Grandma and Baseball Can Go Together

Shoot I am really behind! 3 days ago was my grandma’s Birthday, and before it got too late I wanted to share a few memories and facts about one of the greatest women in my life! After spending lots of time with my grandma these past 25 years, I have a lot of memories but I'll try to pull out some of the faves for you.

Ever since I was little I remember spending holidays like Thanksgiving and the 4th of July with my grandma. I remember sitting in her car on the way to summer camp /pre-school while she would drive through McDonalds. I remember my grandm (along with my pop pop) taking me to ice skating and events like the Nutcracker and Phantom of the Opera. Every special birthday my grandma would take me somewhere special. Once we went to the Melting Pot where I experienced my first fondue tip, there was a hibachi grill and one year we even went to a Polynesian restaurant which was awesome.

My grandma and grandpa took me to some really cool places when I was little too. For example, they took me to a Rodeo in Texas, Zoos, Disney Land, Universal, a drive through safari and even a place where I could see REAL mermaids, seen here:



And how could I forget my first cruise through the caribean?! I also remember going out on the ocean in my grandparents boat and sitting in the front with my grandma. Ohh or what about when my grandma helped me make a mohowk out of all my hair for wackiest hair day? Or better yet, when she helped me to learn the B52s love shack so I could perform it in a lip sync contest?

My grandma was one cool chick! Before I even knew what Nintendo was, my grandma was an official Nintendo member. From the time I could pick up the remote my grandma had me venturing out on Zelda quests. We used to play so much, we would carry our game world into real life. Once in awhile, driving to school/camp we would think bad guys were going to jump out of the bushes. My grandma and I almost beet every Zelda together, between my “jumping” ability and my grandma’s brains, we were a force to be reckoned with. Don’t even get me started on any of the Mario Brother games, especially not Mario Kart (I took a gold medal in Greek Games my freshman year of college in Mario Kart – on the Super Nintendo Machine, my grandma must have had something to do with that)

As cool as all of this was, I still owe some of my love towards baseball to her and of course my grandpa, even though my grandma is a Yankees fan and a Cubs fans (after all the cool things mentioned above, you could forgive her for being a Yankee fan too) I remember watching the Chicago Cubs on WGN almost where ever my grandma lived and I remember watching the Cubs play in away games. I remember going to lots of Rangers games back in the Nolan Ryan days and I remember the Marlins when they used to play at “Joe Robbie Stadium.”

(My grandma loved Ally McBeal. I remember staying with her one summer where the introduced the singing baby. My grandma thought it was so cool, so I learned the dance for her and even preformed it for some of her co-workers. Back in the day the internet was not for everyone and You Tube seemed light years away, however somehow the dancing baby made it to You Tube so in honor of my grandma’s Birthday week I dedicate this entry and this little dance to her - especially since i know she reads this, love you grandma!!!)

Super Bowl in Miami: Been there Done that Part 1

3 years ago on this day I was attending Super Bowl XLI in Miami where the Colts took out the Bears 29/17. Yup, that’s right, a Colts Super Bowl in Miami, I’ve been there and done that. But before I get there we should back up a few days because a lot happened.

Photo taken at Joe Robbie Stadium (It was called Joe Robbie, look it up)

One of my college professors was an adjunct who also had a great realm of experience in the sports business. After our semester ended I looked at him more as a mentor and a great contact. He taught in his class, it’s not what you know but who you know – boy was he right.

Growing up in Chicago I had a longtime love for the Bears. But after living in Indianapolis and absorbing the Hoosier way for 4 years I also had developed a love for the very lovable Colts. I came to terms with the fact that the chances of the Bears and Colts playing in a game outside of a preseason game was going to be pretty slim. This made it ok to adopt the Colts as my second team, especially since I jumped on board before bandwagon fans. Then one day, I had a feeling - yup Black Eyed Peas style.

4 months out of school at the start of football, Septemberish, I Facebooked my mentor with a note that said I65 Super Bowl, Bears Colts, wanna bet? He obviously couldn’t take any bets but he said if it happens he would work to get me to Miami to see it happen.

Fast forward to November. Both the Bears and the Colts were looking dynamite with records that looked like they’d be going to the playoffs.

Fast forward again to 2 weeks before the Super Bowl. At this point everyone in my life (minus my husband who is a Packers fan and my dog who is a hometown Minneapolis homer) was pumped to see their team go to the Super Bowl. I received a text late that night that said “you’re prediction came true, we have an I65 Super Bowl.” I am not someone who like asking for things but we did have a very informal Facebook agreement.

After 4 of the longest days of my life (most of it spent agonizing whether or not I should ask the question), I caved. I called up my mentor and said what are the chances of me coming to the Super Bowl. He said to hang tight as he may be able to get me 1 ticket.

I didn’t have long to linger on the trip so I went to my boss requested off, bought a plane ticket, arranged for PU & DO, and some family time. I of course wanted to share this experience with my husband and family and friends but sometimes you just have to take risks and do something completely out of your element to experience something cool, case in point – attending the Super Bowl, by yourself.

I spent the first part of my trip visiting with my grandparents who have always served as my second parents. It was sad that it took a big event to plan a trip for me to visit them but I was so greatful for the time I got to spend with them. To this day I talked to my grandma almost every day of the week, my phone bill can attest to that but I'll hit on more on this later.

Me and my "pop pop" or "King Bugga Bugga"

Along with quality time with my grandparents I was able to watch my Goddaughter play soccer coached by my uncle. Living thousands of miles away from family while in college isn't the easiest way to watch your family grow. It was a cool experience to see her all grown up.

My aunt and my cousin/Goddaugher

My grandma and I

I also got some great time spent with my aunt. This was my first visit where I was of legal drinking age and I could attend some local hot spots. She took me out to see what Ft Lauderdale had to offer and we spent most of the time visiting the Hard Rock Seminole:



Us getting ready to go out for the evening

The Hard Rock was awesome. We got to see a lot of local celebrities and I got to ride a bull:

(I should mention that Anna Nicole Smith was at the Hard Rock and was rumored to be riding this very same bull the same weekend, she died the Monday after RIP Anna)

While here, I even ran into this lady who was my first boss as an intern. She oversaw me when we worked for the Indianapolis Indians but we hadn't seen eachother since I graduated - SURPRISE



We cut the night short because the very next day was Feb 4, SUPER BOWL DAY! Part 2 coming tomorrow.