Outta the Loop

College semesters have begun for both daughters so we had a family game night last weekend.
Snacks, Wii and a good game of Hands and Foot made for a fun night.

The eldest DD preparing for a strike in Wii bowling. Notice the sweater? It's the Central Park Hoodie in Vanna's Choice Worsted. She really likes the style of the CPH and she places her order for a new one every year.




Youngest DD who is not happy with her last Wii golf swing.

Speaking of outta the loop, we've missed every snowstorm until last week. We were graced with almost a foot of snow. Looks like there's a BIG storm coming for Groundhog Day. We shall see given the weatherman's missed calls this year. I happen to be one who enjoys winter much more than summer. Not a fan of excessive heat, humidity or rain.

Been in a funk lately and the fresh snowfall made me smile :)

What kind of weather makes you smile?

It's a Birthday Celebration

Guess who has a birthday today. I'll give you a few hints.
He is an employee of an Ice Cream company.
He's the father of 4 children (a few of them have probably forgotten his birthday today:).
He's the owner of dear Mr. Bettis (who thinks everyday is one Big Party).

I'm sure you've figured it out. The birthday guest of honor is none other than the DH.
I won't tell his age except to say he's half a century + 1.
LOL..........sneaky aren't I?



Frugal living is still a way of life here these days.


We agreed to no gifts until the economy improves so we're planning a game of scrabble or yahtzee tonite.

This ball of yarn was calling my name. So I cast on for the Ishbel shawl. I'm now to the lace part and I'm lovin' this knit.

Of course it's sunny out which means Mr. Bettis thinks it's necessary to run in and out, in and out, in and out...........you get the picture.

He can't wait to spend quality birthday time with his owner and I can't wait for him to spend time with him either. He can get up and down to let Mr. B in and out all evening.

After all, it's time spent with man's best friend.

What better gift could he possibly have? ..............LOL

The Game is On

Our team went to State Championships yesterday. The Field Captain was Drum Major for the day. She was so excited and had a lot of fun.
Multi-tasking she's trying to watch the game and direct stand tunes.
The very last band game performance for this Drum Major/Field Captain. She's a senior.




A fun picture.
The opposing team is a team from a city magnet school. I have my opinion on magnet schools. Although I'm sure there are benefits I disagree with a magnet school competing against a non-magnet school. Just my opinion.
The opposing team was arrogant and rude until.........we scored. There was a comment made to our coach earlier in the week from this team stating they were going to whoop our a$%es. At halftime we were winning 13-12. Their team had a different approach to our team in the second half and the opposing team actually exhibited good sportmanship conduct.





This is the acting Drum Major for the day at halftime. She had an awesome salute and was cheered by the fans. There were approximately 5,000 fans from our small hometown to support the team, band and students.
The second half of the game was a lip biting experience. We were 19-18 until the last 2 seconds of the game. We lost. 19-20. In the last 2 seconds.






This says it all.








p.s. There was a pep rally downtown for the boys when they returned. They were escorted by the city police and the band played for them. Text messages were flying on the DD's phone last night after the pep rally. The kids are resilient and have planned for Monday to be a red & white day. Meaning? They will show up at school in their school colors. School Pride dominates once again:).

Thank you, my blogging friends, who have supported us/our daughter through this year. You guys are awesome:)
A Very Special Thank You goes out to my BFF and my parents who made a very special effort to support our daughter and actually attend her senior events. It has meant more to her and us than you will ever know. Thank you so much.

Play Nice or......

Friday night Football again. I certainly don't mean to bore you but it's our life.
We are trying to enjoy this year in spite of adversity and impending medical issues.






Our daughter/Field Captain/Drum Major marching to the beat. The Band was excited and upbeat and ready for a big game. There were predictions we would lose and in spite of losing any game our fans/kids still have fun.






A funny moment with the band director right before she directed the fight song.









Here she is, directing the Alma Mater at the beginning of the game.
Jessi, I promise I will get a video clip and post it but probably not until the Homecoming game when I can get the complete band show in daylight hours.

p.s. This post has been updated due to some not-very-nice comments that have since been deleted. I don't normally respond to nasty comments but I must ask that unless you attended and witnessed the ENTIRE pre-game and the game itself, please reserve judgement.
Hopefully the Truth will prevail and it did. The opposing team was reprimanded for bad behavior.

The Game

This is the Big Red Machine coming through their helmet on game day.







The Red School's Marching Band during performance. There is a sea of blue on the opposing side and the Red sea is on the home side. (we're the red in case you haven't figured that out).










The Piccolo Pirate is the one with the long pony tail. These are not happy faces as we were losing the game.
It was cold. It was wet. And we lost.
But all is not so bad as we head off to playoffs this Saturday. We're a 9-1 team so they have done well this year.
The kids have fun so that is what really counts anyway. We're the school who has fun even when we lose.

There was one small problem. The opposing team's band never shows for this game. They have a boombox they play during their teams' achievements. It sounds like a tin-can but to each his own. There was an announcement that the Red school would play the national anthem and then their alma mater as we are the home team this year. The Blue school stood respectively during the national anthem then turned on their boombox to drown out the alma mater. There's a big to-do going on right now with the alumni of the Red school and the local newspaper editorial is bombarded with letters. Good, I say. The Blue school owes the Red school alumni an apology for their disrespectful, rude and bad behaviour. But I doubt that happens. Thank goodness the Red school has respect and regard for the opposing teams.




Mr. Milo came to visit and he is getting big. Here he is on "time-out." His "parents" had to discipline him several times on Saturday and he was put on "time-out" for 11 minutes.

Do you think his "parents" know he's a d-o-g?


There will be a contest posted this week so get ready. I'll give you a hint........it has something to with Thanksgiving.