finally....a BLOOM! And then another. I had two more yesterday, and FOUR more getting ready. I'm so excited. I have it on my front "porch," so people can smell it as they come in. The bloom yesterday was so beautiful and perfect, so I clipped it and brought it to work to add some beauty and sweet smells to the office! That is it on the left.....so lovely!

Thought for the Day

"Life is this simple: we are living in a world that is absolutely transparent and God is shining through it all the time. The only thing is that we don't see it." - Thomas Merton