Altoona Curve Vs. Reading Phillies
Mood:  cool
Now Playing: Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Just getting back from the game in Altoona. WOW was it COLD!!!!

Just the kids and I went tonight, poor Randy had to work a double. We each had a blanket and the give away was a blanket, but we still only made it to the bottom of the 7th inning before we had to leave. The kids were turning into popcycles and I couldn't feel my feet anymore. The Curve were winning 5-3 when we left, so hopefully, they were able to hold on and win.

Not many players signed autographs, but I did get one in my scrapbook of my favorite player - Brett Roneberg. I think he's signed at least half the pages in the book by now. It goes to every game with me. The kids got the mascots to sign their programs. Then T got a baseball, so he was beyond thrilled.

Not sure when we'll get to another game, maybe next Saturday if the weather is decent. Of course, it's also the Penn State Blue and White game, so I'm torn between the two!

Michael
Mood:  sad
Now Playing: Seasons in the Sun
February is flying by way too fast. Soon it'll be March and I dread the 3rd. Some of you know my precious Michael was killed last year on March 3. He was only 17 and was just driving to school in the morning.

I'll never forget that day. My cousin called and said I needed to get down there right away, but wouldn't say why. Our sewer pipe had exploded and I had the plumber on the way, but he said I had to come now, so I called a friend, picked my mom up from work and we drove the 20 miles.

I can still hear the words, "Michael was killed this morning," and feel myself falling. Then had to give the news as each family member arrived. The funeral was awful. Hundreds of kids were there to say good bye. Michael's three younger sisters and his mother were so lost. I couldn't do anything to help them. All I had were some gemstones I picked up, just some magick stones to try and give them something to hold on to.

It's been almost a year now and I still have trouble believing it's real. I go to the cemetery as often as possible, see the tombstone, the flowers, all the things kids have left for him and know the deep empty spot in my life is real. At the same time, I'll look at his photos and can't imagine how someone so young and full of life and promise was ripped from our lives.

I feel myself drawing in and want to just avoid people all together for the next five weeks. I don't know that I can deal with the garbage and meaningless chatter. In the long run, does it really matter how much stuff you accumulate? Or what clothes or jewelry you're wearing?

Family is all that matters. Losing someone you love as much as I loved Michael showed me that the rest is all worthless. Yeah, we have nice stuff - the big screen TV, all the games, cameras and computers, but I'd trade every single thing I own for just one more minute with him. Just to be able to give him one more kiss, hear his laugh or just his voice, push the hair out of his eyes or give him a hard time because of the Misfits shirt he liked to wear.

All the regrets. I saw him at the store just a couple days before he died and I didn't kiss or hug him in the parking lot because he was "too cool" for that stuff. I'll regret that for the rest of my life.

Until we meet again, Michael, I'll love you forever and a day.

Ode to Dragon Quest's Angelo
Mood:  flirty
Now Playing: Dragon Quest VIII
Angelo oh Angelo, your fighting makes me swoon
Add that to your magick and I'm quite over the moon

Your eyes sparkle with a mischievious glint
If your passion could be bottled, you'd make a mint

In a fight, none is better
To you, their blows are like a feather

Spells and charms, you are the master
Just looking at you makes my heart beat faster

On this Valentines Day, my choice is clear
Angelo oh Angelo, you are my dear!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Join all the fun at:

http://www.slimeknights.com/slimeknights/?friend=wAcZhy

High School Gymnastics
Mood:  lazy
I haven't been to a meet in several years, but last night Randy had the night off, so we decided to go to the St. Marys/Bellefonte meet and try out the digital cameras. I've always shot film and he videotaped at gym meets, so I had no idea what to expect. The lighting isn't very good, so the photos came out a wee bit dark, but they can be lightened up. We'll adjust for that next time.

The girls and one boy did a good job. They all really tried their best. Some of them have some good tricks down. Since it's early in the season, I can see all of them getting even better with their routines.

We'll be going to as many of the meets as possible the next two months. It was nice seeing all the judges I knew from "back then."

Bellefonte won 123.1 to 122, so it was a very close meet.

Happy New Year!
Mood:  down
Happy New Year!



Yes, another year has come and gone and it hasn't ended soon enough. This has truly been the worst year I have ever had to survive. The cliff notes version begins on March 3 with the death of my beloved Michael. From there, we lost four more cousins, an uncle, a great-aunt, a dear friend and my daughter's cat. Those were just the deaths. Lets not forget the fun of the migraines returning.

For a nation, we've suffered quite a lot as well. The loss of lives from bush's war will be felt for generations. Each month was bloodier than the previous. At least Americans have finally started to wake up and safe "ENOUGH!" Republicans were tossed out of office left and right. I realize most of them weren't responsible for the mess we're in, but those who were afraid to tell the president "NO" deserved to lose their jobs. That country is destroyed and it was all for a lie.

Yes, 2006 can't leave fast enough. The next 12 hours better fly by.

Welcome 2007, you have to be a better year!

Dante's Casino
Mood:  energetic










Go Check it out. It's a great place to learn about an awesome game and meet some new friends.

St. Bonaventure
Mood:  irritated
Spent yesterday chaperoning my son's enrichment trip to see A Christmas Carol at St. Bonventure University in NY. It's about 1 1/2 hours or so north of us.

We were there earlier this year to see Willy Wonka and were happy to go back. They have an art gallery to go through before the performance and give the kids exposure to something different. Coming from a very small town, it is something they probably won't see any other way. The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and weekends 12-4 p.m. For more information, you can call (716) 375-2494.

My only problem with the entire experience is they don't allow photos at all. They had one little girl on the verge of tears because she couldn't take a photo of the nativity display. Really stupid. I'm sure most of you have photographed all over the world. I have photos I took of The Mona Lisa at the Louvre and I can't take one of the kitty baby Jesus? Spare me! Before the play, they said it was because it was dangerous to take photos? Never did explain why.....

Anyway, the play was very good. They used only six actors for the entire thing with minmal scenery and quick costume changes. We've all seen the story done many different ways and the kids loved this version. (Scrooged is my favorite - something about the toaster)

We're scheduled to go back two more times in March. One is another musical and one is for a dance troupe from Philadelphia. I'm looking forward to that one. I was hoping we'd get to see an opera or ballet this year, but the teacher wasn't able to get the tickets. Maybe next year.

Weekend in Pittsburgh
Mood:  cool
Topic: Travel
Weekend in Pittsburgh


We spent another weekend in Pittsburgh, this one for T's 12th birthday. Went to the Carnegi Science Center and UPMC Sportsworks and spent most of Saturday there. There are so many different things to see and do there. We got to explore a retired US Navy sub. That was fun. I would have liked to spend more time on it, but the kids thought it was too boring!

We stayed at the Radisson in Monroeville. Thought it would be great with that name, but we weren't impressed. The sleep number beds just didn't make the night that great. We ordered from Buffalo Wild Wings and ate in the room. The food was excellent! Randy and T had wings while A and I had shrimp and fish.

Sunday, we were up and off to the mall. Hot Topic was our first stop. Found a new Halo 3 hoodie and teeshirt for T. He's the first kid in the area with them, so it gave him a few more points at school. I got a new fairy shirt, but guess who has it on this morning? (Here's a hint, it sure isn't me!)

Our cell phones needed replaced, so we were looking at Verizon and ended up just getting them. Even T. got one since he's 12 now. They all got regular camera phones and I got the new Verizon Q. It's really neat and I'm having a blast playing with it. It's like a Blackberry and I can search the internet and check email anywhere now!!! Most of you know I'm addicted to my email. :)

Aeropostale was our next stop and A. cleaned up. She got a huge bag of clothes. Luckily, they were all on sale.

After walking around a bit more, we decided to head home. We ate at Outback Steakhouse and got home around 8:30 p.m. At Outback, they sang happy birthday and gave T. a chocholate sundae. :)

National Aviary
Mood:  chillin'


We were in Pittsburgh yesterday for an early morning doctor's appointment and after it was over, went to the National Aviary. It is filled with birds from all parts of the globe. It's a private, non-profit avian zoo, according to their brochure. There are over 800 birds of 200 species, many threatened or endangered in the wild. The aviary is a resource for the enjoyment, breading, study and conservation of birds.

The kids liked the Victorian Pigeon from the rainforest section the best. Very funny looking creature and the pair of birds were like the mayor and his wife, showing off their "town."

The bald eagles always draw my attention. With election day just over, I guess it was a gut reaction.

I took a couple hundred photos there and some of them turned out better than expected. I'd love to go back there and get a chance to get closer to all the birds and photograph them. Many of them are already flying around, but too many are behind glass or cages.

It's a great place to visit if you have an hour or so. The price of admission is $8 for adults and $6.50 for kids, so it's an affordable trip.

It's election day
Mood:  quizzical
Whether you vote blue or red, lean left or right, it's our chance to have our voices heard. Everyone, please remember to vote!

My choices are pretty clear to everyone who reads here, so I won't go into them. Just vote your conscience. Many of the times, it will come down to the lesser of two evils. Stay away from the Dark Side!

Don't let this right be ripped away from us.