I like a joke as much as the next person. I don't take things very seriously and I hope you don't either. Hope you didn't come here to whine 'cause I don't wanna hear it!
Yes, I am a fanatic. The USA is no longer in the running for the World Cup. While this puts a damper on the anticipation, it doesn’t diminish my enthusiasm for the game. I only watch ONE game at a time now and that is a good thing. There is one more thing though, and it is a very big thing…at least to me.
On Sunday, I received my Mother’s Day gift from my sons. We went to the opening of PPL Park to see the Philadelphia Union take on the challenger Seattle Sounders. I have been looking forward to this for over a month. To say that I have been excited is an understatement. I got to wear my son’s Union tee shirt (I really do need to get one of my own!) and party with the Sons of Ben who are the official fans of Union. I knew we would gather with this group and I expected lots of men. I was surprised however to see a lot of families and quite a few women. I knew that I would get to sing and cheer with this rambunctious group. I was not, however, prepared for the wall of emotion that I was slammed into.
First of all, it was an inferno of 96 degrees….in the shade…and there was none! I sucked back my beers far too quickly in my desire to cool off. And then the cheers……
There is something about hearing men sing, whether in a choir or a group of drunken soccer fans that just speaks to me….ha ha.
We went in through our own entrance and to our own section.
It was amazing to watch the stadium fill with blue, white and gold tee shirts and jerseys. We cheered and sang and drank our beers. I applied and reapplied my sunblock. Then I drank more beer in my pathetic attempts to cool off. My sons and I discussed World Cup developments, stadium structure, and the day’s lineup.
The thrill I felt as I watched the team take the field is indescribable. The cheers that went up were deafening. I had a lump in my throat as we sang the national anthem. And then the game began.
I cheered, I sang and I tried once more to cool off with more beer. My stomach dropped as the Sounders scored. “Please, no losing today of all days” I prayed. And then it began.
Just below me, the Union scored. Not once, not twice, but three times. Our win was secured. “Elation” does not begin to describe the feeling shared by everyone in that stadium. And when it was over, no one was in a rush to leave. We lingered in our seats as the families streamed out. We waited while others joined the exodus. And our waiting paid off.
The Union players came out to take a victory lap around the stadium much to the delight of the remaining fans. I managed to meet Nick Zimmerman, Jordan Harvey and my favorite one-named wonder and goal scorer, Fred. I got their autographs too!
FRED!
Despite all the sunblock, I got some sunburn…not much, but some. And some sun sickness — horrible chills and then burning skin. All those beers didn’t help a bit. Well, maybe they did. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have spent so much time in the restrooms!
The numbers? A $25 ticket, a $10 cab ride after the game, roughly six twenty ouncers, two bottles of water, half a bowl of jambalaya….and one glorious memory of an afternoon spent with my grown sons.
***I promise to cut back on the soccer posts now. Thanks for indulging me.
If you are my friend on Facebook, you know that I have been watching damn near every game being played in the World Cup. It has gotten to the point that I am watching one game on the television and the other game online. I’ve seen some pretty great games. I’ve seen players with tears streaming down their cheeks as they sing their national anthems. In the words of ABC Wide World of Sports, I’ve seen the ‘thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat.” But nothing compares with today.
Today I made sure that I was wide awake and ready for when the USA played against Algeria. I was up, showered, and had my coffee beside me in time for kickoff. I had England v Slovenia online and was more or less just listening to the game. I would look at my screen now and then, but I was riveted by the USA game. I’m glad I never looked away or I would have missed history.
There was a goal that the officials took away from us. They cited ‘offsides’ but the playback showed otherwise. Those boys went on to make an incredible amount of shots on goal only to miss by mere inches. The poles of the goal were hit too many times to count, each one eliciting a yell of excitement and a groan of disappointment. The disappointment and disbelief on the faces of the young players was heartbreaking. The officials made shitty calls adding to the frustration.
As the minutes wound down, Algeria became content to just let the clock run. They would accept the tie and move on. However a loss would have meant the end of the USA’s dreams. Fouls were abundant. Foul shots were still missed….but not from lack of trying. For each shot I prayed “Please let them score. They are playing too hard to let it end like this.” Finally, the 90th minute was upon us. There were still a couple of minutes worth of “stop time” but it just looked like our agony was being prolonged.
In the 91st minute……a miracle. Landon Donovan (above) scored. It was a moment that I will always remember. Such joy was on that young man’s face. The coaches faces were glowing with pride.
And me?
I screamed. I clapped. I cried. Tears of joy ran down my face. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The tension-the ups and downs of the game-had been so built up that tears were the only choice I had. My heart burst with pride for my team. I was as happy for those boys as if I were their mother. They deserved the win, the joy, the tears and the celebrations. If, by some chance, they go no further in this tournament, they still have earned their place in the history of stunning wins. I was there to witness this and share in their triumph.
Do you think this is the end for my story?
Nope. On Sunday, the Philadelphia Union will play their first game ever in their brand new stadium. The weather is promising 96 degrees – maybe even more-and lots of sun. And I will be there, sitting among the Sons of Ben, singing and chanting and cheering with both of my sons.It is my Mother’s Day gift.
If I cry for a USA win, what’ll happen when Union beats the Sounders??? Holy shit-on-a-shingle!!!!!
I haven’t posted lately and there are lots of reasons.
#3- There was the graduation. It was a beautiful day, beautiful ceremony and of course, the beautiful graduate.
#2- I spent some time sanding the walls in the bathroom after all the spackling that I did. I also did a few jobs around the house but being ever careful of my back, it was one day of work and the next day of rest. I’m reading again, and it’s something that I haven’t taken the time to do lately.
#1- The biggest thing that has been taking up a huge amount of my time is the World Cup. Teri asked me if I had always loved soccer or was it something more recent. I actually played some intermural soccer in high school and both of my boys played when they were growing up. I tried to follow the Philadelphia Wings when they were around, but the US wasn’t quite ready to embrace soccer as a ‘legitimate’ sport. European soccer has always had a place in my heart.
In very many of the past years, I either had little kids here all day or no cable (once upon a time). Therefore, I missed watching World Cup and was relegated to reading the sportspages or catching the updates if the evening news felt it worthy of a story. This year, I have no kids here yet. I may not have any at all this summer. Whatever, I have to stop my spackling, sanding, painting, etc to sit for the two hours it takes from pre-game to post-game shows. Hubs came home early yesterday to find me covered in dust from sanding, with my feet up, enjoying a game and a soda. Oh well. I didn’t give a shit. I saw Desmond Tutu dance with joy as the games opened in his country. I was there when the USA tied England. I screamed when I watched Daniele de Rossi. I’ll get done all my stuff before Saturday (the graduation party) I have no worries about that.
For now, I’m spending my afternoons in South Africa, fantasizing that I am on the sidelines, watching those studly young men playing game after game of soccer……….
A long time ago, there was a little girl-you-who was furious at the injustice of time. You watched Jimmy and Georgie go off to preschool without you. (The first time you had all been separated.) If only you had been born one month sooner! It wasn’t fair! You wanted to go sooo badly! The next August, all you would talk about was ‘school’. You couldn’t wait. You knew all your numbers and colors. You could already write the alphabet and your name. The countdown began and time dragged. When you finally went to pre-school, your smile couldn’t have been any bigger.
Two years later, you were so excited about real school. You liked your teachers. You made new friends. You were learning to read. “Mommy, what’s this word?” was constantly heard around the house. The day you read “The Monster Under My Bed” all by yourself stands out like it was yesterday. You read it to me three times in a row. From that day on, there were never enough books in the house.
Eventually, your teachers were ‘stupid’. Your classes were ‘boring’. You were too smart for your own good. Correcting your teachers once or twice a day didn’t go over well. We placed you with other ‘smarties’ and you bloomed some more. You were reading at an 8th grade level in 4th grade. You enjoyed seeing Summer Stage every year, so we went to see an adult performance of “Romeo and Juliet” even though the high school tried to persuade us that you and Brenda were ‘too young’. I remember looking at you as you watched the swordfights. You were transfixed. It was one of the best things we have done together.
When we moved, I was afraid of the changes. I shouldn’t have been. Socially, you adjusted quickly. School-wise, for the first time, you were behind the other kids. We had moved to a progressive school district. But you caught up quickly and began to flourish. They encouraged your reading and your art. Suddenly you were asking for pastels, paints and easels. You had sketchpads and drawings everywhere. And you discovered the camera.
Finally, high school arrived. And with it came the drama of boyfriends and girl fights. You were the peacemaker among your friends, refusing to take sides or preferring to walk away rather than argue. I watched (with some jealousy) as you began to travel, sometimes with school and sometimes with friends. You have always been so fiercely independent. Now you just walk out the door with a wave. It was strange for me. It’s my job to say, “Do you need anything?” or “Got everything?” or “Who are these kids you are with?” But I already knew the answers. You had it all, and I knew who was there. I could still miss you, but I wouldn’t worry.
This past week, we did the countdown again. This time we counted the days until the end of your scholastic ‘training’. You have learned all the basics for the future. Between your family and your teachers, you are prepared for the leap into the world.
As I watched you try on your dress and do your hair last night, I was amazed at how much you’ve grown. You have become a strong, beautiful, loving woman. You are still that little girl who gets excited about life, but now you are the woman who is excited about life has to offer you.
You have grown up to be Holly, but you will always be my Babygirl. Daddy and I are so proud of you. I tell you all of this here and now because I fear I won’t be able to speak on Friday. The words won’t come and if they do, tears of pride will come too and you know I hate to cry.
Just know that you are amazing. And I love you like crazy.
Getting ready for Graduation-pictures, party and the arrival of family-is a huge undertaking.
When Son1 graduated, we weren’t so rushed. He wanted to wait for his party until the very end of June, because he was leaving for the Army. We chose a date midway and held a ‘graduation/going away’ party. Family was all there, but nearly all of his cousins were younger than he was. None was married or had any kids.
When Son2 graduated, we had a Party. (Notice the ‘capital P’) We had doubts that he would finish school at all so it truly was a celebration. By that time, the oldest of the cousins were beginning to have families of their own. Our house was full, but we were blessed with gorgeous weather. We prepared by clearing some bushes that were lining the back yard. The house was cleaned from top to bottom. I still watched kids in the daytime so the house cleaning was a massive undertaking.
Now that Babygirl is graduating, Hubs has finally moved his ass on getting rid of the dead hedges from the front of the house. I am repainting the bathroom (slowly but surely!) And the house cleaning? I have taken a room a day and I am very happy with my efforts. I have gotten rid of things that I had previously just pushed aside. I started things early enough that I can work, take a day off, work some more, take another day off, etc. This is the way my life should have been for a long time.
The odd thing is that I have energy. Normally, I would get up in the morning, have some coffee and lay in bed to watch two hours of “Reba”. Then I’d get in the shower and procrastinate on whatever job I had planned for the day. When all was said and done, my house looked the same when I went to bed at night.
For some reason, now I get up and have coffee- no “Reba” or “Frazier”. I skip the shower, jump into clothes and begin my day. The washer churns with laundry and curtains. The dishwasher is running full. The vacuum is running and all day, I run up and down the basement stairs, switching out the washer and dryer or just putting away boxes of stuff pulled out of closets.
By the time I begin to get tired, my back is telling me to quit. Two ibuprophen and a hot shower later, I am good as new. Dinner is done and look around my house with satisfaction.
But the question still remains: Where did the energy come from? I didn’t have nearly as much when I prepped for Christmas. Sometimes I think that the day after the party, I will crash….hard.
Well, until that day comes, I’ll just enjoy my days full of honest, hard work. I’ll relish my day off in between, when I just watch movies or read a book.
I’m sorry if you think I was rude. I was sweating my ass off in the sun. I was picking up grass divots while you stood there asking me if “it’s a hot job?” You may be a professor of Criminal Justice, but you are as stupid as a rock. I tried to be polite….really I did. I just didn’t feel the need to tell you how hard Hubby and I were working when it was obvious that we were soaked with sweat. It was obvious from the shovels and the bags of mulch.
I also tried to be nice to your kids, who kept coming over to ask why we were digging in the dirt, where is my dog, did I squirt Hubby with the hose (Is that how he got wet?) They are kids and I really couldn’t tell them to go the fuck away. Besides, how could they know any better when their mother was the one who started the game “20 Questions”?
When you finally went away, I could still hear your whiny, nasal voice cajoling your kids into behaving. “Wanna go in the house? Wanna put on your bathing suit? Why don’t we go get your bathing suit? If we do, you can play in the pool. Do you wanna do that?” WTF? You say, “Get in the house and get your bathing suit so we can swim. No? Fine, get in the house and take a nap!” How could you let them walk all over you like that? Why let them get into the pool with their clothes on? You’re a spineless jelly-fish.
Your spiel never let up. “Here’s the rules! Here’s the rules!” and then “Take turns or else! One…..Two……Eric, take turns now! One…..Two…..” THENEXT ONE IS FUCKING THREE!!!! Now smack his ass and take him into the house, for Chrissake!!!!
Every day we are out there and every day you say, “I should borrow your husband to do my yard” No, bitch. You have the asshole landscapers who mow your lawns at 8am on a Sunday morning. They are the shitheads who blow all the leaves from your property onto my lawn, which gets cleaned up BY ME!
Don’t you dare ever ask me why the neighbors are so ‘standoffish’ I may have to tell the truth and tell you that it’s all you baby!!
You know that saying, “Good fences make good neighbors”? I wish I could build a fucking brick wall.
Wanna know what I’ve been doing? Huh? Are you on pins and needles?
Don’t lie, motherfuckers.
On Saturday morning, while I started to clean the inside of my windows, Hubs decided to clean the gutters. The debris in them was starting to sprout roots. I got the bright idea to use the ladder after him to clean the outside of the windows. I’ve only been begging him to let me use the ladder for about five years. He seems to think that I’ll kill myself, so I can’t use the ladder without supervision and he won’t supervise. IMPASSE! But this Saturday, since he took it out, I used it, cleaning windows and screens. I was happy.
As I began to wash the front window, I heard a saw. I looked down and there he was, hunched over, sawing away at the mostly dead bushes. I was worried that he would hurt his back, but I held my tongue. I was excited that the bushes were going. I’ve only been begging him to get rid of them for the past five years. By 3pm on Saturday, this is what my house looked like:
Naked house front.
It was hot out and humid. We worked our asses off. After showering, all I wanted was a burger and a beer. I went into his office to suggest a trip to Wendy’s but before I could say a word, he suggested a trip to Charlie Brown’s for some drinks and maybe some appetizers. I jumped at the chance. I ended up eating a huge sirloin burger and washing it down with Sam Adams Cherry Wheat. Yum. Then we went home and I watched Union defeat Houston. Woo Hoo!
Debris lines the side of the house.
On Sunday, we went to Home Depot, picked up a few things and got started again. I was finally going to get a garden! And it only took five years of begging!! We tied up our debris, marked out where we wanted our garden and Hubs began to dig it up. I pulled out some ivy on the other side of the house. Eventually, it was too hot and we quit.
Some of our plant purchases.
Monday, we put down some top soil, fertilized, and began placing our plants. It was hot. We decided to take it easier than we had been but not until we had added a layer of black mulch. Lostmahead stopped in and I asked her to help me sort my basement. I knew there were curtains that I could be using but I couldn’t find them. We sorted for roughly an hour. I found curtains that I had forgotten that I had! SCORE! I was so happy. After she left, I began washing the curtains and packing up some stuff for Goodwill that had been buried. This was a productive weekend.
This is not the finished result. We still have more flowers to put in. That’s a lot for two old farts with bad backs!
Tuesday, I ironed and then hung curtains in every room on the first floor. All of the curtains matched! And it only took five years!!
Wednesday, I cleaned a few closets, packed stuff away (in the empty bins that I discovered in the basement) and found a brand new needlepoint kit that I didn’t know that I had! As I passed through the room, I noticed our scale. So I stepped on it, expecting to see the same old-same old. Imagine my surprise when I saw that I have broken through a target weight!
RSS Atom
Thanks for indulging me.
