This is one I haven’t seen before, a decent coach

If anyone around here follows high school football, Northwestern had a banner evening last night, defeating Reynolds 16-6.  The football game was unusually exciting, considering last year’s season.  The one thing I found wonderfully refreshing is that our new Head Coach, Shaw, wasn’t screaming at the football players (something we all witnessed at EVERY game last year with the old coach), nor was he using expletives (another thing we had to witness last year with the old coach).  The most impressive part of all, was that when the football players had their post game huddle, Coach Shaw was pumping his arm, thanking the Marching Band for their support!  Such a difference from last year.  In particular, I remember one half-time performance the band was running a tad behind.  Instead of waiting for the band to finish, the players just started walking on the field, VERY disrespectful.  It is my understanding that Coach Shaw warned his players to always be respectful of the cheerleaders AND the band.  I just want to give Coach Shaw a big shout out from one impressed band mom.

Solo Riding this morning

The kids started school today.  It was kind of wierd waking up and they were gone (15 and 17 year olds refuse a kiss goodbye or a first day breakfast).  So I got up, changed into a pair of yoga pants, a hoody (it was chilly this morning), and a pair of running shoes.  I filled a water bottle and off I went, riding my new bike.  I rode about 2 miles today and the verdict is official.  I need a wider seat.  My tailbone hurts.  I haven’t heard from my friend, Christine, about her son’s first day of kindergarten.  I know that he will be fine, I am more worried about her.  Happy Wednesday.

Mom, can’t you SEE that?

Saturday I was having a good, productive day.  During the morning, I had cleaned out the washer (who knew varnish does NOT come out of clothes), and ran 6 loads of laundry.  On my last load, Melanie comes down into the basement to pass along some more dirty clothes, and she screams, “Holy shit, Mom.  What the hell is that?”  I look over behind our son’s weight bench, and there he is…..Asia our 14 foot burmese python.  What the hell was he doing in the main part of the basement?  His cage and room are supposed to be escape proof.  Since moving into this house, this is the first escape.  So I go into the snake room, and see that his cage is open about 6 inches, and there is shed everywhere.  I follow the shed into the corner beside the chimney base, and there is a hole about 3 inches tall.  Asia at his roundest is about 8 inches thick.  That damn snake crawled thru that hole and that’s how he got into the main part of the basement.  So I am a little freaked out since Asia weighs over 100 pounds and there is NO WAY I can put him back by myself (Joshua was at work and therefore useless to me in this situation).  So I call a friend who also has snakes and ask him to come over and help me.  I swear Asia heard me, because as soon as I got off the phone, he decided to “explore” more of the basement.  He was trying to get into the corner where Joshua keeps his tool boxes.  I was afraid he would stab himself on a tool or a nail or whatever, so I go back into the snake room and grab the hook.  It basically looks like and upsidedown cane and you use it to handle snakes.  So I am hooking him every 30 seconds to keep him from getting any further into the tool boxes.  This, of course pisses him off, so he starts to hiss at me.  Now, we have had Asia for over 4 years (we rescued him from an abusive home), and he has never bitten any of us.  But the way I saw it, there was a first time for everything.  So after what seemed like a half an hour (he got stuck by a train), Jim shows up and gallantly assists me in getting Asia back into his cage.  All the while, I am calling and texting Joshua about his escapee, and I am getting no response (which added to my general irritation).  So, all’s well in the Vadney reptile room.  The best we can guess is Asia used his nose to slide open the door, and in the process of freeing himself, he shed his skin.  Perfectly natural occurance (the shed, not the escape).  Now that we know the little bastard can open his cage, we put locking shims against the glass so he can’t do this again.  Just when I think I am ok about Joshua’s hobby, something like this reminds me that I have a husband who loves snakes.  Lucky me.  I was trying to upload a picture of Asia taken last year but I can’t seem to get it to work.  If anyone is interested in seeing it, I can email it to you.

Sometimes I amaze myself….

If you have been reading this blog, then you know I am preparing for the Dan Rice Days celebration in Girard.  I have been crocheting and sewing like a woman possessed for the last 8 weeks.  I think I have enough, but I have never done a show this big, so who knows.  It’s an outside event, so Joshua and I bought a 10×10 canopy this weekend.  It’s a nice, durable canopy with metal fixtures and a blue topped canopy.  To me, it just looked too plain.  So I invited my crafting partner in crime, Jody over and we painted roses across the front half of the canopy.  It looks so beautiful, and original.  We bought the canopy at Wal-Mart, so I am assuming there will be several blue topped canopies at the event.  But ours will be the prettiest because we took the time to make it ours.

My dining room has been over run with inventory, supplies, 2 sewing machines (mine needs work, so I pulled out melanie’s)  She NEVER uses it so I feel like they are both mine.  Joshua will be very happy when this weekend is over and I can take all the invenory and store it in the basement.

So, back to crocheting.  I am currently making pumpkin hats for toddlers.  Have a great evening.

Answers to Questions you were Afraid to Ask, Part Two

51.  Ron is my second bestest boy friend.  There are you happy now?

Is it possible to OD on crochet?

Dan Rice Days is around the corner and I think I am ready.  This will be my first BIG craft show, and I am more than a little nervous.  I hate crowds, but I want a lot of people there to buy all the cute and ingenious shit I have created over the last 6 weeks.   Baby dolls, kitchen towels, dish cloths, vintage doilies, rice bags, travel pillows.  You name it, I have crocheted it.  Sometimes it seems like I wake up, eat breakfast, crochet until Joshua comes home, cook dinner, then it’s back to my chair for more creativity until I can’t see the stitches anymore (this usually happens around midnight).

I feel like Jim Carrol (The Basketball Diaries), do I have enough time to finish the projects exploding in my head?  Let’s hope so, if not, save them for the winter shows.

I Know it’s a shameless plug, but I hope to see some of my blog friends at Dan Rice Days.  There’s always good food, chinese auctions, raffles, crafts, and kettle corn actually made in the big black kettle, not to mention my smiling face.

Have a good weekend.

Band Season is Here Again

Well, it’s here.   The kids are pumped, learning the new routine, the new songs.  The band has moved up in class in both PA and NY.  This basically means they have to step up their game if they want to continue their winning streak (3 NYSFBC State titles in NY, 3 second place trophies at LMBA in PA).  This will be Melanie’s third year.  The first year. I was gungho.  Co-chairing the fundraising committee, organizing the first annual craft show, chaperoning, flag making (that was a bitch, 30 flags).  Last year I started to “fall apart” so to speak and I wasn’t much use to anyone, especially in my role as a band mom.  I gave up my chair for fundraising, and delegated all my extra duties to other parents.  I felt horrible about it.  Like I wasn’t pulling my weight as a volunteer.  The reason I am telling you this is because my former co-chair wants me back.  We are very good friends and we get along wonderfully.  So I told her when she started again, let me know and I will help.  I won’t bein charge of anyhing, but I an still help.

8 Great Mondays

Tonight is the third installment of the 8 Great Mondays running program offered by Barb Filutze and the Erie Runner’s Club.  We meet at the Cookhouse at PISP.  This was a lot of fun last year and I am sure that Barb has plenty instore for us.  This is not just for the ladies.  Guys are welcome, too.  This is a free style training program to get people ready for the Hamot 10K in August, and the HerTimes 5K in October.  Even if you don’t consider yourself a “runner”, show up anyway.  It can be a lot of fun and a great way to meet new people.

Answers to Questions You Were Afraid to Ask…

1. I am 34 years old
2. I have 2 children, Mike is 17, and Melanie is 15 (you do the math)
3. I got married to my high school sweetheart when I was 17.  We have been married 17 years.
4. I have 2 Siberian Huskies, Kira and Buddha.  Buddha has got to be the dumbest dog I have ever owned.
5. I was born in Erie, PA at St Vincent Hospital
6. While my mother was giving birth to yours truly, my father passed out in the waiting room with a ruptured appendix.  We were all in the hospital at the same time, it even made the papers (must have been a slow news day)
7. I am the oldest of my mother’s children.
8. I have 2 sisters and 1 brother.
9. My mother is crazy (literally).
10. She has lovingly passed on her mental illness to ALL of her children.  She should have just given us a toaster or something.
11. I live in a very small, rural town in Northwestern PA
12. I have lived in Erie, and East Springfield, and Albion Pennsylvania, Biloxi and Gulfport Mississippi, Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Oceanview Virginia, Port Huneme, San Diego, and Bakersfield California, Spring Texas, and Key West and Miami Florida.
13. I moved 17 times in 12 years (my dad was in the Navy)
14. My father died of lung cancer when I was 25 years old, he was 45
15. I love music, mostly alternative, but pop can sometimes get me with a catchy tune.
16. My most favorite bands are Godsmack, Staind, and Disturbed. 
17. I love Melissa Etheridge and truly believe I could go gay for her.  Her music speaks to me in a way I cannot describe.
18. My favorite meal is meatloaf made with ground turkey, baked potato, and green beans.
19. I can crochet, cross stitch, and sew.
20. I have won 45 ribbons in the Albion Fair for my crafts.  Most of them were first place.
21. I love to grow my own veggies and can them for my family.
22. I am a democrat….my husband was a democrat when I married him.  Then he said he grew up.
23. We have a no talking policy come campaign/debate time.
24. My favorite place in the world is Key West, FL
25. When I die, I want to be cremated and have half my ashes released in the Kern River in Bakersfield, CA, and the other half scattered in the Gulf of Mexico off of Key West.
26. I did not graduate from high school.  I got a GED.
27. I attended college for 2 1/2 years.
28. I got married at sunset, and rode off to my one night honeymoon on the back of my new husband’s motorcycle.
29. Even after 17 years, I am still in love with my husband.
30. I love to garden (flowers, herbs, and food)
31. My favorite ice cream is butter pecan
32. My favorite color is black
33. I have seen the Red hot Chili Peppers in concert and Anthony’s abs are a work of art
34. I have also seen Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Godsmack (3 times), Staind (3 times), Live (twice), Disturbed, Nickelback (twice), Melissa Etheridge, Buckcherry, Hinder, and Papa Roach in concert
35. My best girl friend is Christine.
36. My best boy friend is Joshua.
37. I can drive a stick shift.
38. I have worked as a Potter’s mistress, throwing pots and bowls on a wheel.
39. I have worked as a costume Designer for the play “Cabaret” in Key West
40. I have worked as a costume designer for a few friends who were strippers
41. I hated my last job
42. I own a ring for each of my fingers
43. I have my ears pierced 5 times
44. I have a tattoo of an orchid on my right calf
45. I love musicals.  Most favorite is The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
46. I don’t like black eyed peas or avocado
47. I teach crochet to students in the summer time
48. I love the beach
49. I like to run 5k races for exercise, I am not fast, but I do it anyway
50. The outside of me does not reflect how I see myself inside.

Walkin’ In Memphis

Last week we took our yearly trip to Memphis to visit Joshua’s mother, Laura,  and Granddad.  The trip was nice and relaxing, we had absolutely NO AGENDA, and it felt soooo good.  Don’t get me wrong, we didn’t laize the days away.  We went swimming a few times at Jenn and Chris’.  Jenn and Joshua have been friends since the crib, and a Memphis visit is not complete without an evening spent with their family.  We took Bill (J’s Granddad) to a Mexican restaurant for lunch.  The food was great, and it made me miss how we DON’T have a decent mexican restaurant in Erie.  And a stop in Memphis isn’t worth going unless you have some TOPS BBQ and Sonic.  Laura and I spend a few mornings walking thru her flowerbeds and talking all things gardening.  She even gave me some slips and cuttings from her garden to put in mine.  We rented a vehicle this time and we are really glad we did.  They didn’t have what I reserved but they upgraded up to a Dodge Grand Caravan for the same price …Go Budget, 6 days, 2000 miles= $228… as the standard we ordered.  Because of the van, we were able to bring home a service for 16 china set, which included 2 serving platters 2 serving bowls, sugar and creamer, and 24 tea cups all bordered in gold.  It was Laura’s mother’s and it was to be passed on to Melanie as she is the only daughter, grand daughter, and great granddaughter in Joshua’s family.  It takes up my entire hutch, but it it so very beautiful.  Mel says we should use it for holidays.  Then, Laura commented she needed to shop for a new chair as the chair she bought (not a traditional recliner, but an upright chair that reclines) causes her hip flexion pain.  I offered to take the chair home.  Since taking it would force her to move on buying a new one, she gave it to me.  I love it, always have, and it fits nicely into our living room.  Driving home, Joshua and I both realized we didn’t want to come home.  He is starting to hate his work (and it’s painful, too), and we both could use some much needed stress reduction.  I am trying to think of ways to bring that Memphis feeling back here to Albion.  I think it would be a great way to destress, and take a new shot at all the things that stress us out.  BTW, I brought the camera planning to take LOTS of pictures and I only managed to take 2.  I took a picture of the sign that points to Elizabethtown (from the movie, Mel was happy), and Bonnyville, which I affectionately refer to where my best friend’s mother in law lives.  All in all a great visit, and Joshua is looking forward to his next vacation the week after Christmas.