What's been up- the 411

So, what's been happening since I blogged last?

Well, the first, and most important thing, is the National Championship that my Gamecock baseball team brought home to Columbia. We certainly weren't the most talented team in Omaha, but we probably had the most heart. And one really special angel on our side. I've blogged about Bayler before- a special little guy who was fighting neuroblastoma. Bayler succumbed to cancer on the night of our win over Oklahoma in Game 3 of the College World Series. In fact, it was during the game when he took his last breath. Bayler was so special to our baseball team, and many of them visited him on a regular basis. How fitting that we would come from behind in that game and win. From that night on, we played like there was a higher being on our side. We again beat Clemson twice (shades of 2002) and went on to face UCLA in the finals. In dramatic fashion, we beat them in two games and sent Rosenblatt stadium out with a bang. Bayler's family was able to witness the two championship games from seats inside the Blatt thanks to the generosity of Carolina (and other) fans throughout the state of South Carolina. How very special.

When the team returned home, there was a ceremony at our basketball arena and a few days later, a parade down Main Street. Our flag flew atop the Statehouse for a day. It was a Carolina baseball fan's dream come true- I know this because I lived it, and I still haven't come down from the cloud.

So, what else have we been up to?

Well, let's see. We went to Fripp Island for a week's vacation. I went to Washington, DC for a work trip, and also Seoul, South Korea.
We've been to Fripp a second time, Edisto, Charleston, and Clemson. We attended a benefit concert for Chase, another special little boy with neuroblastoma (who is kicking its ass, I must say!)

And I had my 10 year high school reunion.

We've watched the Gamecocks and Tigers win some good games and lose some miserably (most notably the USC-Arkansas game this past weekend- yikes). We've celebrated birthdays, walked in the Alzheimer's Walk, enjoyed days at the lake, and worked our butts off through a busy few weeks.

And now, it's getting close to holiday time- the house is decorated with pumpkins and fall motif, and pretty soon, we'll be pulling out the Christmas ornaments and nativity scene. Wow, how fast 5 months flies by!

It's good to be back :-)