The mayor went to Motown; Pens win tonight!

The media here in the Burgh has reported that Luke Ravenstahl, Pittsburgh Mayor, went to Detroit for the Redwings game against the Penguins. He bought his own ticket, and paid for his own hotel room. BUT, he had a bodyguard with him which is an employee of the city. He was paid by taxpayer money for straight and overtime compensation. He drove the mayor to Detroit in a city car. WHAT is the big deal with this? The mayor bought his tickets with his own money. The man does draw a salary for the job he holds. The job he holds also has benefits and purks. He has a bodyguard assigned to him by the Chief of Police when he will be in public. Going to a hockey game is definitely being in public. So, whether on personal business or city business, he is guarded when not in the privacy of his home. I don't have a problem with this. Our tax dollars pay for Secret Service Agents to guard not only the current president and his family 24/7, but we also pay for past presidents and their wives. Probably children too. I would lay odds tha Chelsea Clinton has had a secret service person for her personal protection since her dad took office. Hillary probably has one with her on the campaign trail. So, why must the media in Pittsburgh make a big deall out of a bodyguard accompanying the Mayor of Pittsburgh to Detroit? Wouldn't it make sense to protect him there of all places? Couldn't you just see some Redwing fan, drunk and beligerant, taking pot shots at the Mayor? Yeesh, people. Get a life. Worry about more important things like where are we going to get money for fuel for our vehicles and heat for our homes in the winter.
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Well, the Pens looked like their old selves tonight until the 3rd period when they went into that defensive shell that always backfires but they do it anyway. They hada 2-0 lead, then 2-1, then 3-1, which is what they were trying to hold on to in that defensive shell when the Wings scored and made it 3-2, which ended up being the game's final score. I feel bad about the first 2 games. I have one of those rubber like bracelets like you see for Breast Cancer Awareness that are pink, The Lance Armstrong foundation that are yellow, like the orange one David Cook wore on American Idol in support of a little Texan girl that has lukemia. The one I were is half black, half gold and says PITTSBURGH on it. I had taken it off to get washed the other day, and when I put it back on, I put it on upside down. I didn't realize this until Tuesday morning! So, bad karma for the first 2 games cause my bracelet was on wrong! Sorry guys! I have it on the right way now. Hopefully we will be okay.................

4 Weddings, 3 days of relaxation, 2 dinners of the same and a race

This Memorial Day weekend, Dean and I took off and went to the Holidome (uniontown Holiday Inn). We left Friday afternoon, stopped for lunch, and off to the hotel! We asked if we could get a room overlooking the courtyard and pool, but they were very booked as they had 4 weddings for Saturday night. Since we were staying Friday AND Saturday, we couldn't get those rooms. After a nap, we went to dinner at the Golden Corral! A very neat concept of a restaurant. $9.99 all you can eat. The cut of steak is all the same, so you don't have a choice of cut like at Hoss' , Texas Roadhouse or Ponderosa. The only choice is how it's done. You know me. I like mine rare. Dean prefers medium rare. You can opt to get chicken. Roasted or Southern Fried. Then there are tons of sides; campfire beans, mashed potatoes, stuffing, rice, sweet potatoes, baked potatoes, various salads and fixins, fruit, taco works, and an endless dessert bar with brownies, cakes, pies, rice krispy treats, ice cream and bunches of toppings, cookies and more!

They had run outta rice when we were there, and Dean was not happy. He asked the manager on duty about more, and was told 10 minutes. 20 minutes later, still no rice, so Dean just went and stood by where the rice would be. Still no rice. He handed his plate to the manager (actually kind of threw it at him) and said he wouldn't be needing it. The waitress, asked what was wrong and he told her. The manager come over and told the hostess to comp our check. Since we had already been there a while, mostly waiting for more rice to be brought out, the cash register wouldn't let her void the sale. So, the manager gave us a card entitling us to 2 free dinners at a later date, good at any Golden Corral.

We finished and went back to the hotel for a dip in the pool and some time in the hot tub. Then we thought we would go back to the room, freshen up and go to the hotel bar. We walked in one door and out the other. Some of the wedding participants were in there doing karaoke very loudly in the bar. And very badly. But they were having fun. I just found it annoying.

Saturday, we got up, hit Bob Evans for breakfast and rode up to and through the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort property. It is a very prestigious resort fr those of means that are more than Dean and I can claim. Over $300 a night in most cases! It is owned by Joe Hardy, owner of 84 Lumber. It is a jewel on top of the mountain, for sure. Close to OhioPyle, Laurel Caverns, Falling Water, Yough Lake, Deep Creek, MD, so, there's lots to do around the area. But, you really don't ever have to leave the property. There are Bison, bears, Rams and Zebras on exhibit. Golf galore, The off road academy where you go 4 wheelin' in a Hummer, H-2, Mini golf, the Spa, hiking and more. This is the place where we go to see the Gunslingers for Winterfest. But we've never seen the property in the daytime and wanted to check it out. We went to Joes Ato Toy Store first. Really cool cars in there. If I get the video to upload to my computer (I might need Dave for that) I'll share the experience.

The rest of Saturday was back to the hotel, change clothes and go to dinner (we went back for our freebies at Golden Corral) and then to the races! It was cool to go to a different track other than ours, and the racing was great! We had a good time. Dean had a few beers and so I drove back down the mountain to the hotel. We watched some TV and went to bed. Yesterday, we got up and got ready and came home. Didn't do anything all day after unpacking. 3 days of rest and relaxation that was very much needed by us both!

Today, we got up and went to the cemetary, trimmed the grass around Mummyand Daddy's bronze marker, cleaned it and put the flags in the ground. Did the same for his mom and dad's. With how much rain we've been getting, it's the first chance we've had to do the spring clean up of the grave sites. Then, we planted our flowers outside our house to start the home beautification for the spring. It was a great holiday weekend!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOUR 2008

IS

DAVID COOK!!!!!!!!!

He won!!!!! He won!!!!! He won!!!!! He won!!!!! He won!!!!! He won!!!!! He won!!!!!

He won!!!!! He won!!!!! He IS the American Idol!

I started dialing the phone as soon as he was done singing last night, which was about 9:55 p.m., EDT. I kept calling until 12:35 a.m. I don't know how many times I actually got through, but it was alot. I have never rooted so hard for anybody or anything that wasn't a Pittsburgh sports team. Way to go David. Your apology from Simon was well deserved.

WAY TO GO DAVID. CAN'T WAIT FOR YOUR CD TO COME OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for a great season of Idol. Thanks to your brother for making you audition.

Idol Final

I was very nervous about tonight. I am still voting for David C. Simon gave the night to David A., but I think the first round was a tie. Cook did U2's Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For. Arch did Elton John's Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me. Both were really good. The second round with each doing an original song picked through some contest, I thought David Cook's song was way better. Definitely. Cook's third round was The World I Know. I didn't know this song, but I liked it. ALOT. I could definitely see me buying a CD of David Cook's somewhere down the line. Arch did Imagine in the third round. He's done that song already in the competition. I didn't like this rendition as well as the first time. Not at all. So, Simon, you're wrong. I guess we'll see tomorrow nite. I'm going to keep redialing Cook's number til voting is over at 1 a.m. in this time zone.............I can't believe it's over................

I'm voting for you David.

Good Luck. I hope you are the AH meri can Idol!

Why not Philly?

And the reward for not being cocky?

'NUFF SAID!

The next goal is the CHILI GOAL!!!!

Well, at least back in the day it would have been. With The Pens leading the Flyers 4 - 0 in game 5, I was chanting we want chili, we want chili! Then it was 5 - 0. We Want Chili, We Want Chili! Then it's 6-0. WE WANT CHILI, WE WANT CHILI! Dean says they don't do that anymore.

Back in the 80's, both the Penguins and Pittsburgh Spirit Indoor Soccer team shared the Arena. One of the Sponsors was Wendy's. If the team scored 7 goals in a game, you could take your ticket stub to Wendy's and they would give you a free small chili.

Since Nick and I had Season tickets for the Spirit, we were at every home game. We got alot of Chili.

So, the Pens win 6-0 in game five, making it 4-1 for the series against Philly! Great game, Great series. Onto the Stanley Cup Finals!!!!!!!!!!!! LET"S GO PENS!!!!!!





The Pens celebrate being the winners of the Prince of Wales Trophy.

But don't touch it. You don't touch it or hold it up like the Stanley Cup. It's bad luck. When the trophy was presented to Sid "the kid" Crosby, it was on a table, and he just leaned a little close for the photo. And it stayed on the table.

So, the Pens will play either the Detroit Red Wings or the Dallas North Stars. Detroit is leading the series, 3 games to 2. If Detroit wins one more, we play them. If Dallas can pull out winning the next 2, we play them.
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Yesterday, we took Sara grocery shopping, and while she and Henry put the groceries away, Dean and I had a visit with Mikey and Jordan. We brought Jordan home with us and he spent the night. He is talking alot now that he is 28 months old. And repeats everything you say. Watching the hockey game with him around was interesting. I'm cheering, come up, come up, come up, telling the players to come up in front of the net, He was saying it too, while waving his little arm in the air like Nani (me) was doing. One of his favorite sayings is "Oh, MY Gosh" but it comes out "Oh, MY Garsh" and it is the funniest thing in the world. I tried to get video of him saying it, but everytime he sees I have the camera, he stops whatever he's doing and looks at the camera and says "CHEESE". How do you explain the diffence to a 2 year old between a video camera and a camera that takes stills?
He asks "What are ya doing?" and he tells you he wants certain things. I want petzels (pretzels).
He also says "It's raining". Which I am sure he has been told alot lately and is why he says it. It has done practically nothing but rain here for days. Weeks. Maybe even months. Last night it was thundering, and he said "It rainin'. It noisy. I scared." and he hopped up in my lap, then he went to Pap. We comforted him and said it wasn't anything to be scared of. It didn't take long and he was down playing with his trucks again. He is so much fun. We had the best time with him these 2 days. He has started potty training. Peeing, he's gone down pretty well, if you ask him if he has to go. He doesn't tell you yet "I have to go potty". Hasn't done the pooping on the potty yet. I am hoping he will have that down by the time we take him camping with us 4th of July weekend..................

Oops!; Goodbye, Marissa!; Top 3!; 3 in a row

In an earlier post about The Bachelor: London Calling, I mistakenly called Shane's dad Tony. His name is Lorenzo. I must have had Marissa from Dancing With The Stars' pro, Tony, on my mind at the same time. I can't keep all my reality shows straight, I guess. LOL.
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Speaking of Marissa and Tony, they were eliminated last night. I voted my alotted votes, 8 for Marissa and Tony, 7 for Cristian De La Fuente and Cheryl. (you get 5 votes per phone number, which Dean and each have cell phones, and 5 via internet. So, I split the internet votes favoring Marissa cause I knew she'd need the most help). The others left are Jason Taylor and Edyta and Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark.
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Idol was pretty good for the most part. The most part. The top 3 had to perform 3 songs each last night. 1 judges choice, 1 their choice and 1 producers' choice.

David A's judges choice was And So It Goes. He did a beautiful job with it.
His own choice was With You, which was kinda eh for me.
The producers chose Longer for David A. Good, but not outstanding. I agree with Paula that he should quit exagerating the length of some of the phrases and words, holding the notes to long and drawing them out. 1 outta 3, not so good.

Syesha's judges choice was If I Ain't Got You. I didn't know this song, but I liked it.
She chose Fever for herself. Weird choice. Peggy Lee did this song waaaay back in the day, as did Elvis. Her rendition was okay, but didn't have the passion that Peggy and Elvis had when they did it.
The producers chose Hit Me Up for her. I liked it. I liked that she wore black and white and danced. I give her a 2 outta 3.

The judges choice for David Cook was Roberta Flack's First Time Ever I SawYour Face. all can say is WOW! Gave me chills, goosebumps, and made my eyes fill up. WOW!!!
David chose Dare to Move by Switchback. I don't know this song, but I liked it. Alot!
The producers chose Don't Wanna Miss A Thing. An Aerosmith tune. Good choice for the rocker. I wish he could have done the whole song! More, more, more. 3 outta 3 for me with him.

I really want him to be the American Idol. I just don't have a connection with David A. Maybe because he's only 17? I don't know. Syesha? I think luck got her this far. Carly and/or Michael Johns should have her spot. We'll see in a littlewhile, huh?
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After winning both games at home, the Pens went on to win the first game in Philly. The orange crush got crushed, 4-2! I hope they sweep by winning again tomorrow nite. Let's go Pens!!!!!!!!!

Mothers Day weekend; Why do ya get that feeling?;DWTS Final Four; It's SHANE!

Well, we had lots planned for this weekend. We wanted to get the tarp off the camper, take it for tires and bring it home to stock up for the summer's camping trips. Alas, Mother Nature did not cooperate. Rainy and cold on Friday and Saturday morning. Went to breakfast Saturday morning, still cold, windy and dismal with some rain. It quit in time for us to go racing! Yea! Since the front was trying to push through, it was very windy and cold at the races. Afterward, we did our usual stint by the fire. While trying to warm our bones, one of our friends got a phone call and was told that there were many, many DUI check points all over the place. I was'nt worried, I hadn't been drinking. I had 1 beer with my pizza for dinner. Pizza and a good cold beer is so good. Like some people's popcorn and milk duds.
Around 1:00 a.m., Dean and I decided to hit the road. Leave the track, out 22/30 to 279 (the parkway) South, through the tunnels, off at Grant Street, down 2nd Ave., across the Hot Metal bridge, onto Carson heading home. Then they appear. The big orange signs that say "BE PREPARED TO STOP". The next one says "BE PREPARED TO SHOW DRIVERS LICENSE". Crap. I had never been through a checkpoint ever before. So, I slow down, and then I can barely see the flashing lights around the bend ahead. I dig my wallet out, get my license and get in line. No problem. Like I said, I had one beer over eight hours ago. So, it's my turn to be checked. The nice officer asked how I was doing and I said fine and asked the same of him. He had a friendly face, so it was easy to look right at him. He asked for my license and asked if I had been dring tonight and I told him no that I was the designated driver since Dean had partaken in beverage of the lager persuasion most of the evening. He checked the inspection stickers on the car, gave me back my license and wished us a good night and we were on our way. I don't think I breathed normally again until we got onto Mifflin Road! Why do you get that feeling like you were kicked in the gut when you see a cop, even though you haven't done anything wrong. And not just at a checkpoint. Even when you pass them as they sit along the highway, you automatically want to hit your breaks even if you are going the speed limit. And lord forbid they pull out from somewhere a come up behind you! Thenthey pass you up cause it's not you they're after, or it was just time to go. Takes a while to breathe again, don't it?
Sunday we had planned on going to the cemetary to visit all the Mom's we know. Grandma Rush, my mom, and Dean's mom. I was going to trim around the markers, clean the markers and put flowers in the vases. But, more rain. The only Mother that got their wish was Mother Nature. Dean had planned on cutting the grass. Ha! Not in the rain. We did have a great dinner at a place called Thee Olde Place Inn. It's down on Streets Run Road. They had a fabulous spread for the buffet. I ate til it hurt. Then it was home for the hockey game! Pens win, Pens win. 4-2! What a game! On to Philly for 2. Hopefully we can win at least one of the next 2 there.
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Dancing with the Stars is in it's final four.Jason and Edyta did the Foxtrot and the Paso Doble. I wasn't impressed with either one, really. He did better earlier in the competition. I don't see where he's stepped up.
Marissa and Tony did the Quick Step and the Rumba. Both were good. I voted for her. Bu, us fat chicks have got to stick together...
Cristian and Cheryl did a beautiful Viennese Waltz and a great Samba, which is the dance he did 2 weeks ago and he hurt his arm. But, he mastered it! I vote for him too.
Kristi and Mark did this increadible Tango and a Jive that wasn't really up to snuff per their usual. If enough people vote for Marissa, I think Jason will go home. If more voted for Jason, then I think it will be Marissa.........we'll find out tomorrow nite!
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Have you watched The Bachelor; London Calling? I have only watched the last 3 weeks, and at that point, I had picked Shane. She's the daughter of actor Tony Llamas. Well, tonight, she was proposed to by Matt! I was so glad. So was she!

OMG!!! FINALLY!!!!

Finally, after weeks and weeks of bad performances, the American public that has a brain has out voted the Jason Castronettes! I voted too many times to count. For David Cook, of course!
Jason is finally off the show and are top 3: The Davids and Syesha. Yea!




(I had fun rubbin' Jason outta the pic. Weeks on end of pent up frustration....)

Did ya dig Howie Mandel and Judge Judy in the audience tonight?

Uproar in the 'Burgh (or should I say up "bark'?); Final Four Idols; Dancing Star that goes Home

This afternoon, A young man, 19 years old, who police attempted to stop today, was killed by those police.
In their attempt to stop the young, black man, the K-9, a German Shepard named Olf, was released to subdue the man who police suspected had a concealed weapon on his person. When order to stop, he did not. He kept his hand under his shirt near the waste band of his pants. He was asked to remove his hand(s) from inside his clothing and put them where they could see them. The young man refused. He started to bolt. The dog was released and gave chase. The young man turned and shot and killed Olf. The police officers returned fire, and fatally shot the young man.
Now, the guy's whole community and probably more, is in an uproar because this man was shot over a dog. His parents are threatening to sue because they killed their son over a dog. What if it hadn't been the dog chasing him? What if had been another officer? A human officer. What? They aren't concerned that their son had a gun and was probably going to kill someone else? They aren't concerned that the kid was in some gang activity or drug deal or something? I'm sorry, but a K-9 is a police officer. Okay, he's a dog. But still has a badge, had to go through special training, and was doing his job. Killed the dog. Killed a Police Officer. So, the kid would have gotten life in prison w/o parole for killing a cop anyway. One more gone. I swear they're all gonna kill each other eventually anyway. Drugs, gangs, jealous boyfriends, whatever. Let them. It's cheaper to bury them than support their asses in prison for the rest of their lives......
The gun the young man had was a revolver. What does a 19 year old need with a revolver?
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The Final Four.
David Cook did Duran Duran's Hungry Like The Wolf. I wasn't crazy about this song in the 80's and my opinion hasn't changed over the last 25 or so years. He did it well, but it wasn't a spectacular performance.
His second song was Baba O'Riley by The Who. He did a really great job with it! It was a great arrangement, but I wish he would have done more of the body of the song........
Syesha performed Tina Turner's version of Proud Mary. It was great! She started out low and slow, and BANG! big finish. Just like it should have been.
Her second song was A Change Gonna Come by Sam Cooke. It was a great song and she did it with alot of feeling. Good performance. she brought it tonight. I don't know what Randy was watching...............
Jason was Jason. He did the Bob Marley version of I Shot the Sheriff. It sucked. Then theBob Dylan version of Mr. Tambourine Man. He forgot the words. He should have done The Byrds version. Can we finally vote him off the island? Please! He sucks!
David Archuleta chose Stand By Me by Ben . King and from the movie of the same name. David did okay with it, but he's gotten too dramatic for me. Holding notes longer, making them way bigger on certain words. The kid can sing, though.
Then Elvis' Love Me Tender. He did a really good job with it. I liked it alot, but no one sings like E. But, that's the Elvis fan in me.
I voted too many times to count for David Cook. How many votes do you get, anyway?
How 'bout Rascal Flatts in the audience tonight? And a nice shot of Carly Smithson in the audience as well.............

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The Dancing Star that went home this week? Mario. I kinda had that one pegged. The performers tonight was Rascal Flatts. Man, they're everywhere! I suppose the Fox studios where they do Idol and the ABC studios where they do Dancing are very close to each other, cause aren't both shows live? Dancing was celebrating it's 100th show, and they had past stars and champions perform and as members of the audience. Joey Fatone, Apollo Anton Ono, Sabrina, Drew Lache, Helio Castroneves, Mario Lopez and more. It was a pretty good show. I just wish it hadn't been opposite Idol.........

For Whom the Belle Tolls; Pittsburgh hero (for now); My Dancing favorites this week

The Kentucky Derby. One of the jewels in the Triple Crown. The other two are the Preakness and the Belmont Steaks, the Derby being the middle race between the other 2. But as some celebrated, others were very saddened. Much like when Michael Waltrip won the 2001 Daytona 500, and yet Dale Earnhardt was killed in a crash at the finish of that race...........
Eight Belles. Beautiful animal. Ran a hell of a race. When they were on parade going to the gate, I picked my horse. It was her. I thought it was a great name. She came in 2nd to Big Brown. Now, that's a dumb name for a horse. Not much thought or creativity there. Eight Belles was a name that could be remembered, or stand out in the Kentucky Derby, with the likes of Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Unbridled, Charismatic, and Barbaro. But no, it's Big Brown. Unfortunately, Eight Belles will probably be remembered more than Big Brown, even though she didn't win. The poor thing had to be put down after the race, as she collapsed during her cool down lap after the race was over. The question is whether her ankles of both front legs were broken before the finish of the race, or did happen when the jockey got her to pull up after crossing the wire. I think it happened after the race was over. She showed no signs during the race that I saw of coming up lame before hand. It is really a shame to lose such a beautiful animal........
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The hero of many a Pens fan, Marion Hossa, shot the winning goal in yesterday's overtime playoff game against the NY Rangers! What a game! Not a sweep for this series, but 4 outta 5 ain't bad. On to the Flyers.........
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This is Dancing With The Stars..................5 left. Who will go home tomorrow nite?
Kristi and Mark did the Quick Step and the Samba this week. Their Quick step was great. Samba? EH.

Mario and Karina. 1 st dance was a Viennese Waltz. Beautiful. 2nd was the Jive. It was really fun to watch, good job, but the lift looked slightly awkward.

Marissa and Tony did the Fox Trot to New York, New York. It was great! The did a Mambo (not #5) that was very cool. They got 5 phone votes and 2 online votes from me.

Jason and Edyta did a very passionate Tango that would leave anybody hot. Then did a Samba that just did nothing for me.

Cristian and Cheryl did a Tango to Beat it, which worked really well, believe it or not! He had torn and ruptured a tendon in his left arm last week, so they did 2 dances that hid or disguised the injury very well. I don't remember now what their second dance was, but it was really good as well. 5 phone votes and 2 online votes from me.

I gave my 5th on line vote to Mario and Karina. Jason and Kristi have been topping the leaderboard throughout, but I think thats about to change. We will see..............

Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie........

Even though she is as sweet and pure as apple pie, we say goodbye to Brooke White this week. She has been inconsistant in her performances, always seemed nervous, and there were others that went that should have stayed, (Michael Johns, Carly Smithson, Remiele) she stayed and should have gone.
For some unknown reason, the american people are voting for Jason Castro. He sucks. His best performance EVER, other than his auditions, was Forever in Blue Jeans. He should have been gone a long, long time ago! Is he this year's Sanjaya? What the f----, people! If he doesn't go next week, something is wrong with all of you! Do you all have ears of tin?

Speaking of ears. Are these for real? Neil, dude, you have some big ol' ears! You should have left your hair a little longer-at least halfway down those huge puppies!


A broken-hearted Brooke after the results.


Simon does have a kind bone in his body. Comforting a very tearful Brooke. Nice of you Simon. Loved that your girlfriend from when you were 9 years old called into the show! Hysterical!