Go Willamette BEARCATS

College boy Brandon is in Boise, Idaho this weekend for a three game series with his college BEARCAT baseball team. It's 22 degrees as he heads to the mound to start the game.

Since I can't travel to every game, the next best thing is watching the game stream on line with all the stats. So for two hours today I sat screaming at my computer monitor with every play.

Wish I could be at all his games. It was a sad day as the Bearcats lost 6-5. Brandon pitched great, but the team left 11 players on base. This is a picture of what I watch. See the little diamond... and see SIMON on the mound.

Just seeing his name makes me happy and feel connected. Every pitch I scream "make it a strike baby!" Looking forward to traveling to Willamette in Salem, Oregon in a few weeks to see him play in person.

New York at Christmas Time

So the college boy turns 21 in February. Like many folks do, they celebrate this milestone occasion in Las Vegas or a place where the kid can order a drink legally.

Well, Brandon will be in Idaho playing baseball on his 21st Birthday as the season will have begun. So he received an early birthday present... a trip to New York with his girlfriend Kalli to visit Aunt Jennifer.

Wow did these two kids have a wonderful time and we were so happy for them.

Something about New York in the winter and around the Holidays. So festive & sparkly and cozy. Aunt Jennifer and beau Kevin of course showered them with food & fun and they tooled around the city exploring and mastering the subways.

Pictured above is Brandon with Kalli and pictured to the right is Brandon with Aunt Jennifer.

They ate slices of pizza, visited the Statue of Liberty, checked out ice skating at Rockefeller Square, and absorbed the holiday spirit that is so prevalent in the city that never sleeps.

Jen and Kevin were wonderful hosts and the big kids had a great time ushering in the New Year with them.

There's a 12 year age difference between Jennifer and I. When she was born both my sister Michele and I treated her like a doll and an extension of our toy collection. We took her everywhere and she was part of our clique as the cute little baby.

It's wonderful to flash forward all these years and watch her relationship with my boy's. They are close enough in age that while they are not in the same stage of life, they certainly can relate to one another. Makes for a special bond.

What a splendid way to ring in 2012!

2012 New Beginnings

Ah it's been so long my dear followers of my Birthday Blog! But I'm back and fired up for the New Year, new beginnings, new friendships, new adventures and anything new that will contribute to my health, wealth or happiness. Doesn't that sound magical?!

I have missed sharing my daily musings with you all and look forward to re-connecting. As I close the chapter on 2011 I must acknowledge some milestones that shaped this past year.

I ran a Marathon, yes that's 26.2 miles! I turned 50 years old as did my life partner, Brian. We also celebrated our 24th Wedding Anniversary. I ushered our three teenage boys into their Junior years of school, one in college, two in High School. I worked on several political campaigns for rockin' women, some who won, others who sadly lost their races (other than losing their bids for office, they are truly winners for just running!)

Pictured here are me and friend & athletic trainer Melody Roset crossing the finish line of the LA Marathon in pouring down rain.

I helped my niece Olivia navigate the college maze and welcomed home my other niece Zoe from Utah; I cheered as my friend Eka re-kindled and married an old flame from years past; I lost my voice countless times chanting GO PALI as my twin sons Harrison & Spencer rocked the baseball field and ended the season making All League Conference; I traveled to Salem, Oregon to rally my son Brandon as he pitched his way to All Conference as well; and surprisingly for the first time since I was a child we spent two weeks in our beloved Bass Lake vacation house with a rotating door of fabulous friends & family.

Pictured here is my son Brandon & niece Olivia at Brandon's baseball game.

Of all the beautiful memories created in 2011, there were also pains and losses along the way. Mimi Martin, beloved mom-in-law to my dear friend Lisa Martin, lost her battle with cancer and we all had to say good-bye. Never easy to lose a loved one...

But of all the sorrows this past year the one that weighs the heaviest and is the most painful for me to reconcile, is having to console a dear friend whose one month old baby passed away from SIDS. There are few words to be uttered when such a horrific tragedy occurs. All I can say is rest in peace sweet baby Ethan, we all miss you.

Each of these reflections hold a special place in my heart and as we enter 2012 I may circle back to each of them to add more detail to the stories that touched me this past year. In the meantime, today is an opportunity to look forward, move forward and implement my intentions for 2012. For now it's off to hike with Brian, our trusted companion-dog Bailey and dear friend Suzee Markowitz. Great way to start the morning!

Pictured here to the left is me & Brian celebrating our joint 50th Birthdays!

PS The photo above captures Brandon, 20, Harrison, 16, and Spencer, 16, jumping for joy to ring in the New Year. They are my life & pride and joy!

Day 27: Our Boys Are Back In Town

Yay! The college boy's are home for the summer! My son, Brandon Simon, and gal pal Suzee's son Brandon Bank both returned this week from their respective colleges.

In honor of their completion of two years of college mama bears Suzee & Robyn took the big boys to their favorite meal of sushi!

Check out these beautiful boys. Here's Suzee with my son Brandon... Gorgeous!

If you haven't heard the story over the past twenty years... here goes... Suzee and I gave birth the same day twenty years ago, both to beautiful sons and we both named them Brandon!

Pictured here is me with Brandon Bank... what a handsome young man!

They've been pals ever since and Suzee and I have shared a bond of raising them together. I feel as if her son is like my son and I know the feeling is reciprocated on her part.

We laughed, talked about the time we took them skiing when they were barley three years old, how they have grown, how proud we are of them... it was a moment... our Brandon's out on a date with their Mama's...

Day 344: College Life

Ah, to be in college again. It really is a very fascinating and fabulous time in one's life. The opportunity to learn, absorb, grow as a person, meet new friends, dream, ponder, be excited about the future and be in love. What could be better?

Not really sure when in life you have the opportunity to focus on just YOURSELF. Many never get the chance. For those that are lucky enough to attend college, it really is something to relish and appreciate! Once you graduate it's into the real world... well that's a post for another day... today's remarks are about how much fun I am having here in Salem, Oregon with my college son Brandon and his fabulous friends!

Check out my boy Brandon (on the right) talking with his pitching coach after throwing another stellar game and picking up the WIN!

I had such a wonderful visit meeting and spending time with Brandon's friends and hanging out with all the parent's in the stands. It made me feel so happy to meet the terrific friends Brandon has selected. Our friend and fabulous photographer Kalli Norimoto joined the weekend fun to watch the baseball games with us and we all laughed, ate and had fun together.

Pictured to the right are Brandon and Kalli in their Willamette University gear! Go Bearcats!

Tonight Brandon, his friends and I headed to dinner. Too fun for me to listen to them talk about the future, the moment, what's important.... was I ever that young?


Pictured here is Brandon's baseball teammate Chris and his girlfriend Alex, both good friends of Brandon's up at Willamette! Too cute!

Spending time with your children, no matter their age, is a gift. Your children wanting you to spend time with them and their friends, is priceless.

I was honored and proud to be his Mom and he was happy I was there with him. Love to Brandon, Kalli, Alex, Chris, Jake, Parker and his beautiful mom Sue. Here's to more great times at Willamette University.

It was a Good Day to be a BEARCAT!

Day 343: College B-Ball

I'm in Salem, Oregon this weekend to watch my college boy play baseball! Today was a double header so a long day at the field.

Brandon started the first game and was outstanding! He is having a spectacular baseball season and it has been a thrill to watch him play, read about his talent, and follow his stats! Very exciting!

However, there is nothing fun about watching baseball in pouring down rain! These poor boys are constantly covering the field with a tarp, prepping the field after a downpour while the fans sit, and sit, and sit in the cold & rain!

Ugh, playing an outside sport in the Pacific Northwest is certainly got its drawbacks, and the climate is the biggest! Brandon picked up the W for the first game, unfortunately the Bearcats lost the second one.

Then tonight Brandon, his friends and I headed to dinner where we laughed and ate... It was a perfect way to end a long day at the baseball field.

And guess what, we get to do it all over again tomorrow. Check this post out about my big boy!

http://www.willamette.edu/athletics/news/archive/2011/03/12_BSB_Linfield.php

GO BEARCATS!

Day 342: The Finish Line

Still reeling over the LA Marathon this past Sunday and the challenging conditions we ran in... this is me at the Finish Line... I look like a soaking mess! Which I was! But check out how Melody and I are smiling! Love that we finished happy because the actual run was far from happy, it was miserable!

Pictured here at the Finish Line at Santa Monica beach... Melody Roset of Mako Training and me!

It's been quite a week for me! I ran my first Marathon, my son Spencer cracked his hand bone when an errant pitch nailed him - he'll be out of baseball for a minimum of two weeks, my son Harrison pitched the game of his career, and I flew to Salem, Oregon to visit my college boy Brandon.

It will be a weekend of baseball in the rain, lots of good meals and company with his college friends and baseball teammates. Ah, it's never dull in the Simon house... always on the move!

More tomorrow ...

Day 338: The Day After ...

Thank you all so very, very much for your wonderful congratulations, accolades, and kudos toward my completion of yesterday's marathon. Your sentiments mean so much to me and really warm my heart! All your calls, cards, texts, emails, Face Book posts, they all made me smile today!

I'm feeling GREAT ... Given I ran for 6 hours in torrential rains! I ran in wet socks, shoes and clothing and it was brutal, just miserable. The casualty to my body seems to be that I'll be losing a toenail on my left foot... you can't expect to run in wet socks sliding up and down for hours in the rain and not have some fallout!

In my case it is an incredibly sore toenail, I mean excruciating pain. I'm wearing Brian's compression socks for some ankle swelling, but I feel pretty damn good. Was up early walking up and down the stairs...

Below are some of my favorite words of inspiration...

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Hey Mom,

Just wanted to wish you good luck tomorrow on your marathon. I'm super proud of you and proud that I have a Mom that can actually do that. I even told some of my friends that you were running. Regardless of your time you should be proud. I don't know very many people than can run a marathon, and I'm pretty sure I don't know any moms that can run one. You set out a goal from last year and no matter your time, you accomplished it... so congratulations!

I love you! Good luck, Brandon

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The great ones empower people by BOTH words and deeds. You are a Renaissance woman and I hear you roar!!! Love, An admirer.

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Robyn, I am so deeply moved by what you accomplished today. It was an honor to watch you do it. You inspire me beyond words!!!

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I could not have persevered without all of you supporting me the entire journey. A special and very loud shout out to my friend and trainer Melody Roset, who has run-side-by-side with me for an entire year. She never gave up on me despite my bitching and moaning with all my ailments. She was always a source of encouragement and her skillful training is what led me to the Finish Line successfully and why I'm feeling so good post-the-run.

And a huge thank you too to hubby Brian Simon and Rebecca Simon for planning a post celebration for me ... the rain may have dampened our party, but knowing that they put so much love into organizing this for me, is truly the gift.

I need to go take another Epsom salt bath for my bod and for this throbbing toenail... love you all. Run Robyn Run!