Thoughts from Alison that might at least entertain you!

The Games We Play

Good evening, All!

Many of my readers will know that John and I play lots of Scrabble.  I love our games, and I often suggest playing, but I don't generally have the winning "hand."  I have my share of wins, and even some really good ones, but John tends to dominate.  He is more focused than I am and less likely to get frustrated with himself.

Here's what I wonder: Why, even though I love playing with him, do I let myself get so frustrated sometimes that I'm sick of the game by the end?  I know that I'm going to want to play next time!  Sometimes, I'm even frustrated when I'm winning!  (Tonight, for example)  The picture above, by the way, is not tonight's game.  It's the "winning by cheating through accidental math game" from a week or so ago.

And how does my loving and kind husband manage to not get frustrated with my frustration with myself?

Thank you, Beautiful Man.

Happy Night to you, Friends.  Be Well!

(Note to self:  Just be different in your mind when you play.  'Nuff Said.)

"Winning"

Hello Friends, and Happy Weekend!  (Yes, even this snowy spring weekend is happy)

Here's a little pointer from me to you, pulled directly from last night's Scrabble game at our house.  One good way to pull well ahead in the game:  When your score stands at 38 and your husband's is 37, and you are the score keeper - simply add extra points!  You might, for instance add 8 points to your 38 and end up with 126!

(For the record, I don't generally cheat this way - especially since once I realize my mistake it takes a good 10 minutes of hysterical laughter to regain my composure.  It's very hard to hide cheatery while laughing so hysterically that you actually cry.)

Happy Gaming!

Alison's World Famous Baseball Predictions

Ok, first of all - I've never made a baseball prediction before.  Second of all, my predictions are definitely not world famous.  Third of all, Umm...  well, I am Alison!

My hope for The World Series at this point is to see Boston and Colorado there.  My feeling is that we'll see Cleveland and Colorado.

Goooo, you baseball players!

On a different note entirely, we're bringing the peppers inside tomorrow.  I'll let you know how they fare!

Be Well Friends, and be enjoying this season of change!

Boston No-Hitter!

I'm a pretty rock-solid Detroit Tigers fan at this point, but I was also excited to read this story - wish I had seen the game!  As a former Bostonian (transplanted from the Midwest, of course), I still have quite a fondness for the Red Sox:

Clay Buchholz is a rookie pitcher, with his second start in the majors last night at Fenway Park.  He threw a no-hitter!  You go, dude!

Peace and good things, Friends - enjoy your Sunday!

Things I've Learned While Playing Scrabble

Many of you will know that there is a strong Scrabble tradition in our household.  Here are just a few of the myriad things I've learned while playing many, many, many Scrabble games:

• "Ai" is a good word to use when you have no other options and a few too many vowels  (it's an East Indian tree or something like that...)
• Never feel too guilty when you make an amazing word worth gazillions of points - your opponent will probably come back with something better if you admit guilt or say you're sorry
• How much fun dictionaries can be  (Keep in mind John and I were married on Dictionary Day)
• Exactly how needy our cats are
• And for that matter, what a burning cat smells like (That really happened during a game many months ago - Wheeee!)
• Just how romantic and perfect a wedding proposal can be
• How to use two Os, one I, and one A to spell the great word "oomiak," or "oomiac," or "oomiack" (all alternate spellings for "umiak" - a large open Inuit or Eskimo boat made of skins stretched on a wooden frame, usually propelled by paddles)
• How many dozens of games (and a few years) it takes to actually have all the letters for oomiak at once!
• And last but not least:  Just how much I love my husband!

Peace, Friends.  Be Well and Be Taking Care of Each Other!