After a couple of weeks off, we're back together again here in Portland, Oregon to kick off the last leg of the Bound 4 Beijing tour. It's hard to believe that the Olympics get underway one month from tomorrow! ONE MONTH!

The last two weeks were a good break for us but there's still a lot of softball to be played between now and August and we're going to take advantage of every second of it to prepare both mentally and physically for the test of our lives. We have such a tough schedule that resting my arm is a luxury that I don't really have. Basically I just ice it when not throwing. This isn't really the time for resting since we're getting ready for what could be 10 days in a row of pitching for the Olympics. Right now I'm pushing hard and building up strength.

But even when I'm not pitching, you never know when I will be called on to play the field. There are only two of us that hit on the pitching staff and that's something I've always prided myself in -- trying to be a complete player. Like playing first base when I'm not pitching, that kind of thing.

Especially for the younger girls whose coaches or dads tell them, 'All you're going to do is pitch.' What the heck? You could end up being a shortstop, you never know what the future holds, so I always encourage young girls to play all the positions and know the game. I don't want people to tell you to be a pitcher, you might as well try being a hitter or playing another position. For me, I always want to be on the field.

Of course, there hasn't been time for much else. I used to be able to read USA Today and drink some coffee in the morning, but now it's all truck books or Winnie the Pooh books. I'm trying to get him to learn his ABC's. He loves to read!

Oh and last thing before I go, USA Softball is holding a really awesome auction on ebay for a good cause. Last month we played a game against Canada, the "PinkOut Game," where we all wore pink uniforms to honor breast cancer survivors and create awareness for breast cancer research. There's a bunch of stuff up for bid going until next week. Check it out.

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZsoftballoutlet

Until next time, keep dreaming and believing!