The "Burgh has lost an icon

Yesterday was a very sad day for Pittsburgh and Steeler Nation. That is, Steeler fans across the country. Our beloved Myron Cope had died after battleing pneumonia for several months.

His lived in Mount Lebanon until last year, when he went into a nursing home in Upper St. Clair.

He will be missed by alot of people and Steeler Sunday just won't be the same, even though he retired 2 years ago after a stroke took his voice as we knew it.

He was the inventor of the Terrible Towel and then gave the rights of the towel to Allegheny Valley School, where his son was a resident, as it is a school for developmentally delayed children. Prior to giving the rights to the school, he donated all profits from sales of the Terrible Towel to the school.

Some couldn't stand to listen to him. Some thought he was obnoxious. Others held him in their heat like a dear friend. No matter what you thought of him, he will be missed by thousands. The Steelers never had a bigger fan.

Rest in Peace, Myron.

Babies for the weekend; Having the crud; Daytona Party; Idol Time!

I know it has been quite a while since I posted last, but I have had the crud and haven't felt like doing much of anything, let alone put my thoughts on paper, so to speak.

So, we had both kids for the weekend 2 weeks ago. The baby was a joy and Jordie was soooo busy! Always playing and likes to wrestle with Pap. Mikey? Well, he just eats and sleeps pretty much at this stage. But, I got some great pics of him!

Here's my little sunshine snoozin' away.


Mikey and Jordie


An all American!


Mikey just likin' his binky.


I was really wiped out when they left, but not that it was hard work to mind an infant and a toddler for the weekend. I was comin' down with the crud and didn't know it.
____________________________________________
Monday night (this was the 11th) I started coughing and couldn't quit. Tuesday night, Dean told me to call my doc, but I was a little stubborn. I thought if I just took some Robitussin DM and knocked the congestion loose, I would get it out and be ok. Well, the coughs were productive, but awful. I called the doc on Thursday and got an appointment for Tuesday, the 19th. Just have to deal till then.
____________________________________________
The 17th was the annual Daytona 500 Party at Dean's cousins'. We always have a good time, good food and good drink. I didn't feel too bad that day, and even rode Joey's quad a few times! I truly am a redneck woman. It was so much fun!

Here's a pic of everyone awaiting the start of the race.


Todd, Courtney, Joey, Jessica and Jeff.

Todd is one of Dean's boss' at Parkhurst PNC 1. Joey is the one who owns the quad I rode. Courtney is his girlfriend, and Jess and Jeff are "dating". Jeff works with Dean, too.

Dean carves the meats. Turkey and Ham.


This is the sheet cake Dean made for the Party!

___________________________________
It's American Idol time! Woohoo! I watched the prelims for the first time this year. Now we are down to the 24 and 4 will be eliminated. I watched them sing, and even took notes, so I have to say the ones that were eliminated I pretty much agree with the judges and America.
Names with the * are ones I would vote off.....

David Hernandez: give him one more week
Chikeazie*: Voice was flat
David Cook: Awesome

Jason Yeager*: He's no Andy Williams
Robbie Carrico: Good voice. Will go far

David Archuleta : Awesome, but could have picked a better song
Danny Noriega: Too Cute. Flaming, but cute. Wanna see more
Luke Menard* : Bland
Colton Berry : Good rendition of Suspicious Minds
Garrett Haley*: Karaoked his song. Sounded just like Neil Sedaka.

Jason Castro: Could have done better. but try one more week and see

Michael Johns: Totally awesome. He could be this year's winner.
Garrett and Colton were voted off this week from the boys.

Now, the girls:
Christy Lee Cook: Good rendition of Rescue Me.

Joanne Borgella*: Too nervous
Alaina Whitaker: Strong performance. Only 16 years old.
Amanda Overmeyer: Bike chic rocker. Strong performance.

Amy Davis*: Too old of a song. Looked like she was a character in a movie.

Brooke White: She and David Cook did the same song. Not bad, but David was better.

Alexandrea Lushington: Good performance, but not great. Looked cute.
Kady Malloy*: Neat song choice.
Asia'H Eppherson: had fun performing, good rendition.
Roniele Malubay: Great voice, not a great performer, good song for her

Syesha Mercado: WOW
Carly Smithson: Great range; good voice. I Didn't know the song.

Joanna and Amy were voted off. It can only get better
______________________________________
Now to update: Went to the doc's on Tuesday and got a nose spray and prescription. Took all the pill and still have nose spray left. Feel much better. Still coughing and expelling crud, but feel better.

Went to see the Gunslingers on Friday nite at the Rhythm House Cafe in Bridgeville. It was Country Fest, so there wer 3 other performances before the guys went on at a little after a 11 p.m. It made for a long nite. First was Brynn Marie, who is a really pretty chic with a great voice. Does alot of Sugarland tunes and does them well. Then this chic who sang and played acoustic guitar filled time while they tore down and set up the next band, Southern by Choice. They were ok. The the acoustic chic came on again, then they guys had an excellent show! We got home at 3 a.m. and the got up at 11 yesterday. Went to breakfast (actually it was lunch) and Walmart and came home and I slept in the chair all afternoon! Had dinner, watched TV and then went to bed. I feel so much better today. I hadn't been sleeping well with this cough, so I think I finally got caught up!

So, it's another race Sunday, weather permitting, so I guess I'll go watch prerace now. Sorry this post was so long. Hope you didn't get too tired reading. But when you don't post for 2+ weeks, there's alot to catch up on!

A Parently Not; Groundhog Day; Fat Tuesday

But first, a word from our sponsor: No really, here are some pics from the Winterfest weekend.

Dean in our room.

The pool

Dean and Tom in the hot tub

Beer can Pyramid!!!!!!!!!

Tom guards the pyramid

The guys on stage!

Lisa rides the bull

Warming by the Fire. See Mr. Froggy?

The winner of the ice sculpting

Skiing down the Mountain.

Here's me with the lead guitarist, Brett.

Like I said earlier, I wish every weekend could be like that!
_______________________________________

Have you seen the Geico commercial where the gecco is at the zoo or somewhere and the otter is eating clams? The gecco asks the otter if he is going to offer him any and gets no response as the otter finishes his meal and goes under water. The gecco says "Apparently not."

Well, there seems to be a rash of news reports in our area of child abuse cases.

The other day, Dean heard a story about a small child, a toddler, he thought, who had pulled the wires connected to an XBox and it fell from the top of the TV and broke. the child was severely beaten and taken to Childresn's. I don't know if he or she died. An XBox can be replaced. A child cannot. Today on the news, a 5 year old was reported as beaten because he didnot feed and water his hermit crab that was a pet. The marks and bruises were reported to authorities by the child's teacher. The child's mother was at work and her boyfriend was staying with the child. When he asked the child had he given the crab food or water that day and he replied no, he got a beating and had a sponge shoved in his mouth. No wonder there are so many children in foster care. The mothers/dads/boyfriends or whoever have all gone off on these kids for what reason? A $300 XBox? A $10.00 hermit crab? Can't they see that their children are worth more than these material things? A-Parent-Ly Not!

____________________________________

Saturday was Groundhog Day. They reported that Phil saw his shadow and there will be 6 more weeks of winter! Someone explain to me how a groundhog sees his shadow, how he communicates that to the "officials" and that that determines 6 more weeks of winter! Of course there will be 6 more weeks of winter! It's February 2nd for crying out loud. Spring doesn't start until March 22nd! According to my calendar, that's about 7 weeks later!

And how does he see his shadow when the sun isn't even up yet? I think it was all a made up farce eons ago to get Punxatawney, PA known and a good excuse for a winter party! The sure do tie one on up there!

_________________________________________

King Cake by Bethel Bakery

And, finally, today is Fat Tuesday. The final day of Mardi Gras which means Fat Tuesday. At the office today, we had the traditional King Cake and some Pazki. (Pawchkey-a cream or jelly filled fried dough product. Like a fat, jelly filled donut) Tomorrow starts lent in which alot of people will indulge in Fish Fries every Friday, and will probably give up something as a personal sacrifice, like chocolate, alcoholic beverages, smoking, or some things of that nature. I have even heard people give up sex for lent! I have done some quick research, and it seems that there is no real religious significance to Lent, the sacrifices, or the consuming of fish. It seems that the fishermen back in the day were not doing so well selling their catches, so someone came up with the promotion to have parishoners eat fish on Fridays during Lent. The only connection that Lent has to the bible is that is starts X number of days before Good Friday, the day which Jesus was crucified. I thought it was supposed to be 40, but it doesn't work out to be that on our modern day calendars. But, they said Moses was 600 years old, too!

So, if you give something up, good luck with that, if you just like to indulge in the fish fries like Dean and I, then enjoy! Remember, Spring's on it's way!