One down, eleven to go

It's hard to believe that this year is 1/12 over. I haven't done much, yet, I feel like I've been running hard all month.

Kelly likes her new job at Cici's. Cheerleading is going well for her. We were a bit worried about how her team would do at their first competition today, but, what I saw was outstanding. I did miss a bit by trying to get pictures. Next time I'm skipping pics and just focusing on her. Gymsport Youth (younger kids) took 2nd place and her team took 1st. Her team was the only team competing in her division. They were scored against the base score so Kel said theoretically they could have taken 3rd. I'm looking forward to her next competition in Indiana, PA at Indiana University of PA. Keara will be competing at the same competitions as Kel on 2/14 and 3/14. That should make for a great family outing.

Cameron is still focusing on school and hating the fact that homeschoolers do not get snow days or even snow delays. Telling him that he should feel lucky that he'll be out of school earlier than everyone else does not help. He has not been going out to play in the snow. I think he's over it. I know I am. Tomorrow we are going to Da and Pappy's to watch the Superbowl so we are taking his sled so he can play on the big hill next to their house.

Our pipes are still frozen so I get to pack up my laundry and take it to Da's and do laundry during the game, yuck! At least I'll get to see my favorite team, Steelers playing. Here's hoping for a six pack.

Glenn is staying busy with work. His boss was on vacation for 2 weeks and Glenn had to answer his phone and do estimates while he was gone.

Milo hates the cold and snow. He does his biz and then runs back inside. We know when the heater is on because Milo is laying right in front of the vent. When it kicks off, he goes back to his spot on the sofa.

I realized when I went out last night that I had not been out since last weekend. I hate the cold and snow so I find myself snuggling inside ALL THE TIME!!!!!

We have several inches of snow on the ground and possibly an additional foot will come on Monday night. The storm in Florida is heading north and if it goes NW we will get the brunt of it.

I'm looking forward to February. Superbowl, Kelly's birthday, Valentine's Day, a possible visit from my mom, and another cheer competition. It should make for a full month.

Goodbye January. Hello February.

Here We Go! Here We Go! Pittsburgh's Going to the Superbowl!

Once again Pittsburgh is poised to make NFL history. In the 1970's we won the first back to back Superbowl victories. We skipped a year then did it again. The 80's and 90's were not our decades. Let's not discuss that fest against Dallas in the 90's. I try to forget it. Let's chalk it up to selective memory.

In 2006, Ben became the youngest quarterback to help his team win the Lombardi Trophy. We've filled a hand full of rings. Everyone knows that Pittsburgh is a drinking town with a football problem, so it's only fitting that we turn that handful of bling into a full six-pack.

Can we possibly be the first team to win a Superbowl under every coach we ever had? At least in the last 40 years. Can we break a record and win 6? Can we win with a second year coach who would be the youngest coach to ever win a ring? I think absolutely!

My best friend, Danielle, moved to Phoenix in the 90's. I think '94 (correct me if I'm wrong, Dani). I don't think she ever rooted for a pro NFL team prior. As a Seton Hall graduate, she went on to Arizona State for her Masters. She married a fabulous man, Shad and together they have created a beautiful little girl. Dani is now an ASU fan as well as a Cardinal's fan. This Superbowl will be quite an interesting event for us.

Despite moving to Florida as a baby, I have always been a Steelers fan. I recall sitting on the living room floor with my father watching the Steel Curtain rule the NFL. Marrying a man from Butler was fitting for me. Another casualty of my selective memory is that man from Michigan, also from the early 90's. I love the Steelers. I try to impress upon my children how great they are.

They are a franchise that has never left their hometown. Nor, has it ever been threatened. I was proud of Dan Rooney for fighting to keep the team in the Rooney family, thereby ensuring that this team would continue in this city. I think a riot surpassing any other would occur if this team were to leave Pittsburgh.

The Steeler Nation has now spread to become a Steeler Universe. Astronauts on the International Space Station have been waving their Terrible Towel, pictures of military on an F-15 over Afghanistan waving their Terrible Towel are on KDKA.com. Do you know of any other team that inspires such loyalty and devotion? I think not!

Even Jet Blue Airlines has created special shuttles from Pgh to Tampa for our faithful to travel. Cheapest airline tickets are over $500. If you don't want to leave immediately following the game, it will run over $600.

13 days and counting. I am not counting the Cardinals out. Look at what they've accomplished. But odds makers put the Steelers at 6 1/2 to 1. I like those odds.

Good luck Steelers. You've earned it, you deserve it and this city deserves it too. Let's have another great parade in Pittsburgh in a few weeks. I'm not ready for all the 250th celebrations to end. Let's cap it off with a great parade and celebration to beat all others.

Obama What?

This is getting more ridiculous daily. I have come to terms with our "leadership" to be sworn in on Tuesday. I may even let Cam miss part of his school to watch. It is history being made. But, now Americans have created a flag with his face on it. Desecrating the American Flag that Betsy Ross sewed in memory of our fallen soldiers in the face of a new nation. http://michellemalkin.com/2009/01/17/the-official-flag-of-the-obama-states-of-america/

As I clipped my coupons today, I saw an ad for coins with Obama. On all but 1, there was an image of a previous great president, Washington, Lincoln & Kennedy in the background with Obama in the foreground. I am not saying that Obama may not become a great president, but, please he has not even been inaugurated yet. Let's see what he can do before we brand him a great president. The only thing he has accomplished so far is to wow the main stream media and many Americans and convince them in a cult like fashion to vote for him. As I've said before, I'm in a wait and see mode.

I voted for Bush in 2000...in Florida no less. I think he got a raw deal in his presidency. A war he did not really want. In fact, a two-pronged war. Did he make mistakes? Absolutely. The economy crisis was born in the Clinton era and matured during the past year. I've noticed that not only the U.S. is having an economy crisis, Great Britain is experiencing a bank bailout situation of their own.

Glenn and I were driving yesterday and talking about Martin Luther King day. I mentioned that I expect to see a Barack Obama day. Traditionally, the days have been designated after the death of the figure. I expect to see Obama day created much before his death...even during his presidency. I feel that would be a huge disgrace to every man who has a day celebrated in his honor.

Washington led our nation to victory over Great Britain and helped form our independence from them. He went on to become our first President. Obviously, the founders of our country felt his service and leadership warranted the honor of the presidency, and congress, after his death, felt that he should be honored henceforth. Although Americans celebrated his birthday for many years (starting the year he left office). Congress did not celebrate until just over 32 years after his death. He died December, 1799. Congress adjourned on 2/22/1832 for the first time in memory of him.

Lincoln helped to abolish slavery during the civil war. His contributions to this cause were immense yet, did not warrant a holiday declared by congress. Although, traditionally we recognize him on Presidents day, the third Monday in February. Lincoln's birthday is also very special to me as Kelly was born on February 12th 103 years after Lincoln.

Martin Luther King was an instrumental figure in such a key time in our history, second to Lincoln's era. His actions helped form the way for Obama to run for President. I'm all for celebrating him. Do I think we need a MLK Blvd. in every city? Not really. In Fort Myers, our current MLK Blvd. used to be named Anderson Avenue. Dr. Anderson was a local black doctor who did a great many things for the Dunbar community in Fort Myers. I think another street should have been renamed. They took the one special road in this community and totally negated the contributions of Dr. Anderson. I understand that MLK worked for all african-americans, not just the ones in Fort Myers or Atlanta or Pittsburgh. But, doesn't all change start at the local level? It took 18 years for his birthday to be declared a holiday.

President Kennedy was quite positive to MLK's cause. He died in office. Were his contributions not as worthy? I don't know. This was prior to my birth. Yes, we acknowledge the date of his death with media reports annually. He helped to launch and continually fund the space race and helped to avert war with the Cuban Missile Crisis. Does he not warrant his own day. Well he was born May 29th so he would be forever lumped with Memorial Day and his death coincides with Thanskgiving holidays.

President Reagan is mentioned as one of our greatest presidents in recent history. The greatest period of economic growth and peace occured during his two terms. Will he get a day in his honor. He was born on February 6th so I assume if it were ever to happen it would be lumped in with Lincoln and Washington. I guess Obama should be lucky he was born in August. No one to compete with for his own day. Poor kids won't get to miss a school day for it.

So, I just want to document my predictions regarding Obama Day. I see it coming and I'm not happy. Let's let him accomplish something before we immortalize him as the greatest human being or as the messiah. If we wait until he dies and I am already gone, then I won't care. But if he is given his own day by congress while he is alive I will consider it one of the saddest days in history. I hope he can do something worthy of this recognition. Another item for my wait and see list.

It is COLD out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update-who knew that having a furnace less than 5 feet from the washer would be no help. At about 3:30 this morning I got a little ambitious while down in the basement. I decided to sort the laundry and run a load of whites. Glenn woke me at 9:30 to tell me the pipes froze and the water backed up and flooded my basement. So now we get to gather all the dirty laundry and blankets and head to the laundromat when he gets home from washing my car. You can tell I am a Florida girl. We don't have these problems down there. I understand it went to 10 below this morning. It's 10:21 A.M. and it is 1 degree. A wind chill advisory is in effect until noon. The kids are still asleep so they have not been told the wonderful news about spending their early afternoon at the laundry. I don't expect this conversation to go well. Kelly plans to go see Jake today. Now she has to wait until we are done. A good portion of the dirty laundry is hers. She likes to throw it down there and wash as needed. I need a tropical vacation. NOW!

Brrrr! It is cold. Obviously, colder than I've ever experienced. My children also. We woke up to -7 this morning. According to KDKA the last time it was colder than this was in 1994. At least the roads seem to be clear. There was a Steelers rally today downtown. Glenn and I promised that if we were ever here for a rally this late in the football season we would attend. Ummm, yeah, we broke that promise. I told him that if we win in Tampa we will have to go out to celebrate, no matter how cold.

Fortunately, our new house is gas heat so we can keep the house warm and not have to live in one room. We managed to survive on one tank of oil last year. Not without some sacrifice though. No way could we have done it this year. Snow in early November showed what kind of season we were looking at.

The house is finally coming together. We have everything painted except Kel's room. She now says she wants to stay that ugly blue and she'll cover the walls with posters. We've never allowed her to put all the posters up before. I remember doing it when I was her age so I say go for it. She still has a sliding rattan door and hates it. Cam has no door to his room other than the one going into the basement. They both express dislike for this daily. I kinda like it, it keeps the hiding out to a minimum.

Kelly was laid off from Hot Topic a few weeks ago. She was seasonal so it was expected. She went to Cici's Pizza last week with Jake (new boyfriend...don't ask, opinion is still forming) and when she asked if they were hiring they told her she was pretty much hired. She went back this week for the two interviews and should start next week. 8 hours the first week and 15-20 thereafter. This job is much closer than Robinson Mall. 2 miles vs. 9 miles (no interstates).

Cameron is doing well. He actually did his journal entry on time this week. Of course, he liked the topic...His favorite candy. Earlier this month, I had to listen to playbacks and get the topics for him to write his entries to submit for credit. I am taking him to occupational therapy for an evaluation again next week. We had to quit over the summer when my car broke down. His handwriting is still poor and with the rapid growth I think the therapy would be good for him. I'll update after our appt. on 1/23.

Glenn is still working part-time. Ever since I got sick over Christmas, my sleeping schedule is really messed up. I tend to get to bed around 4, get up for Cam between 9 and 9:30 then lay back down in front of the tv. The last few days I have taken a nap after school. I seriously need to get back on a schedule. I did get to sleep last week by 11, but Kelly woke me up asking if she could go to Wendy's. Of course, I needed a float from there and the wake-up was on. Seriously, I'm over this.

I finally made contact with my cousin again today. I'm very excited about that and can't wait til I can see my father's family. This was one of my goals when I moved up here. I moved to Fla. as a baby and did not have a lot of contact with them, other than my cousin and Gram. Gram died in 1992. I have not seen Karen since 1999/2000. Occasional Christmas cards were the extent of our recent relationship. I have always talked about my dad and his family but my kids don't know any of them. One of my fondest memories of my grandma was coming up for Easter to get my sister in 1979 and she made root beer floats. I also remember her setting her bread to rise over the heater vents. In 2007, Glenn took me to see Gram's old house. It was so nice to remember being there with her and my dad. When I came up in 1987, I slept in Gram's bed upstairs because she was sleeping downstairs by then. I recall oreo cookies with her. Yes, I can see that my relationship with Gram was based on sugar, but, hey isn't that what grandmas are for? The other night I was on the phone with Comcast at 3:30 a.m. trying to get my new box in bedroom working right and for some reason the gentleman, Lawrence and I started talking about kids and school. That led to a conversation about Gram and my family in West End....don't ask! He used to be a cop and his beat was right down by Grandma's and Stoney's Tavern. He was the first person other than family up here who had ever heard of Stoney's. Most of my memories from my dad's stories involve Stoney's to some degree. What a validation. I was starting to think I made up the place.

We still follow the Penguins, but this year seems to test my ability to watch. If I ever have a heart attack on game day...you'll know why. They're killing me. Steelers are one game away from the Superbowl. We just need to get through Baltimore. At least we have home field advantage. Not sure how advantageous that is. Last time we won, it was all road games.

My best friend, Danielle lives in Phoenix now so imagine if Arizona plays Steelers what is going to happen. Honestly, I'd like to see that happen. I don't care for Philadelphia, even though my Mom's family is from Phillie and S. Jersey. Arizona has not been to the playoffs in a number of years I understand, so it will be nice for them to get to the big game. I still want the Steelers to stomp them though. Sunday from around 3-11 will be in front of my TV with ham bbq's watching all my boys in Black & Gold play their hearts out. So if anyone calls and does not get an answer, please understand.

On a happy note, Glenn's cousin, Fred will be home from Qatar on Monday. I send a hearty thank you to him for all his hard work and sacrifice. This thank you goes out to Misti, Ashlyn and Nicholas also.

Until next time. If you are on my email list, I love you and miss you. See you soon.

My how we've grown

Cameron's endocrinologist called today with the results of his bloodwork and x-ray.

Last November, his x-ray showed that he was 22 months behind in bone growth. His bones now say he is 10. So the shots are very effective. His bloodwork came back as normal. As long as he is continuing to grow with no problems, he will not need to repeat the tests until next December. If he shows any problems, they will order a follow-up in June at his next vist.

I have a teenage daughter...HELP!!!

So it's a new year on the calendar, but I feel no difference in my house. I keep asking everyone who ever parented a teenager if the attitude Kel is giving is normal or does she just hate me for me.

I know I'm not the best parent, but I do love my kids and want what is best for them. Kelly's attitude is killing me slowly. Cameron is well on his way with his mouth. Personally, I don't remember being this sassy toward my parents, but, when I mentioned this to my mom you could hear the crickets in the distance. So I'm assuming my memory has failed me yet again. I do remember running away and staying with friends, strangers, and even moving out of state for a summer so I could not have been the perfect child as I recall.

Kelly moved out at 14 due to many factors including our inability to get along. I wonder daily if things would have been different had she stayed at home with me. Yes, I know that was not possible due to situations beyond my control.

I've been reading alot of articles on the internet about parenting a teen effectively. Emotion needs to be left out of the equation. I know that I tend to go off the edge emotionally very quickly and that does not make for effective parenting. An article I read today recommended making a list of expectations..some negotiable and some not. Then sitting down with the teen and going over them, negotiating on some and letting her know what the consequences will be. I did something similar to this when Kel moved up here, but the darn computer crashed and it was lost before I could print it. She has not followed it real well. She has not been doing her schoolwork and missed curfew a few times. I can handle the curfew but how do I handle the mouth and the lack of school? She is well behind where she should be in school. She throws the threat of public school back in our face...just send me. I can't send her until she is caught up and I know that she will oversleep and whine that she is sick and miss school alot like she did in Florida. Believe me, I am onto that girl. I have decided that she is going to start virtual classes on January 26th which is the beginning of the new semester. I devised a calendar to get her schoolwork caught up. Now I just need to hold her to it.

Has every child rolled their eyes at their mother whenever she spoke? She does not even realize that she does it. It has become a part of her natural reaction to me. I am well aware that I am the cause of my kids attitudes. I am a sarcastic person by nature and that does not bode well when expecting respect from your kids. They are just like me and I hate it. One of my resolutions is to be less sarcastic. Also, I need to step away and evaluate before I say anything. A Mommy time out is going to be at the top of my list of parenting skills. Unfortunately, I have a hard time calming down and the time out just gives me time to get madder and devise harsher punishments. I know that this is not an effective use of time out. I need to work on that too!

I pray to God daily to help me be a better mother and wife to my family. Sometimes I pray several times a day. To all who read this, please add me to your prayers. I need all the help I can get.

Happy New Year to all my friends and family. I love each and every one of you.

P.S. This cold Glenn and I got is getting a little better, but our voices are quite raw and we try not to talk on the phone or even to each other more than necessary. I will call you all when I am better next week. I'm off to bed so I can get up in a few hours to get Cam on the computer for school.