No Bull I'm Going Bananas!

I've been wanting to post to my blog, but have had no time whatsoever to do so. Kaylee's art is piling up around her room, so I thought I'd take a couple of pics since it only takes a minute and that's about all the time I have these days.

Out of Tragedy Something Good

Today I signed a permission slip from school like no other. The permission slip's letterhead was from the District Attorney's office and it was asking permission to allow students to view a video on underage drinking. Sounds common enough for high school students to view such a video until you know the specifics. Ian McCloskey was a BAHS student who died in an automobile accident that was the result of an underage drunk driver trying to pass another car of friends. The car went off the road, struck several trees, and then caught fire. What was supposed to be a night of teenagers having fun was tragic in so many ways. Friends trying to save friends, but couldn't and a boy starting his life as a man by being convicted of homicide by motor vehicle and DUI. At sentencing hearings victims are permitted to make a victim's impact statement. Ian's mother, Nadine Staiger, used a video to document her loss. According to the DA's office this video was so moving they developed an anti-DUI program that includes the video.

This accident occurred when my daughter and I were staying in the Buffalo area for a soccer tournament. Because of cell phones the news spread like wildfire throughout the hotel within hours of the crash. Instead of kids running amok and having a blast there was crying and consoling and disbelief. The news sent chills down my spine. I did not know the boys involved, but as a mother- a mother whose son was life-flighted to ECMC while we staying at the same hotel a year earlier- my heart ached for his family. My son fell asleep at the wheel about a half mile from home and I'll never forget the phone call. Seat belts saved his life and I make a point to tell kids that along with the fact that driving drowsy almost killed my son.

My son will never become lax at wearing his seat belt and will never drive exhausted again - he learned a lot the hard way. I hope the kids who see this presentation learn from it, if not for their own sake, then for those who love them.

A Little of This and a Little of That

Holy cow I thought the cold would never end! One week ago school was canceled due to extreme cold and today the glorious sun warmed the Earth to a pleasant 44 degrees. This winter has been more like the ones I remember as a child with snow that doesn't turn to slush and disappear within a day. It had been snowing quite often as of late and I can't remember the last time deep snow has lasted so long. Last Saturday I woke to -15 degree temperatures and baked a pie with the last of my frozen blueberries. I lost track of time and my pie was a little crispy around the edges, but who eats that part anyhow! With only a quart of blackberries left in the freezer I hope this summers a better season than last.











Garret was getting some love from Shannon on his 20th birthday on the 13th (and yes he was a Friday the 13th baby). He has received his acceptance letter and informational binder from Wyotech. To see him so excited is a simple pleasure money just can't buy (if only the same could be said about tuition!) This weekend I'll be dealing with the FASFA and come to find out he threw out his taxes because I didn't tell him to save them so why would he (Argh!).

I'm still trying to figure this blogging out. For example my "Holy cow" is underlined but i don't know why and have been unsuccessful at getting rid of it. At least I now know that the last picture loaded is the first one to appear. My previews never look like my published blog so my posts don't look like I want. I don't have time to learn how to edit HTML so, until they upgrade how you produce a post or I become a millonaire and therefore have lots of time on my hands it will just have to do. I wish by blogs were visually more appealing (I'm in awe of some of the blogs i've seen). I also find the voyer aspect quite strange. I'm pretty confident that the only people who look at my blog are my family - after all my blogs are just snippets of my family - I have no niche to write specifically about, no captivating stories to tell, or beautiful photos. I slap my blog together and there it is. Kaylee's art (see cow above, ha-ha) would probably be a blog that strangers would peruse, but i can't even keep up with my own let alone make one of her art. It will probably be funny to look at old blogs after I've done this for awhile.

Hodgepodge

Garret applied to go to tech school for automotive repair and is so excited. Hopefully everything will fall into place and he'll start in April. The financial commitment is very daunting, but I don't want him stuck in a dead end jobs all his life.
Chris and I traveled to Erie to see the orthopedic surgeon. February 3 is the big day for surgery number 2. Hopefully the scar tissue from the first operation won't impede the surgeon from being able to repair the shoulder. Chris is anxious- not looking forward to surgery, but tired of being in pain and wanting to be able to live his life without limitations.
Chris thought it was a little dreary and brought home some sunshine. Several inches of snow have paid us a visit and frigid weather is on the way. I look forward to spring and the longer days, but will enjoy these until then.

Making Art Not War

There's Kaylee earlier in the month on her 16th birthday. She recieved paint and transformed an old pair of sneakers. Hopefully they'll survive the snow and the slush! I've tried to tell her she should design t-shirts, maybe she will some day.

Holiday Happenings

It was hard to entice the boys to open their gifts . The truck with its real radio and room for two was fun even though there was no room to drive it in the house! The excitement of children is what makes Christmas fun. The gingerbread house never got finished, but at least it stayed upright! Nana tested the washable markers on Connor and yes it did come off.

Thanksgiving in New York-Out and About

These pics are a sampling from traipsing about the city. My favorite subway platform was at the Museum of Natural History. The mosaics were beautiful and I just loved the elephant. The ever changing scenes of the M&M video screen were comical. The unique building located near the piers was like a chameleon changing colors. Its simply astounding what photographers and printers can do these days as evidenced by Kaylee mocking the cutout at the NBC store. Kaylee bought the handmade hat she is wearing from a vendor in little Italy. (she was being grouchy and wouldn't let me take her picture) Mom, Howard, Colleen, Kaylee, and Leslie posing in Battery park before we stood in the longest line EVER to go to Liberty and Ellis Islands.