Dear Miss Abby,

You just turned 4 years old – and it shows! So many times lately I have thought to myself “she is such a joy.” (Your Nanny, my mom, called me her joy too and now I know what she meant.)

I wish I could freeze you at this age. The world is so new to you and you make it new for your daddy and me. You wake up in the morning with a smile on your face and such simple needs. Hugs, kisses and a day of play with people who adore you.

You are funny and smart and a thinker…already. I have such hopes for your future.

Yet I have this overwhelming feeling that I am not doing you a service by letting you continue to believe you are the center of the universe. 

You ARE the center of mommy and daddy’s universe. You are the only grandchild on both sides of the family and certainly have an entire fan club of people who love you. It’s just the nurturing environment I dreamed for you.

But I hope you will grow to understand that the world does not reward people who are self-centered. You get what you give in life and that rule applies in every aspect - home, work, marriage, family. The people who are the most blessed understand this principle.

I wonder how I can teach you this now without depriving you the peace and innocence I want my baby to have in her life. I want you to feel adored and protected and safe!

But it's my job to make sure you grow into a kind, compassionate woman who can take care of herself one day especially when I cannot.

Mommy does not like the tough lessons.

Dear Miss Abby is a collection of letters to my 4-year old daughter Abby. It’s a diary of the challenges that come along with being a working woman, a wife and a mother. Every day brings a new set of questions, answers and worry about how to nourish her soul and mine. 

TIGHTWAD MOMMA CALLED IN THIS MORNING WITH FREEBIES YOU CAN GET ON ST PATTY'S DAY TOMORROW.  CHECK IT OUT!

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It's true.  Women don't like baseball.  And those women who SAY they like baseball are lying.  Really?

Since Cornbread and I arrived in St. Louis right smack-dab in the middle of the 2004 Pennant race, we've been immersed in this heritage of Cardinal baseball.  baseball had never been a big sport for either of us, but when you have Mike Matheny call you within a couple of weeks of arriving here, you can't help but form an instant connection.

Since then, we've become casual friends with some of STL's favorite Boys of Summer...Matheny, Izzy, Mabry, Wainwright (including Adam's Dad) and most recently, we've struck up a new relationship with 2nd baseman Skip Schumaker.  Can you blame us if we like to talk baseball on the show?  But believe it or not, we get questions occasionally from management, listeners, or even Annie...on why we talk about Cardinals Baseball on a music station.  Some think that our women listeners, especially,  could care less.

Are they right?  Even in a town like St. Louis where Cardinal Nation rules, could it be that women aren't interested in baseball?  Let us know what you think!  I call it research...

Meanwhile, check out this story from AP's Kayleigh Tschanen.  She thinks women who don't watch baseball are missing out.  See if you agree?

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Why Women Should Love Baseball as Much as Men Do

A Girl's Guide to Watching and Enjoying America's Pastime

By Kayleigh Tschanen

Unfortunately, baseball season is almost over. On the plus side, however, this means that we're getting into post season action. If your team is lucky enough to make it in the playoffs, congratulations. If you're left at home with no team to root for in October, then you're in the same boat as me. But as disappointed as I am, I know that in April, my Indians will be back in action, and hopefully able to return to the glory I know they are capable of. Until then, I thought I'd try and recruit a few more ladies to the game that consumes my life for about six months of the year. Alyssa Milano has become kind of a role model for the female baseball fanatics. The way she inspires fans with her energy and excitement is enough to make me want to do the same. You can find information on how the game works from just about anywhere, so that is not what this article is about. It's about specific reasons, other than just the concept, of what makes this game so special. That being said, however, it might be a good idea to get to know the basics so that you can wow guys with your immense baseball knowledge. I'm here to get you excited about it so that you want to learn. So here are the reasons, in no particular order, why I love the game so much, and why you should too.

10. To start off, you have to go to a game, especially if you are new to the sport. Nothing will make you love baseball more than actually experiencing it. There are usually cheap bleacher seats in the outfield if you aren't ready to fully commit yet. But I suggest you do. Recently, I had seats behind the dugout, and they were phenomenal. And be sure you get a stadium hotdog. You won't regret that. Be sure you get a souvenir of some kind, such as a souvenir cup from the vendors. And if you happen to walk away with the Holy Grail of baseball souvenirs, a foul ball, consider yourself extremely lucky. Not many people get one of those. It's a little different to watch baseball on TV, because you don't get the atmosphere. But it's still enjoyable. Just make sure that your broadcasters don't annoy you, because if they do, there's nothing you can do about it. Don't try and sit through a whole game your first time; it will bore you and you won't want to watch ever again. Watch a few innings here and there, and be sure to tune in for the awesome exciting parts, especially if it's a close game.

9. Baseball has a rich and rewarding history for fans. There are tons of stats and records and exciting pieces of information that fans love to view. It is a very smart and detailed game at times, yet at the same time, it can be easy to understand for someone who is not a big sports nut. You can be as involved as you want to be. You can choose to only follow it as far as one guy throws the ball to another guy who hits it. Or you can follow a pitcher's ERA, or a batter's batting average, or a fielder's fielding stats, or stats for homerun leaders and those in a batting slump or in a long hitting streak. Baseball is a game in which you have a choice in your involvement. Personally, I am fascinated in the many numbers in baseball. I am the girl in the stands at an Indians game with a score card in my hand writing down whether the pitcher threw a ball or a strike, every time. That is part of the reason that I love it more than any other sport. It is a smart game.

8. Baseball is a very American sport. To me, nothing seems more patriotic than spending a day in a sun filled ballpark with other fans. That's why it's called America's Pastime. It has a tremendous history and is laden with tradition. Many people remember their fathers or grandfathers taking them to a game when they were younger, and that is where their love of the game began. Even if you don't have any baseball related traditions, isn't it time to find out what you've been missing? Because trust me, it's worth it.

7. Baseball is full of exciting plays that can instantly change the outcome of the game. Every ninth inning for the home team is like sudden death overtime in the NFL. The homerun is always the most exciting, because as soon as the ball comes off the bat, you can usually tell that it's going to land in the bleachers. Better still is a rare grand slam homerun (the bases are loaded when a homerun is hit), or a triple play. And the rarest of all is a perfect game thrown by a pitcher. Those rare moments are truly special and can stick with a baseball fan for years.

6. The song "Take Me out to the Ballgame" is played during the seventh inning stretch. That is the perfect time to stand up, put your arm around the person next to you, and sway with the words. Will you look like an idiot when you do it? Probably, but look around. Everyone is doing it. It's just one of those fabulous baseball traditions that is always fun, even when you are sober. It doesn't matter how dumb you look, because it's so much fun. Trust me, when it's all over with, you'll want to do it again. Try not to smile while singing that song. I'm pretty sure it's impossible. I'm smiling now just thinking about it, and I'm nowhere near a ballpark at the moment.

5. Obviously, if your team is winning, you are on cloud nine. But if they aren't, that doesn't mean that you can't still have fun. Take it from a Cleveland Indians fan. They disappoint year after year, but I still love them more than words can express. The point is that you have to enjoy yourself, because you are at a baseball game, and baseball is amazing. Participate in fan cheers to pump up the team. Cheer loudly for the pitcher if he strikes someone out, even if he gave up a homerun to the guy before him. No matter how much your team loses, don't call them losers. Even though they don't know you are calling them that, eventually they will get better, and you'll feel guilty. Love your boys through thick and thin.

4. Baseball is a fun game to go to on a date. There is a lot of free time in between innings or batters, so it's the perfect time to get a conversation going. Unlike football or basketball where the action is non-stop, this game is usually slower paced and allows for interaction. Just don't bother your man if it's the bottom of the ninth, two outs, down by two with the bases loaded. If you understood that, congrats! If not, ask your man what it means...it shows you care.

3. The promotions. Bobbleheads are baseball. It's so much fun to go to a game and get a free gift just for walking in the door. They are great collectors' items and awesome free souvenirs. Also, the fun little things that they do to kill time, like the 7^th Inning Stretch, or the hot dog races. Those are little touches that other games don't have and they really up the enjoyment level. A lot of teams host fireworks shows after some games. That can be a perfect way to end a great night of baseball.

2. The atmosphere. It's not as intense as a football game, and not as quick as a basketball game. It's in the middle, and it's perfect. Plus nothing sounds better than the crack of a homerun ball off your favorite players bat. As I mentioned before, there is a lot of free time in between innings that you can use to go to the team shop, get food, or do anything you want without the fear of missing a lot. Other games don't allow for that simple luxury. Plus, it's usually warm out, unlike football, where they are playing in the snow, and you see the fans bundled up so much you can't even see their faces. In baseball, as long as you don't go right when the season begins in April, it's usually warm and beautiful outside, which characterizes baseball tremendously.

1. The players are HOT. Sorry if that sounds shallow, but it's true. Shallower still is mentioning that they all wear tight pants. But it just deserves to be said, because it is a definite plus. Outfielders are especially hot, because they are usually the most athletic, because they have a lot of ground to cover in short periods of time. But really, they're all hot. I've said many times that if I see some random guy walking down the street, I might be like "Eh, he's OK." But if he's in a baseball uniform, he's like the sexiest thing alive. I like a man in uniform. Ha. But seriously, hot. For me, it's Grady Sizemore. He ruins other guys for me because he is smart, sexy, and sweet. He lets his talent speak for itself, and isn't arrogant or boastful. He is remarkable to watch and, as good as he is now, he's going to be phenominal in a few years. Another reason why baseball players are so hot is that most of them seem like really down to earth guys, unlike some football players, who you always see as boastful and can't keep their mouths shut sometimes. Other than the steroid problem in baseball, you don't hear of too many scandals coming from this league. And the steroid users are usually guys you wouldn't want to look up to anyways. You don't have to pick a favorite player; you can love them all. But it's fun to get a jersey or a t-shirt with a players name on it because it adds to the game, in my opinion.

Of course, there are many other reasons to love baseball, but these are the main reasons why I live for baseball season. And like I said, even though my Indians are down this year, I know that they are getting ready for a turnaround, and that always makes me smile. Because not even a terrible season can tame my love for this game. It's a part of me, and I hope that someday it will be a part of you too.

Ladies I know most of you don't need any help filling out your 'March Madness' brackets.  I know that you're totally up to date on the difference between Ohio University and Ohio State University.  I know you know 'the lower the number, the better the team' and I know you think a Cowboy is cuter than a Rambling Wreck, but if you want some practical help with this year's bracket, I have it here for you!

1. Don't get upset happy!  It's always impressive when you pull the big upset, but those are few and far between.  You have to pick a couple of upsets, but don't go crazy.

2. Do pick one or two # 12 teams.  Virtually every year this combination produces a big win or two.  When one of these hits and Phil in accounting asks how you knew to pick that upset, you tell him, "C'mon Phil, everybody knows a 12-seed wins at least once every year!"

3. Never pick a # 15 or # 16.  Those two seeds have never won a game in the NCAA tournament game.

4. Have at least 2 # 1's in your Final Four, but don't have all four of them making it to the final weekend.  The four best seeded teams have only made it to the final round once in the history of the tournament.

5.  Pick a nine over an eight and a ten over a seven.  Thes will happen periodically.

6. Ask your boy friend/husband/dad his opinion on a game or two.  That way you're giving him that sense of 'being the man' and if he gets it right, the two of you can celebrate.  If he misses then you can gently blame him!

7. When George in HR asks you why you picked a certain team here are some ways to respond:

     a. "I thought they had some match up advantages."

     b. "I was really impressed by their balanced attack."

     c. "They've really picked up their play at the end of the season."

     d. "Their coach has them peaking at the right time."

     e. "I just thought they were battle tested."

8. Fill out a bracket here on www.wil92.com and have some fun!

9. Don't pick a team just because it's close to home you once went there.  If you want to pick them because you like their colors or their mascot's name, that's fine.  There will be some goofy wins and losses that nobody understands.  If you hit one because you think Musketeer reminds you of Mickey Mouse, what the heck!

Do Good.

Carie, our extreme couponer,  all of her deals & tips are HERE

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