I've struggled with how to address this so please bear with me for a bit.  You may have noticed that I haven't been around as much over the last week and it's because it's been one of the most difficult weeks in my life.  You see, my mom has been battling leukemia (among other things) for the last 8 months and late last week she decided that since the treatment was not working, she was ready to stop treatment and go peacefully.  And that's exactly what she did this morning, surrounded by her loving family.

As you can imagine, this has been an extremely difficult time for me and my family and unfortunately it has overlapped with what was supposed to be a relaxing week of hurting myself playing baseball in Florida.  I have decided that now is not the best time for me to be going to the camp, and fortunately the Reds Camp organizers have been most accommodating for me and have offered to credit my payment toward next season's camp.  So, thankfully I will still get the opportunity to hurt myself playing baseball.  And the good news is that my older brother is going to join me on the trip.  This makes me even more excited - though now I'm disappointed that all of my brothers can't make it.

I probably won't be around much over the next few days, especially not if David Weathers and Luis Gonzalez are all the Reds can pull together to get my attention.  I'll leave you in the capable hands of the other admins until I'm able to join you again some time next week.  All I ask is that you be nice to each other.

And if you are wondering what you can do to help out, might I suggest that you go to your local blood bank and donate either blood or platelets for someone who is still fighting to get better.  My family cannot express enough gratitude to those who helped my mom survive as long as she did through their donations.  You may not know the people who receive your donation, but believe me, they truly appreciate your effort.

I am now less than two weeks from my excursion into "Baseball Heaven," so I decided to give you an update on my progress.  I've been trying my best to stick to a regular stretching plan.  They sent us a set of stretches to do, and while I haven't done them everyday, I think I've done a pretty good job of getting a least one set of stretching in most days.  As you know, my biggest fear about this trip is pulling something the first day and being incapacitated the rest of the week.  I'm doing what I can to avoid that.

Unfortunately, the weather has made throwing regularly a tough task.  I've had a couple of chances to throw the ball around with my neighbors, but I haven't done anywhere near enough throwing at this point.  Pops has kindly offered to throw with me, but our schedules and the weather have not cooperated yet.  Hopefully this week I'll have more success since the weather is supposed to warm up a tad.

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I only got one present from my wife this year, but it came in 15 parts.  She wrapped 15 separate lettered blocks to spell out REDS FANTASY CAMP and now on January 31st I will be flying to Sarasota to play baseball with a bunch of old guys and some former Major Leaguers!  Have I ever told you how much my wife rocks?

Although I was incredibly excited about the gift, my first thought was, "Ummm, I haven't hit a baseball in over 20 years."  I've played softball many, many times, but not a baseball being thrown by an actual pitcher.  And especially not one thrown by Bob from Accounting who just wants to learn how to throw a slider.  So, suffice to say, I will be spending a lot of time over the next few weeks in the batting cages.  Anybody want to join me?

I can't tell you how excited/nervous I am - the last thing I want is to go there to find out how much I suck and how out of shape I am.  Obviously I will be documenting the whole experience for you.  Every painful detail.  Wish me luck.  And seriously, if you can teach me how to swing a baseball bat even respectably, I'll pay for your time in the batting cage.

P.S - If anybody has been to Baseball Heaven and wants to share their experience with me, please do so.  I have very little idea of what to expect, so I'd appreciate some insight.