Funny

I saw this t-shirt design on wearpittsburgh.com -- it validates my post from a couple of days ago.

Family Fun at the Farm

making veggie and fruit pizzas, long hike in the woods, jama time, glitter craft time, shootin in guns, laughing, barfin, watchin the credibles, ladybugs, making smores in the winter, the 1 hour run to wal-mart, mexican night, food food and more food

Wesley is 5!!

Its so hard to believe that my nephew turned 5 this year! Time flies so fast. He celebrated with a cowboy/girl themed party. Everyone got sheriff stars with their names on them and cowboy/girl hats. Too cute. They played "Race around the haystacks" and "There's a snake in Wesley's boot!" Andrea made a long train cake. She is so creative!

Blame it on the rain...

I'm a big Steelers fan. But I have to say I'm getting pretty disgusted. I know everyone is going to blame the poor playing on the rain last night - but c'mon! The Miami Dolphins and you only win with 3 points on the score board. We should've chewed them up and spit them out! After losing to the Jets I thought for sure we would come out ready to tromp all over what lie before us -not the case. We looked pitiful and we definitely do NOT look like a superbowl team. Is Ben going to blame his interception on the rain? (Nice catch, Joey - we miss you!) Is he going to blame his sacks on the rain? By the way, who gets sacked by the worst defense in the NFL?? Are we going to blame the penalties that cost us first downs on the rain? I don't know whose fault it is, but the Steelers better get their act together because if they continue to play like this the Patriots game is going to be the biggest disgrace of the season. I'd also like to see some reaction out of little Mr. Tomlin - show us some anger, some disgust, show the boys that you are the boss! Thanks Hines for showing up last night - you always make me smile!

So much for the Mayor's Hotline

Cars (abandoned, broken down, junky, illegal, etc) all manage to find themselves parked right smack dab in front of our house. Now granted we live in a free country and anyone is welcome to park in front of our house - we don't own the city street - but c'mon people there are 50 other spots on the street - park in one of those! I don't know if its because the street light keeps the front of our house well lit or what, but I don't care if people live 10 houses down and there is an open spot to park at in front of their house - they park at ours! On the the next rant.. We had a tan nissan maxium parked in front of our hourse for well over a month. And I love how our city dealt with the issue - they just kept putting parking tickets on the vehicle (we have parking zones in the city and you have to have a sticker displayed in your window to park for more than 2 hours) - So after about the 5th parking ticket (my gut instict if I was the parking lady would be to call someone to tow it, but NO we wouldn't want to do that). So I take matters in to my own hands. Pittsburgh has established this 311 - Mayor Hotline - number that you call to complain, gribe, report, etc to the mayor and he (relatively speaking) is supposed to arrive in his superman costume and rid Pittsburgh of all crime and clean up the city. Riiiiiiiight. So I call the number - get a very nice woman on the phone and explain to her about the abandoned vehicle that has been sitting right outside of my front door for over 2 weeks just collecting parking tickets. After a long conversation explaining parking permits in the city (you work for the city you should know this...right?!) she explains that I can call back after the holidays (which was well over a week away) and see if my order was being processed. Okay, so I know things take awhile - but c'mon HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO CALL A TOW TRUCK and have the thing taken away. Well, Craig and I arrive home after being up at the family farm all weekend to see our lovely abandoned vehicle still collecting tickets - as far as I could count there was 10. (I still want to meet this meter maid that thought it was okay to just keep giving tickets and not tell someone that we might have a stolen vehicle or something --- c'mon people we live on the northside. Anywho - Craig calls 911 - which I hate using for these purposes, but we've tried callin the police directly and were promptly told to call 911. Interesting. So about 10 minutes later I see flashing lights and hear the loud noise of a tow truck. I was so excited I ran all over the house and said THEY ARE TOWING THE CAR, THEY ARE TOWING THE CAR! My excitment only lasted the night... this morning we awoke to find a crapper old junker covered in stickers sitting in the towed car's place. I know the owner of the car - I've seen them go into the house 4 doors down --- there was no one parked in front of that house this morning -- just our house! There is a license plate on the front of the junker that says "Pam & Ken" - funny, because I see two teenage boys driving the car. Well, Pam & Ken, park in front of your own house!! I guess I need to turn into the typical burgher and put lawn chairs up to guard the spot in front of my house. And if anyone reading this blog is not from the burgh - you will never realize the importance and sacredness of parking spots in Pittsburgh. I've never seen anything like it. One time when I was renting a house - I came home, it was winter and snowing - the neighbor had obviously shoveled a spot for a car on the street, but it was the only spot open on the street so I parked there --- free country right --- Its a city street. Well, my neighbor knocked on the door and made me move my car!!! YUP!! Craziness. Welcome to the burgh.

Thankful ABCs

I'm thankful for all these things and so much more!!

A = Andrea
B = brother
C = Craig
D = Dad
E = entertainment
F = friendships and family
G = God's grace
H = home and hugs
I = Iris
J = jokes
K = kindness
L = love and laughter
M = Mom
N = naps
O = outdoors
P = patience
Q = quality time
R = red hair
S = snow
T = Trent
U = umbrellas
V = vision
W = Wesley
X = (is there ever a good word for X)??
Y = youth
Z = zoo

Kitchen Cabinets

I am very excited because there is a delivery coming our way. Tomorrow we are supposed to get our delivery of our new kitchen cabinets... which means that our kitchen remodel is just around the corner. We picked our new appliances which should arrive on Saturday. I'm so excited to have a kitchen. My kitchen now only has about 1 foot of counter space next to the sink and that just doesn't work. I've resorted to walking around the corner to my mom's house to use her kitchen to bake. I just can't wait for it all to be done. I'll make sure to include pictures of the newly remodeled kitchen when it arrives.

My Boy's Birthday

Today my baby turns 37. I have to say that I haven't had much time to think bout doing anything special - so I pulled some stuff together at the last minute. I feel bad, but he is so cool - he doesn't care. I just hope he knows how much I love him and I can't wait to spend many many many more years with him. MUUUUUUUAH!!! Love you baby!

Amazing Maui

Messiah Reunion

Messiah Reunion was great - it was pretty much girls weekend - had a blast w/ my best friends. Its so awesome that 4 friends (minus Naomi "Pony"..there in spirit) can hold such a close bond and live so many miles apart.

Heidi better known as Heids from B-town (Baltimore) - one of the dearest, sweetest, bestest girlfriend anyone could ever have. She would do anything for you - she is always the one at the brunt of the jokes, but laughs along and keeps us laughing w/ her stories. She loves deeper than anyone I know. She can make you feel like the best person and always remembers to send you those reminders that she's thinking of you. She's creative and happy. Teacher of the Year!! Who hangs out with their students on the weekends - thats my Heids.

Lisa better known as Lease, Queen LaLisa, Lisa from the Bronx. My dear sweet, quiet, observing Lisa. She feels and cares and knows more than anyone I know. She has the purest/truest heart for the city - i don't know anyone who loves the city more than my dear sweet friend. She may appear gangsta on the outside, but she is soft as icecream in the inside. We will always be the gummy sisters and have a special bond that no one else can have. We can go weeks without talking and still be closer than ever. Thats my Lease.

Robin better known as Rob, Robs or Robin moved to the south - New Orleans. Rob is always there for you - she is selfless and so so so sweet. If you want a true loyal best friend -pick Robin because she will always look out for you and include you in her adventures. She is very adventurous - moving to Armenia and meeting the man of her dreams! She keeps us stable and straight and still knows how to have fun. She knows what she wants and goes after it. She's beautiful and tender. Thats my Robs.

I'm so lucky to have such beautiful Christian women in my life.