mia's world

Winter Has Arrived

2012-02-12T12:00:00.003-05:00

Wow, it's been awhile, hasn't it? Hopefully, my blog friends will return and become a cheerful group once again.
It has been snowing here in the burgh...only the third measurable snow of the season. I've had enough. I don't even think it's pretty anymore, just annoying. But it is winter, and spring will follow!
It's been an odd few months here. Road trip was wonderful! Mary Rose came with Sprout, Bean and Monkeyboy to the beach. We went to the farm first and were honored when Mrs. Miller invited us into the private quarters of the farm. We met Mary Rose at the hotel at the beach. I can honestly say that this was the best road trip ever. Each of the kids prepared a meal, and it was a blast. Monkeyboy served as sous chef for several meals and he and Sprout were hysterical making the pizza and mac and cheese. They took their dinners very seriously, and they were actually quite tasty. A safe trip and loads of fun.
Bean, Monkeyboy and parents went to North Carolina for Thanksgiving and I watched the sick fish, sick dog and sick cat. Of course, with my care, all were healthy again before the homecoming. Well, the fish (whose name I can never remember) was living in very cloudy water, but he made it! Who knew...they told me to feed him twice a day. And the fish floats belly up, which did freak me out, but he survives even today.
Our Steelers didn't do so well, made it to the playoffs, but lost to Denver. Much to my surprise, the Denver contingency of the family sent me a bronco's shirt (notice, I did not capitalize their name). I was so glad the Patriots lost the superbowl. We, here in Pittsburgh, don't much like Tom Brady and the team.
Sprout and Monkeyboy have become quite the skaters and go skating most Friday nights with friends from school. Monkeyboy is also playing inline hockey, and doing quite well at it.
Bean got a part in the professional production of "Jesus Christ, Superstar" at the end of March. Rehersals start this week. Very exciting.
Christmas was a blast. Of course,all fought over my gift. It was a deck of cards with my picture on them. Oh, and Mark from Phipps, pasted my picture on a bottle of Pepsi to add to my gift. I was doing something against Phipps policy and he wanted to be sure that I knew he took a picture of me doing it. That Mark, such a prankster.
My brother and his wife got a Great Dane. Yes, that's right. Her name is Bella and she is beautiful. Getting bigger every day. I will see if it is okay to put pictures of her on the blog.
I am still working with the dogs at the shelter. Love them. They are just such fun. As soon as I begin to walk them and train them, they are adopted, which is a very good thing. There is one dog, however, who has not quite settled down enough. She is a puller, if you will. Jackie at Phipps tells me I should stand with her and make her stay in place until she stops. The problem is that as soon as she gets out of her cage she is dragging...literally...me through the kennels and around the pathway in the woods. What should be a 15 minute walk becomes a 5 minute walk/run. We go to the cages for her to run, and she picks up the toys and shakes them so hard I think she must be getting brain damage. But I love her, she is funny, and I will continue to work with her.
My friends, Becky and Tom, took me to see the dog whisperer last Friday in Akron. What a treat that was. First, the venue was spectacular. As was he. Funny, but very serious. He had his dog, Junior, with him.
We lost Sandy, our supervisor, at work. She was promoted and now has her weekends off with her husband. I have never seen a bigger smile on any one's face! We miss her, but have a new supervisor, Katie. She has quite a job ahead, and I hope she enjoys the challenge!
Well, that's it for now. I will put some pictures up and hopefully a movie of Monkeyboy playing hockey. Hope to see all of you back again! It's been too long.

Summertime

2011-07-31T09:30:00.002-04:00

Boy, it's been a hot one, hasn't it? BUT, for two nights, I have been able to shut off the air conditioning and open the windows to the sound of the cicadas chirping, the birds chirping and the garbage trucks smashing garbage.
Mippy and Bird's air conditioner quit, just stopped. Too much heat for an old unit. So, I'll not complain. Much.
As I mentioned, I am volunterring at an animal shelter. There is a wonderful dog there, Belle. She is older...nine to be exact. And she is the sweetest dog ever. Gently, affectionate, beautiful. BUT, extremely aggressive with other dogs. When I first walked her, she snarled, growled and barked furiously at every dog in sight. I have been working with her diligently to see if we could alleviate some of this behavior. Treats work wonders. I have been watching the "Dog Whisperer", as has Bird and Bean (Monkeyboy, also, I think). So, I apppealed to the shelter to allow me to bring Belle home with me to see if, together, Bird and I could help both Oscar and Belle to become less dog aggressive.
We met in a neutral location...the cemetary. When the dogs spotted one another, they immediately began barking, snarling, pulling going crazy. Bird has a much better handle on this, so we took the dogs to a grassy area and Bird and I both (me with much struggle) put the dogs into a submissive posture. Oscar calmed quicker, it took Belle some time. Once they were both calm, we allowed them to get up. Belle started again, so down she went. She calmed quicker this time, so we began to walk them side by side, but with great distance between them. As they walked, we began to move closer, and they seemed ok. When we turned to walk back, another episode, short lived though. As you can see, by the end of the walk, they did very well. Oscar walked to his home and Belle and I went back to the shelter. Upon arrival, Belle did not want to go inside and had to be coaxed. This is the worst part for me. Later in the week, I took Bean and Monkeyboy out to see the shelter. We wanted to meet Prudence, but she wasn't there...perhaps....could she have been adopted?
Road trip in three days. Two days at the farm and seven at the beach. Today we meet to plan meals. There will be five of us this year. Monkeyboy, Sprout, Bean and Bean's friend, for whom we don't have a name. Each of us has to plan, shop for and prepare a dinner. That will be the plan for today. Love the road trips. We pick up the van on Wednesday and head out around lunchtime. On the road to arrive at the farm shortly before dinner. Then early Friday we head to the beach.
I hope everyone is surviving the heat. It's been a pretty harsh summer. I'm sure, when I was a kid, we had summers this hot. I don't remember them much. We didn't have air conditioning, but our house was surrounded by large trees that helped keep it cool.
Phipps has been very, very, very hot. I am amazed at the number of people who come in and think it is air conditioned. They come out after visiting, in puddles, saying "I thought it would be cooler". Noooo, it's a glass house! And very hot...did I mention that?
Have a wonderful Sunday and try to stay cool.

A Bad Week

2011-07-13T20:12:00.002-04:00

When does a bad day become a bad week?
When you go to the dentist with a toothache and are told there is no cavity, that you are grinding your teeth.
When your assistant manager comes to you and tells you that you have an appointment to meet with her and your manager.
When you are driving home from work and you see flashing lights in your rear view mirror, and when you pull over, so do the police.
When you are ready to blog and your computer goes off and when it comes back on a message says that you have a corrupt or missing file and you have to restore or reformat your computer.
When Monkeyboy's team does not play at their best and the idiot parents on the other team just keep screaming at the top of their lungs. I mean, come on, when you are ahead by 14 runs, do you really need to keep screaming? By the way, Monkeyboy did an excellent job of relief pitcher. The team did not give up and fought till the end. Second place is not such a bad thing. And there is another tournament this weekend. Redemtion is just around the corner.
It seems that when under ANY stress at all, I grind my teeth at night. I was told to wear a mouth guard, but when I put it in my mouth I couldn't close my mouth, so it sits in my drawer, $19 down the tube.
I drove home from work on Friday in the 90 something heat. Took the side street that I always take. Two stop signs. Police officer said that I went through the first one and issued a citation. Now, IF I did, I will gladly pay the fine of $25. I do not understand an EMS fee of $10. Nor do I understand the MCARE fee of $30 for Medical Care of Availability and Reduction of Error Fund.....WHAT IS THAT? And then there is the fee for JCP/AT...that would be the Judicaial Computer Project/Access to Justice. Oh, and don't forget the court costs of $35.50 for a grand total of $110.50, Also 3 points on my license. I believe you can plead guilty by computer and pay the fine. So, for what would I be paying the court costs? I went to the office of the Magistrate this morning to talk to them. There were four women and a dog in the office. Yes, a dog. I love dogs, as you know, but here this dog was, sitting on a chair in the Magistrate's office.
So, I came home on Friday. Turned on the computer, as I always do to check my email. Did that, got some dinner and sat down to watch the news. I went back in and did some searching on the computer to see about my ticket. Then I went to blog, and alas, the stupid message appeared. After trying multiple things to try to fix it, I went to bed. Tried off and on all weekend to no avail.
So, yesterday, I took the plunge and did a full system restore with backup. It worked fine, except I had to call Verizon to reset my router. Then I had to call Norton to update my security. I spoke with Satheese. Satheese lives in southern India. He is married and has two children. He travels for 45 minutes each day on his way to and from work. He works for nine hours, but gets one hour for lunch. There are many people, according to Satheese, that want a job like his. He has been there for four years and won't leave since it is so difficult to find a job. He has never been to the states, but invited me to come to southern India. He would like to visit us here, but cannot afford to do so with his family. You may wonder how I know so much about Satheese. It's because we talked for the thirty minutes it took him to remotely load Norton. By the way, my subscription ends next month, and he reminded me that I didn't want to let it lapse because it was protection for my computer. I did remind him, in a pleasant way, that it did not protect my computer, and that was why I was on the phone with him now. He acknowledged that there was a failure.
Fortunately, all my pictures were saved, but if you have ever emailed me, do it again. I lost my email addresses.
Things seem to settling down. The weather is cooler, Bean's production is tomorrow night, I will be able to go to the shelter tomorrow to walk dogs....always a bright spot for me.

Fashion

2011-07-01T20:37:00.002-04:00

I have to wonder when it became fashionable to show your underwear when you are in public.
A number of years ago it became fashionable (?) for young men to wear their pants halfway down their butt and to show off their boxers. The crotch of their pants came midway between the knee and their crotch. In amazement, I watched them swagger down the street showing off their boxers. There was, however, a problem if they had to run.
Perhaps it was even before that. Sometimes with the low ride jeans, or jeans that had become low ride because of a (ahem) weight gain, when bending down, not only did your underwear show, but your butt crack showed.
On a recent shopping trip I went searching for some summer tops. I noticed an inordinate number of see through tops. Very shear, very cool looking for summer. However, I wondered, what does one wear under those blouses? So, I began to look around, and alas, it appears as though women wear....their bras. Colored bras, striped bras, even polka dot bras.
Sometimes however, the style seems to be to wear layers of tank tops, which seems to defeat the idea of dressing for comfort...at least for me. And if you don't want to wear layers, just wear one, with the bra straps showing.
And not only does one wear tank tops with bra straps showing....sometimes the whole back of the bra shows.
When did this trend start? When was it okay to have your underwear become outerwear? A friend blames it on Lady Gaga (whom I adore). But the whole saggy pants thing started before Gaga.
I know, I am getting older, and fashion statments sometimes elude me. I have to admit, some teens can actually get off with the layered tank tops, the cute bras under the see through tops. But then there are those....well, I wonder....do people look in the mirror before they leave their house?
OK, I admit it, sometimes I go out looking awful. I think we all do. I will clean my mirror tonight so that I can look in it and actually see how I look. And I won't go to the wine store with pizza all over my shirt and paint stained pants.

Summer

2011-06-21T23:38:00.004-04:00

Will we ever be satisfied with the weather for more than two days? Is it always too hot, too wet, too cold, too humid? And what is with the weather? Are we having it worse now than ever? Or as we get older, do we just pay more attention to the weather? I have given up on watching the weather, other than my homepage printing what they think will happen. They are often more wrong than right.
I have air conditioning. I appreciate it/hate it. For me, I like open windows, hearing the rain, hearing the birds, feeling a breeze. The winter is the house closed up, hibernating. Summer is openness. So, today, I kept the house open. And tonight I died. Temp in the house was 84. Turned on the air at 5 PM, and at 8:30 temp was 80 and air had been running for 3.5 hours nonstop. So, I sit in comfort...with all windows closed. Not to hear the rain. Not to hear the birds, the dogs, the thud of the paper hitting the drive.
Prayers and positive thoughts for Sprout's mom and Joanne. Sprout's mom is having some pretty significant medical problems and Joanne is dealing with cancer and chemo.
Sprout, Bean and Monkeyboy on the streets with skateboard, bike and scooter, having a ball. How much fun is it seeing kids enjoying life? And to see them do well and excited about life. Sprout...getting a perfect report card. Bean getting a part in a production that showcases her dancing. Monkeyboy backing shortstop and getting the ball and throwing it to home plate for the out.
I walked dogs today. Prudence is rooming with the beagle twins. Riley chasing chipmunks. Happy leaping for joy and racing through the trails, wanting to greet everyone and everything. It is such a joy to work with these dogs and play with them.
Tournament ball starts this weekend and I am excited for that. It's such fun to sit in the summer sun and watch baseball.
Well, I am off to bed. Summer is officially here. Enjoy!

Back Again

2011-06-10T15:00:00.002-04:00

It's been a long six months, but I am back. Made it through winter and am now dealing with summer. From one season to another.
Our annual trip to New York City was spectacular. We took the Megabus from Pittsburgh to NYC. We left here at 7:00 AM and we were checking into the hotel at 3:00 PM. It was on a newer bus, double decker. We got in line early so the four of us could sit together. We watched people line up, and thought that they were cutting. So we got out of line and got behind them. Turns out they line up backwards and we would have been first, but alas, we were about 20th. Monkeyboy wanted to be first so he could sit on the top front of the double decker bus, but we couldn't make it. Megabus is wonderful. They are clean, and on time. The four of us traveled for a total of $84 round trip. Well, there was that slight problem on the way home. As we were coming up Summit hill we pulled over to the side of the road. The driver got out, looked at the back of the bus, got back on and we lumbered up the mountain. A few miles later he pulled over again, and this time he came into the bus and said that the coolant line had broken or something. So we spent two hours at the Get Go. The weather was perfect and we all had books to read, so it was fine. Really it was.
There were a few college students on the bus. The one sitting next to Monkeyboy and Mippy talked on his phone for almost 4 hours non-stop. I never knew a man to do that. It was amazing. His battery would have died, but they have outlets on Megabus as well as internet. Internet would probably have been quieter. His battery did die at the rest stop, but he charged it again immediately upon boarding the new bus. The new bus had the air conditioning on. It really wasn't warm enough for air, so Mippy asked him to turn it off. He misunderstood and turned it up. When we realized that it was getting even colder, she asked him again. Apparently, he was new and couldn't figure out how to shut it off, so it was a cold ride back to Pittsburgh, but other than that, the trip on the Megabus was fine. Much better than being stuck in an airport for 20 hours.
Swimming is always a big part of our trip and Monkeyboy has come so far this year. Diving for money at the bottom of the pool, swimming the width of the pool. Bean and I also having fun in the pool.
We saw "The Adams Family" and Bean and I went to see the NYC Ballet. Monkeyboy and Mippy went to see The Harry Potter Exhibit.
We ate a couple of good restaurants and saw the Burton Morris Exhibit at POP.
Monkeyboy told a joke in the restaurant that sent us all into gales of laughter...well, not Mippy, but Bean and I about choked as we laughed so hard.
Bean had the starring role of Belle in "Beauty and the Beast". She was excellent and of course, we gave her a standing ovation.
And of course, it is baseball time. I believe Monkeyboy is one of the best pitchers on the team. Their team has had a winning season so far, and tournament ball is about to start.
I finally did the bathroom after many months of procrastination. Pulled my back out reaching that one corner, not totally unexpected.
I am doing volunteer work at Animal Friends here in Pittsburgh. I love walking the dogs, and they each have their own personalities. Belle is a mixed breed, very gentle, who loves to lie next to me and be scratched on her head and back. Most of the dogs are mixed breed, but some are not. Ripley is a basset hound, who walks slowly to examine each blade of grass, but whose short legs race across the parking lot to get to the grass. Miss Tiny is a beagle who is being pursued by Prudence. Both are female, although Prudence does have a beard. She is a bit....well, maybe more than a bit....overweight. She is a delight, but has to rest as she is being walked due to her weight. Here is a link to their website if you would like to see them.
www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org
The butterflies are flying at Phipps. And our summer show is pretty spectacular. We are getting all kinds of international visitors and it's fun to listen to them talk about how much they like our city.
Pirates are playing pretty good baseball, so we are following the team a little more now. Had a couple of sell out games with Philly...go figure. And we won 2/3 games! We truly are a sports town!
Well, I hope I haven't lost too many viewers. How was your winter/summer? We seem to have missed spring. Hope you are all well!

January in the 'burgh

2011-01-19T09:16:00.005-05:00

Sunny and 45 degrees. Snowy and 8 degrees. 28 and icy. Welcome to Pittsburgh!
The Steelers did it and what a game against the Ravens. It was a quiet week here before the game. I think the team set the tone. Focus. No smack talk from us. A pep rally on Friday was the biggest news. The game looked awful the first half, but out team came back and defeated the Ravens. It's on to the Jets on Sunday. Get ready, Tim!
As you can see, the picture is hung. Few things that I want to do yet, but for now it is hanging and looking pretty good!
This would be a good time to do things in my house that I never want to do in the warmer weather. Problem is, I don't want to do them now. The freezer in the basement...well, let's just say that it should not even be there. I don't know why it is. It needs defrosting. Yes, that's right, I said defrosting. It has had much of the same food there for several years. Probably, the food isn't any good, but it seems wasteful to throw it out. The same problem exists in the freezer in the kitchen. But at least that one doesn't need defrosting.
Then there is the bathroom. For years, I have been saying it needs something. I keep thinking that it would be a wonderful winter project. Maybe if I take a nap those horrible thoughts will escape.
Why is there always something to be done in my house? No matter how much I do? Does someone or something sneak in at night and mess up the attic or the basement?
I have this problem. I know that this is the time of the year to tackle these things, but when it is dreary and snowy I just want to get OUT of the house. Cabin Fever, I believe, is the malady that strikes. For instance, today it is dreary. Yesterday it was sunny. So yesterday, I thought I should get errands done since it might snow. And today it looks like snow, so I am going to lunch with my friend and to the mall for a haircut. BECAUSE...it might snow tomorrow.
I know, it makes no sense. But my hair will look better. Which means I have to get a shower and wash my hair so Donald doesn't think I never take care of my hair. And it will be clean and shiny when he washes it and cuts it.
Some days I just go out of the house looking like.....well, you know. No shower, hair a mess, old sweats on that are stretched and torn. And I swear, I am just going to get some gas for the car and maybe stop for some wine. And that is the day that I see everyone. I try to ignore, but noooo, the yell my name and wave madly across the gas pumps. And I'm pretty sure the man who takes care of me at the wine store is the husband of the woman with whom I work. I look like a street person craving for my next drink. So within the space of one mile, I have seen four people that I know or are acquainted with and now they think that I am the eternal slob.
Next week CATS is coming to Pittsburgh. Our gang is going, and I am excited. I love CATS and all the music and dancing. Guess that means a shower and shampoo.
Stay warm.

And So We Begin a New Year

2011-01-05T00:10:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year. I hope this new year finds you in wonderful spirits and in good health.

And I hope your Christmas was wonderful. Mine was probably the best in a few years. Family and friends...work and play. Much work since Phipps was open in the evening, but I like the people with whom I work and we make it fun. Mippy and Bean came in to see the exhibit, as did Sprout. Mippy embarrassed Bean by shoving aside small children so she (Mippy) could plant her basil or whatever.

At this time of the year I think of indoor projects that need completed. I don't know why, I guess to keep me somewhat sane. The first project was enlarging and framing a print that I had from our annual trip to New York. I went to the local shop that I use to enlarge photos. We discussed size and I thought 11x14 framed would be large enough. NOT. So, today I went back and got it enlarged to 18x22 for a frame of 22x26. A wonderful, helpful man helped me choose the color of the mats and I am now waiting for the mat board to come in so I can cut it. The picture on this blog is of the smaller one, but just wait till you see the finished product on the wall. It should be perfect. I have a number of my photographs hanging in my home and each one seems better than the last. Photography gives me a great deal of pleasure. And playing with the prints is part of that pleasure.

The other picture that I posted is one that Bean made for me. I love it. I don't know how she did it and if she reads this, perhaps she can explain it. She has made seveal pictures for me over the years, and I treasure each of them and have them displayed.

Monkeyboy got a cell phone for Christmas. He has learned the art of texting. Oh, my. Gadgets. How kids love them. I guess we all do.

Speaking of ballet (well, I was when I was talking about Bean's picture), I went to see The Black Swan over the holidays. It was very intense and others have described it as "dark". Darren Aronofsky is the director who also directed The Wrestler. Natalie Portman, the Swan, began training for the production about a year prior to the movie. I am not a ballet dancer, but I think she did an excellent job for one who was not a professional dancer. It is about a dancer who becomes obsessed with being perfect, not only as the white swan, but as the black swan. She has a mother who was a typical stage mother, pushing her to the limits, which literally drove Portman crazy. Barbara Hershey played the mother and it was a perfect role for her.

Do you make New Year's resolutions? I think about changes I would like to make, but I try not to make "resolutions" since, in the past, I have made them and they have fallen by the wayside by January 2. The one that I did keep was to stop smoking, which I was finally able to accomplish. Took many tries, but it has been many years since I have had a cigarette. Sometimes, though, the desire still hits.

It's Beginning.....

2010-12-09T00:18:00.003-05:00

I won't even say it...I will just say that winter has arrived with a vengeance. Bitter cold...not really, but it feels like it. Snow.

I came home from Phipps on Monday night (we are open now until 10:00 PM) and it was blizzardy. Snow covered roads, cold, blowing snow. Of course, no salt thrown in the city until morning. Thank goodness for the new tires.

My brother will be happy to hear...no music. He doesn't much like the music I put on this site. So to you...Merry Christmas, I won't put any music on here for you to have to listen to and about which to complain. It's OK, he's my brother, he can complain.

Alas, another friend has been diagnosed with cancer. It makes me incredibly sad, but can I just say this...I got an email from her. She was diagnosed a week ago, and her outlook is incredible. Positive. Upbeat. Hopeful. Accepting. Here's to you J, you are my inspiration.

OK, I am sick of winter. Sweeping/shoveling snow. And it is December. And I ask...when will this end? I know, it is only beginning. And white Christmas....forget it. Give me a warm, sunny day.

I'll stop whining.

Positive stuff only....

I figured out my grab bag gift and, as usual, it is wonderful. As you may remember, and if you don't...I'll remind you. First year was a framed, autographed picture of myself. Wonderful, if I may say so. Next was the postage stamps with my picture on them. A tremendous hit, it I may say so. Next....M&M's with my picture on them. EVERYONE wanted them. This year tops it all. Wait till they see this one! Aren't you all curious? Mippy asked "what will your face be on this year". She just wants the gift. And when Monkeyboy chooses it, when it is her turn, she will grab it. I'm pretty sure there will be a humongous fight over this one. And don't let Bird fool you, he wants my gifts, even though he says he takes them out of pity.

I have found some wonderful gifts and have done most of my ordering on line. Most of it is here, although I am worried about one. I got an email that told me to quit going to the mailbox. They were only going to ship beginning this week, so stop looking. They would email me when I should start looking. Only one gift was wrong, and there is time to fix that one.

Ava is doing well, running and jumping about. Curling up with me to sleep. I so would love to have a dog, pets are such a wonderful thing.

OK, time for bed for me...actually, well past bedtime for me. Have a great week!

Feeling That Thanksgiving Dinner

2010-11-28T20:18:00.003-05:00

It was a wonderful dinner, and I hope yours was as well. I say it took us thirty minutes to eat...Mippy said it took us thirty minutes to fill our plates, sit down and then eat. It amazes me the work that goes into the dinner and how quickly it is devoured. But it was oh, so good. And such a relaxing day. And the turkey was done to perfection this year, thank goodness.
Bean is looking great on her pointe shoes, and after such a short time.
And Monkeyboy is racing about on his blades, playing hockey and loving it.
The tradition here is to have everyone decorate my tree after Thanksgiving dinner. It was amazing to see over the years how the kids decorate. Initially it was seeing who could unpack and put more decorations on the tree. Now the kids actually try to do it so there aren't too many of the same color in the same place. It is smoother and more fun this way. I believe a good time was had by all.
Phipps is very busy this weekend. It is the opening of their winter show. So many people coming in with their children dressed up in their holiday finest to have their picture taken. I was in the Palm Court today, selling memberships. It is interesting to see families and how they get their children to sit still, to pose, to smile. Parents making faces, jumping up and down, and yes, cajoling children to smile with bribes of food to come. And then I become the photographer that takes the family picture. Always someone with closed eyes, fussing with their hair, poking a sibling. One family had triplets and two other children. That was a bit humorous, with one of the triplets crying, the other hitting and the third laughing at the first.
I already ordered on line and should be getting many of the things in the mail this week. It's more fun for me to get them in the mail than to go to the mall. I try my best to stay away from the mall at all costs.
The Steelers barely won today. Had me on the edge of my seat. The new kicker did an excellent job of winning the game for us.
Have a great week, and see you soon!

WHEW!

2010-11-16T23:29:00.002-05:00

Stressful couple of weeks for me....two people very close to me had surgery...and of course Ava, the cat!
It appears that all are doing well, but it makes me appreciate health that much more. One never knows when problems are going to hit us, and when we climb back, it is a good thing.
OK, I am sick of leaves falling. Are you one to try to keep up with raking leaves, or are you one to leave piles of leaves until they ALL come down. Personally, I would like to leave them until they all come down, then have everyone come and help gather them up.
Did I tell you that I am trying to get rid of old paint cans? Well, I am. I must have twenty of them in my basement. I am told that if you put kitty litter in them, they will be taken. Do you know how heavy a gallon of paint is with kitty litter in it? Well, let me tell you, it is heavy!
Anyway, there are eight less paint cans. Working through them.
I have cold sores. It what comes with stress. Fortunately, they are already disappearing.
Bean has a part in the Christmas Carol. Not sure what it is. But I think she is pleased. And Monkeyboy is playing in line hockey, whatever that is.
Phipps is decorating for the holidays and their winter show and let me just say this...it is amazing. Beautiful. If you are in Pittsburgh or visiting you have to see it.
The Steelers got rid of Jeff Reed. He has been on the line for some time, I think. He did well here and I appreciate it, but there have been problems in the past year or so, and I don't think it is just football related.
The Steelers looked bad on Sunday and the Patriots looked awesome. They could do no wrong. Hopefully, we will make a come back. Ben looked good for a minute, but neither the defense or the offense had it together Sunday. Sad, but true.
That's it for now....have a good week!

Halloween Happenings

2010-10-28T13:15:00.002-04:00

When I was small, we had a bakery. It was a small bakery and the people who owned it lived near us. It delicious baked goods, all fresh, none frozen for the next day or week. They had wonderful cherry filled cookies, decorated cookies and cakes and pies, which were not as good.
At Halloween we would dress up and go to the home of the owner.....because.....they gave out candy apples. And they were wonderful! As they gave them to you they asked your name, so you couldn't get two, which made me sad. We didn't have very original costumes. Some kids did...their parents made their costume. I remember in second grade one girl had a blond wig, only it didn't look like a wig. She won a prize for the best costume. No one knew who she was.
Halloween was a big deal. We used to have a party, then parade around the school with the parents standing there taking pictures. Then we would go home and prepare for the parade the town had. After that we got to go trick or treating. We never did much of the tricking, though.
It was fun and exhausting...going through all that candy.
Phipps is having a Halloween Happening. Kids come in with costumes and they see a magic show, can get their face pained, pot a plant and eat! It's fun to see all the kids in their costumes, some of which are very unique.
Ava, the cat, is on medication. X-rays were taken and examinations done and nothing of significance was found, so she is on meds for inflamation. She alternately does well and hobbles around on three legs. It's sad to watch, but she is sleeping and eating regularly, so the vet said to just give her time.
What do you remember about Halloween? Did/do you make costumes or do you buy them? I remember a butterfly costume I made for a certain child, who, when they saw it ran screaming to hide behind the bushes.

Let The Games Go On

2010-10-18T23:31:00.002-04:00

Ahhh, it is the season again.
The NY Times had an excellent article about Nolan Ryan. It talked about him buying the Rangers with the thought of.....making them a winning team. Isn't that a novel idea? Not buying a team to build a new stadium, make money and move on. I read that he was quite the player in his time, and he wants to build this team to win. Good for him. And they beat the Yanks. That is such good news.
Ben is back. Very mixed feelings about that. I think he played a good game. We won. Thanks, Tim, for all the cheering. I think I saw you down by the goal line, but I can't be sure.
Monkeyboy's team is doing well. Monkeyboy has the second highest score...he is going for double digits. Such fun watching the kids play.
Both Monkeyboy and Sprout celebrated birthdays. Sprout's cake had a picture of her on it and it was so much fun! Monkeyboy elected to have a giant chocolate chip birthday cookie. Personally, I prefer cake.
Bean is in Phantom this week. Break a leg, Bean. She is having such fun, but is exhausted. Such is the life of a star. Well, she may not be THE star, but she is our star.
Ava has a bad leg or legs...have to take her to the vet again. He gave her a shot, which helped briefly, but she is not doing well. Both hind legs seem to be affected. She is having great difficulty walking. *fingers crossed that it is nothing serious.*
Seems to be a time when many close to me are having medical problems. This too shall pass, I just hope it passes quickly.
On a lighter note, there was a Japanese wedding at Phipps this weekend and it was lovely. Such beautiful dresses, all dressed in their culture. Makes me wonder why we are so against immigration.
Code purple today...chipmunk expired in the outdoor garden. Butterflies are about done. Great train display currently. I still love my job.
The weather has been decent for the most part. Warm days, cool nights. I am having a garage sale this weekend. Dreading it, but I made the commitment. Hoping to get rid of some junk. Never had one before, so we will see how this goes.
Vote, okay? I know....sometimes it seems to not make a difference, and sometimes I get discouraged, but do not be apathetic....vote. Have a good one!

The Weather

2010-10-02T15:02:00.002-04:00

It rained here this week. A lot. Some people don't like the rain...generally, I do. I fell asleep to the rain the other night. It wasn't a storm, just a pleasant rain. Woke up to it also. Got ready for work. It amazes me what happens to drivers in the rain, at least here in Pittsburgh. A usual 25 minute ride took me 45 minutes, but it was okay. I had the time, so it wasn't crucial that I speed. Which I can't anyway, because I need new tires. But that is a whole other story.
I began my day at Phipps in the butterfly area. There aren't many butterflies left, but we have to be there to catch them should one escape. It was a very quiet morning and raining there in the conservatory as well as outside. The conservatory was built in 1893, so some of the rooms have water coming in when it rains. So, after cleaning the area of leaves and setting up the table, I sat and watched the rain. And listened. It was quiet other than the water dripping on the bricks. A young couple came through holding hands, whispering, smiling. We talked for a few minutes. They were here for a conference that started that afternoon and decided to spend the morning with us. They had been married in June in an outdoor garden wedding in, of all place, Iowa.
I think one of the best things about living in Pittsburgh is the changes of the seasons. I love them all, even the snow and ice. Those days of terrible weather make me appreciate the good days, the sunny ones.
I had an hour or so left in the butterfly area, so I contemplated the weather and how it affects people. One woman told me Phipps was a perfect place to be in the rain; it made her feel happy and peaceful. A co-worker told me it was a good day to spend in bed reading a good book.
What do you like to do on a rainy day? Is it different now than it was as a child?

Wow, It's Been A While!

2010-09-19T09:28:00.002-04:00

I did not realize that it had been almost two months since my last post. So, here we go!

Road Trip: Midwest, Farm, Beach. Delayed flights, running through the airport, Monkeyboy getting stuck on one level, we on another. Bean to the rescue. Racing, racing, racing through the airport. I think the next time we will not fly!

The farm was great, but the beach was the best! The water was warm, the hotel was wonderful and a great time was had by all. Pretty sure that the beach will be our destination for next year.

School has started, dance has started, hockey has started. Back at Phipps and working lots of hours right now. Lots of weddings there. And the weather has finally cooled down.

Last weekend was a Pirate's game. Monkeyboy wore his Diamondback shirt since we are playing them. He has a favorite player on their team...don't ask me who it is. I have no memory for those kind of things.

I am still at the track most mornings. It is incredible to see the sunrise and to watch the clouds moving. The same group can be found most mornings when I go before work. Some run, some walk, some do the steps and some just watch their partners. When I am not working, I go a little later, and then I see the kids at the school in gym class. Interesting to see the different groups of kids. You have the kids who are obviously the athletic ones. Then there are the kids that talk a lot and giggle as they do the track. There is a group kids who do nothing but long jumps, and their teacher is incredible. He encourages them, they cheer for one another and they really try to do better. I admire teachers who have that kind of enthusiasm and dedication. Much more than the gym teacher who stands by the edge of the track with their clipboard texting on their cell phone.

I love listening to the exchanges on the radio at work. Code for Troy coming to the conservatory is "The eagle has landed". His wife is on our board and they sometimes comes. Everyone looks forward to that! There are other codes, which are sometimes humorous. One is code purple, which means an animal (usually a rat or a dead fish...something like that) is in distress or on the premises. Several weeks ago T. in events yelled over the radio that there was a code purple. Turned out that there were ants in the garden during a wedding. I don't think that warrants a code purple, but she did. Freaked because she thought that the ants might go up the bride's dress. The following week, someone in events said there was an anthill in the garden and a wedding was going to start. S., our maintenance man, said...on the radio...that he would come out and stomp on them. That went over big. T. got on the radio and began to freak that you don't just stomp on them. S. went through the serpentine room mumbling to himself. I think that he did just stomp on them, but I'm not sure.

Monkeyboy had his birthday party (one of two) tonight. He got many gifts, mostly sports stuff. Also the ipod touch. Bird is still trying to figure that one out.

Bean got her ballet pointe shoes and has started classes. She got two parts in Phantom of the Opera and the one that she is most excited about is the understudy for the pointe part. GO BEAN.

I promise I will try to post more often. And thanks for the concern, Jen.

It's Over, It Really Is

2010-07-30T00:45:00.003-04:00

Can I just say...baseball is over for Monkeyboy. No, really it is. It was supposed to be over last night. But, alas, it wasn't.
First of all, it has been hotter than ~~hell~~ any summer that I remember. I mean, come on. It's been 90 degrees for a zillion days. And the humidity has been as high as it can be without raining. Let me just say...J's hair can't take it. It's long, naturally curly and very thick. Enough said.
And S. smiles, and says she feels sorry for us in the butterfly room...which, did I mention...was 94 degrees with humidity of 3,000 degrees.
The butterflies don't even like it. I won't go into that, though.
OK, so it was hot. Stinking hot. And last night was the final game. ~~thank goodness, I am SICK of it~~ We all assembled our chairs, watched with anticipation as the sky grew darker. Of all nights, they were calling for horrible storms. Not to worry, they weren't to happen until after 10:00. ~~liars, all weathermen are liars~~
First inning. Not good. They got lots of walks and a run. We got nothing. Sky getting darker.
Trip to the concession stand for Bean and I. Female ~~appearing to be on drugs~~ takes our order. She keeps repeating it as she adds it up in her head. I, who have not had dinner, have a large order...mistake!!!!
Bean and I make our way back to the row of chairs. Uh, oh, switching pitchers. Monkeyboy is called to the mound. Texting (hard to do with two dogs, coke, nachos, slushy) to let Bird know. No response from him.
Hot dogs were cold (long walk). Ketchup everywhere. Monkeyboy doing his thing...very well, if I do say so. Bird pulls up on Harley. Sky darkens even more. Ready to start third inning....what is that? Lightening? OH NO. Score...4-0 other team.
No one wants the second dog...I don't blame them. I know, children in the world are starving. Into the garbage.
Apparently, one lightening strike delays game for 20 minutes. Whoops, here comes the second strike. Are those bats flying around? I do believe they are.
Rain starts. Not just rain, but wind. Bird checks the weather on his trusty cell phone. Looks like we are on the edge. No......wait, THEY ARE CALLING THE GAME.
OMG, what is a ~~tornado size wind~~ little wind and a ~~monsoon~~ a little rain? Come on, toughen up. People racing to cars...Bird to motorcycle. Hmmm.
People pray for him, wish him luck, tell Mippy to check insurance and we are on our way. We follow Bird while he fishtails his way home. He makes it...whew.
Fast forward. Game tonight...well, now it is last night. Game to be at 7:00. We arrive at 6:30. Kids warm up. No umpire. It's windy. Cold front has passed through. 7:30. No umpire. Mippy wants hot chocalate. I want a blanket. Kids, now running about, rolling on the field. Parents getting grumpy. 7:45, no umpire. Coach trying to contain kids. Not working.
8:00. No umpire. They decide to let someone ump.......but wait, sun is blinding batter. Have to wait till it drops behind trees. I use the covers for the chair over my arms to keep warm. Some selfish lady has a corduroy jacket AND a blanket.......DO YOU THINK SHE COULD SHARE........NOOOOOO.
Some kind man offers me a blanket from a senior citizens home. I grab it, thanking him profusely. FINALLY, the game begins. Monkeyboy on the mound. Holds the other team. Our boys are pumped. We are shivering.
We win...bottom line....we win. By a lot. Our guys did great.
I just want to go home. Take pictures, get trophies, get in the car. Monkeyboy and dad are in a different car and are stopping at MickeyD's.
MR, Bean, Mippy and I decide to get donuts. Krispy Kreme's sound good. We race towards the highway. OMG, they are closed! It is only 9:30 and they are closed!!!! Not to worry...let's try Dunkin Donuts. WHAT THE HECK??? They are closed. OK, we will stop at Giant Eagle. Wait, they have no donuts????? MR suggests cupcakes. No, I want donuts. Onto the next Giant Eagle. Surely they will have them. They do. Whoooohooo. We grab them all and head for the car. I grab one........AND IT IS STALE!!!! I throw it out the window and Mippy tells me I am a poor example for small children. MR is 15, Bean is 14. Bean said that Bird threw a hamburger out the window once. Mippy is still appalled. Who cares? Not I.
Did I mention that Monkeyboy's team came in first. What a night. I have to go to bed now. Phipps should be cooler tomorrow, J's hair should be good. It's a good night.

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

2010-07-16T08:54:00.002-04:00

Getting up and going to the track for forty minutes listening to my ipod.

Watching Monkeyboy being called in as relief pitcher and getting the team out of trouble.

Balancing my drawer at Phipps.

Sharing a meal with friends.

Or just eating!

Watching Bean in Footloose and Dance Emphasis...beauty and fun.

Sitting at a baseball game with nachos.

Watching my cat race through the house, playing with a paper bag or just sleeping at the foot of the bed.

Getting ready for the road trip.

A ~~bottle~~ glass of wine at the end of the day.

Reading my book in the garden on a summer afternoon.

Watching a good movie (Invictus, Chase, Juno, The Blind Side, The Wrestler).

Sunday dinner.

Seeing the older couple at Phipps that speak softly to each other in polish and are so devoted to each other, she taking care of him after he suffered a stroke. They come nearly every day and sit in the gardens and talk.

What are some things that make you feel happy?

A Nearly Perfect Day

2010-07-02T23:52:00.002-04:00

OK, so I have been TRYING to get to the track everyday, but it is so very hard. But, I have been doing it. I love going when it is early, when the sprinklers are on. The sound of the water swooshing, (is that a word?) the droplets of water in the early morning sun, the quiet, the blue sky. It is a nice beginning to the day. The picture of Bean in the sprinklers is an older picture, but it is appropriate. I think it shows spirit, freedom, fun.
It was actually chilly this morning. 49 degrees. Made me run just a little faster. I'm not counting times around the track, I am running with my i-pod. I make up new playlists and run as long as the playlist, usually about 40 minutes. And let's be clear...I say run, but I mean jog....very slowly, in time to the music. And it is wonderful. I hope I can keep it up.
I meet the nicest people at Phipps. If you are ever in Pittsburgh, you should visit. Green, butterflies, flowers. Fridays are tequila nights with music. Wednesdays are Farmer's Market. I meet and greet people from all over the world. Last week was a German couple, and Sandy talked to them in German. It's fun to try to communicate with people who speak a different language. And it's fun to tell them about Pittsburgh and all the things we have for them to visit.
So, work was great today. Butterflies flying, people visiting and music.
After work I decided to attend the first all star baseball game with Monkeyboy. Have I mentioned that I love to watch little league baseball? By the way, that surprises me. But it is such fun.
Let's start with the introducing of the teams and the announcer mispronouncing the names of the players. I mean, come on.....get a life here. Then a man takes the field in a horrendous tie and microphone. And he gives a speech about freedom, the 4th of July, the flag and then states he is going to have us join him in a passionate version of The Star Spangled Banner. He begins. No one joins him. In fact, people begin to look around to see how others are responding. Wrong move. Mippy begins to stifle a smile. Bean nudges me in the ribs and I peek out of the corner of my eye to see her suppressing a smile. Oh, my gosh, is CS beginning to laugh? Is that singer beginning to dip and dance? Mippy is now struggling to not laugh out loud. Bean is convulsing with giggles. CS notices and her shoulders begin to shake. Of course, I remain the stoic one in the group. FINALLY it ends and...are you ready.....he comes over and says he is available to sing if we have an event. Mippy pulls it together, as does everyone. However, I must say, she is laughing so hard when he leaves that she is crying. And she doesn't stop. I think she had some "happy juice" on the way to the game, but Bean swears she hasn't.
The team (I shall refer to them as the DeH team) scored in the first inning. Monkeyboy was on the bench ~~a stupid move by his coach when he is clearly a star player~~ and his coach is a truly great coach, one that Monkeyboy has had in the past. Coach knows the game and is supportive and a great teacher. Their team scored, but clearly we had the best team. As the game progressed, Bean and I visited the concession stand. The hot sausage was great! So were the nachos, and you could get extra cheese for $.50. Of course, always wanting to support the team, I ordered more cheese.
Remember the last game where Monkeyboy's team scored ten runs in the last inning? Well, the score was 10-4 DeH in the beginning of the sixth inning. Let me just cut to the chase. Monkeyboy was on the bench. They scored three runs. Two men on base. Two outs. They pull the pitcher and Monkeyboy goes in as relief. Bird and I start pacing. Silence on our side of the field. Tying run at bat. Bird shouts some tips to Monkeyboy as he warms up and Monkeyboy does as Bird tells him to do. First pitch ~~actually I had my eyes closed so I don't know what happened and I'll make this up, but the end result is true~~ and I hear a roar from our side. Strike one. Second pitch. Strike two. AND HE DOES IT. Monkeyboy strikes him out in three pitches. Can you believe it? The crowd roars. What a save!!!!
Is there any doubt? Nearly a perfect day. I would say perfect, but there is always room for improvement, although I'm not sure what that would be.
Happy Fourth of July and have a safe and happy weekend.

Such a Game

2010-06-20T23:42:00.004-04:00

The crowd was arriving for the game under the lights. Parking was at a premium. Mippy waited ~~mumbling, grumbling, sweating~~ smilingly for a parking place. Monkeyboy ~~screaming~~ suggesting that she hurry up so he could practice. Bean ~~rolling her eyes~~ asking Mippy to drive around. Me, humming at an increasing loud volume. sweating in my Phipps sweatshirt...(it was supposed to cool off). We waited for that ~~stupid idiot~~ mother to load her children into the car and back out of the space so we could pull in. I am sure it took her twenty minutes while we were sitting there waiting. Finally....wait.....there is a spot on the other side......should we try for it????(from Mippy) A resounding NO the rest of the car.
Monkeyboy bolted from the car, racing to the field.
Erin making a remark about my sweatshirt, wanting to know if they were forecasting snow and she had missed it (little did she know that it would get down to 75 degrees by the end of the game).
Chairs set up, snacks procured (had to force Bean to go to the concession stand with me).
Let the game begin.
Uh, oh....this doesn't look too good.
Look, here come Ginger and Skipper. They had no trouble parking.
Here comes Bird, on his Harley. He too has no problem parking. The crowd swells to near capacity (30 parents and fans and 10 people who left the swim meet and wanted a laugh.
The crowd quiets. The opposing team scores, scores, scores. We do not.
Monkeyboy pitching. A walk. Uh oh. Good pitches ensue. The inning is over.
The opposing team continues to score. We continue to not score.
Bird needs to get back to work. He waits till Monkeyboy gets up, then has to leave.
It is the sixth inning, the last inning of the game.
Monkeyboy's team gets on base.
The score....13-4....other team.
I turn to Ginger. Maybe, I say. Skipper is ready to leave. We encourage ~~force by holding him down~~ to remain.
Another player gets on base. A loud cheer goes up.
A steal to third and a runner gets in. Only 8 runs to tie are needed.
The crowd is on their feet. I'm pretty sure that Erin is shivering from the cold, but I say nothing. More hits, more runs. Monkeyboy is on third. One out. Score is 13-11. The ball is hit. Runner runs to first, Monkeyboy to home, first base to second, but gets tagged out because the ball hit him. Two outs. The coach argues. Monkeyboy back to third. Another hit, and another walk, more scores. Ginger and I go wild. Screaming, jumping, cheering. Score at the bottom of the sixth.....14-13......Monkeyboy's team.
Their team scored another run. Big deal. What a comeback for Monkeyboy's team. It ended in a tie. My throat was sore, but what a game.
As we left, I think I heard Erin say she was cold, but I could be mistaken.
A baseball game under the lights, a hot dog and soda.....could anything be better? I think not.
A post script: Bean did have her hair cut and donated to Locks of Love. Pictures are posted. Thanks, Bean...your new hair looks great!

Vacation Time

2010-05-24T23:35:00.002-04:00

We made a trip to New York City this past weekend. It was a great trip. We women had one room, and the guys had a "man cave". Pleasant drive to the big apple. No problems. We rented a van and packed it up and on our way.
Sunny day, not much traffic, even going into the city. We have a thing here called ez pass. What a great invention. Whip right through those toll gates. We got it mainly for the Holland Tunnel, and it really got us through all the toll lines in great time. We arrived in the city through the tunnel. Mippy drove the final leg. We came out of the tunnel and the garmin said to go one way, but Mippy thought we might be going the right way. By the way, the garmin often gets confused around tall buildings. After a ~~screaming, yelling, swearing fit~~ minor meltdown, we were headed for the hotel. Had to go around ~~thousands of blocks in the darn traffic~~ the block several times because of the one way streets, but we made it to the parking garage ~~which charges thousands of dollars because they can~~ and began to unload the van.
We went into our separate rooms and unpacked before heading out to ToysRUs to ride the ferris wheel, which, of course is a tradition. Thank goodness, I didn't have to ride it.
The kids swam, we shopped, we ate, we went to Central Park to ride the buggy and to hang out. We saw Wicked and I saw Race. Wonderful productions. I went to see Race first with James Spader from Boston Legal. What a provocative wonderful production! And after the play, the four person cast came out to greet those who waited by the stage door. It wasn't as though I waited (OK, I did), but there was about twenty people there to greet them and the cast was very kind to meet with us and thank us for coming.
We headed to Central Park Saturday morning. I mentioned that surely, if I was to find red cowboy boots anywhere, it would be here. No longer did I say it then they appeared in a window of a shoe store that we were going past. I went in, tried them on and they fit! Needless to say, I bought them AND wore them to the theater that night. Aren't they great????
Did you ever have a time when you began to laugh and giggle about something very silly and then it got to the point where you couldn't stop? Then everything becomes hysterical. We left the theater after seeing Wicked. A wonderful production, by the way. Did I mention that? Bean does this wonderful impression of a horse. She paws the ground then gallops. It is hysterical. You would have to see it to appreciate it. If I can figure out how to do a movie and download it, I will. That started the giggling in the corridor of the hotel. We got into our room and began to find everything amusing. We were laughing so hard that we couldn't stop. At least we were in the hotel room and not in someplace where we were supposed to be serious.
All in all, it was a wonderful trip.
I have my boots, we all have memories and we all arrived home safe and sound.

I Love Spring

2010-05-02T09:30:00.002-04:00

Monkeyboy is playing baseball again. How I love to watch! It is kids, having fun, I hope and parents sitting ~~freezing our butts off, grumbling, even swearing~~ watching with joy as the children learn the finer points of team work. Huddled in blankets, hoods on our heads, hands in our pockets, cheering them on ~~"just strike out, we don't care, just end the game~~. I believe it was 20 degrees with a wind chill factor of -50. And the game lasted almost three hours since there were so many walks. OK, I exaggerate. Not to blame the pitchers, the weather took its toll on their arms and fingers...they had to be numb with the cold. The next game was much warmer. The parents are fun, we all cheer for both teams, perhaps a little harder for our team, but when a good play is made by either team, a cheer emits from the crowd on both sides.
Bean is playing lacrosse. I'm sure I am spelling it wrong, but spellcheck doesn't pick it up, so this is how I am going to spell it. Bean is co-captain of the team. Actually, I think the there are three captains. There are four players on the team...KIDDING! First boy, girl party for Bean last night. There was quite a discussion about it at the ballgame. Should Bean's mom call to see who was chaperoning the party, should she get a list of names, ~~should they follow Bean to the party and hide in the bushes peering through the windows~~. First dances, first dates...that anxiety, giddiness, fear. My first date was with a boy named Bobby. We went to the movies (in the day you could actually walk to the movies). His friend met us there and Bobby and friend talked about how the movie wasn't true to the time period. The movie was at the turn of the century and Bobby pointed out that they didn't have zippers in clothing then. Bobby and I left and walked to my house where we sat on the front porch, watching my father (who had been celebrating Saturday night) come up the street. He was walking a bit funny and when he reached the front steps, he kind of sat down and went to sleep on the steps. Bobby and I sat, me trying desperately to ignore the snoring. Finally, Bobby said "should you do something?" and I said "about what?" Bobby got up, walked around my father and left. We didn't have a second date. And I went in the house, leaving my father on the steps, sleeping away. My first date. Ahhh, memories are great, are they not?
The other picture I posted today is the sight I see every sunny, spring day at Phipps. We have benches outside the conservatory and these three or four men show up every day to meet and talk. They sit on the bench for two hours, looking over Flagstaff Hill, talking. Every day. I often wonder what they are talking about. The weather? The status of the Pirates? ~~who seem to be even worse this year, losing one game 20-0~~ The playoff games for the Pens? The young ladies sunbathing on Flagstaff Hill? It's nice to see them. Every day that the sun is out. Doesn't matter how cold, they sit and talk for two hours.
The butterflies are out at Phipps. Well, some of them are out. An inordinate number of them seem to be dying very quickly. And one got into the fern room which necessitated me racing about with the butterfly net, much to the amusement of the children in the room. I didn't catch it, but Ray did. He is the champion butterfly catcher and butterfly expert.
Big day in the 'burgh today...marathon, Pitt graduation, Pens playoff, religious walk. Pens are playing the Montreal Canadians. So, my afternoon will be in front of the television cheering on the Pens. GO PENS. Have a lovely Sunday!

Fun

2010-04-17T00:09:00.002-04:00

I have problems with my lower back sometimes ~~which is a pain in my butt!~~ so I have to do stretching exercises every morning. So, I am lying on my back, counting the bugs on the floor and looking at the dust on the paddle fan, and I happen to glance out the window. Lo and behold, the oak trees ~~dirty, leaf dropping things that they are~~ are in full green. Leaves are green and beautiful! I am happy.

Now, don't tell anyone, but when I am at the podium at Phipps, I do crossword puzzles and lately have begun to color with markers. I know, but hey, I am bored. And I derive pleasure out of these designs that I draw. Did you color with chalk when you were a child? We did. Colored on the street, on the driveway, on anything. I loved it. So, today, I went out and bought a box of colored chalk. I have been walking in the park on the way to work. I am going to take the box of chalk, put it in plastic and hang it on the fence at the park and invite people to draw with it. Have a contest, if you will. Bean and Monkeyboy decorate their walk, their deck, their street with chalk, so why can't everyone???? The world would be a better place with art on the street. On the sidewalks. On their drives. And if someone doesn't like it...hey, the rain makes it go away.
And what about kites? Did you ever have a favorite kite? I love kites. I love the different shapes and colors. On the road trip I plan to buy kites for the kids and watch them fly it over the ocean.
It's spring, what can I say? I love it. A time of renewal, of fun and play. I have one more week in this floral design and I have posted my newest one. Monkeyboy had a game that was cancelled and Bean had a game that their team won. And go PENS! Tied up the series.
Have a wonderful weekend! IT'S SPRING!

Easter in the Burgh

2010-04-04T08:52:00.003-04:00

I am pet sitting at Mippy's. There is a church near their house and I am sitting and watching people get out of their cars and head for the church.
There was a time when it was a big deal to do Easter shopping for a new spring outfit. New dresses, new shoes and anticipation of heading off to church with the family, even if it was only one of two times you went to church. A young woman is getting out of her car now with her husband/partner/boyfriend. Those must be new jeans she is wearing. And the woman walking up the street in capri pants...they must be new also, along with the t-shirt.
There are some who still buy a new "spring/Easter" outfit. A little girl, about two years old, came into Phipps in a dress, new shoes and a big flower in her hair. Her parents took her into the Palm Court and proceeded to take her picture. People were standing there watching because this little child was so charming. We've had so many people come to Phipps because that is their Easter tradition from when they were small. I went there as a child...never liked it much, as I am sure many of the children who come there now don't like it much. I think one must be older to appreciate the calmness and beauty of the Conservatory. There is one man who brings his son every morning. His son is about three years old,and they spend an hour there every day, come rain, snow or sun.
It has been ridiculously warm here...85 degrees. The magnolia tree is beginning to open and I fear it will open and it will be lost to a frost just as quickly. Daffodils are out...haven't seen any tulips opening up as yet.
Mippy and family are visiting Bird's family. Flurry, the cat, has finally come over to say 'hello' to me and Oscar has finally begun to eat. They both seem to miss the hustle and bustle of a family in the house. Razor, the fish, has not had much to say to me...just floats around. The life of a fish must be very boring.
Oscar and I have been having a morning walk at the cemetery. This would be a reason for getting a dog. It is so beautiful at sunrise walking in the quiet. Wait...maybe I don't need a dog to do that! A man was walking with a folding chair and sat down on the hill overlooking the cemetery, I guess for some early morning meditation.
Oscar is a very strong dog and weighs, I would guess, about 75-80 pounds....maybe more. I cringe when I see another dog approaching. I allow Oscar to run free until I see another dog...Oscar is not the most socialized animal. But he fools people because he is a golden and he wags his tail. When I see another dog or person, I call him and he comes to me. I put him back on the leash and we walk towards the other dog...Oscar wagging his tail, panting. The other dog doing the same. A woman smiles and prepares to greet me and then....Oscar snarls, bares his teeth, barks, lunges and yanks me hard enough to pull my arm out of the socket. A shocked look appears on the woman's face as she speeds up to get past us. Me, holding Oscar for dear life, she casting a sidelong glance as she guards her dog. Once past, Oscar again wags his tail, prances and sniffs every blade of grass along the way. Overall, he is a great dog, but he does tend to hog the bed. And I can't push him out of the way...he is just too big! We sit together in the living room, me reading, he on his chair snoozing. I begin to feel tired, so I close my book. It is the signal. I try my best to beat him up the stairs so I can claim a spot, but alas, he shoves past me and leaps on the bed. He sleeps across the middle of the bed, leaving me a mere six inches on the edge. I have been know to race to Bean's bed, and sometimes I beat him to that one.
I hope all of you are enjoying the wonderful weather and Easter Sunday. Dinner today will be at Ginger's house...she is having ham, but is also having kielbassi...thank goodness!

It Has, It Really Has Sprung

2010-03-25T09:01:00.002-04:00

What a wonderful weekend! Sunny, warm..just beautiful. Phipps was jammed with people wanting to see the flower show, kids were out blading and scootering (is that a word?). I'm not sure which is my favorite time of the year...spring or fall. Right now, it is spring.
Health care passed on Sunday. An historic event, whether you are for it or against it. It seems those that are against it have become violent in their anger and frustration. People who have considerable influence are inciting people with no regards to the safety of others. Let's grow up, folks, is this the kind of message you want to give children? Throwing bricks, namecalling, targets on maps?
Enough of that! I took Ava to the vets to have her nails clipped and to talk to the doctor about ~~heaving and upchucking~~ digestive problems. I was watching people in the office waiting room. There was an elderly gentlman there with a collie mix dog. He was gently petting the dog and talking softly to him as they waited. So gentle. There was a 8 month old mixed lab who was full of energy, howling, barking, lunging. It was all his owners could do to contain him. Two yorkies to get annual shots. They asked the owner for her email address and she didn't know what that was. Then there was a man with a yellow lab, again, just talking to him/her and petting to try to calm the dog down. When the man with the collie mix left, I noticed the hind leg of the dog bandaged and the dog limping. I felt badly since the man seemed somewhat distraught. We become so attached to our pets ~~even when they puke all over the house~~ and it's sad to see them ill or in pain.
While I was talking to the vet about Ava (he suggested a different type of food for her, since she seems healthy and hasn't lost any weight) a tech came in and said something about the mix collie. The vet looked delighted and suggested that it was probably the reason why he was limping and he wanted to call the owner to relieve his anxiety. I mentioned that the man seemed very attached to the dog and the vet said that the dog was 14 years old and that he had been seeing the man and the dog for all of that time. He explained that the man's wife had died some years ago and the dog was all that he had left since the man's children all lived out of town.
Jackie, at Phipps, recently lost her dog and just got a new puppy, Madigan. Looks to be a beagle mix and what a cute puppy! Jackie knows exactly what to do with Madigan and is doing things I never would have thought of when I had a dog. She talks about socializing the dog to other dogs and to people. She has talked about taking the dog for obedience training, not because she can't do it herself, but because she wants the dog to learn to filter out noise while she gives a command. I am so impressed! She has stories to tell me every day about Madigan, and I love to hear them. Puppies are a lot of work, but they are also a lot of fun.
By the way, Ava loves her new cat food.
I got tulip bulbs from Phipps. They can't sell them because they are forced for the flower show, so they may not bloom again...but I'll try. At the very least, it will be food for the deer. I haven't seen the deer in my yard. I believe Ginger has seen them in her neighborhood. I walked around the yard yesterday to see if there was winter damange from the snow, and it appears as though most of the plants survived. The magnolia tree has large buds on it, which will probably burst open within the next several weeks.
Bird, Mippy and kids are headed south to visit family for Easter. I get to care for Oscar and Flurry, which I always enjoy. Kind of lets me have a dog for a few days.
Off to Phipps, which is amazingly beautiful and busy. Have a great day!

I Believe Spring Has Sprung

2010-03-16T23:38:00.002-04:00

At least at Phipps. The spring flower show is spectacular. And I can see grass again in my yard. The buds on the Magnolia tree are getting bigger. Yes, another winter seems to have disappeared.
My floral design class is going well. I never knew there was so much to putting together a bunch of flowers. The people are fun and the instructor is great. It amazes me how she can take one flower, move it, and create a whole new look to the design.
My friend who was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer had a joint birthday party with her sister on Sunday. It was delightful. LM is doing well, looks great, has a positive outlook and can actually go back to work full time and go to the mall, which I know Sassy would appreciate. The party was so fun. A very nice group of people, from old co-workers to new co-workers. It is always fun to see people I used to work with and to catch up on gossip. The party was catered and the food...well, I gained two pounds, need I say more?
Another friend lost her brother yesterday, in a tragic death. Senseless.
On a lighter note, I don't like waking up in the dark. And I don't understand why we have to change the clocks. Oh, I know, it has to do with farming, kids walking to the bus, WHATEVER. Just keep it the same year round. I don't care which they do, daylight savings or the other, but just keep it the same. It is such a chore to change all the darn clocks...and I won't even go into changing the VCR.
For those of you who have pets, is there anything more annoying than having to get up in the middle of the night to tend to the needs of those pets? Ava, the cat, never gets sick during the day. It is usually at 4 AM in the morning when she begins the process of ridding her body of hair balls. It goes on for.......ummmm........about an hour. It echos through the house. And then she goes to her food and begins to voraciously chow down, which has me on the edge of the bed wondering if she is again going to heave for an hour. So, I end up with a very poor night's sleep. And a cat that stares at me as though to say "WHAT?" And yes, she is worth it...unless it is 4 AM.
I have been working out and have found that my lower body strength is very good, but my upper body strength is awful. I have also found that when I am on the treadmill trudging along I tend to see what the person next to me is doing, then I try to do them one better. I have this awful competitive streak that I can't seem to control. By the time I leave the gym, I am trying not to limp to the car since the ~~wench~~ woman next to me is watching me out the window that faces the parking lot.
Well, off to bed for me...I have to go to the gym early tomorrow. Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Thoughts on a Winter Night

2010-02-25T20:14:00.003-05:00

Sprout wanted me to blog, so here I am, Sprout. This one's for you.
So, how many of you have ever had cold sores/fever blisters....whatever you want to call them. Well, I felt one coming on and immediately began treatment of it, since they tend to spread, get ugly and hurt my entire face. But, you see, when they begin, you really can't tell where they are. Two weeks ago I had one between my nose and my upper lip....very attractive.
This one appeared to be coming out on my lip. I woke up the next morning hoping that I had treated it in a timely enough fashion so that it would be unnoticeable. Alas, there it was......LARGER THAN LIFE. This humongous thing on my lower lip distorting my whole face.
Since I had to go to work, the dilemma becomes whether to put a bandage all over my lower face, try to cover it with many of the colors of lipstick (knowing that the lipstick would immediately have to be thrown away), or go au natural. I chose the latter.
Working in customer service with a distended lip with a huge blister on it can be disconcerting to customers. They don't want to appear obvious, but they are. The glance, then look again with horror in their eyes, then look away and don't make eye contact. They move on quickly, whispering among themselves, casting sidelong glances as the walk away.
For those that know me, I make up lies about what it is....the cat bit me, I was mugged coming from the parking lot, I fell on the ice and got stabbed by a fallen icicle. I am good at making up lies, as anyone who knows me can tell you.
I have been going to the gym also. Pretty, young girls with their perfect bodies, perfect tans and very white teeth stare in horror. I make some comment about this is what happens when you turn a certain age and go to tanning booths. They immediately look at their skin to see just how much time they should be spending in a tanning booth, then look at my lip, shaking their heads in fear and wonder.
My lip is better today, hardly noticeable, thank goodness. My face isn't as sore, so perhaps there will just be the one and they will go away.
Road trip plans are under way. We picked out the room at the cottage without too much fighting. Plane reservations have been made....I know, it's a ROAD trip, but this one also includes a SKY trip.
Monkeyboy had a hockey game last weekend and scored the only goal. Great job, Monkeyboy.
The weather has been good for sledding (DUH). Sprout had her first sled riding experience and seems to have enjoyed it. Bird and kids built an incredible track which was ruined by the warmer weather and a water leak that flooded their drive.
Winter is a wonderful thing, and I'm sure in July and August we will remember this winter differently. Thinking about those of you who might be getting the nor'easter going up the coast right now. Be safe, and stay warm. Better days are coming.....I hope!

Winter

2010-02-09T15:42:00.002-05:00

I debated posting, but decided to talk about the snow anyway since I couldn't think of anything else about which to post.
In keeping with my goal of things to be grateful for, I have wine, electricity and food. We have had 22 1/2" of snow so far and we are getting more. Again, things to be grateful for....the shoveling is done for the moment.
I have realized that there are some things of which I have no control. Weather is one of those. Once I accept this, I can sit back and wait for spring. ~~A large glass of wine helps in this endeavor.~~
There is something about weather that brings people together. Several years ago power in our neighborhood was off in the summer for two days. People emptied their freezers and had a street cookout. Steaks, chops, hamburgers, hot dogs...all cooked and shared. I wasn't invited. But I heard it was nice.
I have ~~an annoyingly chatty~~ friendly neighbor that lives across the street. I have to time my shovel time so that it does not coincide with her shovel time. She chats with the mailman daily, with the UPS man daily, with anyone walking up or down the street...and if she can catch someone trying to leave in their car, she has been known to flag them down. Frankly, I don't want to hear her ~~constant whining~~ tidbits of gossip and complaining. But then it takes all kinds of people to make a neighborhood.
We tend to look out for one another here. We notice if someone hasn't been home for several days without notice and we tend to share phone numbers, keypad numbers for the garage, ~~wine~~ and even food when necessary. I like my neighborhood and the thought of packing up and moving south puts me in a tailspin!
Spring will arrive. The flowers will pop through the earth, the hostas will again be green and the magnolia will blossom in all its splendor.
Ahhh, the winter of 2010. It will be one that will not easily be forgotten.
Stay warm and be safe.

Collections

2010-01-30T09:32:00.002-05:00

I have ~~a hobby~~ an obsession. I see something, it catches my fancy, I buy it. Nail polish is just one of those things. I indulge in a manicure every two weeks. Sherry, my manicurist, ~~suggests~~ pushes a different color of polish each time to "try" something different. Generally, I like her choices and end up buying them just in case the polish chips over the next two weeks. Hence, the line of polish in my bathroom. And if you think that is all of it, you are oh, so wrong. Those are just the current colors.
I do the same with shampoo. When I was at a hotel this summer, I tried one of the sample shampoos. It was wonderful! Smelled great, did a wonderful job of cleaning my hair without drying it. AND, it was sold at Bath and Body Works, or some such store. I raced to the store and bought the shampoo and conditioner. It only came in the large economy size. That was in August. I still have over half a bottle of each. I also have two bottles I bought from Donald, my hair stylist. Oh, and don't forget the one I got on sale at the supermarket. And of course, they all come with the must have conditioner. I have it all.
Soap. Let's talk about soap. Crabtree and Evelyn. Dove (I love their ads for young women, it's the only reason I buy it). And they have all those different scents.
Hand Cream. Nivea, Scentsations, Avon, you name it, I have it.
AND....can we talk lipstick? Oh, it is such a problem. I look and look and look. I buy. I take it home. I put it on. It looks horrendous. Once I found one that I really liked....Vrie Rose. They quit making it. I keep looking.
And what does one do with all of the tubes of lipstick that one tries once, the furiously scrubs off their face. Seems like a waste to throw it away. If you can think of something, let me know...nail polish, shampoo, lotion, lipstick.
The snow has ceased (fingers crossed) and now it is just cold. Winter. The gift shop has spring things out and the Orchid show has begun. Can spring be far behind?
Happy weekend.

Winter

2010-01-15T20:02:00.002-05:00

The snow is ~~beautiful~~ really getting on my last nerve. When I woke up Monday morning, which was supposed to be snow free, there was snow coming down and snow on the street. But, it was supposed to warm up as the week went on and up to forty degrees by weeks end. And it did, thank goodness.
Our city, in all of it's infinite ~~wisdom~~ stupidity, decided to close down two of the best sledding spots in the city...Frick Park and Flagstaff Hill. They said it was for safety reasons. They lie.
Here we go....
When I was a child.....
They closed the street for sledding.
I never wore helmets for biking.
Car seats???? I don't think so!
No mandatory seat belts that ~~warn~~ screech an annoying beep for the first three miles.
And I am tired of shoveling snow.
While we are at it (well, I am at it, I don't know about you) let's talk about the garbage men.
Are they trained to be annoying? Because they are. I understand that it is not a quiet job. But do they have to back up the street with the truck beeping all the way? Do they have a contest to see who can throw the can the furthest? All this at 5:00 AM. Then they leave (laughing all the way) as the recycle truck begins their rounds...much the same.
And let's talk about the plow trucks that block the drive as soon as it is cleared.
And how about the jerk up the street that throws all of his snow on the street after the plow has been down.
I am reading a great author and he has a series of books, all mysteries. I am reading non-stop, which is why I haven't been blogging. I know, I am getting all kinds of ~~gentle~~ not so gentle hints from folks.
Remember when I told you I was going to begin all kinds of projects now that I can't sit in my yard to read.
What do you mean, you don't remember.
I'm sure I told you.
Do I have to repeat everything I say.
Oh, wait, maybe I didn't tell you. Hmmm. Well, anyway, I have not begun one project. Well, there was putting one group of pictures on a CD. There was the matting of one picture. Wait, I never actually matted it, I just cut the mat. Hey, it's a beginning.
My blog seems to have a different tone tonight.
I think a glass of wine is in order, and ~~shame~~ bravo to the kids who ignored the signs on Flagstaff hill and went sled riding yesterday.

New Beginnings

2009-12-31T10:13:00.004-05:00

It's that time of the year, a time for resolutions, a time to say goodbye to the year and reminisce on the good and the bad.
I woke up this morning to a beep on my cell phone from Buzz telling me the roads were pretty bad if I had to go to work. Giving me the best route to take always helps from someone who has been out in the snow.
I looked out my window and a heavy, wet snow had fallen through the night. As snow goes, this was beautiful. No plows or salt trucks, schools are closed for the holiday and no need to get the roads cleared quickly. A truly beautiful sight.
It's been an eventful year for me. Leaving one job, taking another. Finding a new lifestyle. Making new acquaintances. Friends having significant medical problems and one literally fighting for her life. Family visiting. Steelers winning a Super Bowl and Pens winning the Stanley Cup. Monkeyboy's team winning, winning, winning. Bean moving a bit from dance and exploring sports. A party in the heat of the summer for neighbors to meet and talk with one another on a beautiful summer night. Peg and I dancing and singing in the kitchen at midnight cleaning up after the party.
All in all, it's been a good year. I don't generally make resolutions, but this year I am going to write down at least one thing that I am grateful for each day.
Monkeyboy had some minor surgery yesterday and appears to be doing well. Bean has to have some teeth pulled in the new year for her braces.
I hope everyone has a happy and safe new year. May this year bring more happy things and the strength to deal with the not so happy things. Do you make resolutions for the new year? Care to share them if you do? And how was everyone's holiday? Christmas here was a combination of laughter, presents and fun. My grab bag gift was a great success. It was M & M's with my picture on them.
Happy New Year.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T13:37:00.002-05:00

I hope this holiday brings health and joy to you and all those about whom you care.
Peace.

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Winter Has Arrived in Pittsburgh

2009-12-14T14:47:00.005-05:00

Of course, I knew it was coming, I just have been spoiled with the lack of winter weather, but alas, yesterday was an eye opener.
I was scheduled to work at Phipps at 9:30, so knowing that it was raining and possibly going to sleet, I left the house at 8:30. When I backed out of the drive, I realized that not only were the streets wet, but icy as well. Strange, I thought, since the temperature was above freezing.
I thought it was just my street, and the main street did seem a little better. I live on top of hills and when I went to go down into the valley all streets were closed, with emergency vehicles blocking the streets. Apparently, five cars had piled up and a number of them were off the side of the road. So, I went back home to wait for it to warm up. Gave it an hour, then left again to the same situation. Finally the roads opened and I proceeded slowly down the hill and on to work.
I work with Kay, who always has amusing stories. She told me that she joined a senior citizens exercise group with the anticipation of spending some "alone" time exercising. Her husband decided to go with her, much to her chagrin. Her husband was quite an athlete in his younger days and scoffed at the slow pace of the group. Kay became annoyed, of course, and decided after the exercise part she would go on the treadmill. She began to use it and her husband decided to try it also. Fortunately, for the annoyed Kay, there was an older woman between them, so there could be no direct violence from Kay. Kay set her treadmill for the appropriate speed, which her husband found to be much to slow. She caught him from the corner of her eye, punching the button, punching it, punching it...because of course, it wasn't going fast enough for an athlete. Suddenly the speed caught up, and Kay could not help but smiling, because her husband looked a bit confused. Finally, she heard him shout..."It's going backwards, it's going backwards!" She, in disgust, didn't say a word while the little old lady explained to him that it doesn't go backwards, it's the way the treadmill goes. He finally slowed it down, and was walking with his hands firmly planted on the handles. The older woman left and a younger lady got on the treadmill and began to jog...not holding on. In order to impress the younger lady, Kay's husband let go of the handles and sped the machine up again. No, he did not fall off, but Kay left after he put his feet on the side of the treadmill and said he had enough.
The same man yesterday went out in his robe and slippers to get his newspaper. (Remember, it was icy). Kay asked him if he shouldn't get dressed and put his shoes on, since it was raining. No, he said, it was fine. She watched him attempt to walk up the drive. One step forward and three slides back. But not to give up, he kept trying, almost falling. Kay's thought was she had to do something or she would end up taking care of a very cranky man. So, she went to the garage, got the car out, drove up the drive, told him to get in the car and drove him back down the drive and into the garage. She never said if he got the newspaper.
Yes, winter has arrived in Pittsburgh.
Happy Winter.

Friends

2009-12-11T23:26:00.004-05:00

I usually begin my posts with a title. I can't think of one for this, although I will at some point.
Tonight I am sad.
It is fairly late on a Friday night. Yesterday I learned that a good friend was in the intensive care unit. A freak series of events landed her there. She has cancer. A healthy woman, never any problems to speak of before this event. It happened about three weeks ago. She fell. She is now in intensive care. How does this happen? I cannot "wrap my mind around this" as the saying goes.
Remember my friend, Linda, that I have mentioned here. She also has some significant medical problems resulting from what physicians found in surgery that she had.
Both of these women are intelligent, caring, funny women. I love their sense of humor, their spirit, their "are you kidding me?" attitude.
I sit here, after two glasses of wine (is it more?) thinking about how much I care about them, and how helpless I feel.
I work with a young man at work, Christian. He is majoring in neuroscience and has helped me understand some of what is going on medically with my friends. I thought it would help, but it doesn't.
I talk to my friend's sister, as well as to Linda's husband. They sound strong, ready to do battle, ready to help no matter what.
Both women are facing some very difficult times ahead. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

I Am Not A Scrooge

2009-12-06T08:07:00.004-05:00

There is a tradition here in my community. The Sunday after Thanksgiving women gather at a local church and make wreaths. Real ones. I don't much like doing this. I bellieve that you can buy a nice wreath at K-Mart, or, if you like a real wreath, McTighes. But alas, every year I am made to feel guilty and end up making a wreath. This year was no exception. ST buys the greens for our group. Does a wonderful job of it, they are fresh and full of sap. This year, again, Bean came along. Thank goodness! She ended up pretty much making my wreath.
Usually there is a woman playing the piano. She plays Christmas carols, just to get us in the mood. She wasn't there this year, and one can only imagine where she was. This year they had CD's.
The older women in the church make cookies and tea. I don't much like tea. The young girls in the church serve the cookies and tea. I do like the brownies.
My goal is to cut the greens, wire them together, throw them on the form and go home. Oh, yes, and to wash all the sticky sap off my hands.
Some of these wreaths are quite elaborate. And beautiful. One woman's job is just to make the bows for everyone. Luckily, I saved mine from years past.
Ginger made it a point to tell everyone that I didn't want to be there. Mippy made me the most annoying nametag. Bean was the only one who understood my reticence and made most of my wreath for me.
One year Monkeyboy went with us. He decided he would be in charge of the broom and do the cleanup. The broom was larger that he, and he had somewhat of a difficult time maneuvering with all of the ladies. While sweeping, he hit a woman on the head with the broom much to Mippy's chagrin. She claimed it was a former teacher who never liked her anyway. That was the last year Monkeyboy came. Don't know how he gets out of it every year.
I got my Christmas cards ready to go. Most of my shopping is done, so see...I am not a scrooge.
Thanksgiving was wonderful...hope yours was also. So very much to be grateful for...health, family, chocolate chip cookies. The turkey was actually cooked this year, to perfection, if I may add. The kids decorated the tree and my house, so that is done also.
Things are going well at Phipps. We have a great group of people there that are fun to work with and who make the days pass quickly. Well, for the most part.
Pitt lost the conference game yesterday. It was a nail-biter. Hopefully, the Steelers will do better today. Ben is playing, so we can hope. It's cold, Tim, so wear something warm to cheer.
On a more serious note, my friend, Linda, had her surgery and needs follow up treatment. Please keep her in your positive thoughts and prayers.
Have a great Sunday.

Dilemmas

2009-11-23T19:47:00.003-05:00

First of all, Congratulations.....again.....to Monkeyboy's team for the great hockey win for the Mayor's trophy. It was an upset, a night game under the lights with parents cheering madly for the teams, coaches yelling to team members and kids playing deck hockey as though their lives depended on it. It was a well played game and Monkeyboy....you did well!
The dilemma as presented to me was to whom do we tip for the holiday. My personal opinion is this: I tip the paperboy. They don't get paid much and they use their car at an awful time in the morning in all kinds of weather to get my paper here on time and besides, I don't tip him during the year. I do not tip the postman. They get paid a lot of money to do their job, and they do it well, but I can't justify paying a tip for a service that is mandatory and has people waiting in line to do it. I don't have children to whom this would apply, but I don't understand getting teachers a gift. Again, they are paid to do something, and here at least they are paid very well. A thank you on a card would suffice for me. I don't tip the garbage men because they whale the can in any direction they feel is fun and they back up the street beeping their back up beep at 5:30 in the morning. I don't tip my haircut person, I tip him everytime I get a hair cut. I did tip my guitar teacher, just cause I liked him and he put up with me. Besides, his wife baked excellent cookies that I devoured on the way home from my lesson. In other words, I tip people at the holiday that I haven't tipped all year for a service they have provided.
A co-worker called off sick last week, saying he thought he might have had a mini-stroke. He lives alone and everyone at Phipps was worried about him. Fortunately, it was not a stroke, it was just a medication adjustment. I saw him today for the first time since he was sick, and he said something to me that I thought was meaningful at this time of the year. He said that everyday was a thanks giving day for him. He has had two heart attacks and his health is not good. I am glad he is okay now.
On a lighter note, I am hoping that the turkey is fully cooked this year. For those who may not remember, several years ago I cooked a bird that when it was carved, it was pink. Mippy asked at dinner for everyone to say something they were grateful for, and she began by saying that she was grateful that we had a lot of side dishes to eat. Others grumbled something and Monkeyboy couldn't think of much to say, except he was really looking forward to having some turkey. So, I'll try again this year, and hopefully, all will be cooked to perfection. But if not, I have so very much to be thankful for...and I hope you do also. Happy Thanksgiving.

Glub, Glub, Glub

2009-11-10T00:03:00.002-05:00

Do you know what that is? It is the sound of my drain in the tub draining. On Thursday I took a shower. The tub backed up....a lot. Usually, it backs up slowly and I put in some drain cleaner and it works again, but that day, it didn't drain. I went and got dressed, ate breakfast, got ready for work and looked at the tub. Bad news, it had not drained. Left home, bought some drain cleaner and went to work. Came home, and the tub had drained. I put in drain cleaner and waited for the half hour they recommended and then ran hot water. Uh oh. Waited. Tub drained. Put more drain cleaner in. Waited the alloted half hour and tried again. Whoops, didn't work again. OK, let it go till morning. Woke up and took my shower, figuring I would plunge the drain. That didn't work, (and in fact, had four inches of water in tub) so called a NEW plumber and gave my sad story. He said he would try to stop by at the end of the day. I left to have lunch with Michele, who got a new job. So, we celebrated. Lunch was awful, by the way. Came home and tub was still full, so I was pulling and pushing various things on the shower, and presto....the tub drained. Is there sound that is better than glub, glub, glub as the tub drains?????? Somehow, the drain got closed (I prefer to think it was Ava and not me) and now that it was open, all was right with the world of bathtubs. I called the plumber (didn't tell him the WHOLE story, just that the tub was cleared) and he said he was glad. Very nice man, and I am sure cheaper than the other plumber who would hav charged me $500 to open the plug. Anyway, it is working beautifully.
Monkeyboy played hockey on Saturday and was amazing. This child has some inborn skills that wonderful. It was a beautiful day and we had lots of fun (and food) while watching the game.
I looke out the window today and saw the last leaf remaining on the tree. It was interesting to see and I wonder how long it will hang there, waiting to fall.
The Steelers won tonight....YAY. The Denver family called tonight and B. said he was wearing his Steelers shirt I sent him. He said whenever he wore it, Steelers lost. THE CURSE HAS BEEN BROKEN. Thanks, B., for wearing it! He is my buddy.
Two very close friends are having surgery...Wackymommy and my friend, Linda. Keep them in your thoughts. Surgery is always stressful, and positive attitudes help, as Linda has proven! My positive thoughts are with you both.
Have a great week!

Chi Town

2009-10-31T11:03:00.002-04:00

I love riding the trains. Took a cross country trip years ago on Amtrak. So, a trip was planned to go to Chicago for the day. That's right, for the day. The train leaves the Pittsburgh station at 11:59 PM and arrives in Chicago at 8:40 PM. We went sightseeing for the day on a hop on-hop off trolley.
We got to the train station and watched the Yanks beat Philly. Everyone in the train station moaned a collective sigh for the loss. We then went to the loading platform, where we had to wait for a few minutes before boarding. There was a family there with a small child who kept saying "Boo very tired, boo very tired". Her name was Brook and she was 2 years old.
We boarded the train and promptly got into our very small cabin and fell asleep.
We got up at 7 AM the next morning and had breakfast before arriving in Chicago. A very annoying young man was in the room next to ours and ate breakfast with us. That can be a problem on the train, since it is community seating in the dining car. The breakfast was very good, although we had to watch him literally stuffing food in his mouth.
Figuring out the lockers in Union Station was a challenge. Have to put your finger up against a screen, the against an infrared button, then put in money, find the locker and quickly jam things in. Getting things out was the same process, and you had to use the same finger, which, since it took me four times to figure out, I wasn't quite sure which finger to use.
The weather did not look good when I checked it on the net. Thunderstorms and windy (windy in Chicago????). It was only drizzling when we got on the trolley. The tour was a great way to see the city. We went to Navy Pier, to the Aquarium, to different museums. By the time we got back to our stop, it was pouring. We got soaked as we ran to the train station. Umbrellas were turning inside out, rain coming from all directions, and I swear I heard thunder. I was laughing so hard I though I would be institutionalized for being out of my mind.
It's fun watching people in the station. Union station is large and a great place to explore. Our train was a few minutes late, but we sat with a couple from Australia for dinner. They were wonderful company and had lots of interesting stories. They were in the states for a month and doing all their travel by train.
Arrived home, went to pick up the paper on the drive and again, my back spasmed. So, I sit here with a heating pad typing this. That's what one gets for carrying a puter tower down two flights of steps, sleeping on the top bunk on the train and not being able to do stretches for two days!!!
Mippy came downstairs last week to find this absolutely wonderful message from Monkeyboy. I thought it said it all. She took a picture of it...I am sure to remind him of this when he goes mumbling up to his room as a punishment.
Bean's play is this weekend. I am told it is long and difficult to follow in places. Fortunately, Bird gave me a condensed version of the storyline.
An amazing sight to come down the street this morning and see all the leaves. I like the sight, I'll try to get a picture of it. I think it looks lovely.
Happy Halloween and have a great weekend.

Because Bean Said So

2009-10-22T23:41:00.004-04:00

Bean is in rehearsal for Les Miserables. She got home late tonight and told me to post...so, for you Bean.
As you can see, I have been with camera. I truly love the colors of Autumn. The landscape is so amazing. And the sun on the trees is magnificent.
I have been working lots this week at Phipps. Training, tours, etc. So forgive me for not posting on Sunday, but it seems I post either on Sunday or Thursday, and technically, it is Thursday for a few more minutes. I watched the baseball game tonight, so I am a bit late.
The Angels beat the Yankees tonight. I am glad. Too many glamor stars on the Yankees. I want it to be the Angels and the Phillies. But if not the Angels, then I hope the Phillies whip them!
There was a family from Philly at Phipps, and we had quite a discussion about our teams. We agreed that the the Eagles were not a team to cheer for, but that we would both cheer for the Phillies since the Pirates weren't in the running.
We have different codes for things at Phipps to use on the walkie talkies so that we don't panic the public. I have never used walkie talkies before, but I think I like the idea. "Mia to Events" sounds like fun. I like listening to the calls. Kind of like eavesdropping on a conversation. Sometimes comical, sometimes serious, sometimes just pain amusing. I love to listen to conversations. In this day of cell phones it becomes very easy. How does one carry on a very private conversation in a restaurant with someone on a cell phone? One can only imagine the other end of the conversation.
Cell phones are great to a point. I am so tired of seeing people on cell phones driving and so engrossed in conversation that they pull out in front of you without looking. I know, the argument exists that any distraction is dangerous. Technology abounds, doesn't it? Phones ring in a restaurant and you see six people pull out their phone to see if it is their phone.
Monkeyboy and I went to a movie last week. A telephone rang in the pet shop, in the book store and in the movie. All was quiet and you could hear the entire conversation. I don't care to hear how Justin was suspended from school and how angry Dad was, with Mom screaming back at him. Nor do I care the dog has a diarrhea and is it improving? And a teeny bopper giggling with her boyfriend over the phone. Can you just take it somewhere private????
My big project right now is trying to gist the right lighting in my kitchen. My track lighting blew, so I am trying to find the right light so I can read the paper as I eat breakfast. A lamp on the breakfast table does not seem to work. I am using the light on the ceiling fan, which is not optimal, but seems to work somewhat. We shall see.
HP at work catered an event over the weekend. As she explained it briefly to me it was to follow the example of somethng she was involved with in California when she lived there. Check out the website, it is really unique.

http://www.outstandinginthefield.com/

So, Bean, I posted. And your play is next weekend. For those of you here in Pgh., it is at the Byham theater. Bean is in the ensemble. Monkeyboy is in hockey playoffs....such a decision.
Have a great Friday.

Autumn

2009-10-11T17:50:00.002-04:00

I was taking some pictures today. The one I posted is of a planting in the yard. I love this time of the year. The days are warm and the nights are cool enough to snuggle under the covers on the bed. And when the sun is shining it is a glorious picture that Mother Nature paints for us. In the morning, the sun is coming through the trees at a delightful angle, casting shadows on the street where the leaves have fallen. Do you remember jumping into piles of leaves? I do. We lived in a neighborhood with lots of trees, and everyone would rake the leaves into the street in big piles to be picked up by the borough. One had to be careful when jumping not to land on the curb...that was painful. I love to wander through the neighborhood and see the grass covered with a blanket of beautiful leaves, all different in color and shape. When I go to the mailbox now I have to be careful. The oak trees are dropping acorns, and more than one has bounced off my head. I guess some get depressed with the coming of winter. Not me. And is there anything more beautiful than the first snowfall? I could not live where there is not the changing of the seasons. I don't like the ice, the bitter cold winds, but it only makes me appreciate the warm, sunny days like today.
My brother and sister-in-law visited for some time over the weekend. It was fun to have them here and to drive all over the city and then some! I believe it was about 150 miles in search of an antique shop and a botique. Never did find the botique. But we had fun.
Final baseball game is Tuesday, I believe. Monkeyboy isn't supposed to play, but he has been sick all weekend, so maybe they will call him up since he missed the game on Saturday. I think his deck hockey goes on for a while.
Bean has begun rehersal for Les Misérables. I can't wait to see it. I love to watch their productions.
Seems as though lots of folks are sick with some kind of flu. 'Tis the season, I suppose. I think Bean said 20% of her class was out. Monkeyboy was sick most of the weekend, but seems to be on the mend.
The Steelers won again, and I think I may have won some money. I'm not sure, since I don't quite know how to read this sheet. I'll let you know. Troy is still out, but some of the new players are showing great promise.
Hope all is well in your world. Have a wonderful week.

I'mmmmm Back

2009-10-04T09:43:00.003-04:00

Thanks to all who have inquired and nagged. I am back.
Autumn has arrived in Pittsburgh. Rain, cool weather, little sun. More like November weather. I admit, the furnace has come on. Shame on me.
Lots of happenings in the 'burgh. G 20 Summit with lots of changes in traffic, daily routines and in news coverage. Phipps hosted the G 20 dinner on Thursday night. HP, one of the administrators in my direct line of supervision, stood with President and Mrs. Obama in the Welcome Center, along with LM, the woman instrumental in my being hired at Phipps. HP said it was pretty neat. Phipps was very busy preparing for the international guests, and the Conservatory looked lovely.
I have taken a number of pictures at the Conservatory and have some of them shown here. Hans Frabel is the glass artist that created the clowns, jokers and flowers here. Chihuly still has pieces at Phipps, but I like the Frabel pieces better. They are whimsical and fun. I watched a video of how he creates them, and they are hand created, not from a mold. The detail on them is astounding. Such a talent.
Monkeyboy has been playing fall ball and I love it, of course. They are beginning to pitch the ball. He is a great pitcher, strong arm and very accurate. He has been hit by a pitched ball several times, but "carries on for the team".
Bean's guitar lessons are amazing. Both kids have an ear for music and it amazes me how well they play. Both of their instructors have commented that they are their best students.
Rainy day for homecoming here last week. Rainy and cold. We splashed our way to the parade route with umbrellas up banging them into one another. Mr. G joined us. Quite a crowd. Ty's mom, Ginger and Skipper, Mr. G., Mary Rose G, Monkeyboy, Mippy, Bean and Bird as well as myself. Umbrellas are a pain, in addition to being dangerous! One can get poked in the eye by people turning to call your attention to the idiots riding in a convertible in the pouring rain. Who would have a brand new Corvette with the Queen of the Hockey Team in her strapless gown, shivering with hair dripping wet...waving and smiling, teeth chattering? Oh, did I mention the top was down? It was.
Parade was quite a bit shorter this year, I suppose because of the rain. People in cars and floats throw candy to the crowd...or should I say AT the crowd. It landed on wet streets, in puddles and in the grass. The kids raced to pick it up and plop it in bags, parents saving it for halloween to give away. Times are tight, you know. So, watch for those penny (quarter) candy that no one likes to eat and end up giving away. Never the good stuff, of course. By halloween, it should have dried out somewhat. Bean was dancing up the street with her umbrella. I tried to put it on the blog, but it doesn't seem to work.
I am getting to know the people at Phipps. Kay has a delightful sense of humor, teases Alex all the time about his wild weekends. Alex is one of our supervisors. Kerry is patient and teaches me things on the computer and gives me hints about the job. HT is our manager and is great fun as well as being very organized and knowledgable. She is especially fun to tease with and together we all make the day go quickly. I cannot stress how wonderful it is to work in an environment that has people happy and wanting to be there. The public comes through and comments on "peaceful, beautiful, one of the best Conservatories they have seen". HT remarked that she is going through some of life's greatest stressors and all at once...living with friends, buying a house, switching jobs and moving to a different city. And she maintains a sense of humor...probably helping her to stay sane. Truly a bundle of energy who is always looking a problems and asking for input into solutions.
My brother and sister-in-law are heading for the 'burgh at the end of the week. Means I have to clean. Not that I don't clean, but when you have overnight guests (is family guests?) I feel a need to clean a little more thoroughly. I don't know why, they know what a slob I am.
Much of the garden is dying for the winter. Although I will miss sitting and reading, I love the autumn with the changing of the leaves. And winter to me is a time to hibernate and store energy for spring and summer.
New fall shows have started. They took The Unit off, much to my chagrin. But NCIS is on, and I like the new show, The Good Wife. And of course, Criminal Minds. I watched the movie, The Wrestler, with Mickey Rourke. Excellent, but sad.
Steelers are on tonight. They have lost their last two games. Here is hoping they will pick up the pace tonight. I don't know if Troy will be playing tonight, but the Steelers need him.
That's it for now. Enjoy your Sunday!

A Mini-Reunion

2009-09-08T23:30:00.003-04:00

I went to visit family over the weekend. It was an interesting visit.
The flight there was good and uneventful. Arrived at 4:30 and a big dinner party was planned for 5:00. Racing from airport to hotel, checking in, phone calls, picked up and had a wonderful dinner with extended family. Too much to drink.
Called Michele in Pittsburgh, who advised me to take some Advil and get some sleep.
Saturday was birthday for brother, Wacky Girl and Sara. Such fun to watch the kids build a tent in the living room and race around the yard. Nice party with old and new folks.
Sunday was quiet. Hockey God left to go home, then the AZ contingency left. We had a wonderful breakfast sitting outdoors. Lemon pancakes...mmmmmm. So good.
Monday went to free lunch to serve. Interesting. People come to eat for free...anyone can come, college students, people passing by. It made me sad, but happy. Quite a feast. Quite a group, both serving and being served. It was Labor Day. Here in Pittsburgh we have a parade. There we served free lunch.
I did the treadmill every morning, and my exercises. Got up early this AM and did them both, then prepared to leave for home. Checked out of the hotel, took back the rental car and checked in at the airport. I had to go through Chicago, which is always a challenge. Got to Chicago and had an hour or so for lunch, which was a salad listening to people and trying to follow their French conversation without much success. Boarded the plane and a gentleman got on racing up the aisle and said he was the middle of our three seats. Since he had on a Steeler shirt, I told him he could join our row. Lots of odd noises coming from the plane. A slight delay while they checked the hydraulic system. The Steeler fan and I just looked at one another. A bit more of a delay while they continued to check it out. Now the fan and I began to talk about the hydraulic system. They closed the door and told us we would be leaving....oh, wait. They had to get paperwork. The fan told me they were covering themselves. Twenty minutes later they said they had received the paperwork. I asked the fan how they received the paperwork and he said they put it in the black box so that when we crashed the airlines wouldn't be held responsible. After ten more minutes, we began our journey. When the wheels went up there was a collective sigh of relief. Then the fan stated that there was probably just enough hydraulic fuel to lift the wheels, not to put them down upon landing. The flight was uneventful after that, but there was some anxiety when the pilot stated that we were preparing to land. As we descended the fan was practicing "brace" with his hands over his neck. The attendant did not think this was funny. We heard the wheels come down, but not lock. Fan said we should be like the Flintstones and drag our feet. We landed safely. There was a crowd waiting to board since we were late. I think I heard the fan say "the hydraulic system is flawed". He was fun to sit beside. He and his friend had been on a fishing trip in Utah. His friend was a Brown's fan. I didn't hold it against him. He was nice, too.

A Wonderful Place to Work

2009-08-29T10:42:00.002-04:00

My first week has ended at Phipps.
I think timing is everything in life. Leaving one job, taking another. I left a job that was very rewarding and very difficult. Where life and death decisions were often made, and I am trying not to be overly dramatic here. It wears one down. It takes away the spirit.
I love working at Phipps. Among the plants, flowers and Frabel glass exhibit and Chihuly glass. Children dancing around the flowers, parents smiling, grandparents bringing small children and laughing with them. The excitement and wonder of it all.
It is a peaceful place to work, that is, until the G20 conference! Dinner and a tour will take place at the Conservatory, and the place is buzzing. Secret Service, FBI, delegates from other countries. Exciting for Phipps.
Ava has recovered from her flower feast. I think no more cut flowers for the house, which makes me sad, but I never want to go through that again. Very scary.
The party was a great success. People are still coming to me and telling me what a good time they had. Somewhere between thirty and forty people came. It was a beautiful night and people drifted between the house and the yard. Peg and I danced in the kitchen at midnight cleaning up, laughing...oh yes, and a little too much wine. But it was such fun! And the food was wonderful!
The Steelers lost last Saturday (surprisingly, no one really watched the game). They play again tonight and we will see how they do. I know, pre-season doesn't mean much. I look at the rookie players who get play time and I think how exciting for them..their first time on the field and some have been making excellent plays.
Went to the Pirate game against Philly on Thursday and Pittsburgh won in the eighth inning. Very exciting. The people in front of us were from Philly and one woman had on a Vick shirt. Say what you will, I am sad that he is a part of a team from my state, but glad the Steelers didn't sign him on.
It's been a wonderful week, with a major change for me. It was a difficult decision to leave my other job, I liked the people and the work was challenging, but as my supervisor there said...."you will know when it is time, and the time will be right".
Have a wonderful weekend!

An Important Warning

2009-08-22T11:05:00.002-04:00

I just came home from the vet's this morning. I got some flowers and some were lilies. I know they are poisenous to cats, but watched them closely and she didn't seem to be paying attention to them. This morning there were three petals gone from a lily and Ava was throwing up. I called the vet and he said to bring her right over. He took a blood sample, hydrated her and gave her some medicine and said to watch her closely for vomiting and lethargy. She is sleeeping under the beds now, which she does not usually do, but hopefully she will be okay. If you have cats or small dogs, please do not allow them near any lily plants. I called the florist, who said she did not know this and she would be sure to make note of it.

More Summertime Fun

2009-08-19T20:00:00.002-04:00

Thanks to all for the support and good wishes on my job at Phipps! I am very excited to begin this Friday. It is orientation day and I begin officially on Monday. Needless to say, this has been such a good move for me. I needed to make a change in my life and this has proved to be such a positive move for me.
Yesterday was Mia day and it was a day of transportation. And I am again impressed with everyone we came in touch with, from the busdriver to the lady in the park cleaning up from the pigeons!
We began early yesterday by catching the bus into the city. The driver was helpful in telling us how to do this in the cheapest manner. It was a quick ride, then off to the subway. While Bean and Monkeyboy waited somewhat patiently for the subway, I started taking some pictures. A short subway ride took us to Station Square and a ride on the incline. I opened my eyes only once to take a picture of the kids. Bean took all the other ones on the incline.
Once at the top of Mt. Washington the kids ran to the lookout. I cannot even stand on the lookout I have such fear of the height. If affords those who venture out on the lookout a spectacular view of the city, and it is truly a beautiful sight.
Back on the incline and a quick bite to eat at Station Square, then off to the Ducky Tour. A picture of the Duck is to the right! What fun! We sat in the back and toured the city, quacking as we traveled. Into the Ohio River for a quick tour and an opportunity for anyone who desires an opportunity to drive the duck. Neither Monkeyboy or Bean wanted to do so, but there were others who tried their luck.
Back onto the subway and into the city. As we arrived at the park, we had some time to sit and Monkeyboy began his ever faithful attempt to catch a pigeon.
The rain began and Monkeyboy donned his poncho and splashed in the puddles running madly about the small park.
Off to catch the bus and end our day of transportation in the city! What a great day, even with the rain.
Am trying desperately to get ready for the party in the new back yard on Saturday night. They are calling for great weather, and I am looking forward to having everyone share the great yard.
Bean and company are going camping this weekend and I am spending a good deal of the time with Oscar and Flurrie. It's nice to have a dog for the weekend!
Have a great weekend!

More Summertime Fun

2009-08-12T23:32:00.003-04:00

The Cardinals were in town last week to play the Pirates. It's hard to keep up with who is playing with the Pirates, because as soon as someone plays well, they trade them. The young lads behind us yelled to McCutchen "Double deuce, don't play so well, they'll trade you". But Mia day was to go see the Pirates play and that we did. And what a good time we had! It was, again, dollar dog night, my favorite...sorry to all the vegans out there. The Cards have a very good team, I am told by Monkeyboy. Their first baseman did well in the all star game. I can't quote the stats the way Monkeyboy did, suffice to say, he is good. Pujols is his name, I believe. We find our way to the parking lot in good time. Monkeyboy's excitement is hard to contain. He has gathered all his mitts to distribute to catch fly balls and balls hit during practice. We arrive at the stadium and follow him to the seats, which are in the outfield bleachers. The kids station themselves at the rail with others to catch the balls. I sit in the seats, waiting to get the dogs. Waiting, waiting. A ball is hit my way. Oh my gosh, what to do? Two men are racing towards me. The ball goes into the ivy. I stand up, push the two men out of the way and race towards the ivy. People are yelling "You can't go in there". Well, I have no intentions of going "in" there, I am only reaching. The look on the kids face is one of horror, fearful that I shall be arrested. I reach for the ball through the fence...almost reaching it. The man reached around me...a quick shove to him and I have my hand on the ball. I hear shouting that I am not to be doing this. In triumph, I raise my hand holding the ball. Kids come back to seats after practice and tell me I should not have done that. What do they know...I have the ball. Time for those dollar dogs, so a trip to the food stand and peanuts, cracker jacks and dogs are there for the eating. Once our stomach is full, it's to the souvenir stand. Monkeyboy wants a McCutchen shirt, Bean opts for the McLouth shirt, which of course is cheap now since he is no longer with the Pirates. Monkeyboy puts his McCutchen shirt over his Bey (Jason Bey was also traded), and we go back to our seats. Monkeyboy shouts to McCutchen to throw us a ball, and sure enough a ball comes into the stands and lands on Bean's leg. Monkeyboy grabs it and now we have two balls. The game was a good one, we lost, of course, 6-4. We got two home runs which brought forth fireworks. It was a great evening. Well, there was this incident when we left the game, but I knew the bus wouldn't run us over.
It has been warm here the past few days. Sorry, Wacky Mommy, but I have air conditioning, and I have had it on. After a few days, I get tired of it. So (shhhh) last night I cheated and opened my bedroom window with the air conditioning still on. The cicada's are singing their end of summer song and I love to listen to it as I fall asleep. I lie there in bed listening and thinking about what a wonderful summer this has been. Tonight is cool enough that I have the windows all open and the air off completely.
I had another interview at Phipps. I think it went very well. I had to do a drug test and background checks and they will call me once they are done. I went from Phipps to my old office to see folks, and I do miss my unit! We all sat in my old office and talked for a good half hour. I saw everyone there and talked to all my co workers and friends. It was great to see them all again. I do miss them, but not the job.
There is another mini-family reunion coming up in September over Labor Day. It will be good to be together again. I am flying through Chicago again...and am hoping not to get stuck in the airport for 20 hours again this year!
Have a wonderful rest of the week!

Road Trip '09

2009-08-02T13:08:00.002-04:00

Here we are, back in the 'burgh. Yes, I believe I did see Tim in Virginia, but I can't be sure since he was surrounded by hotel security.
The weather was perfect for the beginning of the trip. We sailed along, singing merrily, anticipating a wonderful trip. Called Bird and said how well things were going...and then...traffic.
Who would think that at noon on a Friday cars would be lined up around DC for over an hour. No, there wasn't an accident, it was just a mess. But we got through that and rolled along again. We arrived in Williamsburg somewhere around three. Our room was ready and so was the pool. Kids played in the pool for a couple of hours, then off to dinner. Spilled milk, but no other disaster, and off to bed to anticipate a wonderful day at historic Williamsburg.
Not.
It was 86 degrees when we woke up. We ate breakfast and headed out. Arrived at the visitor's center, got our passes and were off to explore. By this time I think it was 98 degrees. Grumpiness ensued. We went into a few buildings, only because they were air conditioned. Monkeyboy wanted to take a carriage ride, but they were taking the horses off the street at 11:00 because of the heat. I was impressed with that...Monkeyboy was not.
We left soon after that for another afternoon of swimming. And then went to explore the town a bit. Again, an extremely hot day. Don't know what I was expecting, but the heat and humidity were awful.
Then we discovered Yorktown. What a charming place! We walked around for a bit, then decided to take the free trolly tour around the town. It stopped at the Visitor's Center and we had to sit and wait for about 20 minutes for a bus to arrive. Children (not our party) were getting cranky and it was hot...did I mention that? Bean mentioned that she thought she saw lightening, and she did! We finally began to move and the sky became darker as we moved through the town. There was a woman in a wheelchair who had to get off, and apparently, the driver of the trolley car wasn't real familiar with how to operate the lift. It took three or four times of jostling this poor woman up and down to figure it out. Meanwhile, the sky was getting darker and large drops of rain began to fall. Did I mention the lightening? The driver told the woman to back up a bit which the woman did, and almost fell off the lift. It was not a pretty sight. She did finally get off and her husband raced her to the car.
We were the only ones left, and the rain got more serious, as did the lightening. We picked up a couple who were drenched and dropped them off. We were dropped at the parking lot and raced to the van. The wind was howling, the rain coming down in sheets and trees were bending to touch the ground. We decided to wait it out and I was glad we did. As we headed back to the hotel the roads were close to being flooded and there were a lot of trees down. We did see a rainbow, but were not successful in getting a picture of it.
Back to Yorktown the next day and to the beach. 86 degrees at 8:00 in the morning. We had a great time at the beach in spite of the jelly fish. Bean began to build a sand castle, but with no help from anyone, she decided to cheat. See results at the right.
We made a decision to head to the farm. I went to use the computer in the business center and there was a young girl using it along with a gentleman. I asked if they would be long and said I would come back. An hour later the young girl was still on the computer and another gentleman was there. I asked how much longer they would be and the gentleman said he had just logged on and the sweet young thing said she didn't know. I told her I would be back in ten minutes to use it and she said ok. I came back in twenty minutes only to find her still on it and another person on the second one. She said she would be a little longer, and I said I needed it and I would wait until she finished up. Then I pulled a chair right beside her and waited. She got the hint. Why do people think they have the right to use one of two computers in a business center for hours at a time?????
Got a reservation at the farm and we headed for Lancaster the next day. How wonderul to sit in the orchard in the cool breeze and enjoy a good book while the kids played with kittens and jumped on the trampoline!
An interesting group at the farm this year...a man in special forces in the army, a family from Germany, a Chaplain from a state prison in New York and of course...us!
It was a great road trip and except for the heat, darn near perfect! Have a great Sunday.

Summer in the 'Burgh

2009-07-22T10:01:00.002-04:00

The last baseball game was last night. Monkeyboy's team won 3/4 tournaments, last night being the fourth. What will I do on a warm, summer night? Such fun to watch these kids develop skills over time and the elation of winning. Lessons learned.
Phipps has been in touch with me. Some budget problems, some problems with HR director's illness in the family. I will check when we return from the road trip.
Road Trip 2009 will begin in just two days. To Virginia for a week. I have been having muscles spasms in my back, so hopefully they will quiet down before we leave! We have lots planned, Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, the beach and lots of food, of course.
Not working has it's benefits...the biggest one being enjoying the world around me. I have had time to sit and enjoy the garden. The flowers are magnificant! And the deer are hardly bothering them. I have painted the bedroom, again! (hence the muscle spasms in my back). It looks very beachy. Thanks to all who have had input.
This has been an incredible summer here in the burgh. We had rain last Friday for the first time in weeks. Took the kids to Color Me Mine to paint and have art pieces fired. Monkeyboy painted a frog, Bean a tile, Sprout a cup and I painted a stone that said "Welcome" for the garden. We went to the library, where the kids sat on the padded window ledge, watched traffic and listened as Bean read a story to them.
Bean helped me pick out a swimsuit. Haven't used it yet. Tried on lots of them and many gave us a good laugh! The first one I tried on is the one I ended up buying. Had to have one for the road trip.
A neighbor is cutting their grass. I love the smell of fresh cut grass. It is one of my favorite smells of summer. Do you have one?
Time to do something...read, shower, shop, get ready for road trip, or just sit in the garden enjoying summer.
Hope your summer is as pleasant.

A Sad Day In Mudville

2009-07-11T09:41:00.002-04:00

It had to end, this tremendous winning streak that his team had. I believe it was 16 or 17 games. And end it did. They lost their game last night, 6-5. It looked as though they tied it up in the last inning, but alas, the runner was called back to third and the last out was called. Another game today, perhaps two. We'll have to see.
Bean got an electric guitar, and generously allowed Monkeyboy to try it. Both kids have talent when it comes to music, and already they have collaborated on a song. MR plays keyboard, Bean plays guitar and Monkeyboy plays drums. They have been banished to the basement to practice. All they need now is a name.
I have a fan that is stuck on one speed. I wrote to the manufacturer and told them the problem. They suggested sending them the model number which is located on top of the motor housing, which just happens to be three inches from the ceiling. So, I am on top of the bed with a mirror looking for the number. Aha, this must be it. But they said it started with a "2". Hmmm, could this thing that looks like a "5" actually be a "2"? And I am having some difficulty reading the numbers from the reflection in the mirror. So, I try to take a picture, but that doesn't work. And it is very, very dusty. I clean it and get everything below very, very, dusty. I write back to the manufacturer and give him what I think are the numbers and tell him they could be in any order. We'll see what happens with that.
The magnolia tree has scales. They are little white bubble kind of things. Scales, I am told. They cannot be gotten rid of this year, but the medicine should take care of it next year, I am told. Oh, yes, and the deer have returned. Madly spraying plants and it seems to have helped.
Other than that, unemployment is wonderful. I wake up and think about doing something, then do nothing. Not true, of course. Bean, Monkeyboy and I went to pick out paint for the bedroom with the fan that doesn't work properly. We decided on light blue. That's the name. It is a pure blue, no grey or green, and I think it is going to be pretty. I had to repair the window where there was water damage (and I did a fine job, I might add), and I just sanded that down, so Monday will be paint day. Maybe. That's the great thing, you know. I can do it or not.
We went for a walk the other night, well, actually we went for a walk several times. Mippy, Monkeyboy, Bean and I. The kids rode their bikes and Mippy had Oscar, the dog. Monkeyboy wiped out twice...lose gravel on the road, and according to him, Bean making him wipe out. The first time he ran into a tree. Bean and I had a difficult time containing our laughter. I have a problem with that...I tend to laugh when people fall. He didn't get hurt on that one, only his pride. Two nights later, the same thing, only he got pretty scratched up on that fall. I didn't laugh. His arm was bleeding (Bean's fault,of course, she cut him off) and he held his arm up for about 1/2 miles watching the blood. And he was never going to ride his bike again because it was stupid. He rode it the next day. His father was riding his motorcycle to work and Monkeyboy rode up the street on his bike beside his father.
Off to clean and get ready for the game today. This next one will be do or be done time, I believe. It's so hard to follow all this.
Have a wonderful summer weekend.

Thoughts on a Sunday

2009-07-05T20:44:00.004-04:00

Woke up this morning and decided it was a perfect morning to take a walk. Generally, a walk of this kind demands the cemetary. I look at the headstones and wonder about people. Who were they? How did they die? Some are very young. One was a teen who died and her parents decorate the grave quite elaborately.
Came home and decided it was much too lovely to go inside, so I brought my book out and sat on the patio, watching the rabbits, the birds and reading my book. It's called "Twenty Wishes" and is about a group of women that make a list of twenty wishes that they want to accomplish...kind of a bucket list if you will. I think I am going to start another one, since I lost the first one. I'll share mine, if you share yours. It should be something that is fun, something whimsical, if you will. For me, the first wish will be a pair of red cowboy boots. When I was a kid I always wanted a pair of cowboy boots and never got them. Now I can. Don't know where I will wear them, but I want them.
Bean and I were at one of the many tournament games this weekend and I noticed Monkeyboy and his friend, Noah. They don't talk much, kind of just hang out together. I asked Bean how she chose friends. She thought about it for awhile, and said that when she was in second grade, it was a matter of asking someone if they wanted to color with you. That was the beginning, or at least could be. She said a friend is someone you can be with and don't feel like you have to make conversation. You can just sit quietly and if feels okay. I think that's a good description. I also think a friend is someone that you haven't seen in a long time, but when you do, it is as though you have never been apart.
Tournaments. *Sigh* Monkeyboy's team (it's not actually his team, but the one on which he plays) is undefeated after fourteen games. This is the third tournament, and the final game of this one is tomorrow night. There was a homerun this game, and Monkeyboy made an outstanding double play from third base.
I have not heard from Phipps Conservatory, but am hoping to this week. I will keep you posted.
The beautiful flowers were from the Iowa contingency. Some might refer to my lack of employment as retirement, but I am fortunate to have a friend who said to me "You are now faced with a new adventure. Make choices, suffer the pitfalls, and bask in the glory of the right ones. Life is not a journey to the grave to arrive in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming--- WOW WHAT A RIDE!!!!"
I don't know to whom I should credit the last part, but it was a quote that they used and I thought both parts were perfect.
It's a new adventure, and I can't wait to see what lies ahead.
Have a great week.

A Sunny Saturday

2009-06-27T21:53:00.002-04:00

Can life be any better? Great weather, good food, nice people surrounding me and BASEBALL TOURNAMENT WEEKEND.
Monkeyboy's team is undefeated. The food they cook tastes wonderful. MR joined us today. The sky was beautiful. Do you look at clouds and see things? I do. I see a big dog in that picture. And isn't it funny when you see something and no one else does. They begin to argue what you have seen.
Bean was taking pictures today, wandering the field. She began to wave madly at someone, thinking it was I (or is it me?). She was insulted when the lady didn't wave back. I think that lady did look like me, only much older, of course.
Why do burgers always taste better on the grill? I chowed my down today and it was wonderful.
I am reading lots in the backyard. I read a bit, watch the kids behind us, watch the birds, the bees...wait, that's not what you think.
The parents on this baseball team are so very nice. And when one of the players has a bad day, everyone cheers anyway. The kids do try their best, and I think everyone wants to win, of course, but everyone cheers when there is an exceptional catch or hit, no matter what team it is.
Five more days and I will be done at my job. I don't feel sad, but there is so much I want to do before they de-activate everything. I really loved my job, it was something different every day. And the people are wonderful. Well, most of them are. There are some...well, we won't discuss them!
My interview at Phipps went great, I think. I really want the position. It is kind of a glorified Walmart greeter. I think it would be wonderful, and I would be eligible for courses they offer on gardening, flower arranging, etc. Free. How great is that? I am told that everyone will be called back for a second interview, and I am assuming that it will be after the Fourth of July holiday.
Time to gear up for the road trip. You may remember, we are headed for Williamsburg, VA. I love these road trips. Singing in the car, staying up late, eating whenever we are hungry. We will spend some time at the beach this year. I have no swim suit. Debating whether I should get one or not. It's very traumatic to try on bathing suits. I always think I can get into a certain size, and it never works, so I feel disgusted. Perhaps I'll just forget the suit. No, no, not that...I'll wear shorts on the beach. And a tank top. Yes, that's what I'll do. Why ruin my vacation by trying on suits that won't fit.
Well, the big bed calls my name. Three games tomorrow and a very busy week ahead. Have a wonderful Sunday.

I'MMMMM BACK

2009-06-21T20:37:00.003-04:00

Sorry for the delay, but it has been a busy week.
The small road trip was wonderful. So relaxing. Except for the Pens game. That was NOT relaxing.
Rain on the way out, seems always to have rain on the road. About 5/10 hours. Yuk. The way back was sunny and great. Well, except for getting off the turnpike going 90 miles per hour around the off ramp. That Mippy! Now whenever we take a turn Bean and I yell "Wheeeeeeee". But we made it home in time for the baseball game.
Brother and sister-in-law always show us a wonderful time, whether it be sitting quietly talking, eating sister-in-law's wonderful cooking, listening to her play the piano or watching the kids. I am amazed when someone can pick up a song book and just begin to play. It is so wonderful to listen to. Bean played also, as did A. and even C. played a bit. The kids are a delight. Lots of giggles, lots of laughter. A bit of a scare when Bird had an eye problem back in the burgh, but it turned out okay, thank goodness!
The Penquins....what can one say except they were wonderful. Screams abound, cheering and jumping up and down. Monkeyboy went to the parade with his friend and got to high five the coach. Our teams are the greatest. Well, most of them are.
I have been sitting in the yard, under the tree, reading away the day. It is so wonderful, and it helps to have a good book.
I leave my one job in eleven days and I have an interview on Wednesday for a position at Phipps Conservatory.
We had quite the crowd at the ballgame today. Family for North Carolina, Ginger, Mippy, Bird and Bean of course, and all of the regulars. Even Mippy's brother came. Final Sunday tournament game and the next tournament begins next Friday. I am so glad it is summer and we have all the summer activities of which to enjoy.
Happy Father's Day!

Is this Heaven...No, it's IOWA

2009-06-14T10:41:00.002-04:00

Just so we can make this clear, this is Bean speaking. I am the guest blogger. We (Mippy, Mia, and I) drove to Iowa to visit Mia's brother and family. It was a lllooonnnngggg drive!!!! It was supposed to take 10 hours so it shouldn't have been too bad. Well, that wasn't exactly how it worked. We got stuck in traffic, and more traffic, and some more traffic. The GPS, named Stacy, told us that we were supposed to arrive at 5pm. We arrived at 6pm. When we finally arrived, all were awaiting to see us. We had a wonderful 6-minute dinner prepared by Mia's sister-in-law. The next morning the trio of cousins came over for the day and we went to the near-by park. We had a lot of fun. We were all sweaty by the time we were walking back, while the youngest of the trio was complaining she couldn't walk anymore. We all got back and we pounded down many glasses of water. The rest of the day, we did arts and crafts, played outside, and just had fun. When it came time to go to bed, we all layed down and were told a bedtime story by Mia's brother.

Ohh...and don't think I forgot. PENGUINS WON! PENGUINS WON-in Detroit, in front of Detroit's fans, and we beat Hossa!!!! Ha ha ha. If only you had all heard Mia screaming. People in other parts of the house thought there had been a robber and it scared the heck out of them. That goes to show just how different Pittsburgh fans are from other fans.

The next day, we went to the oldest of the trio's softball game. I never realized just how many girls play softball. It's a great sport. Afterwards, everyone came home and we all had a meal called Million Dollar Spaghetti. Boy, it's true-it's got to be worth atleast a million dollars.

Everyone have a great rest-of-the-weekend!!
PENGUINS WON!!!!! (And don't forget it!)

Sunday Afternoon

2009-06-07T14:10:00.002-04:00

I have been sitting in the "new" reading area in the yard, reading a delightful book called "Dewey". It is about a library cat in Spencer, Iowa. And I am so enjoying the back yard. It's another beautiful day here in the 'burgh.
As I was enjoying the outdoors and reading the book, my thoughts drifted. Back to a house in which I grew up. It was a large house, five bedrooms, three stories. A great house, as I remember it, although my brother does not have the same memories. We didn't have a swimming pool nearby, so many of my summer afternoons were spent on the front porch. People had front porches in our neighborhood, and everyone could be found sitting on them. We had a swing that hung from the ceiling, a glider, and two rocking chairs. Ahhh, the rocking chairs. I wore the paint off the floor, rocking on those chairs, reading books, all summer. Oh, I would leave the porch in the afternoon when my mother and I would walk to the local market to shop for dinner. She never bought for more than a dinner at a time.
I remember this as I sit reading today.
The Pens did not do well last night. Not well at all. To not do well is one thing, but to start fights out of frustration is quite another. A bit beneath them, I think. Back to Pittsburgh on Tuesday, and I hope we win that one. Or at least play competively. And with no fights from frustration.
Monkeyboy had a game on Friday and one this afternoon. He got a double, a single and played first base like a champ.
Getting ready for a mini road trip this week. Looking forward to it, as always.
In preparation, I went to the library to get some books. Imagine my chagrin to find that the library I love best is closing for eighteen months for renovation! I like to wander the library, look at all of the new books, read the jackets, then make a choice. The local library doesn't have room to display all the new books on carosels, so they put them on a shelf. It's harder to brouse that way. The library looks fine to me, why do they have to rennovate it?
Summer is a time for road work. Lots and lots of road work. Delays everywhere. Perhaps if they did the roads right the first time, we wouldn't have all this construction every summer. It took me forty-five minutes to make a twenty minute trip yesterday. I don't know how I am going to go to work tomorrow since I understand they are closing yet another ramp to the bridge. This one project has been going on for several years, and will be going on for several more! Progress, they say.
It is time to go to Monkeyboy's baseball game. At least in his team they don't get rid of good players. What was the thinking in trading Nate McLouth???????
Have a great afternoon!

Baseball, Flowers, Gardens, Life, Boredom

2009-05-31T13:00:00.003-04:00

A beautiful Sunday afternoon, sitting at the computer, waiting for Monkeyboy's Sunday ball to begin. Another great, relaxing weekend.
Well, kind of. Cleaned out the closet. Since my lifestyle will be changing very shortly, I have to go through all clothes and shoes and decide which to save and which to disperse. Business attire. Never to be used again. So, I make piles. Pile one is clothes to be donated. Pile two is clothes I will never, ever, in a million years, fit into ever again. Pile three is clothes I probably will never wear again, but can't part with. Pile four is the "keeper" pile. And then there are the shoes. Sometimes I wonder why I ever bought plaid shoes. And how about the strappy black silk shoes? There are pairs of shoes I have never worn. And there are sneakers that are oh, so comfortable. I have not yet begun to go through t-shirts. Mippy and I used to enter races all of the time, and we always got t-shirts. Three drawers worth of t-shirts. I don't wear t-shirts much anymore, nor do I run races much. I have lots of piles on the floor of the bedroom.
Monkeyboy played under the lights on Friday night. Perhaps "played" is too strong a word. His team does this once a year (plays under the lights), and it is something we all look forward to. Until the game begins. Monkeyboy's team was one man (or boy) short. Perhaps that had some impact. Perhaps not. The scorekeeper quit registering the score once the other team hit 18 runs in three innings. Such a wild cheer, and of course, the "wave", when Monkeyboy's team scored one run in the third inning. Soon to be followed by six more, but alas, they lost. Parents on the other team began to cheer when we got a hit. I don't even know the score, and that really doesn't matter, because in the end, the kids were thrilled to be playing under the lights, and the parents were thrilled that we scored. That 18-0 did not look so good on the board however.
The Pens played last night, kind of. The Redwings looked very good. I'm not sure why hockey players just hit the puc, not to anyone in particular, they just slam it down the ice. I'm sure Ben and Bill will explain it to those of us who are clueless.
They began the landscaping on Friday. I watched some, between lunch with friends and Judge Judy (one of my favorite shows, you know). I am always amazed when professionals seem to know exactly what to do and how to get it done. I don't know why I am amazed, but I am. I lost the plan they drew for me, so this is all quite a surprise, and a pleasant one at that. I didn't know they were going to put in a path, and it looks wonderful. They will hopefully finish it on Tuesday.
The front "garden" is one that I undertake each year, and it looks awful as usual, but at least there is something there.
I watched Susan Boyle sing again last night, and she has an amazing voice. I also watched "Diversity", the dance team that won. How innovative! I don't watch the talent shows, but these two were amazing.
Since I was sitting at my computer, waiting for baseball, I decided to start goggling (is that a word?) different words and phrases. I found out how to fix my front walk, how to find cat safe plants, how to get rust stains from concrete. It's amazing, you just put a word or phrase in the box and get all kinds of answers.
There will be no snack bar at the baseball game, so I had better get some lunch. Oh, by the way, don't try to reheat a bloomin' onion or Texas Rose...you know one of those deep-fried onions that you get in restaurants. What a mess, and it was awful! Tried to do it for the hockey game last night, and it just did not work at all. Big, blob of a mess.
GO PENS!!!! Have a wonderful Sunday!

Memorial Day Weekend....So Far

2009-05-24T20:15:00.005-04:00

I was going to wait to post, but I have been getting pressure from SOME for a new post, so here we go.
What a beautiful weekend it has been! Sunny, hot and a great beginning to summer. Baseball tournaments, the Pens winning, some gardening and, of course, dinner out on a Saturday night.
It's been a fast week. Training at work that is very tiresome, except for CC in my unit, who entertains us as we go. Two more days this week. You know, this may be the best system that has been introduced in years, but my gosh, the training is awful! And everyone is mandated for this three day training. With the holiday and all of the trainings, people aren't around much, and it make for a very interesting day at the office.
Springsteen on Tuesday with Monkeyboy. I love Springsteen, but when a concert is due to start at 7:30 and doesn't start until after 8:30, I get a little angry. I mean, if there is a problem with something, let us know. But the E Street Band came on stage and gave a wonderful concert. Unfortunately, after an hour, Monkeyboy sat down during a slower set and fell sound asleep.
Had dinner with a friend of mine that I haven't seen in sometime, like 10 years or so. She made me laugh so hard remembering things and telling stories of her life now. It is so nice to reconnect. She was such a good friend and we lost contact. I don't know how that happens. She is back in my life now and we have pledged to meet every month for dinner. It was odd how we reconnected. I got one of those emails from another friend, and on the forward list was her name. So I clicked on it and sent her an email, and I am glad I did.
MJE is in NYC this weekend. Wonder if she made it to GCS to dance. Perhaps she will see Tim, or perhaps she can make arrangements to assist him should he need it.
The Pens are up three games over North Carolina. They play again on Tuesday, and we will all be watching here in the 'burg...well, all except Kitty, who doesn't follow sports much and only this year knew anything about the Steelers. I don't like it when the Pens are only up by one point, I close my eyes a lot at that point. Malkin got a hat trick the other night, and that was certainly a great thing to see. I thought he might get one last night, but he only got two scores.
Tournament for little league baseball. I believe this was only the first of Monkeyboy's tournaments. I do love to watch these games.
This one was quite a distance away, probably about 25-30 miles from the city. It was in a rural community and it was a beautiful drive. We saw one house and Mippy yelled..."Did you see that? Elvis forever". I thought that she had seen the same thing that I saw. I saw...on the roof...in a different color shingle....ELVIS. It was actually on the roof. I believe she saw it on a painted rock. This brings to mind some odd customs we have in Pittsburgh. We put chairs in parking spots to save them. And no one moves them. They wouldn't dare. People spend hours cleaning snow from a parking spot, then they put their chair there. They even do it in the summer. Not clean the snow, but put chairs to save parking spots. But I digress.
Tournament day number one. Everyone piles into the park and sets up their chairs. We all plop down and await the start of the game. Kids on the team are throwing balls to one another while parents watch with pride. Anticipation builds. Bean and Bird are practicing lacrosse while they wait. The teams take the field. Batters hit their spikes, hats are adjusted. Mitts are pounded, swings are practiced. And then the magic words. PLAY BALL.
"Little league ready" is called for the fielders, cheers for the batter. These parents are good, they cheer when someone hits the ball, they cheer when someone catches the ball, the cheer just to cheer. Coaches show respect for each other and for the teams. It is a good game and Monkeyboy's team wins. Hot dogs all around and off to the next game.
This coach is an idiot. Yells at his team, throws his mitt after each inning and tries to change the batting order, which I am told is not allowed. He is called on it and gets cranky. His wife does some crazy hoots and hollers while waving her arms furiously and screeching at the top of her lungs. Someone said she fell off the top of the bleachers after getting extremely wild on one play, but I think they were kidding, weren't they? Monkeyboy's team could do nothing, but, hey...they tried.
Home yesterday and up early this morning for another round. Bean and friends took younger kids to the playground, while Bird put up a canopy for some much needed shade. All of a sudden, our spot became the spot of the day. Made one feel popular.
Same routine pre-game. Team just couldn't get it together, but had a rally at the end. Not quite enough though and they lost. Hot dogs all around then off to the next game. The team could do no wrong in this game. Hit all the balls, got runs and fielded the ball beautifully. Game was called a win after four innings due to rain on the way and the uneven score...I believe 12-2.
It has been a great weekend. Tomorrow we go to the cemetery for a memorial service.
I hope your summer is off to a good start, and please remember those who served our country and are currently serving. Happy Sunday.

Where Was Everyone?

2009-05-17T23:31:00.004-04:00

We are home.

We had the most wonderful trip. The drive up was a bit dicey. Fog and rain. And the windshield wipers were not so good....and there was this driver who almost cut us off, but Mippy took care of it.

Garmin doesn't work in NYC. It said to turn right onto W42nd, then immediately said to turn left onto 10th Ave. It was very confused. We were tired. Got cranky. Mippy kept saying "Don't yell"....does she know the meaning of the word yell?

Got to the hotel and checked in...thanks to Ralph. He was wonderful, just what we needed. Got to our room and off to Toy R Us. Rode on the darn ferris wheel. I hate ferris wheels, scare the heck out of me. Kids laughed. They thought it was cool that I went on. I didn't.

Went to pool. Watched them swim. Monkeyboy is doing well. They got a bit wild. Well, actually they were wild with anticipation. I thought to myself that they would medicate Monkeyboy if they saw him, but I thought it is just excitement. Anticipation.

Woke up and had breakfast before leaving for Statue. It worked perfectly. Got on the boat, went to see Statue. Had beautiful weather. Mippy wanted to take subway...we took cab. She is such an adventurist, but Hotel said....get there early. Trip over, Bean started to feel sick from fumes from boat. We all did, just didn't want to talk about it. Made it to the island, and what a sight. I was impressed. We had lots of fun, just exploring.

Came back on boat. Woman heaved overboard and hit the deck below. Lots of "ewwwwww" from deck below. Felt badly for the woman who heaved, not thinking about the people to whom she heaved. We all got a little nauseous from watching heaving.

Arrived at hotel after eating dogs on the street. More swimming.

Went to see Wicked. What a wonderful show! Laughed, laughed some more. Left theater feeling very good, heading back to hotel. Eating cookies.

Shopping day and Monkeyboy and Mippy went to GCT. Did not see Tim. Waited for many, many hours for song and dance, but nothing.

Met back at hotel for swimming. Tried to do dance and song in pool, did not work.

Went to dinner and off to Gazillion Bubble Show. Was wonderful. Monkeyboy went up on stage to participate and was great! He was part of foursome that went inside bubble. Anna, the bubble person, was born in 1965 in Vietnam. She told her story, and Monkeyboy knew it all to convey to his father.

Trip back.

Awoke early, went to deli to get breakfast. Deli man remembered me and gave me the order. Wished me a safe journey home and wished the Pens good luck. Went back to hotel and packed to leave. Got car, porter, and were on our way. Did I mention....Garmin doesn't work in the city? Thanks to Mippy got out of city and on our way.

Through the Lincoln Tunnel and a sigh of relief. No traffic to speak of, on the road and clear sailing. Well, maybe not. Bean said she had to stop. We were just outside the city. It sounded rather urgent, so we pull off and find this gas station. Bean gets out of the car and heads to the ladies room. It's quite windy and somewhat cold. We wait in the car. And wait. And wait. Bean finally comes out, looking a bit green. She asks if we can sit for a while, she doesn't feel well. Nope. We can't. Get out the plastic bags and head back onto the freeway.

I should mention that this happens when we are on the road. Kids get nauseous It generally passes rather quickly.

We drive on for an hour or so, checking with Bean who says to continue. Monkeyboy wakes up and says he needs a restroom. Bean concurs and says she does also. We get off at one stop and no restroom. On to the next stop. We see a sign for a motel and for a Home Depot. We figure there must be a restroom in the motel.

The motel is boarded up. Things are getting urgent. We head for Home Depot at top speed. We pull into the parking spot and get out of the car. Mippy is hiding the Garmin (it's finally working) and tells the kids to hide things. I say let's just get going here. She says to quit yelling.

We race into Home Depot, four of us running madly. We ask the greeter who tells us that the rest rooms are at the other end of the store in the back. We run. And make it. WHEW.

Everyone feels much better, and the rest of the trip goes without any problems. We arrive home to be greeted by Oscar, Flurrie and MR, the next door neighbor.

It's great to go away, and the trip was wonderful, but boy, my bed felt great last night.

I Think I Am Ready

2009-05-12T23:54:00.002-04:00

The Pens lost...but we have a chance tomorrow night.

So much excitement.

Monkeyboy played so well in baseball Monday night. Boy, can that boy run. And he can hit. He made Sunday ball.

Bean turned 13 on Monday. Bird always cuts their age into the grass. She is a teenager. How scary is that?

OM gosh, I am so excited to get on the road. I packed, and re-packed tonight.

I hope Mippy doesn't take her blackberry...those are so very annoying.

We are renting a van and packing food. So much better than flying, though I have three tickets on airlines from fiasco in June.

We are seeing "Wicked" and I can't wait.

I wish we could meet in Grand Central Station and dance to the music.

GO PENS.....WE HAVE ONE MORE CHANCE....AND EVEN IF WE DON'T WIN....YOU GUYS DONE GREAT!

Getting Ready

2009-05-08T19:48:00.003-04:00

We leave for New York City on Thursday, and we are counting the days. We are a group of singers, we are. Each person has their own part to a song. Monkeyboy beats out the song with drumsticks on the back of the seat and also chimes in on the singing. MY goal is to learn the words to this song. Mippy and I attempted to sing it and yelled to Bean "Hit it" for the chorus. Bean is too young to remember this song, but perhaps she will read the blog and she and Monkeyboy can practice it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dBDhNLpVYo&feature=related

Michele is photographing a wedding tomorrow, her first I think. She told a co-worker about it and he was very mean about it. She takes wonderful pictures, but she is nervous, so keep your fingers crossed that she doesn't trip the bride!

Kitty SOLD one of her beautiful bags yesterday. They are truly unique and eye catching. I am thinking she has a second career here.

Know this is short, but Pens are playing, so gotta run. Have a good one.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

2009-05-02T13:34:00.003-04:00

Last night Monkeyboy and I went to a Pittsburgh Pirate game. What an experience! Bean was having a birthday party and I offered to spend the evening with Monkeyboy. I wanted to make it a good time for him, so for a child that said at the beginning of baseball season "This is the best time of my life", I thought the game would be a good choice.
We left in plenty of time, 5:00 for a 7:00 game. Monkeyboy directed me to the parking lot and we walked the two blocks to the ballpark. Since his father had told me where they usually sat, Monkeyboy took me to the seats, pointing out sights along the way.
The Reds were warming up, and apparently, the center field bleachers are the place to sit to catch balls. The Reds threw them into the crowd on occasion, and as you can see, Monkeyboy was right there, ready to catch them.
It was umbrella night, as well as dollar dog night (limit, four to a person). Monkeyboy explained the game to me in detail and was impressing those around us with his knowledge. I had one highlight, when I told him why players used to tuck their pants into their socks...it was so the umpire could see the strike zone more clearly.
They have questions throughout the game on the jumbotron, and one of them was asking the players which birthday they thought was the most fun for them. The one player said that when he was a kid, he got lots of presents, had a big party, was very special for the day, but now he got a card and a happy birthday. Sometimes, growing up isn't fun.
The rain began in the seventh inning, and it came down hard. We had ponchos, so we kept fairly dry. The nachos got soggy, though. My favorite part of going to a ballgame is the nachos and beer. I had no beer. Just pepsi. But it still was a wonderful evening. The Pirates lost, but I got to know quite a bit about their team, thanks to Monkeyboy.
Now to get ready to watch the Pens....GO PENS.
Do you remember your favorite birthday? Mine was when papap and mime came to Pittsburgh and we went to the Point to see the fireworks.

A Perfect Weekend

2009-04-26T10:02:00.003-04:00

What is your idea of a perfect weekend? Is it the weather? Is it the family time? Is it reading a good book? Going to a sports activity? To the museum? Perhaps a concert?
The Pens won yesterday afternoon. We had to plan around that event. We ended up at a sports bar. As we walked in, the crowd went wild with a goal that we had just scored. I mean, absolutely wild. We are a sports town. Then we raced back to the house to see the end. Philly has a great team, but we took the series. Now we wait to see who we play next. I understand the cup isn't until June. Wow, that seems so far away.
Bean, not feeling well, played lacrosse Friday night. She is getting much better very quickly, if that makes sense. She looks like a gazelle as she runs down the field, really very graceful, fast and in control.
Monkeyboy played a scrimmage game yesterday and had a hit everytime at bat and did some excellent fielding as well. They have a girl on their all boy's team this year. She also runs very quickly.
Sprout makes her first holy communion today. I will be leaving for church in a few minutes.
Ava is enjoying the open windows. She is an indoor cat, which I guess is mean by some people's standards. I fear her getting hit by a car, so I keep her inside. She was making the oddest sounds this morning as she was talking to a bird outside the window. I was watching her as I was contemplating getting out of the very comfortable bed.
So, this is what makes my weekend perfect. I even read my book and am almost finished. Reading, sitting at a little league field and lacrosse game in the warm (okay, hot) sunny day in the burg, seeing the Pens win, a wonderful dinner with friends and Sprout making her first communion. About as good as it gets.
Have a wonderful Sunday.

Sports and Such

2009-04-18T15:59:00.002-04:00

The Pens win, and what a game it was. Overtime. Onto Philly. Today is a perfect day here in the 'burgh. Sunny, warm. The landscape man called today, and the yard is scheduled. All the bricks around the beds are stacked neatly and the man is coming tomorrow to look at the tree stump that needs ground up.
I went to see Bean play lacrosse today. I don't understand the game, should look up the rules. I always yell for Bean, and I believe she gave me an annoying look today, but I can't be sure. In the midst of the game, running, bumping into one another, one could hear "sorry". I knew immediately it was Bean. She apologized...on the playing field! She later explained that it was because she bumped into one of her players.
Monkeyboy is trying out for a Sunday team for baseball. I don't know how Mippy and Bird are going to manage all this, but the kids really seem to enjoy it.
M.R.G. went with us to the game today. Bird and I got nachos, of course. MRG just watched us eat them. We were all hoping the MRG would go to school with Bean next year, but she has elected to go private. Private vs. Public. I won't even go there.
So, to Hockey God, who told me he was going to root for Philly....and to KK, who also wanted to see Philly win....neener, neener, neener. Here we go Pens, keep looking good.
I hope you weekend is a great as mine is starting to be. Need to go get ready for dinner...mmmmmm.
Have a wonderful spring weekend!

Random Thoughts

2009-04-15T18:16:00.004-04:00

I took pictures in the yard tonight.
The magnolia's got a little burned, they won't be as perfect this year.
We got our parking places back at work. Little things mean a lot.
The woman who sang in England on Who's Got Talent was amazing. Here is the link. Quite inspirational.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
After four trips by Jim the Plumber, the tub is not leaking as badly.
But it is still leaking.
The landscaper person is coming tomorrow and I am excited.
We begin the dance with Lord Stanley tonight, go Pens.
James Harrison got a contract that was for $51.75 million plus $20 million in bonus.
Approximate starting for a county caseworker, $26,000 per year.
Today is Tax Day.
Why not have a fair share tax, tax on what we buy, do away with all other taxes.
I love spring.
President Obama is expected by people to have all of the problems solved after 90 days. And it took how long to mess things up so badly?
I think the new first dog is great! Such energy and life in the White House now.
Bean had her first lacrosse game today. Go, Bean.
Have a great Wednesday!

Do Re Mi

2009-04-10T23:11:00.001-04:00

Something to brighten your day. We have had a very sad week in Pittsburgh. Wicked Kitty sent this to me tonight and suggested I send it to the dancer, Bean. It is late, and I am tired, but I called Bird and told him to have Bean watch it tomorrow. Then, at this late hour, I had to call Bean and tell her to watch it now. I know it is staged, but it makes me feel happy. And all week, it has been a sad week. This is not to negate what has happened, I am still feeling such sadness over the death of the three policemen. But this brought a smile to my face and I hope it does to yours.

http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=0UE3CNu_rtY

How Sad

2009-04-08T00:02:00.002-04:00

On Saturdy, April 4, 2009, three City of Pittsburgh police officers died while responding to a domestic. There is blame all around. Blame to the young man who shot the officers, blame to the mother who called the police, blame to the dispatcher who failed to tell the police that there were weapons in the home. When this kind of tradgedy happens, everyone wants to find someone to blame. Does the blame help us feel less guilty? The bottem line is, three men died. They had families. They had children. They were doing their job as best they could. Can we put aside the blame and just mourn the loss...the loss of the officers, the loss of a husband, of a son, of a father.

Saturday in the 'burgh

2009-04-04T10:42:00.003-04:00

Jim, the plumber, came. It is not a pretty picture. Thanks, Ben, for the suggestion, and I probably should have listened. Instead of focusing on the leak, Jim chose to focus on the drain. Many, many, many dollars later and the faucet is still dripping, kind of. Needless to say, Jim will be making a return trip, even though the drip comes and goes...that's the drip in the faucet, I wouldn't dream of calling Jim a drip. Did you ever feel as though you are being taken????
I am still awaiting the guy's idea about my back yard. I can't wait to get started. Getting estimates on getting a tree stump removed. He said he can even design something for under the magnolia tree, which by the way, is so very ready to break out in flowers. I am hoping they hold off because we are to get SNOW in the next few days.
It's a busy time of the year. Baseball starts, lacrosse in full swing, school winding down, my job winding down...just thought I would throw that in the mix...and several trips coming up in the next few months. Tigger, our first one is to your fair city. And we are seeing "Wicked".
Some of the recent pictures are when I went for a walk on Thursday at work. Lost my swipe card along the way, but it was returned. It was a beautiful day for a walk, and it feels good to get out of the office for a while.
I am playing the guitar again. Have to prepare for Bruce to come to the burgh. You never know, he might call me on stage to help with the band.
So, the battery for FiOS is fixed, the faucet is not. Wonder what it will be next? Guess this happens in old houses. Thanks, Ben, for your help, it at least gives me information to ask questions.
Have a great weekend!

No Final Four :(

2009-03-30T17:26:00.003-04:00

It was a wonderful game, even though we lost. Right down to the final buzzer.
The flowers Peg brought to Sunday dinner are still beautiful.
The man for the deck came on Saturday. A very nice man. Designed a deck for me right at the dining room table, and it looked wonderful. And he wasn't pushy at all, just explained things to me and left an estimate. Tomorrow a gardner is coming...well, I guess they call them landscape designers. There is so much work to be done in the yard, one hardly knows where to start. Have to keep in mind the herd of deer that wander the neighborhood. The old gardens are coming up, brick borders and all. The one thing that I do want to replace is the hydrangea tree. I love the big flowers it gets in the fall.
I think when it rains, it pours. I heard an annoying beep in my house last Monday and couldn't figure it out before I went to work. I came home, and alas, it was beeping as I came in from the garage. A handy person, I am not, but it was coming from the FiOS box over in the corner...that would be the corner with all the junk piled up so that you can't even get to it. After moving everything and taking the cover off the box, I read the directions. It is a back up battery...a very large battery. Actually, they told me when I called that I could buy it at a motorcycle shop. Nevermind, I said, just send me one. So, it should be here tomorrow.
Then I discovered that the faucet in the tub is dripping. So, I began to take it apart and couldn't figure that out. Called my friendly plumber, Jim. You remember Jim, he was the one who sent the plant after he dug up the basement and the driveway. The very large plant, which, by the way, thank you, is doing very well and getting even larger in spite of Ava nibbling on it daily.
Minor problems, I assure you, but annoying none the less. Sometimes I think an apartment would be nice, but then I get claustraphobic. And I love my house. It is my sanctuary at the end of the day.
Sunday dinner yesterday. Cheesburgers on the grill...mmmmm. Monkeyboy got a buzz cut. He looks older. He loves it, and that's all that matters, right? It was a good dinner and Monkeyboy played hockey in the basement while Bean danced and Sprout called the plays. They are funny, those kids.
No more basketball for me, Pitt is done. But they did very well, their first elite eight game in a lot of years.
Happy Monday, only four more days this week!

The Elite Eight

2009-03-26T17:41:00.002-04:00

Pitt plays in a couple of hours, and I await the game with anticipation. They haven't made it to the elite eight before, so tonight would be the first, I believe.
Yesterday was a beautiful sunrise. Bean was embarassed because I was taking pictures from the car window. I pick Bean up and take her to the bus stop each morning. It begins my day in a happy way. Then I race to beat her bus onto the boulevard. I usually win. My work day begins in much the same way each and every day, with some variations, of course. Today it was stopping for gasoline for the new car. I am getting 23 miles to the gallon, not too bad, but not as good as the Celica.
I usually arrive at work at the same time each day. Sometimes I meet Kitty and we walk in together. Sometimes I SEE people that I really don't want to walk in, so I pretend to do something in my car until they are ahead of me, because it is just too much small talk for me.
I haven't seen the elderly man walking his elderly dog lately while I drive to work. I hope he is okay. I will miss these small things when I leave my job in July.
We had a meeting today for my co-workers. I love these meetings. They are informal. We have lunch at a pre-determined restaurant. Today it was Mitchell's Fish Market. We usually have one person pick the restaurant. Then we discuss policies, questions about policies and helpful hints. I have the most extraodinary group of people. They all have the best sense of humor, which keeps us all sane...well, more sane.
I don't much like fish, so I had a cheddarburger. I usually have that. Most of the people stick to the same thing...one eats salmon, one eats salads, one eats chicken. We are a predictable group. We share desserts. Today it was carrot cake and some other concoction. Delicious.
I have been surfing blogs, and some of the pictures on the blogs are incredible. I will get very serious about this when I leave in July. The best time to take pictures is in the early morning and late in the day. I could do it now, but I am just too tired!
Well, I shall try to catch up on some things here before the game tonight. If you watch, cheer for Pitt. Have a sunny day, we are having much needed rain showers...will help the flowers grow!

I Saw It, I Really Did

2009-03-23T11:44:00.002-04:00

On our walk Mippy and I saw the green leaves on the tree just beginning. We really did! So, even if it does snow, it will be the heavy, wet snow that melts within hours, right?
I cooked Sunday dinner and Peg came and brought the flowers. I love fresh flowers and so does Ava. She eats the greenery, sometimes knocking them over in her excitement. And speaking of Ava, Flurrie came for a play date yesterday while we had dinner. Flurrie was in her cage as Ava hissed at her, hair on end on her tail. We waited a few minutes and opened the door to her cage. They avoided each other and when they met by mistake, there was some hissing and then running from each other. However, but the end of the evening they met on the stairs and really began to sound like they were going to fight. So much for Ava's hospitality. I thought I taught her better than that!
Monkeyboy, Peg and I are among a small group going to see Springsteen, so of course, that was a topic of conversation. And it was great cooking for everyone again. I love to cook, just don't do too much of it.
My tulips are coming up in the garden, just in time for the small herd of deer that travel the neighborhood. I haven't seen them in some time, but Skipper and Ginger have, and I believe it is the same group. Am wondering if there will be babies this year. Should be with all the nourishment they got from my garden. Plus, there was a buck traveling with them for awile.
We talked about sports at dinner last night. Monkeyboy is very much into sports and Bean seems to becoming interested in lacrosse now also. Peg's son was into baseball big time. I never went in for sports, but I love to watch them. Pitt made it to the next level in the NCAA tourney. I read once where boys' popularity is often defined by sports. Hmmmm, wonder if that's true.
It was a lovely weekend here. I could never live in an area where we did not have the change of seasons. I complain about extremes in temperature, but this time of the year when things are getting green and flowers begin to bloom is the best! Happy Spring!!!

Can It Be?

2009-03-15T20:19:00.003-04:00

Winter over? Probably not, but one can always hope.
We all spent most of the day outside. Mippy and I went to the cemetary to walk and saw a hawk flying around. If you look closely, you can see it in the top of the tree.
There was a lot of damage this year to trees. The broken tree caught my eye.
Then we went to the track after taking Oscar back home. Monkeyboy hit balls with Bird and Bean caught balls in her lacrosse thingy while Mippy and I walked the track.
So, what do you think about plastic flowers? We have yet another neighbor who puts them in a flower box on her porch. And the are obviously plastic...I mean, who has flowers that are THAT color?
Some years ago a decorator came to my house to re-do the living room. She did a wonderful job and I think it looks great. She was into silk flowers, and I have to admit that at first I liked them. Now they are all dusty and I have no idea what to do with them. I'm sure they were expensive, so I hate to just pitch them. Besides, the cat has been playing with them, slowly pulling them apart. I love flowers, but I think this year I will decorate that table with real flowers. Ava will like that, also.
It's been a great weekend. Had a wonderful dinner tonight and everyone was mellowed out from being outside all day. I like the longer hours in the evening and it is beginning to be light during the morning when I drive to work. Ahhhh, made it through another winter!
Michele went on a road trip to California a few years ago. She took a gnome with her and posed him along the way. I suggested to Bean that we do the same, take an object of some sort and set him up along side a swimming pool, or perhaps having a cup of coffee at breakfast. Then I can post them here so that everyone can see the road trip from the perspective of an inanimate object. I think it would be great fun. Can you think of what we might use for an object?

Worm Moon

2009-03-10T20:39:00.002-04:00

I took Monkeyboy swimming tonight as Mippy had to pick Bean up from Lacrosse practice. Monkeyboy has progressed amazingly in swimming. He actually appeas to be having a great time. Bean got hit in the bean tonight by a ball. She claims she will probably have to play defense since she can't hit the ball straight. We came out of the school and observed the full moon. Mippy proceeded to explain the "worm moon", so I thought I might share it with you.
The 'Full Worm Moon' is the moon that occurs in March when the sunlight is getting stronger and the frozen ground begins to thaw. You can tell the worms have begun to come awake when you find the little curly mounds of dirt on the ground. These mounds, or castings are part of nature's way of preparing the earth for new growth. Then the flowers and herbs and trees and green grass suddenly burst out and let us know spring is here. (funtrivia.com)(Mippy.com)
It is a beautiful night out there, with that full moon. The picture doesn't do it justice, of course. I didn't want to alarm the odd neighbors beside me by standing in the dark taking pictures. Most neighbors would understand, but I don't know these neighbors at all. There seems to be a large turnover in the house next to me, and I'm sure it has nothing to do with me! This couple moved in about two years ago, and I don't think they have ever said a word to me. I recently found out that they had a baby, and when I told Peg, she said she had never seen them. We live in a very diverse neighborhood, people of all ages. And although we aren't the kind of group that gets together all the time, we really help out when there is a problem or when someone needs help. Through frozen pipes, frozen drains, trees falling, weddings, births, and yes, deaths. We are there for one another.
I have a friend who knows none of his neighbors. Says he as no desire to know them. I think that must be lonely sometimes. I am the type that speaks to everyone, even total strangers. I sometimes embarrass people I am with by doing that. Makes me smile!
Enjoy the worm moon as the earth gets ready for new life.

Road Trip

2009-03-05T17:49:00.004-05:00

The time has come to plan for the annual road trip with the munchkins. It was to be Canada, but it has been revised. After much deliberation (discussion at Sunday dinner for five minutes) it has been decided that we will travel to Williamsburg, VA. This will be our home base. I have one teeny, tiny problem, I think. It has a pool, but it also has..........a hot tub or a whirlpool, I'm not what the heck it is called. It's what I fell into in Niagra Falls. With my camera. Fully clothed. I shall try to be more careful this year, but I am getting older, and I tend to forget things.
I have placed the reservations, I have rented the van and I have done some research, and I think I am good to go. The kids seem okay with the choice, and I so look forward to these road trips. It is so fun to get the kids away from parents and fill their heads with all kinds of good stuff that I think is important.
I was the "mystery reader" for Monkeyboy's class. I did this earlier in the year, and I am amazed at how much the kids grew since I last saw them. Thanks to Wacky Mommy, I had some good books, and the kids were delightful as usual. I asked the school if they had volunteers, and they said no. How odd is that? I love being around the kids, seeing their excitement.
As I drove to work this morning I saw that there are buds on the magnolia tree in the city. I am getting increasingly excited for spring. Bird rode his motorcycle to work today, so you know it must be getting warmer.
I had lunch with my friend, Kate. We are both on Weight Watchers. I am two pounds from my goal and Kate won't talk about it. We went to Peppi's. They have the bests hoagies and greasy french fries. We didn't bother to count points today. Talk about people watching! Kate watches and has a comment about everyone, not mean comments, just very funny.
This week is the Home and Garden Show. I am going because my back yard is a mess, and I want to dig it all up and start again. *sigh* I am kind of excited about it. But I have no idea of what to do, that's why I am going.
Happy Friday everyone!

Thoughts on a Sunday

2009-03-01T20:36:00.002-05:00

I was working on my photographs in the computer room when I left to answer the telephone, and when I returned, I interupted Ava's bath time. Needless to say, I won't be leaving any liquids alone with Ava again!
Ginger and I went to see Bean in her musical on Thursday. It was delightful...what we saw of it! During the intermission I was called upon to help Bean because she had taken ill. It's scarey when someone comes to seek you out in that manner. She was okay, just got to feeling faint because of the heat. Disappointed, but okay. I, of cours, caring and compassionate person that I am, asked her if she was going to heave in my new car. She assured me she wasn't, and by the time we hit the highway, she and Ginger were laughing and enjoying the warm night with the roof in the new car open. She returned to the stage on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, all to standing ovations. Good Job, Bean!
We have these teasers for weather...57 degrees, and now...struggling to hit 30. I know, it is March, but COME ON. I want spring. I want the flowers, I want the trees budding. The first of the green leaves appearing. On Thomas Blvd. here, the magnolia's come out way before mine does, and I love it. Or maybe they are dogwood. Whatever, they are beautiful.
When I drive to work in the morning, I see the same man walking his dog. He is an older gentleman, and the dog looks to be older also. They are walking along, every morning, rains, snow, sleet. I worry about him because last year a man was shot in that same neighborhood, not two blocks from where he walks every day. Do you ever see people and wonder about them? I wonder if he has lived in that same area all his live. It used to be quite the neighborhood, but now there are shootings among some very old, grand homes. The shootings are not infrequent. I hope he is safe. I love to watch people walking on my way to work. There are the children, walking to school, with these enormous back packs that have to weight as much as they do. There are the teens, jokingly pushing each other at the bus stops. At least I think it is being done in jest.
People watching is a great pasttime. I like sitting in the food court at the mall for people watching...well, for eating too. There was an older man at a table with his grandson while the mother went to get the food. The grandfather was a bit cranky, no doubt because the little boy did not want to be there and he was cranky and hungry. The mother returned and pacified everyone with food.
We had dinner at the Speghetti Warehouse tonight to celebrate a birthday dinner. It was fun, something a little different for Sunday Dinner. The staff all came to sing Happy Birthday. It was embarassing, but fun. The kids enjoyed it. The dinner was good. Happy Sunday everyone!

Oh No, a Car Payment

2009-02-22T11:42:00.002-05:00

Well, I did it. I bought a new car. It is a Scion, which is a Toyota, but it isn't, or something. I didn't understand the whole thing, but I love it! I'm not sure I love the tires, which are going to force me to take out and yet another loan when I need new ones. We had some snow, a mini-blizzard, right after I bought it, and I almost didn't make it up the street. Part of it was that I forgot to take off the emergency brake (OK, I know, dumb move), but the other thing, I believe, is that it has a bigger engine and fat tires. I have to get used to a new car in the snow, I suppose. Buying a car is awful. I don't think anyone truly gets a good deal. My co-worker tells of buying a used car and it didn't come with a jack or a manual. They told the dealer, who assured them that he would get them one, but she said they knew he was lying, but bought it anyway. They have since bought a new car, but she said they felt stupid that they fell for the sales pitch. I am satisfied with the deal I got...I think. It is a 2008, but it was sold as a new car with only 290 miles on it. I liked it because it was standard and it had a sun/moon roof. I never did know the difference between a moonroof and a sunroof.
Bean was in a play this weekend, and will be in one next weekend. And Monkeyboy jumped into the deep end at the pool in his swimming lesson. That's a biggie for him. He is desperately trying to pass the next level at swimming so he can stop taking lessons! Whatever works! I never learned to swim well. I never learned at all until I was an adult. Our community didn't have a swimming pool, so I never had access to one while growing up. I don't much like to swim and I don't like to go into the ocean or lake because I am afraid on what I might be standing.
I am tired of winter. I want spring to be here. I think there may be a tulip or two that the deer missed last year. February is ending and March does always get a few warm days as teasers, but then we also usually get a big snow just to remind us that winter is hanging on and does not want to leave.
Have a happy Sunday!

Ahhh, what to do, what to do

2009-02-14T13:19:00.002-05:00

My car is eight years old. I love it. It looks sporty, even if it isn't. It is a five speed transmission, which allows me to pretend it is sporty. I bought it in July so, it will be nine years old in July. I have had some problems with it...there was that rear end collision that cost my insurance $6000. Then there was the replacement of the clutch, and that problem with the camshaft. But all in all, it has been a fun car. BUT, it is almost nine years old. And they are offering all kinds of deals right now, and I think there is even something in the stimulus package that gives a tax credit for new cars purchased. Ahhh, what to do, what to do. Poppy said to buy a Solara Convertible. Nice, but I don't need that large a car. Or that expensive. I was looking at the Honda Civic...the sporty looking one. It's always a timing thing...when to keep a car, when to get rid of a car, when does it cost too much and do you trade it in before it falls apart on the street.

On a lighter note, it's been warm here in the Burg. A taste of spring, if you will. Today, snow flurries. I'm sure winter is not over, but I do love the taste of spring. Spring has so many things to look forward to for me...we got tickets for A Chorus Line, our annual trip to NYC, and Bean has two productions coming up in the next few weeks. This week coming has Alladin and next week has Susical. I can't wait! And...not to forget, tickets to Springsteen in May. Bird was a big help with those, could not have done it without him. So, think about spring, and tell me what to do about my car! Happy weekend.

Back to Normal?

2009-02-07T14:21:00.003-05:00

The dust has settled, the parade is over, some players are on their way to the Pro Bowl. An exciting week for the Steelers and Pittsburgh.
Mippy and I went for a walk this morning with Oscar. It is warm here, a nice change. We began to talk about their former dog, Ernie. Ernie was a golden also. Mippy and Bird got Ernie soon after Bird got out of the military and came back home. They lived in a condo and were only supposed to have a certain size dog, but they ignored that because they both wanted a big dog. And a big dog they got.
Goldens need a LOT of exercise. And if they don't get it...well, look out.
Ernie was a great big, friendly dog, that wouldn't hurt a flea (we'll get to fleas a little later). He did, however, have some quirks.
Often when walking about the neighborhood, in the middle of the street, Ernie would either take a dump (pardon the expression), or just sit down in the middle of the street and wouldn't move. You could gently tug on his leash, you could pull with all of your might, he would not budge until he rested.
In the condo, where Mippy and Bird lived on the first floor, telephone books were left in the lobby for all residents. Ernie liked to shred paper. A lot. Once a night, Mippy would go out into the lobby, bring in a phone book and Ernie would spend a half hour or so shredding the phone book. Mippy said it was worth it, kept him busy.
Ernie had lots of pep. Mippy, have just birthed Bean, did not. When Ernie wanted to play, he barked. It didn't matter what time of the day or night it was, he wanted to play and he wouldn't stop barking until you played with him. I remember dog sitting and getting up at three in the morning and taking him to the shopping center parking lot and throwing balls for him, just to exhaust him.
Then there were the fleas. Buzz was watching the dog, and turns out Ernie had fleas. Scratched the whole night. Thump, thump, thump as his leg hit the floor.
Ernie would sleep by the side of Bean's crib at night, and look with suspicion at anyone who dared to come into her room. He was a great dog, chasing Tazzie, their cat over and under the dining room table, hitting his head trying to go under the table, sliding across the table trying to reach the elusive cat.
Ernie got a tumor on his mouth and had to be put down. I think Bean was about three when it happened. She understood, and when her parents came home from having him put down, she took his leash and sat on the hearth with it, tears running down her face as she sat holding his leash in the spot in which he slept.
Bean and Mippy are reading Marley and Me. Mippy said she should have written a book about Ernie.

What a Game!

2009-02-02T06:27:00.001-05:00

STEELERS WIN SUPERBOWL!

GO STEELERS

2009-01-31T12:44:00.002-05:00

Winter Reappears

2009-01-28T23:08:00.003-05:00

We had a minor ice storm/snowstorm here today. And it was not nearly so bad as others had it, but it wasn't very good either. When I arrived home tonight, I saw the ice on the trees and it was so pretty. So, after sliding my way home, I found some beauty. At work, we have a number of very talented artists, Kitty and Michele among them. We have put out a calling for artists in the office to bring forth their work to display. A co-worker is a photographer...actually, a number of my co-workers are. He has a picture hanging in a gallery...how exciting is that! I love to look at photographs, it brings me great pleasure. I worked on a picture for Ginger and I was so pleased with the results. I can't wait to see if people respond and to see their works of art. It will be like our own gallery. I see things and want others to see them and to see the beauty that I see...but it is hard. I remember looking at the Grand Canyon and thinking, "no picture can do this justice". So, maybe the pictures that I take can only be a memory of the beauty that I saw, even if it doesn't bring that beauty to others. But, oh, if it does, what joy! What do you do that brings that joy to you?

Spring?

2009-01-24T10:22:00.003-05:00

What a lovely day we had here yesterday. It has been very cold here, at least for Pittsburgh. Below zero a couple of nights. But yesterday it went up to 50...yes, 50. I even got my car washed. Can't tell it, but it was. It's funny to see how cheerful people are when we get a sample of things to come with the weather. Cold weather brings problems that seem somewhat insurmountable at the time. Mippy's pipes froze, and one always has visions of water spewing forth all over the house. My friend went to FL to visit her parents, and when she got home, water (frozen, which would be ice), covered her garage and basement. The gutter on the back of the house has pulled from that thing to which it is attached. Hence, there were several inches of ice covering the back walk, which made it impossible to use the back door to get into the home. The front walk is brick and gets no sun at all, and it also was covered in a thin layer of ice, unable to be see until you walked on it (or should I say attempted to walk on it) and went flying, madly grasping in air for a dignified way to get your balance before the whole neighborhood standing at their windows burst into gales of laughter. So, that elimated the front walk, even though magneisum chorlride was spread. It melted it for a hot minute so you could get out immediately, but somehow managed to freeze up again. That left the living room window from which to jump or the garage. I elected to go in and out the garage, allowing all of that bitter cold to come out of the house every time I opened the large garage door. And then there is the car, cold and angry from sitting out all day. I believe I mentioned that we don't have the good parking spots anymore, so we have to walk.....I am sure it is five miles.....to get to the car. Starting it, sweeping it, shivering until it warms up. Ahhhh, winter. My friend lives in Florida and has invited me down for a vacation. Hmmmm, Florida, Superbowl.....wait, where is my luggage? Nevermind, with my luck we would be detoured to Chicago and I would get stuck for twenty hours. Sound familiar? Alas, yesterday was lovely and gave me hope that spring will arrive! And all of the ice has melted and John, the roofer, fixed the gutter, pipes thawed our successfully at Mippy's, care is clean...can one ask for anything more. All is well. Have a wonderful weekend.

What a Day!

2009-01-20T23:32:00.002-05:00

Wow, what else can I say. What a day! I awoke and such anticipation. Peg and I have been on the phone or together all day. We went to Jenna's home to be all together during the ceremony. We watched in anticipation and wonder as all the people gathered on the mall. Some sadness that we hadn't gone. We ate, had some wine with a toast, talked about the road to the White House. I am not accustomed to having wine at noon, so came home and took a nap before the events tonight. Went to Mr. Small's in Millvale for a party. It was wonderful! The energy, the elation, the spirit of community. I am exhausted. This is not the end, it is the beginning. Peace.

Snowy, Snowy Night

2009-01-17T23:55:00.003-05:00

It has warmed up here in Steel City. And it is a beautiful night. The snow is falling, and it is a perfect night for a walk in the snow. We went out for dinner with Ginger and Skipper. I had bar-b-qued ribs. mmmmmm. I think they are not too many points. Did I tell you I am on Weight Watchers? Lost 9 pounds so far, have at least 5 more to go, maybe 9 to have some wiggle room. Anyway, it began to snow tonight, and it is lovely. You must visit Reya at http://thegoldpuppy.blogspot.com/ . She has an amazing blog, and has a bird's eye view of DC during this historic time. Peg and I have been on the phone more than enough to discuss wanting to go to DC and thinking it would be impossible. I watched Obama's train trip today. We shall have a celebration here with his volunteer team. Other news...Bean got and yet another part in a play through Pittsburgh Musical Theater. Monkeyboy and Bird are going to see Penquins play tomorrow, then home to see the Steelers. Of course, Sunday dinner will include the game. I suppose I should head off to bed, but I am just too wound up....beautiful night, game tomorrow, inaugeration on Tuesday. Have a wonderful, warm, peaceful weekend.

Brrrrrr

2009-01-15T21:18:00.004-05:00

I know that -2 doesn't sound as bad as some are having, but for me, it is cold. Driving to work this morning the sky was blue with crystals of ice in the air. I don't mind the cold, after all, it is winter. I think it is especially pretty when the sun is out and you can see those crystals. It is snowing again, and I went out to clean the walk. It was quiet and pretty with the snow falling. I spent some time with Monkeyboy and Bean today. Monkeyboy and I went to the library while we waited for Bean to finish play practice. She is the parrot in Aladdin. When we got to the library, Monkeyboy headed for the children's section, where he went to the computer and looked up books on tornadoes. He then went to the stacks to find the books and came home with four. It amazes me to see what kids in school are doing now. They have access to so much information. Bean was doing her homework in math, sitting quietly, working. Perhaps with the snow tonight, there will be enough to go sledding this weekend. A three day weekend is coming up, and Tuesday a group of volunteers for Obama are getting together to watch the inaugeration. I am excited. I am hopeful. It should be a day to be remembered. Are you going to watch? And Tigger, I hope you get to see it all in person. Let us all know how it was.

WOW

2009-01-11T20:07:00.003-05:00

I have never seen the Steelers play as well as they did against San Diego. Way to go, Steelers!
After much discussion, Peg, her son and I have decided to not make the trek to DC for the inauguration. In speaking with a resident of DC, to Congressman Altmire's office and various others, it was decided to not go down. The biggest obstacle was the transportation. It was leaving us further out of DC where we would have to take the metro, which everyone said is going to be very crowded. Then there would be the problem getting back to the transportation point! Tough decision, a lot of disappointment, but I think it is for the best. It is history making, but we will all get together here to watch it on TV.
A cold and blustery weekend here in Pittsburgh. Of course, they were calling for six inches of snow...I think we got....maybe two. They have a way of absolutely puttiong people in a panic for no reason.
I was looking forward to sledding. Bird makes a really neat sled track, and it is pretty fast. We have tried sleds, but the best seem to be the saucers, although they are certainly much more difficult to steer. The saucer zooms down the hill with Oscar barking with delight, me screaming at the top of my lungs and everyone laughing and having a good time.
Growing up I lived in a community where you could walk to everything. We lived on a street with a big hill, or what seemed like a big hill at the time. Sometimes they would close off the street so we could sled down the hill. They also froze over the tennis courts so one could ice skate. I didn't get ice skates till I was in high school, and only used them a few times, but that was fun also. You could walk to Bard's Dairy Store and get hot chocolate after you were done skating and sledding.
It seems to me that we had more snow back then, but I'm not sure, it could be one of those memory things. School was never delayed or called off since everyone could walk to school. People in that community took public transportation more than they drove to work, so the roads were never cleared as quickly in our community.
Well, it was a good football game tonight, and next week we play the Ravens. Even though we were well ahead, I get very nervous!

After Holidays

2009-01-07T23:59:00.002-05:00

So, after all is said and done, the holidays are over. All of the visitation, all of the family, all of the chaos. And LIFE settles in. Back to the routine. I like routine. But there is a let down, if you will. The realization that there is work, there is household items to fix, there is ice and snow. And then, something happens to make you think...WOW. Today I arrived home to find an invitation to the inauguration. I know, Bird asked me, is it a scam? No, it isn't. It is a real live invitation to the "open events" of the inauguration. I immediately called Peg, who did an inordinate amount of campaigning for Barack, to see if she got an invitation. Another friend did not. So I told Peg to bring folks tomorrow night to discuss if we should go. History. People keep saying that. But it would be fun. She knows of an apartment in DC that we could stay. So, ice and snow don't look so bad. I am holding something that is really neat...and I am excited! Sometimes winter can be beautiful, and now I can look at the snow and think that indeed, it is beautiful. Steelers are playing San Diego on Sunday....let's all cheer for them. Come on, Kitty, lead us all in a rah, rah, cheer.

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T17:16:00.002-05:00

Some things I remember from 2008...good and bad:
Power outages in January from the high winds and being without power all day!
The Penguins playing great hockey.
Obama coming to Pittsburgh and Peg and Brody meeting him, sitting behind him on stage.
Randy Pausch and his remarkable spirit and will to live.
Obama winning the election and the elation of people in Grant Park.
The concession speech by McCain, a class speech.
The floods in Iowa and family members there.
Tina Fey and Sarah Palin...need I say more? Gotcha!
(I hear Bean does a good imitation of her)
On a more personal note:
Health issues resolved!
Sleepless night in O'Hara airport.
New kitten for Monkeyboy.
A great time with Poppy and Mimi, both here and in Iowa.
The collapse of the economy and all that goes with it.

I hope for the new year that everyone has their health and their loved ones nearby. Be safe and Happy New Year.

What are your memories of 2008....how will you remember it?

Christmas Morning

2008-12-25T09:56:00.004-05:00

Everywhere children awake with great anticipation. They scream with delight as they rip paper and open gifts. Parents sit in bleary eyed exhaustion, smiling, doing whatever is necessary to wake themselves from a long, pre-Christmas flurry of activity. Mippy just called and said that Monkeyboy woke up at 3:30 AM. Bean came in their room at 4:11 AM because they were bored and wanted to color. Those of us without little ones awake, have a leisurely breakfast, read the paper and enjoy the peace and quiet of the morning. I remember the first year I didn't get toys for Christmas, but rather, clothes. Clothes that my parents had picked for me. And we all know what that means. I don't remember how old I was. In our home, presents weren't wrapped, they were set out on card tables in our dining room, which was very large. The tree was always in the bay window, tied to the ceiling, because it would fall if not tied. I remember one tree that actually did fall over...on my mother as she was sitting there watching us trying to tie it to the ceiling. As we were older, we were allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve. The rest had to wait until Christmas morning. My father would go down and light the tree and run the trains, which had been set up in the den. The layout of the trains took up the entire room. More relatives, what few we had, would come in the afternoon, bearing more gifts. As a teenager I would go to Midnight Mass at St. Andrew's. I liked that, because it was always a peaceful way to celebrate the season. One was usually done with the hustle and bustle by then and it was a time to reflect on those things for which we were thankful. I am blessed to have a healthy family and to have wonderful friends with whom I can share the holidays. To everyone, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a healthy New Year.

Vacations

2008-12-18T19:57:00.003-05:00

I'm on vacation this week, and it has been wonderful! Ginger and I went to Ikea yesterday for our semi-annual trip. I LOVE Ikea. They have such neat things there. And they are very reasonably priced. We got there at 10:50 AM and they had $1.49 breakfast until 11:00 AM. We raced inside and up to the cafe. The woman who was working there TRIED to ignore us, but we got her attention, though she was a bit cranky. We got our breakfast and headed on our mission. It took us two hours to completely tour the store and get our winter fix. My Christmas cards came yesterday and I got them all in the mail. Most of all, I have been just enjoying being home and doing things I don't usually get to do... eating breakfast and enjoying the paper, reading books, and of course, watching Judge Judy. The office Christmas Party was today, and everyone brought food. It was delicious! And kudos to Michele for putting it all together. Kitty missed it, but I ate enough for both of us. Today was the highlight of my week. I got to be the mystery reader at Monkeyboy's and Sprout's school. What fun! There are fourteen children in their class of second graders and people take turns surprising the children by bringing in books to read to the class. The kids are absolutely delightful and they giggled, laughed and shouted out questions when asked. Their teacher giggled when I brought out the book called "Teacher's Pet." It's been a busy week, but such an enjoyable one. Lunch everyday, Monday with a fellow Springsteen friend. We haven't seen a lot of each other, and I often forget how much I enjoy her sense of humor. It's the time of the year to catch up with old friends to see how life is treating them. And to be with friends and family. I am exhausted, but you know what? I can sleep all day tomorrow...I don't have to go to work! Happy Friday everyone.

Ho, Ho, Ho

2008-12-15T00:02:00.004-05:00

Sunday dinner as usual. Well, maybe not quite so usual. I had more of an opportunity to watch children tonight. Between the Steelers game, that is. Whew, I can't deal with Ben waiting until the last five minutes to win the game...two minutes, actually. The kids are excited about the pending Christmas. It's fun to watch them. And then there is the flying elf, or whatever he/she is. Apparently, an elf that can fly about the house every night and watches over the children in the home to see if they should get gifts. (Wonder if he/she watches the adults going absolutely nuts and saying words that....well, aren't exactly in the spirit of Christmas.) And the children are not supposed to know from where he/she watches. But they look for the elf every morning, and if they find the elf, then I guess they can be bad in every other room in the house. Who knows, but it is funny to see them when they discover the elf. And Monkeyboy keeps adding to his Christmas list, which of course, is growing by the hour. We do a gift exchange where everyone buys a gift for $25. We put them in the middle of the floor and pick a number. If you get number 1 you go first and pick a present. Number 2 has the option of taking your gift or picking a new one, and so on. I, of course, always buy the best gift in the world which everyone wants. One year it was an ice scraper that you plug into your cigarette lighter. Mippy got that one. Shortly after she got it, there was a recall that stated you could get shocked with it. I called to tell her immediately, but her response was, "I gave it to co-worker as a re-gift." I suggested that she tell her co-worker immediately, and she replied that she didn't care, she didn't like her anyway. I believe it was last year that I gave postage stamps with my picture on them. Then there was the year that I gave the large autographed picture of myself. The picture frame was exquisite. I later gave the same present (Bird must have given it back to me) at our office party, and it was received with equal delight. I gave it back to someone in their family and it is hidden behind the cute pictures of the kids on the mantle, right beside the Elvis ceramic head that Monkeyboy painted and had glazed, an art object if there ever was one. Bird usually gets my gift, because he knows I give the best one. Bean got a really beautiful plate and mug and I got that one year (picture at the right). It couldn't compare to the postage stamps, but it was something that I treasure. So, I have to think of what my contribution will be this year. Something, no doubt, that will be THE BEST EVER present.

Donuts, and Not the Eating Kind

2008-12-10T20:27:00.004-05:00

It's been a dreary day here in the 'burg. Rainy, cold, dark. Not my kind of day. I went out at lunch today and my boss took my parking place. You may remember, many of our parking spots were taken and reserved for the county police, because they are important. We, obviously, are not. So, on some days, parking is at a premium, especially, it would seem, on cold, rainy days. When I came back I parked illegally. Do I care? No. In fact, I dared them to tow my car. They didn't, of course. Our agency gets Christmas presents donated for children. Lots of Christmas presents. We have to unload them, check them, load them and deliver them. It gets a bit chaotic. Today was an unloading day. I have four bicycles in my office and I keep knocking them over. That is in addition to many other items. Picture to follow tomorrow. So, I left the office with my boss (did I mention she took MY parking place?) and we walked to the cars together as we often do. In the rain, the cold rain. We went our separate ways and I remembered that I had to stop at the pharmacy. As I pull into the parking lot, I hear a large bang and thinking that I hit something, I spew forth many obscenities. I notice, as I pull into a parking spot, that my car isn't steering right. Ooops, a flat tire. I call my mechanic friend, who comes and tells me that I blew a tire. DUH! He changes it for me, only to tell me that my donut spare is flat. How does that happen? I have never used it! He fills it full of air and as he is doing so a woman is berating three teens for picking on her daughter. Right there in the open parking lot. She is screaming that she has called the police, and dare they leave, because the police will chase her down. She continues to yell that the girls will go to prison for life for picking on her daughter as the police pull in. My mechanic mentions that the police didn't come that quickly when his car was broken into with his gps and other items stolen. The teen looks very frightened and her friends have taken off in spite of the warning. In this day of bullying, I admire the woman for taking action. I don't know what happened, but I admire the police for responding so quickly. My mechanic mentioned that the girl that was picked on would probably have it even worse now that the mother got the police involved. Bullies are not my kind of people. And as for donuts...I would rather talk about the kind I can eat, but alas, this is my donut for the day. Have a warm night.

'Tis the Season???

2008-12-06T14:29:00.002-05:00

If I hear Burl Ives singing "Holly, Jolly Christmas" one more time, I am going to pull his beard out whisker by whisker......oh, wait, he's no longer with us. Sorry. I had the day off yesterday. One would think that a day off is for resting. Not so. I began by cleaning the second floor. I then did some running around (a Pittsburgh expression) as soon as the stores opened so that I could beat the rush. Success. Came home and began to call Verizon about a problem with my bill. DON'T EVER BUNDLE WITH VERIZON. This was the second day I had been dealing with them...unsuccessfully, may I add. One can not find the right number to call and all of the numbers that Verizon gives you are wrong. One only finds this out AFTER you have been on hold for 21 minutes...count them...21 minutes, minimum. After two days, the problem is still not resolved, because now, they won't even answer their phone. It rings until it disconnects. I gave up and began to drag Christmas decorations from the attic. Put up the fake tree, threw some lights on it and went to watch Judge Judy. Mippy, Bean, Monkeyboy, Sprout and Buzz came then to help decorate the tree. Oh, my, what great fun! "There are too many red balls here." "Well, they aren't mine." "Yes, they are." "Are not." "Well, just move them." "Can't, they aren't mine." "Her pile of gifts are higher than my pile of gifts." The angel on the top of the tree is 25 years old. It's face was made from an eggshell, which has since broken. Cookies and hot chocolate topped off the evening. Kids being silly for pictures, excited about what was to come in a few weeks. Monkeyboy's last remark as he walked out the door was "Don't take that angel down." I won't, Monkeyboy. I promise.

Life Changing Decisions

2008-12-03T20:56:00.003-05:00

Let me say first that again on the way to work, the sky was incredible. I think sunrise and sunset are my favorite times of the day. I love the way the sky changes color. When at the beach, the one thing I like more than the waves hitting the beach are the sunrise and sunset. Sometimes, I just pull over in my car and watch the sky change. I had a friend once and her life was in such turmoil that she felt the only way out was to end her life and that's what she did. It was tragic, and I miss her to this day. But the thing that struck me most about the tradgedy was when a co-worker said he was driving through the mountains and saw a spectacular sunset and thought that our friend who took her life would never see a beautiful sunset again. He was angry with her for taking her life. He was sad that she would never see the beautiful things in life again. Klever Kitty and I talked about changes and choices in life today. Those small decisions that change our lives forever. And the big decisions. Who knows at eighteen what one wants to do with their lives? And yet we make some choices at that young age that can impact us forever. I am soon, well, maybe not too soon, going to embark on a new journey...one that I look forward to with some trepidation, but also with excitement. After all, it is not the destination, it is the journey that makes life interesting and exciting. In ending, Michele has a new blog that is fun, visit her at www.themarblejar.blogspot.com. Have a great evening, and enjoy the journey!

Animals

2008-11-29T10:08:00.003-05:00

I came home this morning to find these in my yard. The mother deer is extremely calm and let me come very close to her. There are now five wandering the neighborhood, plus a buck that occasionally can be see chasing the deer. They are beautiful, one of the benefits of living in the burbs (remind me of that when they eat my garden). I have come to accept that we live in harmony now and I plan to plant next year with that in mind.
Oscar and I had a good, long walk at the cemetery today. It was cold, crisp and sunny. It's been hard for Oscar, not knowing what to expect. There is always someone at home with him usually, and I am between two houses. Flurry has accepted me, even sleeping on my lap last night as I read my book. The family bed poses a bit of a problem. Oscar is large....and heavy. Not fat, just heavy, probably over 100 pounds. Flurry is quite small, but a queen size bed poses some problems for the three of us. Oscar won't move. That means that one has to accommodate him. The first night I got out of bed and dragged him off, which injured my back for life, I am sure. The next night I just used my feet to shove him over. That worked for a hot minute. The third night I tiptoed quietly into Bean's bed and left Oscar and Flurry to the big bed. No sooner had I settled in when I heard a tap, tap, tap. I felt something looking at me, then sneaking up onto the SINGLE bed. I waited till he was settled, then made a mad dash for the queen bed, stepping on Flurry on the way since she was on her way to the single bed. Her howl woke up Oscar and we raced for the queen. I dove onto the bed, moved quickly to the middle and prepared myself to not be shoved over. It worked briefly, but this morning....he had most of the bed. Oh, and did I mention, on night one every hour on the hour I heard a loud beeping sound and thought it might be an alarm somewhere. It was the smoke detector, which I did not discover until the next morning. But I have to say, these morning walks are wonderful. All is quiet, the sun is shining and the air is crisp. It has been a very good morning. By the way, when asked what type of calendar Ginger wanted this year (I make them a calendar each year), Ginger replied that she wanted a calendar with sexy firemen laying out their big hoses. Hmmmm. Be safe, Skipper on your sojourn this week.

Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T14:46:00.002-05:00

I have much to be thankful for, my family, my health, my friends. Today is a day to reflect those things, and it is a day to eat! I don't remember if it was last year or two years ago, but dinner was here with Mippy and family. Got up early, threw the bird in the oven, prepared ALL of those trimmings that go with the bird. The aroma that permeated the house was delightful. All day envisioning sitting down and eating. Anticipation. Guests arrived. Oohs and ahhhs abounded. The table was set with fiestaware, ready to be adorned with wonderful food. The bird was taken from the oven and set on the platter to "rest". Side dishes were placed strategically around the table. And the moment arrived. The turkey was sliced, and alas.....IT WASN'T COOKED! Not only was it not cooked, it was kind of raw. We all stood there looking at it, debating what to do. Mippy suggested we all say something that we were thankful for. She got looks that would have killed. She began by saying she was thankful we had side dishes to eat. No one else had anything at that moment to be thankful for. All got quiet as we passed the potatoes, slaw, jello salad, veggies, etc. Finally the silence was broken by Monkeyboy who said..."I really wanted some turkey". We told him he could have it at his grandmothers next week when he went to visit there. Here's hoping your holiday is wonderful and your turkey is cooked.

Approaching the Holiday

2008-11-25T20:42:00.002-05:00

If one were prepared, one would have had her camera with her with a walk with Oscar tonight. It has snowed a bit here and we were walking at the cemetery. Oscar was rolling and frolicking in the snow. It was such a great sight! Running free and loving every minute of it. I am dog/cat/fish sitting this week for Mippy and family. And I am using their laptop this week while at their house. It is pretty neat! They are in Norfolk tonight and will be in North Carolina with family for the Thanksgiving holiday. Back to Oscar, I shall try to get a picture of him in the snow tomorrow. This is the time of the year when I order lots and lots of things on the net. Most of my shopping is done. There are some things that one has to go and buy...I don't much like those things. I am pleased with the things that I bought this year, none of which I can share on here yet, because of who reads this. I met, well, actually I work with him, a new photographer at work today. He shares my passion for black and white photographs. So does Michele, whose site I have linked to mine in the past. Kitty likes black and white photos also. I gave her one for Christmas one year. It was the one I will post tomorrow, the Bridge of Sighs. It is in Pittsburgh, and it connects the courthouse with what used to be the county jail. The story has it that the prisoners would walk across the bridge on their way to their trial, and if they were found guilty one could hear them sigh as they walked back across the bridge to the jail. We have some wonderful old buildings here and the architecture is wonderful! Well, I am going to take the dog out and feed the cat. Have a great day tomorrow.

Snow

2008-11-19T20:42:00.002-05:00

Bean took the picture of the snow on the tree. I still get excited when I see the first snowfall, not that a dusting counts as the first snowfall, but when I looked out the window in my office yesterday there were big, fluffy snowflakes falling. I really love the wet snow that clings to the trees and shrubs. And I like it before the salt trucks come around. I love to watch Bird make a sled track for the kids with bumps that make them laugh with glee. And Oscar the dog, running and barking along side them. As kids we used to spend hours playing in the snow, coming in only to use the bathroom (what a chore that was!) or to get dry mittens. We had at least three pairs, and it took an awfully long time for them to dry. I remember igloos and asthma attacks, snowball battles and snow angels, and of course, snowmen. I remember, Molly, the sheepdog and how I put boots on her so her paws wouldn't freeze. She ran down the hill at the cemetery and all I could see in the moonlight were the boots flying through the air. As a pre-teen, I remember throwing a snowball at a car and the driver chasing after me. My brother was asked by that driver if my brother had seen a boy running past. My brother said no. I don't know if he said that because he was asked about a boy and I was a girl, or if he just did it to protect me. I do know that he yelled at me later and I ended up telling my parents because I was afraid he would. I remember the big snowfall the snow in March, 1993 that paralyzed the city...24 inches of snow over a two day period. It was the day of the St. Patrick's Day parade, and they still had the parade. The city was virtually closed down immediately following the parade for several days. Now, that was a bad winter. I hope the first real snowfall is a pretty one.

Bean's Demands

2008-11-16T11:07:00.002-05:00

I turned on my computer today and was checking my email. There was one from Bean, demanding a new post. This happens...and not just with Bean. So, here is my Sunday morning post.
Went out to dinner last night to River Forrest. It's a wonderful restaurant hidden in the forrest above the Allegheny River. They had a wine tasting party, which was unknown to us until we got there, so we couldn't partake of that. But the dinner was wonderful. As we wound our way back to the main road we were on the lookout for deer. None were spotted. On the drive home I made a remark that the lights of the small towns we were passing reminded me of a train layout. We have a large train layout here at the Carnegie Science Center every year. It takes up the whole room and there are miniature villages with people walking babies inside their homes, miniature people skiing down slopes, with a wonderful amusement park nearby that has a Farris wheel and merry go round. It is magic, and as we were driving last night, the lights in the small towns reminded me of the Carnegie. At the museum here they have a display of Christmas trees, also a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
The weather has changed drastically here today. Good football weather Ben and Bill, but Kitty better wear something warm to cheer on the Steelers. Most of the leaves are down now, and the raindrops on the trees threaten to turn to ice drops. Winter coats are being dragged out, and it's amazing how many people begin to smell of moth balls! It's dark now when I come home from work. I like that. I like that I come home and everything seems cozy and warm. I can close the drapes and wrap up in a blanket on my chair to read my book.
I took Bean to her dance class on Thursday. I do love to watch these kids dance. It was cold. I listened to the head of the studio talk about casting of characters. The Prince in Cinderella was a young man of color and the Princess was not. Someone had written a very long letter (unsigned, of course) stating that the studio was promoting interracial marriage. WHAT? Ken (the head of the program) was most upset, rightfully so. These kids are extremely talented and work very hard to put on a production that is professional. How sad that someone would focus on something that no one else seemed to notice. There are many children of different ethnicity and cultures that participate in this particular theater, and for the most part, they all have the same goal. To bring pleasure to those who watch them. So, kudos to the kids, and to those who refuse to sign their name to letters, perhaps you should not come to the theater to watch them.
Yesterday I watched "Flashdance", not so much for the plot of the movie (was there one?) but for the great scenes of Pittsburgh. The South Side slopes, the bridges, Trees Hall, the Museum. I have to figure out what movie I want from Netflix next. It's a good day for movies. Have a great Sunday!

Four in a Row

2008-11-11T18:46:00.003-05:00

I have been very lazy this weekend, I think. Did some cleaning of drawers and things, got some tires for the car, did some Christmas shopping on line, went to the mall (yes, Sassy, to the mall). What a mess the mall is! We got a new Nordstroms, Tiffanys, some other very up scale stores and people are flocking to the mall. Add to that the sales for Veteran's Day. I came home last night determined to never go to the mall again. At least until the end of January. And people are rude, they really are. Fighting over sale items. I thought that security would have to be called, but they calmed down somewhat. I went to a neat website for kids. It's highlights.com and it has a great selectio of toys for kids. And the toys are arranged by age. I think between that and publisher.com I have all my Christmas presents done. Today the car was in the shop all day, so Ava and I hung out, reading, watching Judge Judy and going for a walk. Oh, and watching Boston Legal on line. It wasn't on in Pittsburgh last week, so I had to pull it from their website. I laughed till I cried. What a wonderful show, and now it will be going off the air. Four days off in a row is a wonderful thing. Very relaxing and restful. And for all those who served or are serving in the military, thanks very much.

A Lazy Sunday

2008-11-09T10:23:00.006-05:00

Judith Penzer did the mural. It is actually painted on the side of a building, but looks so real, so 3-D, as though it is a separate home entirely. We have a number of them in the city, and I think it's a great way to display art. Ms. Penzer died in a plane crash, which makes this particular mural special and well worth preserving. I believe this one was her first one. Penn State lost, but they lost to Iowa, so my brother will be happy. Steelers did not win, but that's okay, I guess. Bean's run at the Byham has concluded. She caught a bug from Monkeyboy and wasn't too sure that she would be able to perform, but as the saying goes "the show must go on", and she did her part. Sunday mornings for me are sleeping in, reading the paper, watching Meet The Press and the Steelers, and of course, Sunday dinner. Today will be a little different, but I love Sundays. Total kick back day. It's been a dreary weekend here, so it's nice to grab my book or watch my latest Netflix movie, Bull Durham. I was thinking today, how life is a series of ups and downs and how the extreme highs make the lows worth while. I remember the family reunion and sitting around the pool on the night of arrival. The kids were all in the pool and the adults were sitting around talking. I turned to Poppy and said, "this is what it is all about". It was truly a time of being together as a family and kids meeting and being with their cousins who are scattered throughout the country. What were your highs? What do you remember best with fondness?

The Good Things

2008-11-06T17:34:00.002-05:00

I don't want to say too much about the election, just that when I said to my co-worker that it's was quite a night and one to remember, she said, "it certainly was, it certainly was". She then came back to me and said, "I am going to the cemetary at lunchtime to tell my mother and father". It was truly a historic event, and I do hope we can all pull together to make some changes...the course is a tough one.
When I have a busy day at work, I try to think of good things. Today it was Bean's opening night tonight. She is in Cinderella at the Byham Theater and I can't wait. I called Z Florist and told him that I needed a "presentation bouquet", which he did beautifully as always. I told him I am coming to work for him. His florist shop is one of the most peaceful places in the world. And what a talent he has. I love to go in there, said I would work for nothing! (I didn't really mean that, of course....well, maybe I would).
There was a brief (?) period of discussion about speeding tickets at work. I've gotten two in my life and both were traumatic. People all say that I drive fast, but I don't think so. I made it home in eighteen minutes tonight.
Gasoline is $2.45 a gallon. Interesting, isn't it? Wonder what happened to bring it down. It was nice to fill my tank for less than $30.
Well, I am leaving now to go see Cinderella. It is a wonderful thing to see, Bean on stage doing something she loves. It's been a very busy week, with football, the election and now the theater. But it's been a nice one, too. Have a great evening!

Observations

2008-11-03T18:46:00.004-05:00

Thanks to Mippy for the beautiful picture of the sunrise last week or so. I love to sit and watch people. And listen. I was in a restaurant last week and spent time watching four men eating lunch, talking about the economy and then their families. I presume at least one was divorced. As he spoke he said he wanted a woman with no children, because children were "baggage". This was a man of about fifty. They all nodded in agreement. One other man said his female friend wanted to get married, and he couldn't understand that at their age. Why would they get married at their age? I watched a woman of about thirty and the man with whom she was eating. He had on hospital scrubs. She had on a suit. He talked a lot on his cell phone, while she was on her blackberry. They didn't talk much. When finished eating, the stood, kissed and went their separate ways. I caught the eye of a man across the room who appeared to be doing the same thing I was doing. And then came the women in red hats. And purple dresses. They sure looked like they were having a wonderful time. And they even ordered drinks with their lunch! Today I watched three men at Kentucky Fried Chicken drive the poor man at the register crazy. They wanted the sixteen piece meal, and they began to argue about sides, mashed potatoes vs. macaroni, corn vs. green beans, crispy vs. regular. There was quite a line behind them, and just when we all thought they were done, one of the men ordered a meal to take home. They were delightful to listen to as they talked about everything under the sun, a great, spirited discussion. One time when I took my car to be serviced I went to a local restaurant where senior citizens gather in the morning for coffee and breakfast. They move about freely, talking with one another, laughing and seemingly having a wonderful morning ritual. There are people having very serious discussions, one woman crying as another held her hand. People in their own world. I think I am becoming a student of the human condition, watching and learning. Don't forget to vote tomorrow........how could you?????