Ohio State Woes....

Note: I do NOT pretend to know a thing about sports. But this is my opinion and nothing more.

I grew up in Hilliard, Ohio which is right outside of Columbus. I was born and raised there, both my parents went to Ohio State University; so it's only natural I grew up an Ohio State Buckeye fan. Yes I still very much am. Growing up, the coach of my time was John Cooper; who wasn't the best coach out there. ;) Occasionally we would win against Michigan; but mostly we would have losing seasons. Along came Jim Tressel the year my niece was born and Ohio State has been unstoppable against Michigan only losing one game of the past 10 meetings. They beat Michigan when the two teams were #1 and #2. Not only that we have had 1 National Title come along and been to that bowl game 3 times. :)

BUT....

Ohio State has found itself in the spotlight for issues that are ones that you wish not to find yourself in. The quarterback and 4 other players sold merchandise in exchange for tatoos and now have been suspended for 5 games this season. Which to me and my mom both, we find it stupid. Its their crap, let them do whatever the heck they want to do with it. But basically Tressel liked about knowing about the investigation and found himself in pickle with not only the school but with the NCAA.

So here we go with two completely opposite views of what I think about it all. (NOTE: Sorry if I got the information wrong above. Going off memory)

The fan in me is hoping Tressel will NOT lose his job, but I see what he has done wrong and yes looking at the evidence he does. My whole family is torn at what to think and being pulled in different directions on thinking about it. But < her blog has made me think twice about what the fan in me feels about it all. I know what Tressel has brought to the football program; but what he did and what the player's did wasn't ok, no matter what I or anyone else thinks. I am sure if it was up to the OSU fans; we would definitely keep him as the coach; but I am sure Ohio State will do what they have to in the situation when the judgement comes down in July/August. Ohio State has stated that they will NOT fire Tressel for this; but NCAA could order that they do. Best case scenrio has happened for Tressel which is the 5 game suspension and $250,000 fine. Worst case, he loses his job and Ohio State is stripped of its titles from last year and possibly more stuff.

This season could be the hardest yet for Ohio State in the past 11 years. Waiting this all out will drive me bonkers this summer; but time will tell what's going to happen. And in all honesty, he does deserve to lose his job; BUT as I said I am a fan; and that part of me doesn't want that to happen. ;)

2011 so far!

< A random picture from this year. :)

I never update this blog anymore and I was good at doing it when I first started it. Ah! Oh well!

Our Florida vacation was just wonderful! Seeing it through Gaia's eyes, I can only imagine how it was when my parents first took my brother and I to Disneyworld. She is still a little daredevil and would ride everything she could get on. The big ride being "Rip Roarin Rocket" at Universal Studios. She loved that roller coaster! Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure was a blast and very real looking. It was a 2-2.5 hour wait for the shops, but hey it was worth it for me! :) I would say the highlight was swimming the dolphins. Discovery Cove is just an awesome place. Yeah its hella expensive, but once you pay for your admit; everything else is free. All the food and drinks you want you can have. The dolphin experience was early in the day and so it was chilly outside, but it was awesome! :) I got to watch Gaia's reaction when she swam in with the dolphin. Magic Kingdom we did on Christmas Eve; my bro and niece's final day; and we were so tired that we didn't make it to 10:00 that night! LOL

My weight loss journey is continuing and going very well! :) I am down 42 pounds as of today and working toward my next goal of 50 pounds. My mom is still not at her magical 30 yet, but she's getting there. I am just amazed at how I have kept at this and come this far. There is no going back for me now! :) I am not sure how far I want to go right now, taking it 20-30lb at a time. Got a ways to go before I am down to a normal weight for my height, but this feels so wonderful! :)

We are headed to New York City April 12th! :) Yes I am very excited and cannot wait to go! My mom and I are doing a girl's trip up there and flying there and back; which will be the worse part of the trip for me! We have so much jammed into 3 days, but its going to be awesome!! :) The first day we are talking about going to Carlos' Bakery aka Cake Boss in New Jersey to sample some of their famous cupcakes or cakes or whatever. ;) Wednesday will be day of sight seeing in the city and WICKED that night. I am so excited to see Wicked on Broadway. It will be my first "sit-down" trip, meaning a non-touring company. ;) Thursday will be seeing the famous American Girl Place in NYC! I grew up on these books and I am finally going to see the store in person. Yes I still have my AG doll. :) And also we come home Thursday; but it will be 3 jammed packed days! :)

So thats all that has been going on. :) Hopefully I will update this a little more often! ;) hahaha

November Flew By!

I can't believe December starts next week! Wow where has the time gone?! ;)

So November has flown by. My weight loss has progressed very very very well. I am down 18.2 pounds as of today and still going! My goal was to be 20 pounds down by the time we leave for Florida and I only have 2 more to go! :-) So exciting!! :)

Thanksgiving we spent in Gastonia at my aunt's house with our family. Grandpa looked good and was alive and well kicking! Both of my grandparents could tell I had lost weight and was shocked to hear how much! :) My uncle's mom, my grandma Lay, joined us also. 91 years old and doing wonderfully! :) KoKo was just as wacky and nutty when I am there visiting. I took him for a walk and we had to stop 100001 times for him. HAH! He got so mad when I didn't take him the 2nd time and was howling and whining at the door while I was gone. Dinner was fabulous and I watched my intake, but enjoyed every piece of food that there was! :)

So oddly enough I got more of my Wicked mail back this month. Still got a list of some out, but this weekend's ones have a funny story. I got a letter back from Jackie Burns (Wicked First Tour) and I saw the envelope and it was stamped from New York and I was like oh its gotta be from one of the 3 I am waiting for that aren't with the show anymore. I looked and thought of who it was, but looked inside and found the pictures I sent to be signed weren't there. Wasn't until I opened it that I saw it was from Jackie! hahaha Oh yeah, I forgot what I said exactly about me working on my picture taking; but she said it would be bad if she had to fire me a 2nd time. Just wait till I see her in Wicked or another show, I want to mess up big time just to throw her off! ;) Then the 2nd one, I was aware it could be coming, but wasn't sure, but my friend informed me she got her's this week so I was like ok mine was in that same envelope! ;) It took me all day to read the durn letter too, for whatever reason. But I opened it; it came from Libby Servais (Wicked San Francisco/2nd Tour); and I started giggling cause the paper clip I used to attach my letter to the SASE came back! This has happened once before, but I giggled at it happening again. ;) She's such a sweetie, I got her u/s slip from San Francisco too signed! Ah! That was a surprise for me! :) So all of this stuff got put into my ever epanding scrapbook! Wow it keeps growing and growing! :)

So that's it. December I hope flies by and the next thing I know it will be time to go to Florida! Oh yeah, cannot wait!!! :)

October :)

< Gotta love finding that in your backyard! ;)

October has flown by!!! Seriously I was just in Charlotte again for another musical and now Halloween is this coming week. :-O And plus I never update this blog it seems like. HAH!

So backing up to early October; Kate and I made the track over to Charlotte to see 9 to 5 the musical. :) Before this I had never seen the movie or really heard anything about the musical; and really enjoyed it. Diana Degarmo is AMAZING as Doralee in this show! She sounds alot like Dolly Parton in parts. Incase you don't know who she is, she was an American Idol runner-up to Fantasia back in 2004. :) She is also one of the sweetest people you will ever meet, I was so happy I got to meet her after the show. :) And she confirmed what everyone thinks about Simon Cowell, that he is a jerk! ;) The show also stars Mamie Parris as Judy, who is tiny looking onstage, but her vocally is mighty! She really belted it out in the song "Get Out and Stay Out." She was also very sweet, none of us knew who she played, except for one guy and so luckily she stopped! ;) She said no one ever knows her off stage. ;) Dee Hoty plays Violet and she she also is amazing in the show and like the other 2 very nice. Her family/friends were at the show, but she still took time out at the door, which was wonderful. :)

I cat sat for Kate's neighbor's while they were out of town. The cat is diabetic and has to have insulin shots twice a day. He was very easy to take care of, greeted me at the door each time I came over to take care of him. He was no problems, he ate his meals up and I gave him his shot and it was all good. :)

I got my hair chopped off last week also! It feels great to have my hair cut short again though. :) I like this hairdresser that Kate found and probably will start going to her to get my hair cut. :) I also got my first massage in over a year this week. Ah!!! Heavenly!!! It felt wonderful to get that and I wish I could get one every day! ;) hahaha

Well that is all, minus having some allergy/sick bug for the past week, all has been good. Getting more excited about going to Florida in December and even more so being down 6.5 almost 7 pounds! :)

Bullying....It has to end

I remember last year hearing my niece was being bullied by some kids at school about who her parents voted for and also her beliefs. I was miffed by it and couldn't believe kids are still as cruel as ever today for one little thing wrong. But now kids are taking it to extreme...

3 teenagers who were openly gay have commited suicide recently because of the tormenting. Its so sad to think that it was that bad they chose to end their life and you can only imagine how bad it was for them to choose suicide. Another bullying story was about a boy in Ohio cheerleading and bully's at school broke his arm over his choice! Hats off to the mother for pressing charges against those who broke this little boy's arm.

In 4th grade; I rode a bus with a girl and also was in the same class with her also, who bullied and teased me the entire year. It was over my front teeth being crooked and my hair color. Two things I couldn't control and daily I remember her asking me when I was getting braces. Oddly enough, that year was when I first went to an orthodontist and didn't get braces until 2 years later. But I have never forgotten what she did and never have forgiven her either, doubt I ever will.

I am thankful for how my parents raised me and never judging some one for the color of their skin, their beliefs, their sexuality...etc. I am not saying its the parents fault that their kids bully, but something isn't right. Bullying played a part in Dylan Klebold and Eric Haris going on a shooting spree that left 13 people dead.

It needs to stop before another family suffers a tragedy....period amen.

Florida here we come!!!

< Celebrating Christmas with those guys!

So yesterday's blog post about me rambling and being mad about having to choose what I wanted to do and then sleeping on Discovery Cove and blah blah blah....you get the picture!

So basically its a 2 day drive down there; well 6.5 hours from here to Jacksonville, NC and then we are going to stay the night and then head toward Orlando the following night.

Day #1: Kennedy Space Center- How can you go to Florida and not go to the space center? Its educational and I enjoy going there. :) Gaia has never been there and from the website, it looks like they have new attractions to see.

Day #2: Animal Kingdom- My niece loves going to the zoo and so why not go here? I want to see this place too. :) Its got rides there and many things to go see. My brother gets in this night also.

Day #3: Univeral: Islands of Adventure- HARRY POTTER!!!!!! Two words!!!! I was in Orlando the year this Universal was being opened and it wasn't open at the time I was there, I can't wait to go!

Day #4: Discovery Cove & Sea World- Swimming with the dolphins. :) I am not sure how enjoyable this will be for me and my brother; but my niece will love it! Sea World; eh I can live without going; but haven't been to the one in Florida since I was a kid. :)

Day #5: Disneyworld- Mickey, Minnie here we come!!! Gaia has seen Disneyland and now its time to tackle Disneyworld!!! :) 9 years old seems to be the right age to take her there.

Day #6: WHATEVER I WANT TO DO!- Jeremy and Gaia go home this day; which is Christmas day; so its whatever I would like to do. Probably will hit the other Universal park or go back to Disney. Who knows. But we are also going down the coast before heading back to North Carolina.

So there it is! Gaia is coming the 18th; yippee for having to sit in a car for DAYS with her! ;) I love my niece, yes I do, but you get what I mean! ;) hahaha

Here's a ramble riddle for you!

So planning Christmas trip has become a headache!

Why is that?! I want to do stuff, my brother wants to do stuff and take my niece to places; but some of the crap I don't want to do, but I am trying to be a team player and do what everyone wants to do! Right?! Well now my mother is like you don't have to do everything they do, you can do whatever you want also. Ok that doesn't help the guilt part of that comment! :-/

I wanna see the Harry Potter part of Universal and I want to go to Animal Kingdom, two parks I have never been to. Well my brother wants to go to Sea World and Discovery Cove. Well the last time I went to Sea World was when it was in Aurora, OH and that was ancient times ago! Discovery Cove really looks interesting, but its not cheap also! Plus my brother wants to swim or do something with sharks; IS HE NUTS?! I don't think its swim, lol. Gawd people be nuts to sign a paper to go swim with them! =p Also going to Disney World is must for my niece. We took her to Disneyland when she was 3 and it was mine, her's and her momma's first time ever to that park and this time it will be her first time and my who knows what time! I know she likes Harry Potter, but UGH why ask me what exactly I want to do? SURPRISE ME AT THIS RATE!

Rant over, anyone want to tell me which of these suggestions are the best places to go to???