Spring Reset

A quick break from blogging and real life, and now back to reality. I was listening to Danny, Dave, and Moore talking to Mariner's GM Jerry Dipoto yesterday. He was discussing a young 1st baseman who has had a rough time keeping up with the major leaguers. The M's optioned him down to AAA to give him a chance to reset and come back to The Show stronger than before.

As Jerry talked, I thought about my own Spring Reset. February and March are historically difficult months. The kids at school (ok, us teachers too) go week after week without a break. On top of that, there's the joy of being single on Valentine's Day... This trip to Arizona each year has been my chance to get my mind right and ready to go strong through the end of the school year. 

Spring Training, 2017 did not disappoint. From the second we landed, Eleana and I made the most of our time. In 5 days, we packed in:

5 baseball games

A visit with my favorite athletic trainer (he's hiding behind the swarm of boys around E)

Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers at Talking Stick Resort

Several awesome (and 1 super awkward) selfies

Karaoke at Ernie's with the best KJ in the land

A night partying with Patrick Warburton and his posse

Singing the national anthem

A ton of autographs (including Mr. Mariner himself, Alvin Davis!)

A bucket of beer at the Salty Senorita

A thousand laughs

And then Eleana hopped in an Uber and headed home...and things got even more wild.  

Most of you know that I don't back down from a dare...especially if there's a free beer involved. So when the host of a Seattle radio show dared me to fuel the rivalry between him and another Seattle radio host, I was all over it.

That might be an alternative fact.

A big thank you to everyone who made this Spring Break the greatest one yet.

Best old friends, best new friends, baseball, and beer... MLB is back!

Cheers to the 2017 Seattle Mariners! Play ball!

Cats, Craft brew, Choices

Alas, the end of winter break. I guess I ought to turn my alarm clock back on, put real clothes on each day, and time my bathroom breaks for lunch periods. Say goodbye to the giant coffee I've been lazily consuming each morning, while snuggling with the cats under the softest fleece blanket, and catching up on the news (and social media).

I tried to incorporate some boldness in my life this week. First of all, I started using my Instagram as more than just a way to catch all the pictures of my friends' lives. Instead, I wanted to make it a place I can go and see pictures of all my favorite things (no, it's not all cats).

(Ok, it's 98% cats and 2% craft brews.)

Check #catsofinstagram for all this cuteness.

I also found myself in the midst of a holiday party for one of my favorite places (Barrelhouse 101). It was being held at a local brewery (Ventura Coast Brewing Company) and included a brewery tour for their staff! I should mention that sometimes, I can be a little shy. I can keep my comments to myself and quietly take in the scene...this was not one of those times. I really enjoyed learning about the brewing process!

As I head back to school tomorrow, I'll do my best to keep moving forward, make bold choices, create this future I dream of, not give in.

Golden China Restaurant, 2017
I will go down with this ship
I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be