I know, I know

Yes, I know I said that once a week for posting is realistic and I haven't even done that lately. It's Christmas time and we have been busy, busy, busy. By the time we are done doing whatever chore or errands, or preparing and going to whatever social event, it's late and I don't feel like posting.
Today is my last day of work. We are off until the 5th of January! i have caught a cold, so I am going to just kick back and relax as much as possible during that time. Dean and I are planning to take in a movie. I want to see Valkyre or however that new Tom Cruise movie about the WWII Hitler think is spelled. I have always been intrigued by that period of American History. I think because my dad was a WWII vet. He was in Hawaii, but not at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack. I think he was somewhere in Asia too, but not real sure on that detail.
Other than this cold thing, things are good here in W.M, PA. Nick is staying with us and that is going sooooo well. His car died so I/we have been taking him back and forth to work when we can. Other wise, he stays at his friend's house cause it's closer to work and easier for him to catch a bus.
I will catch you up on all the other stuff later. Work, parties, bowling, shopping and junk. Like I said, I am off for almost 2 weeks. I should have time to post........

I hope it ends his career........

Plexico Buress, former Pittsburgh Steeler, current (?) New York Giant, took his gun to a club over last weekend and somehow shot himself in the leg! He makes how many millions to play football! I don't know why on earth these "bad seed" players do things to jeopardize their careers. Stupid. If he felt that threatened that he has to take a gun to club for a nite out on the town, then stay home.
Is he that full of yourself or just that paranoid that you think you need to carry a gun? You can take the boy outta the hood, but not the hood outta the boy, I guess.
Anyway, if you don't know the story, the gun fires for whatever reason and the idiot shoots himself in the leg. He goes to the hospital, where by law, they are supposed report any gunshot wounds to the police, but don't. They said he didn't have ID with him when he got to the hospital and he was admitted for treatment under a false name. Hospitals admit you under John Doe until they can get your ID or someone else verifies who you are. So, he went to the hospital, knew he would be in big sh$t for this, lied about who he was and one of his homies verified it at the hospital so no one would know. Okay. He's in the NFL. A New York Giant. He goes to a NEW YORK hospital. Don't you think someone would recognize him? He IS stupid. The Giants don't report it to the police either. Sounds like aiding and abedding a felon to me.
So, on top of all this, he doesn't have a permit to carry in the state of New York. Only in Florida. He's not IN Florida! What? He didn't know that you need a permit from every state separately? So if you are traveling all over the states to play football in other NFL towns, you need permits to take your gun with you.
And how did he get this gun on the plane? He didn't drive from Florida. Did he check the gun case as luggage?
I agree with the Mayor of New York. He should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Minimum 3 and a half years jail time. I hope it ends his career and makes his multimillion dollar contract null and void. The NFL should make the teams put a "conduct unbecoming" clause in all the contracts for players, coaches, and staff. They make big money. Kids look up to them as roll models. What are you saying when you take a gun to a niteclub and end up shooting yourself? Or being involved in dog fighting. Or being pulled over and the cops find blunts in your vehicle. It's not all about you. I am not saying that you have to be perfect, but, DUI's, drug possession, gun possession, murder should all be considered behavior unbecoming and should nullify your NFL contract. No signing bonus money, no suspension with pay, nothing. No get out of jail free card. Do not Pass go and collect your millions. You get ZERO! And no Hall of Fame nomination, either. Ever. You're done son.
Pete Rose gambled on baseball games. They crucified him. Ray Lewis killed a man. Nothing. San Tonio Holmes busted for weed (blunts) in his car on a traffic stop. Nothing. Game suspension from The Steelers. Michael Vick got what he deserved for the dog fighting crap. So, Plex should see jail time for this assinine act.
I'll climb down off the soapbox now.....................
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I did it!

Hey! Look below! I finally figured out the slide show thingy! Ya Know, it's all about keepin' up with Dave! LOL.
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A glimpse at Our Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day was also Dean's birthday this year. The old fart is 50! 50! So the pics below show some of his birthday and Thanksgiving.
Due to some very strange circumstances, Nick is living with us now. He is some of the pics too! Jordie loved Uncle Nick. They watched the football games together. And I mean together! You couldn't have gotten a piece of paper between them! Mikey was very busy playing and crawling all over the place! Whew it is tough chasing 2 little ones. They insist on being in the kitchen when you are doing stuff, but I am afraid one of them will get burnt on the oven while the turkey and things are cooking, so we were always sending them out to the living room. While we were cleaning up, Wee Wee followed me into the pantry and I didn't know it. I tripped over him, but fortunately caught myself and didn't drop the box of aluminum foil on his head!

Dean enjoyed his birthday and his ice cream cake. He gets one every year. He is an ice creamaholic! It is a DQ cake, but not the traditional one. He gets a double layer of vanilla with cherry sundae topping in between. No crunchies or fudge for him! And it was supposed to say Happy Birthday to the KING (not Kins).
He and I have been getting each other Hallmark Christmas ornaments for our birthdays since we started dating. So, this year I got him the Hot Wheels car. He always tells the story of his Mom spanking his behind when he got in trouble with that distinct orange section of track........Ah, the memories. If he wouldn't have been such a bad kid, he wouldn't have gotten a beating! I asked him for the one that sings "I Wanna Hippopotamus for Christmas!" I love that song!
Well, I hope your Thanksgiving was as nice as ours. WE do have lots to be thankful for...........

The new Sonic Boom

Good Morning! Yes it is an early one for me if you note the time of this post at the bottom there. I had to get up at 3:45 am to take Dean to work for a 4:30 am start. They are in their busy time at Parkhurst @ PNC 1. Alot of schmoozing going on with bigwigs and whatnot. As you may or may not have heard, National City Bank has been in financial trouble with all the bad mortgages they have out. The government gave the $7,000,000,000.00 That's 7 BILLION dollars to bail them out. So, now that their bad mortgages are settled, they are now being bought out by PNC. I don't know if that is who all the schmoozing is for, but I think it may be part of it. And the holiday season is fast upon us, and I believe that has something to do with it too. Parkhurst caters alot of parties for some fancy smancy occassions. Here are some things that they did for a reception for Governor Rendell's wife..............



Individual cheesecakes, plated and finished with a swirl of whipped cream and a curl of white chocolate on top, berries and slurry around the plate.



Here is part of the spread for that party. A table full of mini pastries and fruit. Chocolate covered strawberries, pecan diamonds, mousse cups, lemon curd tartlets, pate squares, and the other table has assorted pies and cakes! Doesn't it look beautiful? and Yummy, too! The fruit included star fruit, strawberries, mango, cantelope and honey dew..........See the honey dew that was carved into a swan? Really cool.




















Some closeups of 2 of the cakes on the table. Strawberry torte and raspberry torte.

My husband is so talented...........

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Anyway, my point of this particular post was to let you know that yet another Sonic drive in has opened in the Greater 'Burgh area. This one's in Bridgeville in the Chartiers Valley shopping plaza. I must say it was not the best we've had at Sonic. The burger had way too much mustard and the tomatoes were not ripe at all, which made them kinda bitter. But I had my DVC (diet vanilla coke) and it was very good. The onion rings seemed to be lacking as well. They weren't cooked enough and the onions were tough and hard. We will give it another shot someday though. Bridgeville is way closer than Pittsburgh Mills Mall........ Can we get one at the Waterfront, please?

Well, I've rambled on long enough today. I better get my shower and get ready for work. Ugh.
I think my new goal will be a post a week. That's a reasonable goal. If there's more I need to share, I'll post more often that once a week. Post a day? I don't know if I have that much to say........

Something looks like paint shop

My nephew also ha a slide show on his blog that feature pics of his dad. While I was enjoying the slide show for the bazillionth time, something hit me today. There is one of my sister and Jerry at Kennywood on the parachute ride. I think they call it the Skydiver or something. the color of Jerry's jeans & the color of the outside of the gondola look like they were photoshopped or paintshopped in. They just look weird. Maybe it's me. I don't know if someone took the picture if they have a camera set up on the ride itself that snaps an action photo of riders enjoying themselves. We got one like that when we were on our honeymoon in Las Vegas. We rode the roller coaster at New York, New York and there was a god awful picture of me on the coaster, going down hill, mouth open and hair all wind blown straight back. It was horrible. Any way, I was just wondering about that certain picture..... Maybe it's because not much else in the picture has much color...........?????

There's a reason I only had 1; Racing's ended; Steeler Frenzy; Snow Globe

Dean and I had the kids this weekend. They are so busy! Mikey is crawling all over the place. He wants to play in the dogs' water bowl. He wants to eat their dry food. He chases the dogs all over the house. He wants things he can't have like their chewey, (rawhide bone) and stuff like that. He does know "no" when you say it cause he stops what he's doing or reaching for, but only for a nanosecond. This moment when they sat on the chair together was a short lived breather for me. Jordan is a ham and when you bring out the camera, he'll stop anything he's doing and "cheese" for you. Dean was cooking dinner at the moment and I was trying to keep them out of the kitchen.

Jordan is potty training. When we took him camping this summer, he did pretty well at peeing on the potty, but not pooping. Now he poops on the potty and won't pee. Thank god for pullups! I am glad, cause they get wet, and you just throw them away like a pampers or huggies.





Here's the ham cheesing for the camera! I must say he is a cutey pie! He does think that he is Mikey's parent, though. and not really good at sharing toys with his little brother. Everything's That's Jordie's. I finally convinced him that alot of the toys that we have Jordan is too big for and they are just right for Mikey. So Jordan had his big boy toys and Mikey had the baby toys.





This is bathrime for bonzo. He seems to
have learned how to "cheese" too.
Mikey is so independent. He holds his
own bottle and when it's empty, just throws
it and you have to watch out, cause you
don't know where it'll go!




















He likes bathtime fine, but that getting
out and getting dried? Not so much.
He is a cutey, though, too. How can you
not love that face?







Jammies on and ready for bed.
He will play for about a half an hour
then it's time
for a bottle and give him
his blanket and he's out!








Waking up from nap time.








Playing with the tractor from the
Fisher Price farm.









Jordan at the computer. See. I told you
he will stop whatever he's doing
to "cheese" for ya.







So, there's my busy little ones. They do keep ya movin'. 2 directions at once sometimes. there's the reason I only had one.
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Racing is officially over. The last Nascar race of the season was yesterday. Carl Edwards won the race, but Jimmie Johnson won the championship. That is 3 years in a row for him. No one has done that since Cale Yarborough back in the day. When the cars were actually "stock" cars. They didn't even have much tv coverage back then. Sometimes, on the Wide World of Sports on ABC...... 90? days till the Daytona 500!
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The Steeler game was interesting. They won 11-10. Yes, 11-10. Sounds like a baseball score. It really should have been 17 - 10, but the fumble that Troy Polamalu recovered and went in the end zone with was ruled to not be a touchdown, so they took the 6 points back. Then after the game, the ref said it was indeed a good play and that it was a touchdown. But we couldn't get the points back in the record books at that point. The gamblers are pissed because 11-10 means the Steelers didn't beat the 4 point spread. They are saying that that call may change the NFL forever. Everyone is in a frenzy about it. No other time in history has their been an NFL game that's score was 11-10.
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Well, some one has shaken up the snowglobe here in the burgh. They turned on the a/c then shook up the snow globe. Have I told you I hate winter? Here's a picture out my front door onto my deck tonight. Depressing, eh?

A card trick; Here it's other; Christmas is coming

What is the one thing you don't want to show your poker pals while playing the weekly game? Card tricks. Especially good ones. Life according to BOB FM today.
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Now, as you know, my nephew and I have been going back and forth about the whole bi racial Obama thing.
So, as promised, I did my research today. I asked a teacher, a teacher's husband, and even a co worker who has a bi racial child in the Pittsburgh Public School System. Our forms have other on them, and that is what gets checked for bi racial children.
Now, if you read the comment from Shan on my last post about this subject matter, she said theirs used to say "mixed" but they decided that was too degrading. The reason that this is asked on the enrollment form is so that they can track progress by race, gender and so on. So, if the bi racial child's mother is white, and therefore the child is registered white, I think that becomes a problem. Say you have 10 white children in the class that do very well, 6 that do okay and 2 that don't do well at all. Then you have 5 black children that do well in the class, 3 that do okay and one that doesn't do well at all. Then you have 3 bi racial children that 1 does okay and 2 don't do well. That then effects the percentages of how well the white children are doing or not doing. I'm sorry. They should have their own category if that's the reason for it. But I really think that the children should just be children. Why does it matter that Johnny is black and Tom is white and they both get really good scores in their testing. So you have x percent of white kids did well and were in the 90th percentile, and x percent of black kids did well and are in the same percentile, but in a different group cause their black? Doesn't that sort of defeat the whole desegregation idea? They desegregated in the classroom, but not in their scores? That's just so wrong in so many ways!
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Well, as we sit here, Christmas is going to sneak up on us before we know it. Thanksgiving is fast approaching, which is also Dean's birthday. Nov. 27.

( Dar: Dean's birthday is on Thanksgiving! He will be 50! Don't forget. You told me you always forget, so this is your reminder!)

The good thing is, I have stuff on order and some of it has already come in. Emily's present was the first to arrive! The bad thing is, Dean and I (like most of the rest of country) are not spending as much this year. We are cutting way back. We don't want to put anything on credit, as we are trying to get the bills paid down so we can buy a new camper in a couple of years. Dean's car is giving up the ghost and probably will need a new one come spring. So, with all that, we have tightened our belts. I just hope that the economy gets better and soon.

Yes, Dave. It's on.

My nephew (seen here) posted to his blog that he cannot post comments to my blog. But, when I sign in, it tells me I have comments that need moderated and I post them. Now, I do not get the emails like I used to that tell me I have comments to my blog. I guess I should neb around this website and see if it will let me change my email address for signing in, then all would be well and Dave wouldn't be all wigged out about it. So, yes Dave. This thing is on. I am getting your comments, and am posting them. So it's okay. I hear you. er, read you.

So, here's something weird that I didn't know: (According to Dave) A bi racial child, when enrolled in school, is enrolled as a white child if that child's mother is white. It doesn't matter that the child's father is black? My mother once said to me that the only way there wouldn't be racism in this country is if everyone was mulatto. (bi racial black/white) I've always thought that that thought had merit. Now, this mother being white therefore making the child white way of thinking. Is that only down South? I will have to ask a teacher about that in our schools. I am thinking it is a southern thing and stems back from the days of slavery when the white masters were procreating with the black female slaves. Since they didn't want to be known as fathering these children, just owning them as more slaves, then they would have had to been considered black because the mother was black. So, I think that now the times have changed, but that law or rule hasn't. So, the rule needs changed. They are not white. They are not black. They are BOTH. So put a category of Bi Racial in the race column.

How did it get to be know as "race" anyway? Black/Caucasian/Asian/Hispanic/Indian/Native American. Why are they races? Who's winning the race? Caucasian is the politically correct term for White. African-American is the politically correct term for blacks. So, is a black person in England an African-English? Are there African-Germans? Native American used to be called Indians. You played cowboys and Indians as a kid, didn't you? War paints, feathers, tomahawks, drums, tee pees. But they weren't from India. No curry smelling, red dotted forehead, blusher and turban wearing Indians! They were the people that were here on this land when the Pilgrims landed here. So, they were Americans. Since America is the melting pot of the world, we then had to call the Indians native Americans, because now we are all Americans! Native means you were born here in this land. Are the natives restless. I think they should be and were. My great grandparents were right of the boat from England. They referred to my grandparents as 1 st generation off the boat, meaning they were born here, but their parents came here from another land. So, technically, I am 4th generation off the boat. I was born here, but I am not a native American. This is so confusing. I can't keep it straight. Can you?

It's OVER!; Wrong words

The election is over. We have a president who will take office on January 20th who is the first bi-racial to serve as president. Yes. BI-RACIAL. He's not black. He's not white. He's both. Just like my grandkids are bi-racial. Sara, my step daughter, is of course white, and she has chosen to have her children by a black man. Same deal. On any form they fill out that asks race, they will have to check other, then fill in bi-racial. But in the same token, Hines Ward of the Pittsburgh Steelers is bi racial. His mother a Korean woman and his father a black man. It doesn't matter what the races are. If you have parents from 2 different races, then you are bi racial. Now, if a bi racial, say black and white, has children with an Asian, do we then refer to those children as multi racial? Just wondering.
Anyway, I am worried about the changes that will come to this country with a bi racial president. The night of the election, they showed a woman holding her son (both were black) and saying "now I can tell my son that he can be president of the United States!" You couldn't tell him that before Obama was elected? I don't believe that there is or has been any reference to race in the regulations that structure eligibility to run for or be elected president. You have to have been born in the US, must be 35 years of age, and so on, but there's not anything that refers to race as far as I'm aware, anyway.
I think that the black people believe that Obama is the answer to all their problems. I think they will be disappointed. We will become an Obama nation in January when he is sworn in. I just hope it doesn't become an abomination.
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There is a radio station here in Pittsburgh called Bob FM. It's 96.9 on the dial. It used to be Magic FM and before that FM 97. Back then, it was a similar format to 'DVE, playing heavy metal/hard rock. Bob FM's claim to fame? Bob will play anything. So, they play classic rock, top 40, pop, oldies, country, all of it. So, I heard a song today that I haven't heard in years and it got me thinking. How many songs do I sing along to and don't know the correct lyrics? The song was Billy Idols' Eyes Without a Face. I remember when that song came out, that I thought he was saying "How's about a date?" Isn't that hysterical? And even though I know the words are Eyes without a face, I really have to concentrate to sing the correct lyrics.
Another one? Van Halen's Panama. I thought they were saying Cannonball. I was out with a friend and it came on the radio back in the day, and I sang Cannonball. Cannonbah-hall. Cannonball. My friend said "Shar, it's Panama. Like red?" Oh, Panama Red! You would think they would have referenced the canal, or the country. But given the decade...... Anyway, I never touched the stuff. But I did know what it was.
And the most recent that comes to mind is the line from Redneck Woman by Gretchen Wilson that goes "I'm just a product of my raisin' and I say Hey ya'll and yeehaw." I thought it was I'm just a product of the range ........... Ya know. Like Home, home on the (range). I know. Whenever you're done rolling on the floor laughing..... Well, just thought I'd share those with ya. Enjoy.

Sunday dinner; Go out an vote; Yea, Steelers!

These are my babies. Jordan, who is talking up a storm, is so much fun. He's finally to the point where you can actually hold conversations with him. And just so busy. He will be 3 on January 5th.
Mikey (wee wee as we know him now) will be one January 21st. No teeth yet, but feeds himself with his hands, crawls everywhere, and is just so much fun. This picture of the two of them was taken at their school (day care). It's anice picture and I am glad Sara gave some to Dean and I.
WE had a great family dinner on Sunday. Steak, Baked potatoes on the grill and salad. Sara and the kids came and Nick was here too! It was a nice day. It reminded me of days when we went visiting on Sundays with Grandma and Grandpap Rush. After church, we would ride out to Norma Jean's, Aunt Sadie's, Aunt Cis and Uncle Pat's, Aunt Till's, or Aunt Beck's.
I am hoping that we have a repeat of that for Thanksgiving. I didn't grab the camera on Sunday, so I don't have any pics, but will be sure to for Turkey day!
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A Rection Day.

Did you vote today? I did. Dean did. Everyone I work with in the office did. I hope that Obama does not win this election. I have problems with the socialism idea. I have problems with giving more of the money I work for being giving to welfare recipients. I can only hope. I can't remember one party being elected to office back to back except for FDR. But he was the same man who just kept getting elected. There was no restriction on the number of terms the president could serve back then. So, I don't think there has been one party leaving the white house to be replaced by the same party by different men because of the new election year. Correct me if I'm wrong on that.
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The Steelers won last night on Monday Night Football. It started off bad, but definitely got better for our Steelers. Ben hurt his shoulder and that put Byron Leftwich in the game and he did phenomenal! Now, do you believe the folklore that if the Redskins lose the game immediately prior to election day that the incumbant party will no longer reside in the white house after the election? If that's true, a Steeler win means Obama will be our next president. Heaven help us!

Waaaaay too early.....

My nephews blog has a part in one of his recent posts about the stores having the Christmas stuff out already. I agree with him that it is waaaaay too early for this crap. Before long, they will want you to Christmas shop in July! Can't we get through Halloween first? I remember when I was little and even into my early adult years, that you didn't see Christmas stuff till it was closer to Thanksgiving! I even had a job when I was 15 @ Pool City for the Christmas holiday. I loved that job and made really good money. I got an hourly wage + commission on trees and decorations! But alas, I got fired because they had a rule that you couldn't call off from the day after Christmas to New Years. I got the flu really bad on Christmas eve (I had gotten my one and only flu shot of my life cause the doc thought it would be a good idea since I was dealing with the public) and my mom called me off work the day after Christmas and they told her if she doesn't come in, she doesn't need to come back. End of that job!
Anyway, back to the present. Last weekend, Dean and I were shopping at the mall for a 50th birthday gift for a friend's party and we went tot he Hallmark store to get a card. They had Christmas music playing! It was 70 degrees outside, it's only October, and they're playing friggin' Christmas songs! Bah Humbug! Good Grief, Charlie Brown! I'm sorry. But can't it wait until the beginning of November?

APAD? Yeah, Yeah. I Know.......

My nephew posted on his blog about some lofty goals. One goal is that bloggers do A Post A Day. Well, I'm a busy person. I don't have the internet on my computer at work, so I can't post while at my job. By the time I get home from work, eat dinner, do the dishes, feed the dogs, do some online errands (like online banking and emails) Jeopardy is coming on and I want to go watch it. And all the shows have started their new season and you can't miss those! Dancing with the Stars, Big Bang Theory, How I met Your Mother, 2 and a half men, Boston Legal and Csi Miami. That's just Monday night, people! Tuesday brings us NCIS, Dancing with the Stars Results and Criminal Minds. Wednesday is Old Christine, Gary Unmarried, and Dirty Sexy Money. Thursday is Ugly Betty, CSI LV, and ER. Friday is Ghost Whisperer something else and Numbers. See? I'm busy. Being a couch potatoe no doubt, but I like my entertainment from the box in the living room....

So, I know it's been a long time since I've posted. It was never my goal to post every day. I am usually happy with a couple of times a week. But, I got lazy. There. I admit it. Not much new. Yeah, Yeah. I know. You all thought I fell off the face of the Earth again, didn't you?

Dean had a stress test last monday. He passed it fine. But it has prompted him to go back to the gym. So, he works out 3 days a week now. Me? Nope. I'm the couch potatoe. Well, almost time for Jeopardy! More later. I promise...............

A Hollywood Legend....

Paul Newman 1925-2008.

He had probably the most famous blue eyes in the world. They called Frank Sinatra "Ol Blue Eyes", but they weren't as memorable as Paul Newman's.

The man had suffered from Cancer. He was 83 years old and led a great life. His marriage was one of the most famous Hollywood marriages of all time. But not for turmoil, or affairs, but for it's length. He married Joanne Woodward in January, 1958, and they were still married at the time of his death this past Friday!

Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman after her graduation from Sarah Lawrence College in 1990. She was 60 and he was 65.

Paul Newman was a Hollywood icon, even though he didn't seem to live that lifestyle that we know as Hollywood. He used his celebrity for good. By coming up with his own salad dressing (appropriately named Newman's Own) he donated all profits from that to charity. He expanded on it to include other foods.

On top of all, his resume reads like the greatest films of all time list. He was Doug Roberts in "The Towering Inferno". Henry Gondorff in "The Sting". The theme song from that movie was stuck in everyone's head for a long, long time. It's running through your head right now, isn't it? You are probably even vocalizing the notes in some fashion. "The Entertainer". We will never forget.
How about Fast Eddie Felson in "the Hustler" and years later in "The Color of Money" with Tom Cruise? Nice that he was able to play the same character in both movies. And you can never forget him as Butch Cassidy and Robert Redford playing the Sundance Kid. Great Movie.
I know they were crooks, but I had wished they had been able to get away at the end of the movie.
And his most recent that I know of? The voice of Doc Hudson in "Cars". "Gotta turn right to go left." It's true. As a dirt race fan, I can tell ya, it's true! And it was very appropriate for him to have that role, as he was a race car driver himself untill not too long ago. They made him get out of the car he owned just a few years ago. The man was 70 something and still driving a racecar!
Paul Newman. A great man. A great actor. A great Icon. A great life. He will be missed. RIP, Paul.

Interior Pool Door open--Check Door (beeeep!)

Well, I am in Deep Creek, Maryland as I post this! How cool is that? I went to Dave's blog and posted comments, then signed into my own blog. With this whirlwind month we are having, I haven't had much time for blogging, and when I did, I was just too tired. When you are on the go every single weekend, you have to make sure the Laundry is done during the week, the house is straightened up, and that you have all your ducks in a row for the next trip.

The house we stay in down here is awesome. I will post pictures when I get home. I can't connect to this computer, as I didn't bring my USB cable for the camera with me.
The house has a huge great room, awesome kitchen and family room, 13 bedrooms, a game loft, laundry room and indoor swimming pool! AS a safety feature for people who rent this house that have children, an alarm sounds when you open the door to go into the pool room. In years past, it was just this annoying, loud beep. Not any more. Now its a digitally recorded women's voice that slowly, but loudly says "Interior Pool Door Open. Check Door" Then it makes a loud beep for a couple of seconds. And it repeats over and over and over until you hit the button next to the door. There is access to the pool from outside on the driveway too. 3 sliding glass doors. The dialogue changes to exterior door. If both are open, it alternates the messages followed by the beep. I hope I am spelling everything correctly and making sense, as I've had a lot to drink. Gorilla Juice. 1 part each of vodka and blue curacao and 2 to 2 1/2 parts each of pineapple and orange juice. Kicks you in the ass, but no hangover. Ever. Great stuff!

Well, it's going on 11 and I am tipsy and sleepy. Larry the cable guy is on tv. Maybe I'll watch him for a while and go to bed.........

It was 7 years ago today....

And I wish the next line was that Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. But, it was the day that America was attacked by terrorists. 9-11-01. Do you remember where you were and what you were doing?
People say that they remember that stuff the day JFK was shot, when they got the news that the music died (Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Richie Valens were killed in a plane crash), when the space shuttle blew up and when the planes hit the Twin Towers that dreadful day. I was at work and my boss' mom called and told us what was on the news. The rest of the day was a blur. I just wanted to get home to Dean.
I have alot of "conspiracy theories" when it comes to things our government does or does not do. Here is my theory on the 9-11 thing.

Osama Bin Laden worked and planned for that for a very long time. The first bomb at the Twin Towers caused havoc, but not the destruction he was looking for. He wanted to hit us where it would hurt most-financially and spiritually. He ordered pilots to be trained to hit the biggest buildings in New York that were home to hundreds of financial businesses. To hit the Pentagon, possibly the Capitol Building or the White House, but that plane ended up in Shanksville, PA.
So, "as soon as we could see clearly through our big, black eye", we pulled ourselves together and started to heal and rebuild. Since that effort on his part did not yield the results he was looking for, now he is in some way controlling the oil. The price per barrel goes up, and in turn, the price per gallon goes up. That's what hits the Americans in the wallet. So, we have given up things to pay for the gas, and our lives aren't quite as luxurious as they were.
Why is that important? Because Bin Laden doesn't like how we live. We have it too good.
My husband believes that the price of oil goes up because the refineries were destroyed in the Gulf during Katrina. Naaaaah. Why would the oil proce go up now? They have been rebuilt. It's the price of the oil coming out of the middle east that causes the price per barrel to go up. And I truly believe that that is at the hand of Bin Laden somehow.
I am sad for all the people that had to parish that fateful day. I feel for their families. How hard it must have been and maybe even still be for some. But, America goes on.


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On my way to work, i came across some road work being done. The construction vehicles were sitting and working on a little side road, but, they had a flagger pserson working the intersection. The road I travel does not have a stop sign going to work, but coming the other direction it does, as well as the side streets in either direction, making the intersection a 3 way stop.
Now, to me, the flagger person is to help the flow of traffic not make it worse. So, shouldn't they allow the people with the normal right of way to have it and make the other 3 with stop signs stop and go when traffic with the right of way is clear? No, she stops everybody and give every one turns. Sometimes the people coming off the side streets got 2 turns in a row. or 3. It's just not right I tell ya! I didn't go that way for a couple of days and now, that construction is done. I just think the flow of traffic should not have changed is all! Is that too much ot ask?
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Saturday is the wedding of the Bass player from our Band, The Fabulous Gunslingers. The guys in the band can really party, so I think this will be a really fun wedding!



Dave, the groom to be



The band. The lead singer, Scott (in the blue shirt, center) is the best man. I'll let ya know how this one goes.......

Well, yes I know there has been another lapse in my posting. After we got the computer back, we were then busy cleaning and preparing for the cook out we had the Sunday before Labor Day. Sara, Henry and the boys came over as well as Dean's brothers and the one girlfriend and her daughter. Nick didn't show, nor had I heard from him. However, I did pass him today while driving home from work and he beeped and waved at me. So he hasn't disappeared or anything. Anyhoo, I was so tired, the last thing I wanted to do was try and put sensible thoughts together for my blog. Labor day, we just chilled out and made plans for our trip to Eldora in Ohio. Tuesday we worked and since we left at 12:45 Wednesday afternoon, Tuesday evening was spent packing and getting everything together and in the truck. Dean left work at 11 and I left at 12:15 and we were pulling out by 12:45 Wednesday. The drive was great. No problems. It took us about 5 and a half hours including a rest stop and a stop for gas. We were at our campsite before 6 and had camp set up by 7:30. After we munched on some sandwiches, I read my book to relax and Dean hung out. Thursday we went a got some supplies at the nice IGA up the road in the next town, St. Henry's. People are real friendly and are glad to welcome the race fans.
For some strange reason, I was really sick and couldn't wander too far from the camper's bathroom. But, there must have been something, cause the dogs had the poops too.
Thrusday night and Friday morning it rained, but not hard. Just a steady sprinkle. It cleared up and we raced Friday nite and Saturday nite just about on time. It took a little extra prep for the track, but that's ok. The racing was awesome! 175 cars took qualifying at 1 lap each. Those that wanted to try and better their time were given a second lap after the entire 175 cars took the first. Our boy, Bloomer, took his first lap at 16.565. He later came out and bettered his time to 15:555! That's a full second off his time! He's amazing! Now, these times might not mean anything to you. But here's the thing. It's a half mile track. So, 30 seconds would = 60 mph. So a time of 15 seconds = 120 mph! That's fast! It is also very cool to see.
After the concie races after qualifying Friday night, then the B mains Saturday, the Feature started 28 cars for 100 laps. Unfortunately, our boy, blew up about lap 30, so he was done. Turns out, an oil line came off.
One of the best parts of the trip is seeing our friends from Iowa.

I don't know the guy on the left's name. He's not usually there. Marty is in the middle and Kurt is on the right. They are really great guys that sit in front of us every year and we have a good time with them. Usually, a guy named Jason is with Marty and Kurt. Kurt is a huge Steeler fan. That is really cool. Fortunately, they are from part of Iowa that wasn't flooded this year.
Sunday, we packed up and headed home. No problems coming back, either. Stopped at Awful Waffle (yum) and gas and a rest stop and was home around 5:30, including dropping off the camper at my work. We left camp at 11 or so. Not bad.
I worked today and Dean had the day off. He went and got new tires on his car to prepare for inspection. Back to the grind for him tomorrow.

We're Ba-a-a-a-ack!!!!

Well, we picked up the computer tonight after dinner. I got everything reconnected and up and running (obviously). But I'm really tired now, so I will catch you up on all that you've missed since Sunday later. Maybe over the weekend, but maybe not til Monday, since we have a jam packed weekend!

If ya don't hear from me.......

Well, After I sign off here tonight, I have to disconnect my computer. She needs to go to the "doctor". And no, not Dave, either. He's in Arkansas. I don't think it would be cost effective to sent my unit down to him.
Dean's buddy Paul, who used to live next door to Dean's mom, is a computer guru like Dave. I even think his job is similar to Dave's.
We contacted him and he said he would take a look if we brought our computer to him. I know we need more RAM, so that's one problem. And when I gave Dav remote access and HE looked around in my computer's innards, he said we had a bunch of adware and spyware and that would cause problems.
So, we will see what Paul finds. I think he'll have it a couple of days. we'll see. Depending on what HE finds, we will either buy more RAM and some upgrades for this one, or just keep using it the way is until we can buy a new one. It depends on that cost effectiveness thing.......
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Dean and I had to go to the funeral home today. Another one of his mom's neighbors died. Joe. He seemed like a good egg for the time I knew him. His wife passed last year in May. Now he was recently diagnosed with congestive heart failure and was given the option to give up driving or have surgery on a valve in his heart. Joe didn't want to give up the freedom of being able to drive, so elected to have the surgery. Unfortunately, he died on the operating table.
They thought his chances of surviving the surgery were good, from what I understand. Guess they were wrong about that. I would have given up the drive's license if it were me at that age. If I get some desease that is going to number my days, don't tell me. I don't want to know. If there's a cure that's guaranteed, then maybe. But otherwise, don't tell me. I don't want to sit around just crossing the days off the calendar.

You Can Let Go Now Daddy

Even though I don't want to. They keep playing that song on the radio, especially during work hours, and I cry every time. So Here are some pics of my dad.....If I can ever figure out how to slideshow them, I will do that and add to the neat things at the right...


Daddy at Brian's Highschool graduation. Circa June of 1989? Dave'll let me know for sure after he reads this, I'm sure.



This was Dad as Father of the Bride when I made the biggest mistke of my life in August, 1992. But I believe everything happens for a reason, and if this day wasn't part of my life's path, I would have never have met Dean and be the wife of the wonderful man I am married to now.



This was a group picture that I cropped so I just had dad. I think it was taken around Christmas of 95.


This is my Mom and Dad. This was taken in August of 96 for their 50th wedding anniversary. 2 days ago would have marked 62nd anniversary. Mom would have been 81 this past June and Dad would have been 83 this August 1st. I still miss him like it was yesterday.....

Jordan goes camping; Surprise Visit; A song that just hits you; Cleaning weekend; We can grow our own groceries; September schedule

We went camping at the race track last weekend and Jordan went too! He seems to really like it. I think mainly because he can be outside most of the time and he gets so much individual attention. He plays and rides his bike all day long! He likes the races too, even though he falls asleep before they're over. But he is only 2 and half.

Tom, Jordie and Zack

Mac, Tom and Lisa (Lori too, but you can't see her face)

Our friends, Tom and Lisa and their 2 boys, Zack and Mac (Zachary & McKenzie) who are 17 and 15, camped with us too! They brought their go kart and Dean took Jordie for a ride. He loved it!

Mark Wilcox, Nick (Virg's boyfriend), Billy's Dad and Jordan

Jordan and Pappap at the races!

When Jordie fell asleep at the races, so after Billy's race, I took Jordan out to the camper and put him to bed. Then the real fun started! Once a year, Dean cooks for the masses. The masses refers to alot of our friends at the racetrack. He made about 40 each of burgers and dogs, a few brauts, and I had made macaroni salad and Lisa made brocolli salad. We fed everybody and we all having a good time. Dean's cousin, Donnie, with 2 of his buddies. They brought a whole pick up truck load of pallets they wanted to put on the campfire. We didn't want them to burn them all at once cause the fire would be too big. The Mileys who own the track, are nice enough to let us camp there any time we want, so we like to be courteous about it. They had started the fire very early. It was raging when I brought Jordie out to put him to bed.The cars of people in the races were still parked near the firepit. So, as I walked by, I let them know about it. (strike 1) After I got Jordan in bed, I started setting up the "buffet" table and slicing the tomatoes and getting the other stuff out of the cooler. Then I hear this rapid succession of bangs. They were between their truck and the back side of the camper and had lit off a whole pack of firecrackers! I ran around and told them I have 2 year old sleeping right in that camper. Don't do that outside this window. (strike 2) So everyone else makes their way out of the races and Dean starts cooking. the idiots are then horse playing in the same spot that they had lit the firecrackers. Again, I go over and tell them about Jordie sleeping in the camper and to take the horseplay somewhere else or just leave. (strike 3)

Everyone has eaten and is thanking us and the idiots start stacking the pallets in front of the camper. I tell them they better not leave them there or put them all on the fire at one time. (Strikes 4 & 5) Then dean told them too cause I had told them what I said to them. So, after they burnt the last of the pallets, they decided to leave, I guess, and were all in the truck. Dean was in the camper and all of a sudden comes running out like it's on fire and reaches into the truck and is yelling at the one guy. I found out later that the one guy said "Man, your cousin's wife is a F*#@ing bitch!" So the guys get out of the truck and the one starts calling Dean on. After a couple of minutes the other one says if he won't fight you, I will. Dean says "I just fed you and you wanna kick my ass?" So, I guess the guy thought about it and told Dean he was right and they man hugged. When they let go, the other guy sucker punches Dean right in the mouth! I heard the hit and when I looked, my husband is on his back on the ground! I start to go to him, and as I do, he gets himself turned over on his hand and knees, with the other hand holding his mouth. As I got there, he pulls his hand away from his mouth and there is all this blood. I snapped. It was like it wasn't even me. I marched over to this guy and said how dare you? What's wrong with you? We feed you and let you hang here. And I just hauled off and punched him dead in the face. The crowd of our friends that had gathered during the inital skirmish let out a unified "oooh". Then one guy in the crowd says "if you hit her, I'll knock you into next week!" That's when I came back to reality. We had to find Dean's glasses cause the punch sent them flying off of his face. Then I went to tend to my bleeding, hurting husband. He ended up with a very swollen, cut lip that was bleeding profusely. He needed stitches. He wound up with 4. During that time, the instigators left and didn't show up att he races this weekend. AS for Dean's face, you can't even tell now that anything happened to it. It's great that he wanted to defend his wife's honor, but the f*#@ing bitch comment was never intended for him or anyone else to hear, but he did and it pissed him off. He loves me sooooooo much........What a way to show it!

Jordan on Sunday morning in the camper
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I had a surprise visitor the other day. My son, Nick! He came to show me his new car and to give me a demo cd which contained 3 songs by his band. The car is a Cadillac DeVille, a '89 i think, but is really cherry. It was owned by an older guy and garage kept. The miles are high, but if he takes care of it, it will last him along time. The songs on the cd are really good . I really like them. Nick plays guitar. he never had a lesson in his life and can't read music. He plays by ear. Another talent, along with his ability to draw, that he got from my dad.

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Speaking of my dad, I was at work the other day and a song came on the radio by a chic named Crystal Shawanda (think she's native American? Uh, Yeh.) called You Can Let Go. See the video by clicking on the 2nd vieo at the right. A more audible version is the 4th pink square. Lyrics only, no video, though. (The top video is just there as is the 3rd. I have no Clue. They just came along for the ride I guess.)The song tells how her dad was helping her learn how to ride her bike and she tells him he can let go now she's ready to do this by herself. Then she is getting married and her dad walks her down the aisle and after saying he gives this woman, he doesn't let go and she tells him again you can let go now daddy. Then the man is older and in the hospital and is about to come to the end of his life, but is hanging on. She has to give him permission to die and again tells him you can let go now. I can't even post this without my eyes filling up. When I heard it for the first time, I couldn't stop the tears. A co worker came in the office and thought something was wrong and was really concerned. I told him it was ok, just a sad song on the radio.

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And for this weekend. Dean and I brought the camper home and I scrubbed the outside and the top and underside of the awning. It gets really dirty at the dirttracks and sitting in the lot at work where we keep it. I cleaned the inside really well and Dean siliconed around all the windows and the door to seal any place that might leak and filled the water tank. I scrubbed the big cooler and washed the truck while Dean went to the grocery store. Then we put everything away and took the camper back to work. It's now ready to go to Eldora the beginning of next month!

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And I actually cooked dinner on Sunday! Deans does almost all of the cooking at our house, being the chef that he is. He calls himself the "trained professional". I made stuffed peppers. Dean grew the peppers in our garden along with zuchini and tomatoes. The stuffed peppers were awesome! I can still cook!

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About next month, here's a schedule for ya. Aug 29th-racing at Lernerville. Aug 30th-racing at PA Motor Speedway, or PMS as it is affectionately known to its patrons. The 31st- a cookout at our house. Sara and the gang are invited, as well as Nick and Dean's brothers and the one brother's girlfriend. Sept. 3-leave to go to Eldora in Ohio for the World 100. Sept. 13-wedding. The bass player of the band we follow, the Fabulous Gunslingers, is getting married. The 18th, 19th and 20th is the big race finale at PMS. Then the 26th is our Deep Creek weekend! Whew! It will be a busy month! So, if I don't post, you'll know why!

The Nevillewood Wedding; Reba's new video

This past Saturday, 7-26-08, my boss son got married. The ceremony AND the reception were at the Club at Nevillewood. The Club is probably best known for the Mario Lemuiex Golf Tournament that used to be held every June. The Nevillewood Community is home to some 1 and 2+ million dollar homes, as well as the Club itself. The Club has famous members such as former and present Steelers, as well as Penguins. (The hockey team, not the animal) My boss and her husband are members, as well as residents in the community. The wedding was very nice, the food was great as was the drink. The bride and groom are honeymooning in Key West, Florida until Sunday. Then they will go to my boss' house and open their wedding gifts. They opened their cards on their wedding night and my boss took the cashish to the bank. I have found out that they are expecting and the bride is 9 weeks pregnant, but they were getting married anyway and kept it hush hush as to not overshadow the wedding.
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Have you seen Reba's new video for "Every Other Weekend"? The song i duet she sings with Kenny Chesney and is about a couple who has divorced and they meet in the same corner of the same parking lot every other weekend so the dad can have his visits with his kids.
Now, have you ever seen Reba's Show on Lifetime? It's a show about a divorced couple who has a better relationship now then when they were married. They live around the corner from each other. Brock, Reba' s X, is a dentist who fooled around and fell in love with his dental assistant that Reba had him hire. She got pregnant and Brock left Reba to marry the pregnant Barbara Jean. Reba and Brock had 3 kids. Sheyenne, Kira and Jake. Sheyenne got pregnant by Van, who she marries while still in high school. The baby is a girl. Elizabeth. Sheyenne, Van, Elizabeth, Kira and Jake all live with Reba. Kira eventually moves in with her dad, Barbara Jean and their baby, Henry. Doesn't like the rules there either and moves back with Reba. You get the picture.
Well, the actress and actor that play Sheyenne and Van on the show are the divorced couple being portrayed in the new video! How cool is that?
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I know that this is the first post in a couple of weeks, but it's summer and we are busy being us!