I kicked off my weekend by sleeping until 11am on Saturday morning and it felt great.  Outside of doing a little cleanup around the house, I was a bum for most of the day.  I did spend some time learning a new software program for my photography but didn't do a whole lot more.

On Sunday, I decided to clean out the garage and get it better organized.  Jodi wound up joining the effort and when we finished, we pulled all three cars into the garage, which was a first. 

Here's some thoughts on how to resolve the illegal immigration problem we have here:

1. Declare that there will never again be illegal immigration amnesty. The first one was a mistake that lead to 4 to 5 times the number of illegals. Give them six months to get out, no questions asked.


2. After that six month period expires, anyone caught here, regardless of their age, will be banned forever. No future citizenship, no legal immigration, not even a vacation visa. The exception to this would be those here committing other crimes, including identity theft.

3. Those caught again that are 18+ will be given at least 5 years in prison. Those under 18 will be sent back to the parents’ country of origin for state foster care.

4. Add up how much the U.S. tax payer gave each illegal deported or incarcerated and bill the country of origin. The countries that do not want to pay, no more foreign aid, even when faced with catastrophe.

5. CORRECTLY interpret the 14th Amendment. Illegal immigration was not a problem in 1868. What was a problem were the newly freed American slaves brought here or born to other American slaves because slavery was once legal here. This amendment was to give the slaves their legal rights, not to grant citizens to an illegal border jumper who just stuck the American people with their birthing bill.

6. Enforce laws against hiring illegals. Once it is shown that business owners are going to jail for that, you can be sure that most will not take a chance on hiring illegals. If there are fewer jobs for illegals, they are less likely to be here.

JD goes on DL

While pitching in Chicago, JD suffered an elbow injury to his throwing arm.  Fortunately, he took himself out of the game immediately and we iced it prior to returning home.  He saw an orthopedic surgeon on Tuesday in which Xrays and a range of motion exam didn't find anything out of the ordinary but to be on the safe side, I insisted on an MRI.  Yesterday, we went to find out the results and were told JD has a flexor pronator sprain.  The two tendons that reside above the Ulnar Collateral Ligament (Tommy John Injury) are strained and he has some fluid in the joint.  Fortunately, the UCL is not involved in the injury. 

The doctor recommended JD shut down for 6 weeks while attending physical therapy and once cleared to throw, work his way back slowly to the mound.  In all likelihood, his return will be this fall season.  He begins his physical therapy sessions next week

Although we are all disappointed that he is losing his summer season, we are very thankful that the injury is not more serious and that it doesn't require surgery.

Baseball Banquet

Last night, the North baseball team banquet was held at a nearby neighborhood swimming pool.  It was a perfect night for the event as temps were in the low 80's and there was a light breeze.  The food was supplied by our local grocery store and there was a nice selection of deserts that followed. 

After dinner, the varsity coach did a review of the season and then called up each player to receive their varsity letter.  When JD was called, the coach said that there were giving out an annual award that would go to the team's "Pitcher of the Year" and JD was the first recipient.  He was also presented with his varsity letter and his award for First Team All Conference.  

After the award ceremony, the coaches were presented with the framed posters that Jodi and I did.  One coach told us it was the coolest thing he's ever been given.  I have to admit, they do look pretty cool.

The players got to swim awhile before being treated to a couple videos that showed picture and video highlights of the season.  They were set to music and were very well done.  We all enjoyed watching them and it was the perfect ending to a great night.

Way to go, JD!!!!

Congratulations to JD on being named First Team All Conference Pitcher!!! 

Whew!

What a weekend!  I need some recovery time after being on the go for 4 days straight but it was sure a lot of fun.  Upon getting into town, my mom took JD, Megan and I to Olive Garden for dinner and then we had ice cream afterward with my friend, her son and his girlfriend.  I took JD and Megan to Jodi's sister's house where they would stay for the trip and then I went to my mom's and crashed.

Thye next day was the first game and JD started.  He only made one bad pitch that day and the team won.  A dozen college coaches watched him pitch from behind the backstop and we found out afterward that JD's coach was contacted by some of them after the game.  It appears they have interest in JD at this point so we'll see how things go. 

The team wound up winning their pool going 3-1 and played in an extra game at St. Louis University in which they won.  4-1 on the first weekend is a great start to the summer season.  It sounds like several of our unsigned players got some interest from the coaches in attendance so hopefully they'll start getting some correspondence from them.

When not at the ball park we spent time visiting family and friends.  JD and Megan also went to the St. Louis Zoo which was at the top of their "To Do" list.  Sounds like they had a great time there.  I went to Illinois for a bit to seee my friend's son play and then I stopped by my oldest brother's house and visitied with him and my sister-in-law for a couple hours.  I hadn't been to their house in at least 5 years so it was great to see all they had done to their home since my last visit.

Now we're going on the road for nearly two weeks as JD's team will take on some of the best team's in the nation.  We're expecting to see some large throngs of college coaches and MLB scouts at some of the games.  It should be a great trip.

Who wants to tell this officer's family that these illegals are all just hard working people wanting to come here and contribute to our society?  Who wants to tell them that our border is more secure than ever?  Who wants to tell them that these criminals deserve a path to citizenship? 

Drunk Illegal Immigrant who had been previously deported kills officer

Somebody just take him out back and shoot him. 

It was nice to have ONE day off over the holiday weekend.  I can't really complain since I will be using a couple weeks vacation shortly.  I spent my day off doing some work around the house and then in the afternoon, Jodi and I went to Lowe's and bought some flowers to plant.  After we got those in, I grilled up some of my world famous pork steaks and some lemon pepper chicken.  After dinner, we took the dogs for a walk and then watched some TV prior to going to bed.

There's been a lot of good news lately when it comes to making the United States a better place to live.  Many states have adopted new voter I.D. laws that require proper identification to vote.  Many of these laws were enacted when it was found that tens of thousands of illegals voted in a Colorado election.  States are also passing strict "Arizona style" laws that require police officers to check immigration status of people who cannot prove they are here legally.  It won't be long before Obama pulls some more of his shenanigans to help the illegals in this country.

In other good news, Florida's governor just signed a law that requires people who apply for state assistance/welfare to be drug tested.  Two words: About Time!!  Why in the hell should taxpayers subsidize drug habits?  Of course, the libs are upset about it.  Imagine that!