Penn State vs. Illinois 9/27/08

The crowd is yelling the "WE ARE...Penn State!"

OK. I NOW get it!

Last night, Pete and I attended the Penn State and Illinois game. Both teams were ranked in the top 25. It was televised and the turn out was impressive--over 109,000! The eighth largest in school history. So, not bad for our first game (to attend)!It was a "white out" which meant we were all supposed to wear white. I got a picture of the student section and the "S."

We took this at the end of the game. It was way past our bed time.
There is the team at the beginning of the game.
Beaver Stadium from the outside.
The Blue Band is showing off its skill. We were on the 45th yard line! We had awesome seats.
Oh, and did I mention that PSU won? It was a blast.

Making progress...

Lilly is having fewer accidents (almost none) and she actually thinks I'm her momma. The other night she was curled up in Pete's lap on the floor and saw me on the couch. She got up, walked over and jumped on to my belly. And here she is cuddling with me. So, the progress is she isn't having accidents and I'm smiling with a dog on my lap!

Nature vs. Nurture

Have you ever wondered why we turn out the way we do? Is it our genetic makeup or influences from our parents, or both?

I tend to have a hard time keeping my mouth shut sometimes. I think I'm like my dad that way. I am also opinionated (I'm usually right, though). OK, that's a joke.

Today I sent a letter to a paving company that tarred and chipped our private road. This company did this a year ago and then, to make it better, did it again just last week. One of the neighbors has been in charge of collecting money and communicating with the company. But, this year we all had to put in $800 (per household) to tar and chip the road. The company held our money for months. They were supposed to do the job in July but I guess we had some rainy days and they got behind. By the time they made it to our job, the price of oil had gone up. So, here is where I get a little irritated. We all had to send in an additional $133 to cover the difference! Why didn't they buy their supplies when they got the money in the first place? Is this right that they can quote us one price and then charge another? Perhaps we would have gone with another company? So, I sent them a letter and said that I am still considering complaining to the Better Business Bureau. Am I out of line?

Pete would have a cow if he knew I sent them a letter. I wonder how many times my mom rolled her eyes at all the letters my dad sent to various companies in the past?

My week.

This is not an ordinary week for me. I am working two days at the hospital and I'm going to a Penn State football game this weekend. I'm excited about that. I also have to make a meal for a friend who lost her dad last week in surgery. Our group of moms are so sad for her and we will do whatever she (and her mom) needs at this time. Another thing I have to do is make a snack for my bible study (it's my small groups turn to make the treats). So, it's going to be a busy week. And I still have Clayton's soccer and Kendall's ballet.

Tagged

I was tagged by my old friend, Cheryl, for this post. So, here it goes:

Ten years ago I was:
Still living in Wisconsin after separating from my husband. Trying to figure out what next. 1998 was not a great year for me...

Five Things on today's to do list:
1. go to the grocery store
2. go to play group at the park
3. pick up Pete's sports coat at the dry cleaners
4. do some laundry/tidy the house
5. pick up Kendall after school
6. go to Clayton's soccer practice (more than five, I know)

A snack I enjoy:
I like Cheezits when I'm craving something salty along with a Coke Zero. I also like Dannon's all natural blueberry yogurt.

Things I would do if I were a millionaire:
Pay off all my debt (credit cards, house, car)
Travel, travel, travel.
I would donate money to charities that help women and children

Places I have lived:
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Harrison, Arkansas
Clarksville, Tennessee
Onalaska, Wisconsin
Springfield, Missouri
and now Central PA

The five people I am tagging:
I don't think I will tag anyone, but feel free to do it if you want!

Coincidence?

Two things happened this week that made me go hmmmmmm? Midweek, I was driving the kids somewhere and the subject of pirates came up. Kendall asked me if there were pirates today and I said yes. I had heard a story on NPR regarding modern day pirates and tried to explain it to her. And then she said, "and God hates pirates." "Now, how do I use this as a teaching opportunity," I thought to myself. I said that God doesn't hate them, he just doesn't like what they do. I told her that God loves everybody. And that we come across people even nowadays that we may not like what they do, but we still need to treat them the way we want to be treated. Fast forward to this morning in church. The lady that oversees the children's ministries at church gives a children's message before they are sent out for the remainder of church. Today, she started her message asking the children if they wear glasses. Some raised their hands. She then asked them if they knew of other types of glasses. She pulled out sunglasses, safety goggles and swimming goggles. She explained that those types of glasses all have their own special purpose. Then she said the kids need to wear their pretend "Jesus glasses" when they look at other people. They need to look at other people the way that Jesus would look at them. They may not be like us or look like us, but that everyone is a child of God and God loves them.

The second thing that happened what just about being in the right place at the right time. I have been looking for a twin bed for Clayton. I've checked some local stores as well as craigslist. I'm in no hurry, but I know that eventually we will need a bed for Clayton. A friend's neighborhood was having a big garage sale on Saturday so I decided to go take a look. I wasn't having much luck when one of Kendall's classmate's moms yelled from across the street at me. I explained I was on a mission for a twin bed for my 4 year old. She told me she had a twin bed that we could have. It was a really nice wooden platform frame with a mattress that they were no longer using. Just what I was looking for. We arranged for a pick up time later that day. I couldn't believe it.

Rain, rain go away...

It's a rainy day here in Central Pennsylvania. And it seems cold to me. I know in March that 60 degrees will feel like a heat wave. But for now, I am freezing. I decided that I want roast beef with carrots and potatoes tonight. It just seems like this weather screams comfort food like that. So, it's in the oven right now.

Today Kendall had her yearly physical. She is almost 40 pounds and I'm not sure how tall she is. She asked me the other day if she would always be small. I told her most likely she would always be small like me. The doctor said she is looking like 5'2". Funny, I'm 5'2". I didn't say it, but it means she can date tall guys and short guys later on. Much later on, that is.

Nothing going on for the weekend. I will probably be pulling my hair out by Sunday night. I really wanted to go to a movie this weekend with Pete but I haven't set anything up yet for baby sitting. I heard Tropic Thunder is hilarious and I could use a movie like that.

Last, but not least, yesterday was Kendall's first ballet lesson. It was so cute and I was impressed with how well she paid attention and followed directions. She really wants to be there. At the end, each girl got to dance by herself, however she wanted, and Kendall really went all out. I had tears. I know I didn't want ballet for her but I'm glad she is there. Her face was beaming the whole time. I guess it's not all about me after all.

First Soccer Practice...

Clayton had his first soccer practice last night. Oh my gosh, it was fun to watch.



I tried to emphasize that he just needs to have fun and not always win. I'm hoping he learns that very important lesson. Clayton was pretty good, too. However, towards the end of the practice, he started goofing around and staring off into the distance.

Tomorrow, it's ballet with Kendall.

Good Movie...

I cried last night. We watched the movie Ray. It's about the life of singer Ray Charles (real name was Ray Charles Robinson). He grew up in the segregated south and was raised by a single mother and never knew his dad. He lost his sight around the age of 7. His story held my interest for the entire movie.

Ray Charles owed everything to his mother. She taught him several lessons that got him through life, even though sometimes he stumbled.

1. When you fall down you must pick yourself up and move on. There was a flashback seen to when he had just lost his sight and came running into the house. He lay on the floor calling for his mother. She stopped herself from running over and picking him up. She even seemed to hold her breath so that he wouldn't know she was there. A minute to two went by and young Ray stopped and listened. To his left he heard the tea pot on the stove. He turned the other way and walked toward a fire that was burning some coals. He pulled his hand away from the fire and walked around a wall. He heard a horse go by. You then see him walk over to a cricket that is chirping on the floor. His mother has tears running down her cheeks and he says, "I know you're there, momma. Why are you sad?" She replies, "I'm not sad. I'm happy." Of course, I couldn't hold back the tears either.

2. Don't let people take advantage of you. Another flashback was shown where Aretha Robinson (Ray's mother) confronts a woman she works for. It turns out that the woman was paying a white woman more money than Ray's mother for the same work (laundry). Aretha Robinson told her she won't work for her anymore. It even meant that she might go without for a while, but she knew she had an example to set for her sons.

3. What feels the safest, isn't always what's best for you. This is self-explanatory but I'll explain how it fits regarding the movie. Ray's mother worked with him on several things but there came a point where she couldn't help him anymore. She finally made the choice to send him to Florida to a school for the blind. He was crying and didn't want to leave his momma. This part made me cry, too. I can't imagine what she was going through. At no time did she pity him or tell him it was OK to feel sorry for himself. She made him strong and at one point the older Ray remembers his mother's words--"Nothin's free, but Jesus."

4. Stand up for what is right. Ray Charles was one of the first entertainers to boycott states that had segregated audiences.

5. We all have "baggage" and it shouldn't keep us from doing our best. Ray Charles had his demons but kept on pursuing his love of music. He could have given up many times over, but knew that no one was going to take care of him. He had to make it happen.

Ray Charles wasn't perfect but his life story is fascinating considering what he had to go through. He was a heroin addict until later in his career. He was one of the first people to mix country, gospel and R&B. He was a pioneer in producing music. What is extraordinary is that he did all of this without his sight.

My eye puffiness is finally going away. I definitely recommend this movie.

This picture made me laugh

I was sending a picture to my dad and saw this one:

It made me laugh. With that hat and face, it looks like Clayton is auditioning for the Wiggles.

Yuck

Nothing makes the hairs stand up on my neck like a flying insect that stings. And nothing gives me the heevie jeevies more than a bunch of flying insects that sting. So, imagine my horror when my son came in from outside to tell me that there was a bee hive in the bird feeder. "A what?", I ask. Yep, there it was. There is a big hole with a few yellow jackets or hornets (not sure which and does it really matter?) surrounding the hole if you look closely. The top of the nest is the top of the bird feeder and the bottom of the nest is the bottom of the bird feeder. I think it is the size of a basketball. The thing is so camouflaged that I have no idea how long it has been there. Do these nests go up fast? I do know that tonight they are going to DIE!




I am getting sick to my stomach just knowing this nest is out there!

Look out! It's the mighty Lilly...

For some reason, this puppy thinks she is very big and ferocious. Poor Cody is getting her just desserts according to Pete. I guess all puppies pick on the older dogs and so, when they get old, another puppy does the same to them. I took this photo on the deck the other day. Lilly really likes to play and Cody is coming around with it.

Tonight, we are going to the State College Spikes game. They are a minor league baseball team that plays in the area. I think the season is winding down. The radiologists at the hospital are taking the department out to the game--families and all. It will be a lot of fun. I'm so out of it I told Pete yesterday that we will probably need to leave at halftime. Oops, I guess I have football on the brain.

Happy Thursday, everyone!

Me? A Soccer mom?

I bought Clayton his first pair of soccer cleats today. He starts next week. I'm looking forward to it and I think he is too. I'll have to post a picture of him in his new Adidas soccer cleats, the shin guards (mandatory), and really long socks! He was so happy he wore the shoes out of the store.

It looks like I'm going to be a Ballet mom, too. Kendall starts beginning ballet next week. I have to admit, I'm more excited about soccer but the ballet will be cute to watch. I have a little girly-girl in me, but I prefer a good athletic competition over dancing any day. I guess Kendall is a little more girly than I was at that age.