Tomorrow I start at Camp Indian Springs, so I'm trying to clear house a bit and get packed. This week, let's just say, is a bit stressed.
The weekend was cool, though. The little Quincy Airport had an airshow and my parents, Barry, Mackenzie and I went.
I'd been on a helicopter before but it was so cool I opted to do it again, and my father and Mac went up with me. I really would like to fly one of those things. Barry, on the ground, said he was a little concerned about Mac, but she loved it. She's a daredevil.
We also went up in a little plane and toured downtown Quincy, which was also zuin. Mackenzie went on her own flight with kids and Daddy and I went up in a little four-seater. It was newer than the one I'd taken over the Grand Canyon, so I wasn't as panicked. At least not until they gave the steering to my father. Then, I admit, I was a bit nervous. 
But he did fine. He also climbed the rock wall, which was funny. It was just there and some Army guys were running it and also climbing it for fun. This one guy started up and then Daddy got hooked up and started right after him. Previously, Army v. Army had been treated like a race.
Both the climbers plugged along until the Army guy slipped and fell. Daddy kept going and I told the other guy, "You're going to let that 71-year-old man beat you?" And then everyone got into it and ragged the guy, who really had no idea anyone else was even climbing.
But by that point, Daddy was about 2/3 of the way up and had no trouble finishing before Army guy could get a grip. He had a nice round of applause when he finished, and some older Army fella, who'd laughed through the whole thing, chased Daddy down to give him a water bottle.
So it was a hot but fun weekend. I also went to a chiropractor who set up out there and made an appointment to see him this week. I just got back and he confirmed again what I already know: my spine is whacked out. Unfortunately, other than today, I have little time to go out there and get adjusted.
But I do plan on going out today. It's my last day before camp and I am just completely trying to get everything accomplished. I'm not sure of the camp schedule, but at some point I'm going to be out there all day and night.
For the moment, though, I will still commute back and forth, which enables me to finish up my Parks job, which I really do love. It's had its challenges, though. It seems people are ready to wind down. The teams are getting more and more shorthanded in this last week, and last week I had two umpires show up late. Before they arrived, I had to umpire.
Last night, my umpire didn't show at all. He now claims he never knew he was supposed to be there, but I wouldn't know anything about that. What I do know is that I had to get out there and be Ms. Blue, which, believe me, isn't so much fun if you're not prepared.
Now I grew up playing ball so I know all the rules, but it's way different under pressure. It's also strange when you stand in the wrong place, and that's what I did. Since I had no protector or shin guards, I called from between first and second. (Side note: it's also very hard to fight the instinct to go after the ball.)
I think I missed a call here or there and my strike zone varied during the count (several borderline calls on 3-0 pitches, I admit. Swing at the ball, kid!) but I did very well, especially considering I was wearing jeans and Chaco sandals. One of the parents told me I was better than most of the umpires they'd seen this season.
Really, I had to be. I've been trying to get them to be a little louder and more vocal with the situation and pitch counts, so I had to be on top of it.
But there are a lot of things you have to remember in the kids' leagues -- like calling time out, which I kept forgetting to do.
It's tough being Blue.
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