Ok, yes it’s getting later again….. It’s bloody hot outside (which is really an understatement) it’s our second day of 104f(40c). I’m sitting on the bed in front of the fan writing, we are lucky because the house is a cool house, Bruce put the block out on the skylight so we should be good for the summer. (I’m thinking of Elise this weekend, it must be so hot down at the camp, I’m sure they are all just swimming in the lake all day and she is having a ball.
Ok, May, it seems like it was soooo long ago, so let’s see how the memory is. We started the month coming to the end of our off track time, the boys did the usual nothing. Our weekend was kind of quiet, we cleaned the house as usual, the kids played, we did some angels and generally plodded around doing odd jobs.
The boys started back at school and our schedules went back to kind of normal. Jamieson had a game against Giants (very good team) on Tuesday and they lost, not a good night to be a Cardinal. Karen bought some chips, salsa &guacamole for Sancta Daimio….so at least we had nice munchies and it was a nice night too, which helps a lot.
Conner had basketball on Wednesday as usual, I spent Thursday night baking for our team (baseball) BBQ @ the Dunne’s on Friday night after training. Bruce got his IPhone so he was a happy camper. Friday night was fun, it was a warm day, the kids went to training but were back at the house (across the street) around 7.00pm. We all ate, the kids swam and the adults chilled out and got to know each other, which was really great for everyone I think. We got home about 11.30pm which wasn’t too bad considering a couple of the boys had to be at a school track meet at 8.00am in the morning.
We had an afternoon baseball game blending into a basketball game. Cardinals played so well and it was a great game to watch. Bruce and Conner went off to basketball and Jamieson and I came over to the stadium when his game was finished. Baseball was fantastic the boys did so well and it was a nice sunny afternoon, Paula and her boys and the Rivera’s came to watch so we had a great time. We made it to Conner’s game before it started and so we got to watch the procession (as I call it), yes they are that good. It’s fun to watch them play.
We finished the weekend with Mother’s Day, we spent most of the day getting Bruce ready for his trip home. I got some great presents and the boys made me some breakfast. Bruce left for the airport late in the afternoon and we just really relaxed for the rest of the day. He called later to let me know he was on ok and then off to bed for me. Whoosh for Bruce!!! (Notes from Bruce’s trip are at the end)
Our week while Bruce was away was fairly normal (nothing stops) I cleaned his office (OMG…you have no idea), so now you could see the floor. Jamieson had a baseball game v Nationals, always a close game we made a good come back. Bruce was being very productive on his trip and not really sleeping which wasn’t a good thing. Basketball practice on Wednesday night, chatted with Bruce on webcam @ the Griff’s house which was really nice, this time of year the time difference is a real pain in the butt. Friday night another baseball game v Twins, another good game, the boys are up and down, you just don’t know what you are going to get.
Saturday morning rolled around, no baseball game but Jamieson and I were off to the ball park for snack bar duty, it was nice and easy the time went really quickly and then we sat and watched Trevor play is game while I caught up with Carlos and Kristie. Conner was on the phone, where are you, you said you’d be home??? Later in the afternoon we went over to Paula’s to check everything was ok before everyone arrived for Jeremy’s communion party. They arrived not long after and around 7.00ish Conner and I took off to his basketball game. They had a rocky start but hit their straps and off they went. Then back to Paula’s for the rest of the night, it wasn’t a late night, we caught up with her mum and step dad the boys all played and it was a fun night. Sunday was a really hot day so we spent the afternoon at Paula’s by the pool and swimming! Bruce was still away and we were just organizing getting him home.
Tuesday morning came around and I picked up the car and drove through
Thursday Conner had a field trip to Headlands (
Our weekend was fairly usual, we cleaned the house and hung out then went over to the Rivera’s for dinner, which is always fun. As always, there were kids everywhere, 8 adults and more kids…lots of food and fun!! Sunday I sat in bed and wrote the blog, and pictures then in the afternoon we went over to Paula’s for dinner and the kids hung out and swam. Monday was Memorial Day so I had the day off work, it gave me a chance to tie up some loose ends and get ready for the busy end of the month week ahead.
Tuesday was our low day before the out of control started. Wednesday, Jamieson had a baseball game and Conner and Bruce had basketball practice, so I was a taxi driver, baseball then basketball then back to baseball then over to basketball for pick ups. I spend Thursday after work baking for Paula and Steve’s wedding reception party on Saturday night. Jamieson had baseball practice on Thursday night so Bruce and he went off to practice.
Before we knew it Friday was upon us, work, kids…. The kids had a minimum day so they went over to Paula’s for a swim and play and I went over there to help out with the food while the kids played. Later in the afternoon we started putting the lights around the back yard…. By the time we were done it was dark and we were EXHAUSTED but the back yard looked gorgeous and they loved it, so it was worth it. We were all exhausted by the time we got home and fell into bed, the out of control wasn’t over just yet.
Saturday started quietly, I put the finishing touches on the food, luckily Jamieson didn’t have a baseball game so that made the day a lot easier. Bruce spent a lot of the day putting the music for the party and putting the video together as well. Around lunch time I went over to Paula’s to help put the finishing touches on the backyard and help with the rest of the food she was putting together. I went home and showered etc to get ready for the party, Conner got ready for basketball and Bruce was trying to burn the movie but the DVD wasn’t co operating!! Grrr…poor thing, he did such a great job.
I ran over to Paula’s and dropped off the music and food then came back, grabbed the family and we headed over to basketball. Jamieson and I stayed until half time and left, thank goodness, the referee’s were giving me the ?????, they were so bad, apparently the boys came back in the second half and kicked butt, yeay boys!!!
Jamieson and I arrived at Paula’s around 8.45pm and started to party a little, there was less people there than who had RSVP’s which was a good thing, although that meant we had lots of food. It was nice to see her family and see friends I knew and meet some of their friends that I hadn’t met. Bruce and Conner arrived around 9.45pm, the kids were in and out of the spa and a small group of us ended up in the kitchen sitting around the bench. We got home around midnight, it was a fun night and a great way to end another month!!!
Short and sweet this month everyone, I hope all is well. We are finishing up another month, hopefully I will be able to sit down and get it to you sooner rather than later.
Stay warm and we will try to stay cool…
Bruce’s Trip Notes:
Hey everyone – well – what a blur!!!
The plan was to get down there and achieve several things which thankfully happened.
I spent the first couple of days in and around Melbourne visiting Funeral Homes and getting feedback from them about the best processes, and design feedback etc. I discovered the new Eastern Link and WOW – how cool is it?
I caught up with a couple of friends in Melbourne in the rush – hard to believe that it was almost a year to the day since I’d been down there – crazy.
I met with the National Sales Agent for the Angels for the first time – and spent about 4 hours catching up, planning and making sure things are in place for when the “big boy” retailers say yes to stocking the Angels – we have about a 90 day window to be ready – so that will start as soon as I get back to the US.
Following the first couple of days I headed down to Geelong later on the 3rd day following a fantastic catch up, have a laugh and stop for breath dinner with the Cheatley’s in Williamstown – Aussie Pizza – YUMMM!!!!! As always – hard to say goodbye to them – but with each day we are here it is one closer to coming home – which will eventually happen – so that will come soon enough.
Caught up with the Griffins and then hit Geelong for meeting after meeting after meeting – my head was spinning from the first 3 days – let alone all of this extra stuff! And without proper nights sleep happening – it was always going to be a quiet trip back up over the Pacific after 5 ½ days on the ground in Oz.
Friday afternoon I caught up with the Hultgren’s which was short but very cool to see them all – amazing to see these kids really growing up into fantastic young adults – I am very proud of them. Following dinner at the Hultgren’s on Friday night, the Bells invited me to a fundraiser at Sacred Heart college – which was fantastic – but the end of the night it was a bit of a blur because I hit the wall – literally – I knew it was a good one (wall hit) because unless I was very precise – I was slurring my words – you know you are tired then!!!
Got home and kinda slept again – then the big Moving day was here – I met Mark Griffin and Pete Williams (and for a short while – Brad Lynch) at storage and there were 2 factors we had to deal with – the actual amount of stuff (a lot of CRAP) we have in storage – and the weather threatening! Griff pulled up with a trailer and after a quick decision – I jumped in the car and headed for a rental place – finally found a van that was simply going to have to do – after 3 trips and about 7 hours – we closed the door on the contents new home in Torquay and next time I’m down I will be buying these boys a beer for all their help.
Following the move I hit the Bells again and after a quick shower – headed to the “legends” game at the Supercats – I purposely didn’t pack my sneakers in the car because I know I would have gotten the bug to play a little and enjoy the moment – I was right – the boys wanted me to play and I wanted to – but without my gear – I could simply sit on the bench and chat with them and watch. It was fun and the boys pulled out a win which was fantastic.
Then time for the main game – on all previous Past Players nights I usually missed out on the conversations and catch ups because I was helping coach on the bench – and although I was invited into a box behind the bench – I hung out with the fella’s up top and had a really good time – just chatting and talking about the game and all the experiences we were getting here in the USA.
It was priceless to see some peoples expression when you walk up behind them and just give them a hug – then they realize who it is and smile – it’s a great feeling – again – just awesome to see some friendly and welcoming faces.
The night ended pretty quick – I was tired and people were leaving so I took off back to the Bell’s and had a cuppa and just chatted – really looking forward to the next morning where…. NOTHING was planned!!!
Ah! Breathe……
Went down to watch Rhys play footy for a bit – then we went and got a pie for lunch – yumm!!! This was on the “to do” list – and I happily ticked it off.
Made my way from the Bells after a short but sad goodbye, I went over to catch up with the other half of the family tree and visited with the Korostin clan at Trudy’s in Newtown. Amazing to see the little nieces and nephews running around, growing up and just being kids. Doesn’t seem that long ago that my boys were like that. Got some really good pics and hugs from the kids and just enjoyed the moment.
Got a call from Phil Hodgson – so I whipped over to his place for a quick coffee with he and Ronis and sat around the kitchen table yapping. Had no idea that Ronis had breast cancer last year so I was floored to say the least when I heard that news. I wish I would have been there to support my friends when they were going through that period of their lives. Fely pretty hopeless actually. On the upside we are going to develop a special Angel and present it to the Jane McGrath Foundation to see if they want to include it in support packs for families. I’ll keep you posted on that one. From there!!! I finally ended up at the Griff’s again for a late dinner and the YMCA kids dropped over with their families – that was awesome to see them.
Monday was a last catchup with the Griff’s – business stuff and playing with the kids over breakfast – that was fun! Then headed back up the highway for a couple of meetings then over to Eltham to do a special guest coaching appearance for James McGrath at my old club – we had a blast and I hit them with many of my “special” drills – kids had a blast, so did the parents and coaches – the kids went out the next week and scored over 50 points – success!!!!
Headed to Mum’s for dinner then packed and got ready for the flight home the next day.
It’s always a very bizarre feeling when you land and leave from your home airport – and you’re it! Especially once you check in and then you ponder going through the security doors right away – usually you stop for a coffee or the like and then say your goodbye’s – so I cruised through the doors and hit the lounge. We got delayed for about 90 mins for some reason – so I sat in the lounge and video chatted with Belinda for a long time – Conner was there and made me laugh out loud several times – impersonating King Julien from Madagascar 2 – if you haven’t seen it – rent it – it is a classic – and now a staple “quote” format around our home – and once Jamieson and Conner get started – it is hilarious.
Anyway – that was my trip – I came, I saw, I didn’t sleep, I succeeded and I left – “Mission Accomplished!”
And you know what? The main reason for the trip was to bring back some of our new Angel Display Spinners so I could trial them in the USA – it was almost cheap enough to fly down and bring them back by hand as it was to ship them!!! Customs had a party with me when I landed back in SF – but that’s OK – I helped them open them and told them what they were for – they cleared me soon enough and I was on my way. I think I gave them something to do – they were all twiddling their thumbs – which is never good. You always want to come in when it’s busy – otherwise you are a sitting duck.
Well – that’s it folks! A blur overall – but lot’s happened, lot’s achieved and more experiences to put in to the memory banks.
Arriba!
