My GIANT Experience

The other sports are just sports.  Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981

Would you look at these lines?  And there were more going the other way.

These crazy fans were there more than two hours prior to the game.  Initially, my husband was willing to get in line that early, too.  But the lines were outrageously long.

"It's just a bobblehead," ~my son exclaimed in the back of the van. 
"But it's a Lincecum bobblehead!" ~my husband sadly had to forego this one for his collection.

So we went back home until it was time for the real game time. 

You see, as much as my husband is an avid Giants fan from his youth (his mom's been a fan since her teenage years), I'm the complete opposite.

I'm merely going to the game on a date because I haven't seen my man for more than two weeks (he was out of town).

But my attention was not on the game but rather on the people, the vendors, the kid licking the cotton candy off his fingers, the relationships between the fans, the food people brought with them, the billboard, the signage, the trash!

Baseball does not interest me (no offense, baseball fans).  I just can't get into it.  David says I just need to try a little harder.  He stopped telling me that.  I'm a hopeless case.  But when he starts talking about the personal stories of each player, I tend to be more attentive.  

But I was there...wishing I had my other camera rather than my little Canon point & shoot.  I even brought my knitting kit which David dared me not to take out!  Okay, I didn't.

Evening fell, and the Giants won against the Mets. The fans were happy! And I enjoyed our time alone in a crowded stadium.

Lincecum bobblehead owners flaunt their goods.  And when we were crossing the street, I commented to someone, "Hold on tight to your bobblehead.  It might fall off."  The top was opening up and the box was upside down.

David asked him if it was worth the wait.  He smiled and said, "No."  He then asked if we got one.  We said, "No, the lines were too long."  And just before we parted ways, he handed us his Lincecum bobblehead.  Just like that!  "Here, take it. We have an extra one."

We were beside ourselves!  I had to take a photo of him but he was too shy to be recognized.  But I caught a glimpse of this man whoever he is.  "God bless you! Thank you!" were my parting words.

Wait!  I have more to tell. There's a life lesson here especially for our kids.  Go to my recent post,  My Tribute to the Giants.

There is always HOPE...and David

Some see a hopeless end, while others see an endless hope. ~Author Unknown

"Did someone bring the favors to the reception? Why aren't the flowers here yet? Are the inserts here for the program? Where's my purse? Where's my engagement ring? Where's my phone? Can you take a picture of me with the veil over my face? I still need to pack! What about the runner, who's doing it?" 

The bride, who was supposed to remain unseen until she walked down the aisle, was roaming around the wedding premises checking on everyone/everything. She was forced back to the bridal room several times. It's the coordinator/organizer blood flowing in her. She just can't help it.

"Krissie, I'm getting married!" ~Hope exclaimed excitedly the night before, and all the nights before.

"Remember, you're the bride. You're not a bridesmaid," David had to keep reminding her. 

"My family is more surprised," after being asked if his family is excited. "They never thought I'd ever get married." ~David, a high school teacher. And here's just a few of the things they both enjoy: jazz, the outdoors, photography, and they're both detail-oriented.

"I've never seen a bride SO happy," a guest commented with delight. She was beaming indeed.

"When I get married, I will take care of my man. He will be loved!" Those were words of Hope (notice it's "when," not "if".) She just knew she'll be married. It's just a matter of "when." The time has come.

"Do you believe in miracles?" were Hope's opening line for her Thank You speech. Everyone agreed with an uproar of applaud that filled the room. After their first dance and the money dance, she led/taught the guests how to do the Hustle. "Do the Hustle..."  What a fun wedding.  Two years later, they're still in honeymoon stage.  It's truly "Worth the Wait."

Happy 2nd Anniversary, David & Hope!

KITCHENEERING 101

I coordinate our church's kids camp (this is my fourth year and loving it!)  This year I served in the kitchen during camp having adult conversations.  If you really know me, the kitchen is not my most favored place.  I would easily abandon cooking (cleaning up, I can handle) to anyone who prefers to do it.  But because I'm a mom, I practically live in the kitchen.

Don't get me wrong.  It's not that I can't cook nor am I afraid to tackle the job. As a matter of fact, I spent one whole summer in France in the 80's helping missionaries in a French Kids Camp doing...guess what?  Domestic work! From 5am till 10pm, I was in the kitchen, and other parts of the campground, with young people volunteering from all over the United States. You see, if need be, I can really whip up a very nice meal with all the trimmings. It's just that I'd rather be shooting, sewing, crafting, scrapping and blogging.

I do have a hardworking and dedicated husband with three ever-growing, always-hungry kids who need to eat. And so far, I don't think I do a bad job supplying them with just that. For my own consolation, our children's pediatrician unsolicitedly commented, "I wish all my patients are this healthy. Perfect weight for their height.  They're just growing perfectly." Of course, I know I can do better with my cooking skills.  David, on the other hand, is a culinary expert. I stay out of the kitchen when he's in charge.  I come in when he's done to clean up the mess.

With all that jargon, I simply wanted to share images from the kitchen with our camp cooks, Loree and Jan.  They were simply amazing at what they do.  They're patient, kind and loving.  I miss them already.  I'm getting hungry as I write this!  I also had the pleasure of working closely with other moms from different church groups.  Needless to say, I truly enjoyed my stint as a kitcheneer where I kept my point & shoot camera in my apron to document such simple moments.

Cookery has become a noble art, a noble science; cooks are gentle(wo)men. ~Robert Burton

He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. ~Acts 14:7

With Jan (Loree's mom) and Loree (right) • Amazing cooks • Taken very early in the a.m.

Moms from all walks of life (l-r: Julie, Gina, Louise et moi) ready to serve a very hungry mob!

Hunger is the best sauce in the world. ~Cervantes

...by their fruit you will recognize them.  ~Matthew 7:20

Blessed are those who...thirst for righteousness for they will be filled. ~Matthew 5:6

Tell me what you eat, I'll tell you who you are.  ~Anthelme Brillat-SavarinFervet olla, vivit amicitia: While the pot boils, friendship endures. (Meaning the wo/man who gives good dinners has plenty of friends). ~Latin ProverbVegetables are a must on a diet.  I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.  ~Jim DavisWe have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, because the LORD has blessed His people. ~2 Chronicles 31:10
Pastor Paul, from SF, helping Loree with the BBQ on a HOT day!
Here's some of the FABULOUS dishwashing crew!  Young, strong and beautiful. THANK YOU for doing a fantastic job!

Pastor Paul, from Cottonwood, and the rest of us, kitcheneers, enjoy our meals after serving the children.

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these...you did for Me." ~Matthew 25:40

And these women and men did just that...so glad to be a part of it!
BUT that's only from the kitchen. You should see what our camp leaders did for/with their precious campers for the entire week.  They were with them 24/7. Talk about selflessness...

RED, WHITE & BLUE

You...were called to be FREE. But do not use your FREEDOM to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. ~Galatians 5:13

(Homeschool Co-Op, 2007)

LIBERTY, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth. ~George Washington

(This little big baby is now 14 years old and celebrating our nation's birthday today, July 4th, 2010, in our country's capital.  I'm jealous!)

LIBERTY means responsibility.  That is why most men dread it.  ~George Bernard Shaw, Man and Superman, "Maxims: Liberty and Equality," 1905

(Super Hero, 2005)

This nation will remain the land of the FREE only so long as it is the home of the brave.  ~Elmer Davis

(Inner Sunset, 2009)

The winds that blow through the wide sky in these mounts, the winds that sweep from Canada to Mexico, from the Pacific to the Atlantic - have always blown on FREE men.  ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

(Coast Guard Homeschool Field trip with new Bay Bridge being built, 2009)

FREEDOM...it isn’t really free!  ~Diego @ 7

 (Cribviews, 2001)

But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives FREEDOM, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. ~James 1:25

 (Morning routine at the Murphy's home, O.C., 2008)

These are times that try men's souls...

The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly. 

It is dearness only that gives everything its value. 
~by Thomas Paine, read to the American Patriots by George Washington before crossing the Delaware River

(Crossing the Delaware, illustrated by my then homeschooled 10 year old, 2008)

My patriotic heart beats RED, WHITE, and BLUE.  ~Author Unknown

(Kids Camp, 2008)

Live as FREE men, but do not use your FREEDOM as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. ~I Peter 2:16

(Golden Gate Bridge, 2004)

And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family. ~Leviticus 25:10 (inscribed on the Liberty Bell)

(Philadelphia, PA, July 3, 2010, taken by DRLeong)

If you find faults with our country, make it a better one. If you're disappointed with the mistakes of government, join its ranks and work to correct them. Enlist in our armed forces. Become a teacher. Enter the ministry. Run for public office. Feed a hungry child. Teach an illiterate adult to read. Comfort the afflicted. Defend the rights of the oppressed. Our country will be the better, and you will be the happier. Because nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself. ~John McCain

HAPPY 234th BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!