Thursday, November 1, 2012

Today {The Grateful Game}



When I was growing up, my mom used to make me play ‘the grateful game.’ She would ask me to make a list of all of the things I was grateful for anytime I was in too grumpy a mood. I used to hate it when I was younger. When you’re in a grumpy mood sometimes the last thing you want to do is find the bright side of things. But, because she often knew what she was doing, it always made me feel better.

It still does.

So…



Today I’m grateful for…

Jeremy
Because he scrubbed the toilets so I would have ‘a clean place to puke.’
Because he understands that Jax and Gemma are real people
Because he makes up silly nicknames for everyone, including our children
Because he reads my blogs to the guys at work
Because he does the morning routine, alone, while I puke in said clean toilet
Because he never complains
Because he understands the importance of throw pillows, hair products, coffee creamer and recreational naps
Because he found the station the Giants parade was on
Because he knows to bring home peanut M&M’s
Because he plays college pick ‘em
Because every once in awhile, he calls me on my bullshit

Logan & Brodie
Because one of them pats my back while the other one offers to get me a bucket
Because they think fish sticks and macaroni and cheese make me the ‘best cook ever’
Because they sing along to Paramore, Lady Gaga and Keisha
Because they love me without fail, even on my bad days

Megan
Because she understands how horrible morning sickness is
Because she makes me laugh every day
Because she knows that Derrick and Meredith are real people
Because she understands my obsession with Air Streams
Because she never sends me to voicemail, no matter how many times a day I call

Nick
Because he never lets me take myself too seriously
Because he never lets me take myself too lightly
Because he makes the best play lists
Because he sent me a picture of a goat
Because he introduced me to Atmosphere

Toast
Because it’s pretty much the only thing I can eat

Slurpees and Pepsi from a can
Because they’re pretty much the only thing I can drink

Zofran & Compazine
Because without them, I wouldn’t be able to write at all today

Your turn…
What are you grateful for today?

Monday, October 29, 2012

Dear Baseball: I'm yours



Dear Baseball, 



I love you.

I know we just met and it seems a little fast but, you have my heart and I don’t think I’m ever going to get it back.

I’m really sorry it took me so long to notice you. I know you’ve been trying to catch my eye for awhile and it wasn’t until recently that I finally paid attention. I think you were going about it the wrong way, though. I’m not trying to blame you. I’m just saying, it wasn’t fair for you to try and get my attention by using a boy.

You should know that approach isn’t very successful for me. It doesn’t make for a very long lasting relationship. Sure, I pretended to like you for awhile in the 90’s, pretended to know about Mike Piazza and The Dodgers because some boy said it was cool. But, to be honest with you, my heart just wasn’t in it and as soon as my interest for said boy faded, so did my interest in you. I didn’t really understand at the time just how fabulous you were.

I’m sorry.

Now, I know.

I get it now, Baseball.

I understand that I don’t have to like you because some boy said I should. In fact, none of the boys in my life care about you very much. I figured out all on my own, sitting on my couch, in a quiet house, hour after hour, pitch after pitch, no boys necessary, just how special you are. In fact, the person I've talked to most about you is the BFF Megan. She's loved you for a long time. 

When we’re together, it feels like nothing else in the world matters, even if just for a few hours. You’re smart. You’re oh so smart, especially your catcher. Seriously, the dude has to know everything about every guy on every team. Game after game, pitch after pitch, swing after swing.

Catchers have my heart.

And your pitchers? Really? How awesome are those guys? You’ve got the one guy, the starter, who throws like, 100 pitches a game. Then, when he’s done his job and he’s tired, you’ve got all of these other guys hanging out, just waiting to come in and throw a few more pitches, get a few more outs, not even caring that they don’t get the ‘win’. They just throw their little hearts out, whenever they’re needed.

Pitchers are amazing.

You are constantly changing. Wind and rain drops and freezing weather and sunny days. You’re never the same twice. I love that about you. I love the opening pitch and the seventh inning stretch. I love the music and the announcers and the history.

You really love your history don’t you, Baseball? That’s so sexy.

I do have another confession to make. I may have fallen in love with you at the same time I fell in love with the San Francisco Giants.

I know, I know. That makes me a…what do they call it…A bandwagon fan? Guess what?

I. don’t. care.  

If we’re going to be a thing it only makes sense to have a team to root for and what better team than this one? Sure, they just won the World Series. Sure it sounds like I only like them because they did that. It really couldn’t be further from the truth. The truth is, I like these guys because they are a hell of a team to like. Let’s look at the evidence.

There’s this guy: 



He won me a free taco by stealing a base. C’mon, you know how much I love my tacos.

And this guy: 



He scored three home runs in game one. THREE! He’s, like, the fourth guy in history to do that or something. And when he does something great on the field, he makes this little heart with his hands. That’s adorable. His nickname is Panda. AND he’s a hell of a third baseman. Did you see some of those catches? I didn’t stand a chance against this guy.

And how about him?



This kid is hilarious. He’s constantly photo bombing people (Or Romobombing) and always has the cutest smile on his face. Then, he comes out, at all of 25 years old, and throws the final out against a Triple Crown winner to win game four and sweep the series. 

Seriously?

This guy reminds me of someone from Oildale. 



This guy stole my heart in game one with an awesome show. 



This guy is just too damn hot for words PLUS he’s a hell of a short stop. In fact, my kids have been telling the husband, "Mommy really likes Brandon."



And THIS guy, well, lets be honest, I just want to hang out with this guy in Eric Foreman’s basement. 



Even though the names will change, even though they won’t always win the World Series, even though I’m sure they’ll break my heart sometimes, it doesn’t matter. I left my heart in San Francisco and that’s where it’s going to stay.

I never thought I could fall so hard and so fast for someone I just met and now, you tell me you’re leaving for a little while. What am I going to do without you for the next four months? How am I going to make it?

You know what? It’ll be fine. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be right here waiting for you when you get back.

I’m in for life, Baseball.

I love you.

See you in February.

Forever yours,
Krysten 

PS. If I have anything to say about it, this kid in my womb will be a baseball lover, too. I'll let her know, right up front, that she doesn't have to wait for a boy to tell her baseball is cool. She can figure it out all on her own, just like I did. =)