Lesson of the Game

It was a typical day here in Northwest NJ---it had been quite warm, nearly 70 degrees for the middle part of the day, but now it's 6:00pm and clouds were moving in, making the parents glad they'd brought a jacket.  The wind at the ball field began to pick up too.   The baseball game is underway and there are hits, catches, throws and steals by both teams.

This is recreation baseball for 10-year old's so all the boys are from the same town, go to school at one of three elementary schools here.  Many have been playing since T-ball at the age of 5.  Dads coach the teams, assist in the dugout, warm up pitchers, and provide plenty of advice on the proper way to hold the bat.

The boys do their best to run the bases properly, pay attention in the outfield and cover the bases the way coach taught them.  A mistake here, a panicked throw there and the Red Sox have the game well in hand.

A player for the Red Sox hits a home run and puts them even further ahead of the Yankees.  The coach pulls the Yankees together and reminds them of several lessons they'd covered in practice that week.  "Let's refocus and play the way we know we can!" he tells them.  The boys get the third out and end the top of the fourth inning.

Hitting continues to be a struggle for the Yankees.  The boys don't score in the bottom of the fourth, but still keep their enthusiasm as they head out into the field for the top of the fifth and final inning.  By this time the clouds are high and the sun has set.  Daylight hours have turned to minutes...as the light is dwindling.

The first batter on the Red Sox scores, making it 13-6.  Another batter gets on base, as the Yankees fastest pitcher is on the mound.  Then, a strikeout.  The next batter gets a little shove out of the dugout by his dad.  He's reluctant to stand in the batter's box.  He walks instead over to his coach who is coaching third.   The boy would rather do anything than face the pitcher.  He and the coach talk for quite a while which draws the attention of the rest of the players, coaches and parents.

The Yankees coach starts encouraging the reluctant child to take his at bat.  The Yankees pitcher adds a clap and words of encouragement.  "Matthew"  it begins quietly.  Slowly building - the chant - Mat-thew, Mat-thew, Mat-thew, MAT-THEW!  Before you know it, both teams, all coaches and parents are cheering loudly for a tearful frightened boy!  He steps into the batters box and the pitcher kindly tosses a gentle pitch to the catcher.  Swing and a miss.  Two more soft tosses and the batter is out, but the cheering was for Matthew and for facing his fear!

The Yankees are re-ignited by the impending end of the game, their experience with Matthew and proceed to score three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, making the final score a respectable 13-9.

During the shaking of hands after the last out, Matthew was surrounded by all the boys on both teams and congratulated.  The lessons learned on this ball field had little to do with baseball, and more to do with life.

Sportsmanship is so often overlooked when players and coaches are stuck on Winning.   How unrealistic to have Winning as the only goal, the be-all-end-all to sports.  The Yankees haven't won a game this season so far, but still found it in their hearts to reach out to a classmate who was having a hard time.  That is a real champion in my book!

(The name of the boy has been changed for his privacy, as well as team names.)

Pin It Now!

Blizzard

Friday February 8, 2013

So there's a blizzard on it's way to the Northeast today.  School is closed for the kids.  While I love that they're home, (yes I really do) I am sad that they will be going to school too far into the summer.  We were hit by Hurricane Sandy only a few months ago and school was out for two weeks! 

What are your family's favorite things to do when housebound?  Do you play games, clean, head out into the snow, attack a room with paint, watch movies, make brownies?

While we decide what we'll do today, I am taking stock of my Sunshine Stepping Stones business, making decisions about my business plan and creating new, fresh products!  It may be cloudy outside, but I'm finding a way to have a sunny attitude.

It's been a little while since I've posted on this blog and I want to show you the gorgeous new photos of my Sugar Scrubs.  Before I do that, let me tell you that the recipe for Sugar Scrub that I posted a few months ago is simply a jumping off point.  I've changed, altered and tweaked that recipe and now offer a more superior product for my customers. 

The result is a more moisturizing, conditioning product that you'll be so pleased to make a regular part of your beauty routine.

How do you use scrubs?  How often should I use them?  These are questions I am asked all the time!  To use:  Take a small amount (about a tablespoon) and massage onto wet or dry hands, feet, elbows or knees.  Gently rub in a circular motion to exfoliate and get rid of dry, bumpy or rough skin.  Then rinse the sugar off and pat dry.  Some customers use it in the shower...works for them, but if your skin is really dry, too much of the moisturizer in the scrub is washed away. 

Sugar scrub is best used 2-3 times a week at most.  The idea is to rejuvenate your skin.
 
 Clapping!  I opened an Etsy shop a few weeks ago!  I was nervous about it at first, but also so excited to move my business in such a positive direction!  The name of the shop is "Sunshine Sugar Scrubs"  and here's the link. 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunshineSugarScrubs
 
Now here we go with the photos!
 

 

Cucumber Melon Sugar Scrub (4oz jar)

 

 

Island Breeze Sugar Scrub (4oz jar)

 

 

Rose Garden Sugar Scrub (4oz jar)

 

 

 

Honey Almond Sugar Scrub (4oz jar)

 

 

Mango Frappe Sugar Scrub (4oz jar)

 

 

Clean Cotton Sugar Scrub (4oz jar)

 

 

Blackberry Icing Sugar Scrub (4oz jar)

 

 

Coconut Cream Sugar Scrub (4oz jar)

 

 

Wow, that was fun!  I have worked really hard developing all of these new fragrances and then photographing each one.  I hope you agree that these are unlike any other sugar scrubs out there.  The packaging alone distinguishes these.  So pretty, so blingy, so creative!  They'll be adorable sitting on the sink in your bathroom.  You'll love the smile on your guests faces when you give these as party favors too!

 

 

Stay tuned...there'll be more photos to drool over very shortly! 

 

 

 

 

Pin It Now!