Indiana State Champs!!!!

I'll just let the photos speak for themselves....

These Smiles.....

These smiles can only mean ONE thing.....we're ONE win away from a State Championship!!!! We are the only undefeated team in the tournament and we will face the winner of the loser's bracket tomorrow at 1:00 for the title. That team would have to beat us twice.

Hopefully these smiles will be even BIGGER tomorrow!

Should I start checking out the cost of hotel rooms in Akron, Ohio??

On a Roll.....

Kelli's All-Star team is like that little Energizer Bunny - they just keep on ticking. They are currently in Hammond, Indiana - playing in the Indiana State Tournament. If we make it through this weekend, the next stop is the Midwest Regionals in Akron, Ohio next weekend. (Can't think of a better place to spend my birthday). After yesterday, we're in the best shape we could possibly be in - 2 and 0 and in the winner's bracket of a double elimination tournament. Our pitchers get a day's rest and then it's back to Hammond tomorrow and hopefully to win it all on Sunday. In last night's exciting 1-0 win, we scored in the top of the 1st and then held the Indianapolis team for 7 innings. Kelli led off the game with a base hit and went to third on a bunt when no one was covering third. She then went home on a play at the plate - sliding under the tag. That was all we needed, thanks to some great defense and an awesome pitching job by Jenny Bals.

Between Vacation and Ball Games....

...I have managed to get a few scrapbook pages completed. Summer is just not the best time to be creative. Give me some cold temps and a blizzard and my nice little space heater - and my basement studio becomes a haven for creativity. Until then, I'll have to settle for a burst of energy now and then.

Off and Running.....

Kelli's All-Star Team just keeps winning!!!! They managed to win the District Championship while I was in Key West. Then this last weekend, they sailed through the Sectional Tournament. Now, it's off to the State Tournament this coming weekend in Dyer, Indiana. This summer has gone by so fast and school starts earlier than ever. If they keep winning, they would actually be in Seattle, Washington for the Little League World Series the same week that school starts. I won't think that far ahead yet. Let's just get through the State of Indiana!!!!!

An Evening to Remember....

Summer weddings are always fun, but especially so when the child of your good friends is married in a beautiful ceremony on the Notre Dame campus. The weather was beautiful and we thoroughly enjoyed the reception held at the Irish Garden of the Morris Inn - in the shadow of the Golden Dome. Yesterday's bride and groom met when Colleen introduced them at the salon. Sharon was just finishing when Kevin arrived for a haircut - and here we are less than a year later.

Katie and Colleen and Kevin (the groom) went to grade school at Corpus Christi together and also high school at LaSalle. We've been friends with Kevin's parents for nearly 20 years.

Another added thrill for our Kevin was the fact that Sharon works for Charlie Weis and his family. So, the Notre Dame football coach was seated just two tables away from us at the reception and once dinner was completed, he graciously posed for this photo with Kevin. I don't think Kevin's come down off his cloud yet.

Another fun part of the evening was the wedding party being led into the reception by the Notre Dame Leprechaun. The Fight Song was played MORE than once!!!! The Leprechaun made his way throughout the reception, posing for photos with just a few IRISH fans.

...and finally, a couple of special photos - myself with my husband and three of my children and another of myself with my two good friends - Mary Lou and Paula.

Always a Place for a Drink.....

One thing that Key West didn't lack were bars - the streets were lined with them. Everything happens on or around Duval Street - 14 block of shops and bars. Some of the more famous were Sloppy Joe's (Hemingway's favorite), the Hogsbreath Saloon, the Green Parrot, Captain Tony's and Irish Kevin's.

All of the bars have live entertainment - most of it local performers. Variety abounds - if you don't like the music at one bar, just walk across the street or next door for something a little different. Entertainment routinely starts around 2:00 in the afternoon and goes on until 4:00 in the morning. (Not that we would know anything about that).

We were usually walking back to our hotel by midnight. The first night - blame it on the map, the alcohol, etc. - we circled within a block of our hotel for 45 minutes, not quite able to find it. Thanks to a "local" walking his dog at midnight, or we might still be circling.

Hemingway's Six-Toed Cats

One of the tours we took in Key West was of Ernest Hemingway's Home. We were lucky enough to get an excellent guide and not only did we get to tour the home and the grounds, but we learned many interesting and fun stories regarding the Pulitzer Prize winning author. And of course, one of the highlights was getting up close and personal with the six-toed cats. According to the story, the original cat (Snowball) was a gift to Hemingway from an English Sea Captain during a stop in Key West in 1935. All of the cats on the grounds are direct descendents of Snowball. The females are allowed to have two litters before they are "fixed". All of the cats have the gene. Each litter is 50/50 - half with the extra toe and half are normal. These cats live in a virtual paradise - well cared for - fat and sassy. Our guide did tell us that right now the Hemingway House is in a "catfight" with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Key West city officials are siding with the Hemingway House and the six-toed cats. The Key West City Commission exempted the home from a city law prohibiting more than four domestic animals per household. About 50 cats live there. The Hemingway House has been locked in a dispute with the USDA, which claims the museum is an "exhibitor" of cats and needs a special license -- a claim the home disputes. The USDA wants the cats to be caged as if in a zoo and our guide told us that they are prepared to fight this with everything they have to continue allowing the cats to roam the gated grounds. After spending just an hour there, I tend to side with the cats. They are well treated and as happy as can be.

This little guy's name is Charlie Chaplin and he has the "correct" number of toes.

And as you can see below, these two beauties have the extra toe.

Vacation Photos to Share....

I'm home - but definately not back into the groove. Traveling really takes it out of you!!!!!

Wanted to share some photos of my great vacation in the Florida Keys with my brother, my sister-in-law and a bunch of their friends. The only thing missing was my husband!

Driving over the 7-mile bridge - the Atlantic Ocean on our left, the Gulf of Mexico on our right and a little Jimmy Buffet on the CD player.

Sunset at Mallory Square.

Some of us getting ready to tour Hemingway's House.

Only 90 miles to Cuba....

Brothers and Sisters...

I Survived.....

Just checking my email - not back from vacation, but finally have access to a computer. I've just spent the past four days in Key West and will now enjoy a couple of days in Florida with my mom before flying home.

Key West was beautiful - but unbelievably hot and humid. I also never comprehended that so many bars could be contained on a 2 mile x 4 mile stretch of land. Believe me when I say that I think my brother and his friends knew where each and every one was located. I was the oldest one in our group of 12 - but I'm proud to say that I "hung" with the best of them and was never accused of being the party pooper. Other than than that, we were able to visit Hemingway's home, (which was actually my favorite tour), climbed to the top of the Key West Lighthouse, saw Harry Truman's "Little White House" and visited the Key West Butterfly Conservatory. I also stood at the Southern Most Marker - 90 miles from Cuba and at U.S. 1 Mile Marker 0 - which ends 2,200 miles north in Maine. One thing I couldn't get over was how "retro" the entire area is. Aside from the obvious tropicaI/Caribbean atmosphere, the buildings are very '60's and have no intention of changing. It's definately like stepping back in time.

I'll be flying home on Tuesday and will have photos to share on my blog soon.

One Day and Counting...

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...... (yeah, I know it's corny).

One last busy day here at work - 7 contracts to prepare and then I'm outta here!

Kelli's 1st All-Star game is tonight, so I'm going to relax in my lawn chair and enjoy it - knowing that tomorrow evening, I'll be somewhere in South Florida with Frank and Arlette. My "list" for the next six days include - the Southernmost Point Marker, Hemmingway's Home, watching the sunsets at Mallory Square, the Pirate Museum, and a long list of bars - including Sloppy Joe's, Margaritaville, and Irish Kevin's. See ya' all next week with lots of stories and photos!!!

Two Days and Counting....

It's going to be another HOT one here today in northern Indiana. Guess the weather gods are trying to prepare me for the heat and humidity of south Florida. I don't mind the heat because I'll be enjoying that breeze coming off the ocean. I can smell that ocean air right now. (Can you tell I'm excited??)

Three Days and Counting...

Good thing I had this quiet weekend to catch up on laundry and get my packing done - because the next two nights, it's back to the ballpark. Kelli has her last game with her high school team tomorrow night and then All-Stars starts on Tuesday night. I'll at least get to see the first game before leaving the cheering up to her dad and her sisters and her brothers for the rest of the week.

Four Days and Counting......

Nice relaxing Saturday!!! Went to Nolan's t-ball game this morning and then Kelli and I went with Carrie and the kids to the South Bend Country Club and spent the afternoon at the pool.

Sometimes it's nice to just have a day like this - doesn't happen too often.

Five Days and Counting....

Today's Agenda:

Hair Cut/Color/Hi-Lights and Manicure/Pedicure

Scrapbooking with Carrie and Diane as late as I can make it!!!!

The Weekend Ahead:

QUIET!!!!! Perfect for catching up on laundry and packing.

Six Days and Counting...

Happy Birthday Carrie!!! I'm not saying how old my oldest is - because it makes me feel VERY old!!! But - I'm still a "cool" mom and grandma!

We had a great 4th of July - spent with a bunch of baseball/softball friends. Lots of great food, some entertaining games of horseshoes, a refreshing pool and great friends. Can't get much better than that!

Seven Days and Counting.....

This time next week, I'll be on my way! My diet is in overdrive this week!!!! Lots of walking and counting my points!

But, today - it's celebrating the 4th with Tommy, Joni and friends at a big cook-out and pool party.

Happy Birthday America!!!!!!

Eight Days and Counting......

A busy week of birthdays and a 4th of July cook-out and packing for vacation. (At least there's no softball this week!!) I'm scurrying around trying to make sure that my household will remain intact while I take off for a week in Florida (thanks to my free Delta vouchers from December). This weekend, I'm shampooing carpet, filling the refrigerator and finishing laundry so that Bob and Kevin and Kelli can get by without me. Just 8 days until I'm with my mom and my family in Florida!!!!