TACKLE the U.S. Open's Wardrobe

Congressional Country Club

I have been exposed to the sport of golf twice before the U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club, Bethesda MD.  When my hubby announced we were gifted tickets for the final day of the tournament, I immediately thought, "What in the world will I wear to this golf thing?"

He was like a kid with free tickets to an amusement park.  It would be Father's Day and he was a father that deserved a day of celebration.  Raising six girls can be challenging for the only man in the house.

I have to admit that I had a fashion meltdown the night before the U.S. Open.  It was a hectic weekend and when I finally checked out my golf attire, I was not impressed.  I googled "golf attire".  What do spectators wear to watch golf at the prestigious Congressional Country Club?  Presidents golf at this place for goodness sake.

One blog said to dress in a sundress and small heels. I have a closet full of this summer ware.  Dress classic and fashionable.  I looked at our tickets and noticed a terrain of hills, grass and dirt.  Heels? Fashionable? No way.

Bubba

I bolted from the house at 9 p.m. to raid the nearest Target (the only store open until 10 p.m.).   I needed a pair of shorts, a shirt and shoes that would look preppy but comfy.  We were leaving early in the morning and it would be very hot.  Bingo!  I found something acceptable to wear in 20 minutes.

The next morning packed with a hat and towel, we began the day of observation at the 13th hole and saw Bubba Watson, longest average drive (325 yards) of the tournament.  That is the best golf stat I can quote you about the game.

Fashion stat:  Bubba had the coolest golf get up.  I was impressed with his courage to wear this rebellious outfit.  He is really the only player I can remember because of his clothes and fun name.


Yang


Then there was "Red", I mean, Yang.  Later, I suggested we go to the 1st hole to watch everyone tee off.  We squeezed through the crowd and glimpsed the brightest red pants on the planet. 

Yang couldn't be missed against the plush green turf of Congressional.  The pants were a brilliant move to stand out since he was paired with Rory.

Rory, the Winner! 

Rory was the one to watch that day.  He was an Irish lad with a cherub face and a game to beat.  He was on fire all week and triumphed to win on this final day.

The hill with the view of the 10th hole and the 18th hole was the place to be.  It was steep and muddy.  The cute yuppie girls in their little sun dresses and heels were sitting in mud with splatters all over their fashionable outfits.   I sat on my towel in my sensible Target clothes and tennis shoes and was content.

Smiling because I didn't wear heels. Comfy was key!

I was a fashion success.   Rory was a golf sensation.  Tiger Woods was probably home shaking in his Nike shoes.

TACKLE Fatherhood

Pap: The Ultimate Handyman

Fathers come in all shapes, sizes and specialties.  But good dads all have the same characteristic:  Unconditional love for their children.  Their kids can lie to them, humiliate them and cuss at them and these dads will not waiver in their love.

Don't get me wrong; there will be consequences to the bad behavior, but there will also be forgiveness. 



My dad, Pap, can do anything like build a car, build a house or build a boat.  He can manage and operate a successful auto repair shop, even though he dropped out of high school.  He has more common sense that anyone I know.  He has guided me through good times and taught me survival skills during the worst of times.
 

He always believed in me.

If I was ever stranded on a deserted island with him, he would figure out a way to get us home.  He is a comic, a gentle bear and tough as nails.

Thank God, I have Pap as my parent.

Daddeo: The Budget Guru



Dad-In-Training

My husband has the patience of Job.  He is a man who raises six women and is calm in the storm of estrogen that hits our home.

He is gifted in accounting and budgets, keeping us in the black during the expensive years of raising children.

I have been blessed with a husband who is an intelligent and compassionate man.



Today's young fathers are strong role models to their children.  There is a surge in young men joining the military for jobs and college.  Discipline and commitment are taught in their training creating strong, confident men that are fathering the next generation.   

My son is a new father taking his role very seriously.
My son and is wife will raise my grandson to take on the challenges of the changing world that he will face in the future.

Happy Father's Day to the men that work so hard to keep our lives happy!

TACKLE High School Graduation With a Goofy Group Photo!




Goofy Grads and Friends

Patience.  Parents of high school seniors should remember this word during the end of the final school year.

Relax, because you will miss your child one day.



Seniors are very different from their parents during this phase in their lives.

They know it all; parents know zip.
They are free; parents are chained to their phones for senior updates. 
The world is their oyster; parents crave a vacation.  
They dread packing for their senior beach week house ; parents enthusiastically help them.

On graduation day, they are excited, proud and worried.  Reality is right around the corner. 

Celebrate   

Before an evening ceremony, an open house graduation party can include home movies, posters, tons of food, music and goofy candid photo shoots to create memories.


Friends, family and neighbors should be invited to congratulate the senior.



Congratulations Class of 2011!

The graduation march on the massive stage made parents cry.
This was the same cry from that first day of  kindergarten.

Now the graduates will go out into the world--that is their oyster--and with their own patience, find their place in society.



Child # 5 is getting ready for senior beach week,
a month long trip to Africa and college in the fall.



TACKLE an Award

Nothing makes a parent prouder than hearing their child's name announced from a stage.  The High School Spring Athletic Awards are a showcase of all the athletes for that season.

My two daughters played lacrosse and both played great this season.  During the program,  my youngest daughter was awarded "Offensive Player of the Year" and she is only a sophomore.  She was so surprised that she looked shocked for a minute.

To top off the night she also received the honors of 2nd team all district for her lacrosse skills.  Hard work, dedication and that new lacrosse stick must have paid off this year.  

TACKLE Tubing

 Apple, Mama Bear, Pebbles and Bug (Our Trail Names) on a Tubing Adventure

What could be more perfect on a hot, humid day than plopping in the refreshing Shenandoah River?  River tubing is an inexpensive, simple, fun time that will leave memories for a lifetime.


You will need directions or a GPS to find Shenandoah River Outfitters http://www.shenandoahriver.com/  .
It is an off-the-beaten-path canoe, kayak and tube outfitter located on the scenic South Fork of the river.

Old school buses transport your party to the beginning and from the ending of your trip. Lifejackets are supplied but, bring your water shoes, sunscreen, hats and coolers with munchies and drinks.

Tie your tubes together so no one floats away.  This train technique was helpful when it was time to exit the river to have lunch from our floating cooler.  We were so hungry that our sandwiches and chips tasted like a steak dinner.  The rapids were fun but not scary.  Thank goodness there was no threat of head trauma from a rock.

We floated past vertical rock walls, mountains, jumping fish, turtles, rope swings and people in canoes and kayaks.  The river level was high and the current was fast so we ended the trip in a few hours.  Watch for the numbered trees to signal the exits with a waiting bus.

The best part of the trip was no cell phones, iPods or electronics.  The only activities were chatting, giggling, munching, splashing and admiring nature.

TACKLE a Surprise Visit

There was a knock on the door.  My husband was told it may be a solicitor.  Since he is the guard dog, he answered the door.  Surprise!  It was our Air Force daughter home for the Memorial Day weekend. 

I had been sworn to secrecy but, in the final hours the news had leaked to everyone but her dad.  It had been 4 months and our little girl was home.  Friends and family enjoyed visiting while listening to her stories of evolving from a local girl to an airman. 

The visit was short but the memories will linger until our next meeting.  Back to tech school for months of learning and continued building of new friendships and experiences in the military life.