Put Me In Coach...

...I'm ready to play, today...look at me, I can be...Center field. With apologies to one Mr.John Fogerty...*smile*

2 hours after completing her first 5K, our Miss Grace had her first softball practice! (the first was rained out, as was the one yesterday!) She enjoyed it so much but gosh! Was our girl ever tired by the end of the day! She was so excited about signing up to play in the local league this year. To quote my girl, "Mommy? I just want to experience everything, try everything and see what I like!" I think she *likes* softball! Her coaches are both wonderful, special people. Calm, patient and dedicated to teaching the game, fairness, good sportsmanship and to letting the have fun.

Grace and her Daddy work on her pitching technique...

It's in her glove! She caught it! It actually shocked her when she

did and what a grin...happy kid!

Incoming....

*Thwack* She connected! There it goes....

For The Children

This is our Brady...and he would like to show you some pictures of a fun day at the park!

Here are some people who are so very special to me and to Brady...

Mr. D. is quite the fashion trendsetter...

Photographing the photographer

Brady doing O...H...I...O to get pumped for the walk/run!

Some folks were just all abuzz about the event!

Here...we...go!

The participants were just as peppy as they neared

the finish as they had been at the start!

Our Miss Grace crosses the finish line after completeing her first 5K!

Brady, his Daddy Jim and Mommy Lisa cross the line. Go Brady! (Uncle Bill was pulling the wagon!)

I wanted to share this event with all of you. April 2nd was Autism Awareness Day. Millions of people around the world participated in walks to raise money for research into the causes, prevention, treatment and cure of Autism.

We walked, not just to raise money, but also to educate the public! 1 in every 150 children will be affected by Autism.

Austism striles in all racial, ethnic and social groups.

It is 4 times more likely to strike boys than girls. It is more common in our youngsters than pediatric cancer, diabetes or AIDS.

We walked to help raise awareness of how Autism affects individuals, families and society as a whole. When we all come together is a cause as great as this one, we CAN work miracles. We CAN find the missing pieces to this puzzle...

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Awesome Autism Awareness Afternoon

Be sure to click on Boo's picture to see it better...

It is a bee-yoo-tee-full Spring day here in Ohio! What to do, what to do...aha! I know!

The entire family, both immediate and extended, will participate in the Walk For Autism Awareness! We are many, we are strong, we are proud, we are Team Brady!

We WILL raise money for this cause.

We WILL show the world that children with Autism are special, loving, bright, lots of fun, beautiful and special just the way they are! Right Brady Boo?

I hope your weekend will be a sweet one...do something special for yourself and for someone else along the way.

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

A Soggy Bloggy Apology

To all of my friends out in old cyberspace...

I send you my love and say, "I'm red of face!"

I've been a bad blogger for far too long now...

My head is a hangin', I feel as down as the Dow.

I have not been a visitin' you all as I should...

and I truly feel rotten, I know I'm no good.

My posts are sporadic, quite boring and dull...

a worse blogger there ain't and that is no bull!

I miss each of your blogs when I just can't come by...

and then I feel guilty, I mumble, I sigh.

I sputter and drool, I make a big mess...

Susie Q needs a kick in the pants I confess!

I'm afraid that I've lost many old blogging pals...

and I know it's my fault, I've been bad to my gals.

I promise to improve if you'll all give me time...

and I shan't be a writin' another sad rhyme.

Why, Brian himself would tell me to "Can it!"

Stop whinin' and cryin', just buck up and man it...

Get back to bloggin' the way that I should...

go without water and daylight and food...

Write more and comment and visit and blog...

post about Ritter's and Kipper the Dog!

Stop by each friend's blog and show that I care...

why it's only right! It's only fair!

I'll get off of my keister and get back to work...

I hope you'll forgive me for bein' a jerk!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Spring Break Blues...

Ah, Spring Break and where to go, what to do. We had plans to go to Asheville, North Carolina this week. I even gave up BRIAN for it! Yes...*sad sigh*...I gave up Brian. Bill said it was either go to see Brian in Chicago or North Carolina in the Spring. I have been to North Carolina but only in the Summer and Fall. I longed to see it in the early Spring! So I, gulp, chose NC! Aw, it wasn't a hard decision really. I was going to meet Penny! That's right! I was finally going to meet Penny in Hendersonville, North Carolina! Just a quick trip from Asheville, Hendersonville is such a pretty town. Penny and her husband were driving into Hendersonville from their home, we were driving into town from our hotel! I was so excited!

Then, with a thud, the other shoe dropped. Where the military is concerned, that other shoe is ALWAYS waiting to drop. I spent 27 years with so many shoes being tossed at me, I had perpetual bruises! We never took a trip or had holiday plans that weren't, somehow, in some way, compromised. *sigh* Even after retirement, those shoes kept piling up, waiting for our vacation plans...*twap* Bill works for a defense contractor so we are still connected to the military. *sigh* "So Sue thinks she is going on a lovely trip to North Carolina? HA! Give me that size 12 stiletto! Hey Sue...INCOMING...!" *thunk*

Nope, Bill was to be sent to Washington DC this week. No NC. No Penny. Okay. I put on my big girl panties and started making some DC in the Spring plans. Cherry blossoms in bloom (which I have not seen in years) and nice, temperate weather..unlike the heat we had on our last DC trip! Okay! I am happy about it...I will see Penny soon...I will get all packed for DC...what?

*thawck* No DC either? Huh? Oh. I gave up Brian for...for...for...Dayton? Yes. Bill is going to DC tomorrow, just for the day. Plans were changed once again. More shoes were hurled, thrown, tossed, kerplunked. Unpack the suitcases, put away the Triptik.

So, no Penny, no North Carolina, no Washington DC, no Chicago, no Brian. *sigh* I think I will go

and see if there are any size 9 1/2 Nikes in this pile of shoes. I could use some new sneakers.