Family Fun Friday - Baseball

Welcome to Family Fun Friday: THE place to share fun and frugal ideas for family activities. Please read the Guidelines and share with us!!

This week's topic: BASEBALL!!

I would LOVE to attend a Major League Baseball game (Red Sox, anyone?). After all, what's more "American" and "summer" than baseball?! But given the cost of tickets and the current ages of my kids, it just doesn't make sense for us to travel up to Boston for a game. (Though we would certainly make the effort if anyone wants to gift us with tickets!!)

Instead, we try to take in a couple of Minor League games each summer. It's a 20 minute drive from our home to McCoy Stadium, where we root for the Pawtucket Red Sox. And it only costs us $2 to park and $20 for tickets (adults $6, kids $4). I consider that a pretty good deal for several hours of entertainment!

Right now the games are still a novelty for my kids. They are more interested in the hot dogs and doughboys than they are the actual baseball. But one day I'm sure they will cheer like everyone else when the PawSoxs score a run.

If you are wondering what a Doughboy is, then watch this video of our trip to McCoy Stadium last month:



If you are interested in saving money, visit your team's website for a Kid's Club. Our team offers free tickets to Kid's Club members for 3 select games each season. Also, following every Sunday afternoon home game, children are allowed to run the bases! Talk about exciting!!
Have you attended a Minor League Baseball Game? What team do you root for?
Recommended Ages: Fun for ALL!
Equipment Needed: Baseball cap, T-shirt in team colors.
Cost: Adults $6, Children $4.
Where: Minor League Baseball Stadiums.
When: Spring and Summer.

In Which I Brag Shamelessly About My Husband

I rarely discuss my husband's job on the blog. There are a number of reasons for that but mainly it's because this blog is to talk about family related stuff.

Well, this last week we've had a transition with Joel's job - and that's pretty family related. Not to mention, it's on my mind. So, I'm going to break my own rule a little.

Let me begin by saying thank you to everyone who emailed that they were praying for his job decision after reading my last post. We really appreciate your emails and prayers.

The short version of my story is that Joel is taking the job offer, which means the major changes are who signs his check and who he reports to.

Now, when have you known me to only give the short version? So here's the long version - and the bragging part.

Brief background: Joel was hired by Company A shortly after college graduation 12 years ago to work in Rhode Island as a part of their contract with Company C. About 5-6 years ago Company F bought out Company A. Nothing much changed for us. Just who was signing his check.

Now to the present: By the first part of this week, the other 5 members of Joel's team had signed and returned their acceptance letters for the positions with Co. C. Joel had not. Instead he asked some questions. The biggest sticking points were:

1. We would no longer be reimbursed for our internet service (so he can work remote from home).
   
2. He would no longer be provided a cell phone (we have 1 cell phone that I carry for emergencies).
3. He would lose his 12 years of service with the company. Even though he technically worked for Co. A & F, the entire 12 years has been in Co. C facilities. This would mean he wouldn't be vested in Co. C retirement plans AND we would have 10 days less of paid time off.

Other members of the team asked about cell phones and other things and were told no. Joel asked, and the new Co. C manager went to bat for him and got us: carry-over years of service, a company issued cell phone, AND a raise to offset the cost of paying for our own internet service.

WooHoo!!!

The other team members are also getting their years of service AND the raise. I've told Joel they all owe him lunch out or something!!

I am very proud of my husband for taking a risk and asking for more! I think he received what he asked for because of his integrity and work ethic AND because he is the senior member of his team.

Side note: the new Co. C manager was Joel's manager years ago when he first started at Co. A. The "new" manager invested in Joel all those years ago and continues to do so.

If you are still reading and are totally confused by this post let me recap for you:

My husband is changing employers but not jobs. He asked for and received some benefits that weren't offered in the beginning. I am very proud of him for taking a risk (given today's economy) and always maintaining a high standard of integrity and work ethic.

I love you, Sweet!! Happy (belated) 12th Anniversary!!

What a week! Can I get a little cheese with my whine?

Whew! What a week I've had!!

I started off this week with a plan. It was a very nice plan. It would have worked beautifully!!

Sadly, it did not.

Early in the week my new and pretty red Dell arrived! Yippee!! Did I mention Sally (my shiny gray laptop) died a couple of months ago? Graphics card gave up the ghost. So I've been back on Franky. Which is a big part of why my blogging has dropped off. Blogging on a 5+ year old laptop is so not fun!

Anyway. I've been trying to get Ruby (the new Dell) set up this week. The problem is she came loaded with Windows Vista. We are Windows XP people. Vista is a whole new ballgame.

When I wasn't trying to figure Ruby out I was cleaning my house (and basement) to get ready for Will's birthday party on Memorial Day. Side note: apparently I have an addiction to saving shipping and diaper boxes. I broke down about a dozen EMPTY boxes that I had put in the basement.

Then Thursday Joel was notified that his job is changing. Let me see if I can explain. Joel works for Company F. Company C contracts Co. F (and Joel) to do some of their computer programming. The two companies have been renegotiating their contract since January. As part of the new contract which was announced this week, Company C will now in-house Joel's entire team (all 6 people).

Thursday and Friday the team dealt with HR for both companies, went for fingerprinting, filed all manner of paperwork and tried to get our insurance benefits figured out.

Basically, effective June 1, Joel will work for Company C. Maybe. If we accept their "offer." If we don't accept the "offer" we have no job. No severance will be given. It's a take it or leave kind of deal.

Why am I whining about my week? Because I was all set to post a new Family Fun Friday article today about our trip to a minor league baseball game. I even have video! But Ruby won't import my video. Just the audio, which frankly means nothing without the video. And Franky is so old he won't let me edit the video. Argh!!!

So, hopefully Joel can look at Ruby tomorrow (after he mows the lawn and gets the grill ready for our party) and fix whatever the problem is. Then I will happily publish my Family Fun Friday post a day late. Sigh!

Does anyone else have any experience getting Windows Movie Maker to work in Vista? I'd love any tips you have!!