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I have a confession to make. I have been withholding some information from all of you. Mostly out of shame and also out of fear of what you would think of me.

Here it is…I am on a slow pitch team! I did not post or blog about this as I haven’t played softball since I was a kid and I was not too talented. I was roped in by my friend who was looking for warm bodies to fill in the lineup and stand in the outfield. I fit the bill. I went to my first practice Monday and I had my concerns as I am sure the coach and her husband did as I drove off into the sunset. I prayed for rain on Thursday. No such luck. It passed right by us!

I just got home from the game and I would be lying if I did not say that I was giddy with excitement! I surprised myself, the coach and her husband. Seems I work better under fire. Who knew? I did not strike out. Managed to hit the ball even. Made all base hits but that is good. I did get tagged at first one time so that is cool. Sad thing was we were playing with Barbie girls. They would squeal when the ball came their way, when they missed it and just for the heck of it. I had a blast! I was laughing at them. Had to feel bad for them. They made me look like a good player.

Of course it is appropriate that I am a “right” fielder. Sort of just happened but it is ironic. I have worked on my throwing as I normally throw like a girl. Now I have more of an arm. I did buy a kettlebell and a DVD so will train with it and get even stronger.

When I was in the Army, I about got the instructor and myself killed on the grenade range. I TOLD him I could not throw. I had eyes chalked on my helmet from peeking after I threw a smoke grenade. They(DI’s) were kidding me all day. The instructor got in my face and told me to pull the pin…OMG! I did and froze. Sort of like a booby trapped deer in headlights. Well I “threw” the grenade and before you knew it I had this hunky man in a flak vest laying on top of me in the dirt. I was actually eating the dirt. The romance was short lived though. Talk about speed dating! He was not too happy with me. WELL…I did warn him! I hauled out of his AO and sat in the corner somewhere with my kevlar helmet and chalk drawn eyes feeling the pain of defeat and the victory of being alive after all of that. That was the only bad day I had in basic…it was also about my last day on earth.

Now I am throwing balls and playing a sport I never thought I could. What a confidence builder. I have to say going to the range and shooting may have helped my aim with the bat. There could be something to that. I am now looking forward to next Thursday.

This week has flown by and I have so much I would like to say. My biggest concern is the current state of affairs our country finds itself in.

I will start with Obama and the whole Jesse Jackson issue. I wonder how long Obama can keep looking good and all those around him fall apart. I am not sure Jackson knew he had a “hot” mike but you would think after all these years in the public spotlight he would expect it to be on. I would and I am not a public figure.

I did get a good laugh about it. He was very expressive. Love that little move and grunt he made as if to demostrate his technique in the neutering of the Obama. I look at it as an analogy in a way. Obama has to be “neutered” politically somehow or we will find our country in a situation never before imagined. I am not a chicken little but I, along with many others, have many fears about the future of this country if he becomes president.

It is as if he is made of teflon and is a liberal media darling. There is something amiss here and it is only a matter of time before it comes out. I just wish Senator John McCain would grow a bigger pair. He HAS them. He needs to use them. Now is the time for that fiery temper of his to come out and be channelled in a positive way. He needs to expose the Obama. Who is advising him? Are they telling him not to show his anger? Well I think now is the time he needs to use some of his anger. He is not the best choice by any means but he is the only choice we have. As I have stated before he needs to find a good running mate who has the economic background to start pulling this country out of the financial mess it is in.

Sometimes though I think we as Americans listen too much to the Fed and all the financial bull they have to say. We react and the stock market is affected by these emotions. Economic PMS. Many sell off their shares of stock that they feel are at risk. Why not stand firm and see what happens. It is amazing how we have become a fast food, immediate gratification nation. Nothing is about take your time and smell the roses. This shows in the way the market is reacting on a daily basis.

It has been said that many who have come to the end of their lives never say I wish I had worked harder. Many wish they had loved more and spent more time with their families. Why can’t we sacrifice a little bit? Take the time to get to know those you love and not worry about the almighty dollar. Seems it isn’t so almighty at the moment. Wouldn’t it be ironic that when we stop stressing out about money and relax a bit, the economy levels out?

I am a true Capitalist in ever sense of the word but there comes a time when it rules us. Why not rule it? We have control of our own destiny as a nation. I stress about money or the lack thereof myself. I am tired of it. It makes me sick to my stomach. I am going to liberate myself.

If a segment of our society thinks the Obama has all the answers then they will regret their vote. His honeymoon period will end and he will make the former President Jimmy Carter look like a hero and one of our greatest Presidents. We can’t let it get that far.

I have to close with a goodbye to a man i will never know. I am saddened that Tony Snow passed Saturday, July 12, 2008 at the young age of 53. He fought hard and I always found him fun and interesting to watch. He could work the press. Gotta love that! He was funny and hard hitting. He knew his stuff and loved his family.

Tony leaves us all a reminder to get checked for colon cancer and never take life for granted. Money is nothing if you don’t have those you love around you. Many lose loved ones every day and understand the pain his family is feeling. His death from cancer was so public. I guess I along with so many others feel as if we lost a family member in a way.

My prayers are with his wife and children.

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