Steel City Vacation

I’m baaaaaaack! That’s right, folks, I survived what had to be the Busiest. Vacation. Ever. The drive out to Pittsburgh was uneventful, but I wish I could say the same for the return trip. But I’ll come back to that later. After settling into our room, HF and I took the kids to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2. I was quite pleased to see that the series was finished off as well as it had begun. My mother-in-law chose to go to the casino, but was already in her room when we returned.

The next day began bright and early, so we could get to Kennywood (amusement park) as they were opening. Poor Princess Gingersnap was just an inch shy of the tallest height restriction, and therefore had to miss out on the Thunderbolt, one of the best wooden roller coasters ever, and the Sky Rocket, their newest coaster. She did, however, get to ride the Racer, the Phantom’s Revenge, and the Exterminator for the first time. As is our custom, we stayed until closing.

The following day we took the tour of Heinz Field, which not only took us through the team museum, but we got to see the press box, locker rooms, and the sidelines. GO STEELERS!! Afterward, we enjoyed a tasty (and reasonably priced) lunch at Grille 36, Jerome Bettis’ restaurant. Then we walked back to the hotel and napped until it was time to go to the Pirates game.

The game was delayed for about forty minutes due to the rain, but since we had the “All you can eat” seats, the kids were kept entertained until the game resumed. Before the second inning, there were rumbles of thunder, and flashes of lightning, and the players left the field. It poured for another forty minutes or so before the game started again. The Pirates beat the Reds 2-0 and held on to their first place spot in the division. That made for a fun night, and a lovely walk home.

Our last full day was spent at the zoo and the Pittsburgh museum (a local branch of the Smithsonian, which happened to be across from our hotel). I got lots of cute pictures, but my favorite was one of the tigers, lying by a waterfall. I don’t usually have such good luck with photos, so this was especially impressive. The museum was pretty cool too, as they had a sports exhibit with displays from all the local professional and school teams.

As for our trip home . . . For some reason, my MIL seemed hell bent on pushing all my buttons, and I had to exercise remarkable restraint by not cursing her out and/or slugging her. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier to pull into her parking lot (so I could be rid of her).

Unfortunately, I was unable to relax at all, because we had to go to the doctor’s office for HF. And wouldn’t you know it, they screwed up the appointment. The gorgon at the desk insisted there was nothing she could do, and that he should come back tomorrow, but I pointed out that we had just driven five hours to make it back for the appointment time that they gave him only the day before. She shook her head at us, and I walked out before my temper got the best of me.
Apparently, that nudged the old battleaxe into gear, because somehow, she magically found out a way to work him in . . . And to think, I actually wanted to do medical office work once upon a time. Yep, it’s back to reality, all right.

Sweet Summertime

Normally, our summers are fully booked well ahead of time. But this year, due to some scheduling snafus, we’ve found ourselves making up our plans as we go along. Despite my Type-A tendencies, I’m having a wonderful time. For once, we were home to spend the Fourth of July holiday celebrating with good friends (whereas we’re normally at the beach, but with my step-mother-in-law’s elderly neighbors). And last weekend, we went down to the Jersey shore (yes, that Jersey shore) with some dear friends. The riptides were brutal and the life guards wouldn't let anyone in more than knee-deep water, and we all had sand in places we'd rather not mention, but we all had a marvelous time.

This weekend is our one and only pre-planned trip. We’re heading to Pittsburgh with my mother-in-law. I cannot stand traveling with her, but it's her hometown. So there's no way we could go without her. Besides, the only non-smoking room they had was a king, so the kids will have to stay in her room. Oh darn.

We will, of course, spend a day at Kennywood, and another day touring Heinz Field and enjoying Pirates game. They’re playing the Cincinnati Reds, which should be entertaining—especially since we got the “All you can eat” seats. Another possibility is a visit the Pittsburgh Zoo, to which we haven’t been since I was pregnant with Princess Gingersnap. We’re all excited, and even tie dyed tee shirts in black and gold to wear on the trip. Best of all, we’re using Husband Fixture's Hilton Points for the trip.

Best. Book. Ever.

You're welcome.

Of Thieves and Droids—Part Deux

On Sunday, we attended our friends’ annual Memorial Weekend party.  On the way there, we had to stop and find a wifi signal to hijack so Husband Fixture could post the final paper for his Master’s course, as we had been without the internet since Thursday.  Once completed, we had even more reason to par-tay.  (Yes, I spelled that correctly)

Our host had recently been inducted as an honorary member of a fraternity at his alma mater, so in addition to the usual crowd, his frat brothers attended.  Oh, how amusing it was to watch our dear friend try to keep up with the college boys.  My hubby and I were among the last few people standing at the end of the night.  Good times. 

The next day, we had to run out for a few things, including a new cell phone.  My phone ended up going for a swim the night before, and as they no longer make that phone, I’d have had to wait a few days for a replacement.  Yeah, not happening.  So I bit the bullet and upgraded to one of the Droid based phones, despite my total lack of interest in the, “there’s an app for that,” craze. But a few of my friends own these devices, so I knew I’d have help setting the danged thing up and using it. 

Then began what we now call the Hangover Redeux.  Basically, we invited a few friends to hang out at our place and nurse our hangovers while the kids ran rampant.  And a member of my personal Geek Squad helped me with my phone.  I’ve almost gotten the hang of it . . .    

Of Thieves and Droids—Part One

First, an update: 

In case you’ve been living under a rock, you already know that Hines Ward won Dancing With the Stars.   Needless to say, I was thrilled.  Now we just need that blasted NFL lockout to end, so he can return to playing football.  

Memorial weekend was rather eventful.  The chaos began on Friday, where I was scheduled to work at the high school library.  I was pumped about this assignment until I arrived to find that a nearby road had been closed and several teachers and subs were going to be late or calling out altogether.  I was re-assigned to a Biology classroom.  As I was reading through the lesson plans, the originally scheduled sub walked in and relieved me. 

My next assignment was for an English classroom, and I actually enjoyed my day—until I went to grab my car keys out of my purse and discovered my wallet was missing!  I dashed back to the classroom (which was at the opposite end of the school from the office, of course) to check that it hadn’t fallen out of my purse or something.  No such luck.  I was telling one of the secretaries that I was going to check my car before filling out a report, and the principal overheard and offered to walk me to my car.  My wallet wasn’t there, either, so the report was filed. 

I dashed home, and began making the necessary phone calls.  Husband Fixture and I were fortunate that I had discovered the theft and were able to report it before any suspicious activity occurred on any of our accounts.    And since I had no cash in my wallet, they pretty much only got a nice Coach wallet out of the deal.  HAH!  Take that, you thieving bastard! 

Not to be deterred from enjoying our weekend, we packed the kids up and sent them off to Grandma’s so we could enjoy dinner and a movie with friends as planned.  Dinner was fabulous, but we did have another snafu at the theater.   The show we wanted to see was sold out, and so was the next one.  So our friend Todd checked the listings for a nearby theater on his iphone and we were in luck.  We parted ways, and I somehow ended up riding with Todd, despite the fact that neither of us knew how to get to this theater.   Mr. Todd’s Wild Ride ensued, as we zipped through traffic and ended up in a residential neighborhood a few streets over from the theater.  I also developed an even more vehement loathing for iphones. 

But we did get to the theater in time to catch Hangover II with the rest of our friends, and enjoyed it thoroughly.  

The Classical and the Crass

I don’t normally watch Dancing With the Stars.  But when one of my favorite athletes, Hines Ward, signed on to do the do the show I made it a priority to tune in.   It is also not my habit to blog about  tv shows, but this week provided way too much fodder for discussion (even if that discussion was only between me, myself, and I). 

This week’s theme was classical, which I really enjoyed.  Even if the dances sucked, I had the chance to listen to some of the most beautiful music ever composed.  The only thing that really bugged me—besides Hines and Kym getting gypped in their scores, was the whole “Bolero” thing that almost every number contained.  For those that don’t get the reference, I guess I’m showing my age here.  Think Olympic ice dancing with  Torvill and Dean. They earned a perfect score (and the gold medal) with their performance to Ravel’s Bolero in 1984.  The number ended with both skaters lying on the ice.  For a few years after that, it seemed every ice dancing number ended with one or both of the team lying on the ice.   

Speaking of death, Kendra really needs to go the hell home.  Not only does she lack the grace and elegance for ballroom dancing, she cannot keep her mouth shut.  When the judges commented on her lack of elegance, she said, “I just don’t care about it.”  The next night, during the results show, Brook Burke asked her about her performance, and she admitted to not feeling her best due to , “womanly things.”  Really classy, Kendra.  

Something I did notice was that Jennifer Hudson (who performed beautifully) wore a dress that made her look like a Polly Pocket doll.  It seemed like it was cut too short, and I was concerned that there would be a wardrobe malfunction.

And speaking of wardrobe malfunctions, what’s up with Kirstie Alley losing her shoe?  Last week her partner dropped her, and this week her shoe comes off.  She just can’t seem to catch a break.  I hope next week goes a bit better for her (though not so well that she beats my boy).

Last but not least, I have to mention that the Lieutenant Len bit was bloody stupid. For those that were lucky enough to miss it, allow me to spoil your blissful ignorance.  Len, one of the judges, dressed up like George Patton with sequin accents. No, I'm not joking.  How I wish I were . . .   The celebrity contestants were dressed in army tees, hats, dog tags, and camo pants.  He barked "orders" at them, as he explained next week's theme to them (songs about America).   I have no problem with doing a cute bit to introduce the next week’s theme, and I get that Len is the toughest of the judges.  But the theme is patriotic songs, and he’s British!  Did I mention the whole bit was stupid?

That’s it for this week’s rant.  GO HINES!!  

Of Gimmicks and Godfathers

My followers (all four of you—thanks!) already know my posting here isn’t exactly regular, and the posts themselves are pretty random.  I originally intended to have a discussion topic per week at least, and possibly feature one famous left hander per post.  That obviously never happened.

And after reading some of the other blogs I follow, I think my main issue is that I don’t have a special theme or features for my blog.  As proclaimed in Gypsy Rose,  “Ya’ gotta’ have a gimmick.” Of course, once this realization smacked me in the head, I began wracking my brain to figure out what my gimmick should be.

I guess I'll be saying hello to his little friend soon.

Thank heaven for Facebook.  I stumbled upon blogging gold the other day, when some of my friends began quoting from the movie Scarface.  Upon my admission that I had never seen this film, I was informed that it was a lot like The Godfather, only more violent.  Uhm . . . I haven’t seen that one, either.*  I was threatened with shunning by my obviously cooler and more culturally savvy friends.   Luckily, they took pity on me instead, and an Al Pacino movie marathon was proposed.  It will take place over several months, watching one or more movies a week (in order), and we’ll take turns hosting.  This will also, I hope, garner me a few more followers. A girl can dream, can't she?

Of course, if I come up with any other brilliant ideas, or have something to get off my chest, I reserve the right to do so—regardless of whether I have any Pacino posting to do. 

*In my defense, I did at least attempt to see The Godfather.  Husband Fixture and I borrowed the boxed set from a coworker of his.  But the first DVD was damaged, and kept skipping.  It drove us so crazy, we couldn’t get through the movie.