I took this past Friday and Monday off work to do some holiday baking. Mom and Dad came out on Saturday and Sunday to help which I am thankful for. Mom and I made blueberry bread, banana nut bread, chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodles, chocolate-covered shortbread logs, peanut blossoms, chocolate-covered oreos and chocolate-covered pretzel sticks. Plus, Mom made some pizzelle for me to include in our cookie trays. Yummy! The apartment smelled great!

Jeremy will be starting some physical therapy soon. His ankle is looking good but is obviously weak so hopefully therapy will get him going full speed soon. Dr. Broudy said that whenever he feels comfortable he can start walking around in sneakers. When that starts, he will then be able to drive again. Yay!!! Everything keeps looking up for him!

Me, on the other hand... not so much. We had a piggy-back appointment with Broudy yesterday-
Left ankle - arthritis - treament: Naproxen
Right foot - not sure - treatment: Naproxen
Left elbow - mild tennis elbow - treament: Naproxen
Right elbow - tennis elbow - treatment: Naproxen and brace
Right hand thumb - not sure - treatment: Naproxen and a brace during the night
Right wrist and hand - maybe carpal tunnel - treatment: ENG / nerve conductor test next week, Naproxen, and probably braces during the night if the tests come back as carpal tunnel

A Little Fun

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Jeremy Update

Yay! Jeremy had another check up on Monday and they removed his cast for good! He now has to wear a cam boot and can start to increase his weight bearing. The doctor was probably thinking that the increase would occur over a few days, but Jeremy ditched the crutches yesterday. He is also doing some range of motion exercises and is doing rather well with those. He goes back this Monday to determine if he will need physical therapy or not. Thank God!

Every. Single. Morning

Every morning, as I try to stay asleep for just a few more minutes, Abby starts trying to wake us up. She is almost as reliable as our alarm clock.

Poor Buddy

Poor, poor Buddy! We finally got to bring Buddy home from the surgery center this morning. He has to wear a cone for the next 2 weeks and he isn't very happy about it. When we got home he investigated the apartment while Zoe and Abby kept their distance. I guess I shouldn't be surprised about it, but Abby is really not happy with him. I guess because he looks and smells funny. Hopefully in a few days she will warm back up to him.

We are supposed to keep him calm and quiet but that has been pretty impossible. I set up the crate for him with his special kitty litter, his favorite bed and some food and water but he destroyed it in a matter of a few minutes. I let him out and he went into our bedroom and fell asleep on our bed. Poor boy!

Below is the video I took of him banging his cone off of everything. Ignore Jeremy talking in the background please. :)

Rite Aid Celebration of Lights at Hartwood Acres

Last night we went to Hartwood Acres for the opening night of the Rite Aid Celebration of Lights. They have a special radio station to listen to during the 3-mile drive that plays Christmas songs, featuring a commercial with Joe Denardo that plays practically every 3 minutes. We have to laugh because it seems that each time we started to record our videos the commercial came on.


This is at the beginning.


Manger scene.











Could you imagine wrapping all of these trees? They have several other areas just like this one but with different colors.




The mansion from a distance





This video is from Bear Land.



This video is from my favorite display


This video is of the tree near the end that lights up in segments.

Looking for a cute kitty? I have an orange and white boy looking for a good home. He has been stalking me on a daily basis and managed to get into the building the other day. Anyone?

On Monday, Jeremy got his stitches out and a new cast put on. We were hoping for a black and gold cast but they said that they aren't making yellow anymore...grrr! The doctor and nurses all said that his ankle is looking great considering what it looked like at the first visit. He still has bruising on the top part of his ankle but other than that it looks almost normal! He goes back on Dec. 8 for another check. We asked the nurse what could happen then and she said that it could be possible that he would get a brace and start to walk again. As for now, he is only only 30% weight bearing....hmmm 30%.....why not say 37 3/15%?

We go back today to either get his cast fixed or have a new one put on because the one from Monday is starting to fall apart already. Once again, I had to do a duct tape fix until we could get an appointment.

I am grateful!

I could say that I am a little upset that I wasn't invited to participate in the building's pot-luck luncheon today but I'm really not. Two of us were excluded so at least I wasn't alone.

I am grateful because I didn't have to bring in food, which involves time and money. I am also grateful because that meant that I didn't have to socialize with a bunch of people that I don't know.

Thanks again! (Seriously!)

Gratitude

Things haven't been very smooth lately. I seem to be dropping just about anything and everything that could make a mess usually right before I need to be walking out the door. Things are breaking (husbands included) that cost more that just a couple of bucks. I am reminded on a daily basis that I am no longer "in the know" when it comes to technology and youth. (I just found out what Rock Band was and said, "Oh, they were playing with that on Good Morning America the other day"). My best friend, for over 16 years, just had her cervix scraped and biopsied because of abnormal cells and Mother Nature's gift has been knocking at my door for the past 2 weeks thanks to several changes in my birth control. Eeyore is making a daily appearance in my life; we have coffee together every morning in the car.

Things really need to change, beginning with my attitude. Jeremy and I had a long discussion yesterday on having a positive outlook and attitude. It is something we both need to work on, especially during these tough times.

I was reading a favorite magazine this afternoon and came across an article on gratitude. I am typing some parts word for word and skipping other parts. For the full article, pick up this month's Real Simple.

"4 Benefits of Giving Thanks" by Nykia Spradley and Lesley Aiderman
1. IT HELPS YOU FEEL IN CONTROL - In a recent study, people who wrote a letter acknowledging their gratitude once a week felt more autonomous than did those who did not....Why? It suggests they started to take credit for the good things in their own lives.
2. IT IMPROVES YOUR HEALTH - People who keep gratitude journals tend to exercise an average of 33% more each week and sleep a half hour more each night. These people also report more energy and vitality.
3. IT HELPS YOU COPE BETTER WITH TRAUMA - Painful memories are less likely to surface - and are less intense when they do - in those who are regularly grateful. If you're focused on what's good in your life at present, you're better able to neutralize negative emotions from the past.
4. IT BOLSTERS SELF-WORTH AND SELF-ESTEEM - If you count your blessings, then instead of becoming negative at the first sign of difficulty, you can concentrate on the things you value most.

Numbers 3 and 4 are the ones that hit home for me the most. I really have been trying to find the positive, but with recent events it has become harder.

What am I grateful for today?
- I am grateful that my father-in-law put new brakes on my car, paid for said brakes, and
cleaned the tree sap off of my windshield.
- I am grateful that my car passed inspection.
- I am grateful that my husband successfully bathed today without much help from me.
- I am grateful that dinner turned out as planned.
- I am grateful that I had the courage to stand up to my boss and tell him that I was upset
with him and what needed to be done to fix it.

Sunday Drives

Yesterday was beautiful Fall day. So beautiful, that we had to get out of the apartment and go for a little Sunday drive.

One week already?!?!?

I can't believe that it has been a week since I last posted about what has been going on!

On Monday we went to see Dr. Broudy. They took his splint off, Dr. Broudy looked at it for about a second and said that his surgery would be the next day. Great!

Tuesday was his surgery at Forbes. It was a long, exhausting day but he did really well so that is all that matters. He started to have a lot of bleeding once we got home and the tape on his splint didn't hold very well. So, I used all of our bandage tape and then switched to DUCT tape in my attempt to cover the bleeding areas with bandages and to tape his splint back on.

Wednesday, Mom and Dad came out so I could go to work. Since I didn't have any room in my freezer Mom couldn't cook to relieve her stress so she cleaned and did our laundry again. I can't begin to say how grateful I am for her doing all of that! However, she ripped apart our one air purifier and then couldn't get it back together again, broke the vacuum cleaner, and somehow ordered a movie from On Demand. I really don't care because dinner was made when I got home and I knew that Jeremy was in great hands.

Thursday, Mom fixed the vacuum cleaner somehow and Dad decorated our tree for us for Fall. It is beautiful!


Mom also made a pot of potato corn soup for dinner. It was really good. Jeremy had another appointment with Dr. Broudy in the afternoon. We were in his office for over 2 hours! Grrr.... You would think that they would have some type of provisions for their patients as far as elevating is concerned when they know you are going to be sitting there for a long period of time. They didn't, so Mom grabbed one of the garbage cans and Jeremy was able to elevate using that. Dr. Broudy said that the cankle is looking good and it was time for a cast. Getting it on was an adventure but Jeremy now has a pretty blue cast.


He will have that on until Nov. 10 when he will get his stitches out and then another cast put on. We are hoping that they can do sometype of Black and Gold casting...we will see! I think it will all depend on the mood of our nurse that day :) Before his next appointment, Jeremy wants to get his picture taken with his truck since the cast and truck are so close in color. It is sick and I just love it!

Thank you again for all of your thoughts and prayers!

Friday, 10/17

Mom and Dad came out for support and to help me get things in order as far as the apartment is concerned. Mom brought some food, cooked, did our laundry (the best gift ever!) and even cleaned.

I was able to get Jeremy an appointment at 2:15 with Dr. Broudy, a surgeon with Orthopedic Associates of Pittsburgh. The staff was super nice and they were fast too. They pulled up his x-rays and decided that we need to go back on Monday to get more films done. Most likely, he will need surgery, which will take place on Tuesday at Forbes Regional. They put another temporary cast on him and instructed us to elevate practically non-stop and to ice as directed so that the swelling will be down by Monday.

Mom went to Giant Eagle with me to get some groceries and to get Jeremy's new prescription. That was such a fiasco! I have to keep remembering to pray when I get frustrated with these things....

"Lord, keep one hand on my shoulder and the other hand over my mouth.
Amen!"

Thursday, 10/16

I have taken over a big role in the company by tracking the covers for our weekly papers...4 positions each in 75 publications. Except for Jenn, our big big manager, no one knew how to do this part of my job. So, Jenn decided that it was time for me to train a few back-ups just in case anything should happen and so that I would be able to take days off of work from time to time. After about 4 weeks, I finally trained 3 colleagues on Thursday.

After the training, Becky (fellow assistant) and my boss, Curt, decided to go to one of the local restaurants for some lunch. We ordered and were sitting there discussing some ways to improve our department when my phone rang. I grabbed it and noticed that it was Jeremy. I ignored him since I figured he was just calling to see how my day was and because I didn't want to take a personal call in front of my boss, even if it was during my lunch break. A second later, my phone rang again. This time I answered it only to hear Jeremy breathing hard. He told me that he was in an accident at work. My heart dropped. I said to Curt that he needed to take me back to the office because Jeremy was in an accident, but Curt said that he wanted to wait until our food came out and we would get it to go. I didn't know what to say so I just walked out of the restaurant and talked to Jeremy on the phone until the ambulance arrived and he had to get off.

Apparently, Jeremy was changing the attachment on a machine like this.



His right leg was kicking out the pin that held the attachment on and his left leg was still inside where the seat is. His left leg accidentally kicked a lever that caused the boom arms to come down on top of his right ankle. He was positive that his ankle was crushed. Somehow, he was able to get the arm off of his leg and sit in the sit while screaming for help.

The paramedics weren't sure which hospital they were going to take him to so his boss said that he would call me when they told him. Curt and Becky finally came out of the restaurant and we left. When we got back to work I jumped in my car, programmed UPMC McKeesport into the GPS, and was on my way. I was 5 minutes away from the hospital when Tobin called to say that they still weren't sure which hospital they were taking him to. I went to McKeesport anyway, because I had a feeling, and got him pre-registered and waited for the ambulance to come. Thankfully, they didn't take him to Presby like they thought!

I was allowed to go straight back to the exam room with him. They got him switched over to the other bed and then I was able to get a look at his ankle. The nurses came, the doctor came, the x-ray techs came, and then the doctor came back to give us the news that his ankle was broken in 2 places. Technically, he has a fracture in both his tibia and fibula, not his "ankle" (pretty much where the arrows are pointing in this picture)


Thanks to the fact that this is a workman's compensation case, they were not able to give Jeremy ANY pain meds because he still had to take a drug test. A drug test which, by the way, was not able to be administered at the hospital due to the fact that Valley Crest's insurance wanted it sent to a specific lab. The wonderful nurses applied a temporary cast and sent us on our way.

We went and got the drug test done, dropped off his prescription at the store, got home and put him in bed, threw dinner in the oven, went back to the store for his pain meds, and finally got home around 6:30.

The day's events were sort of ironic. I trained people how to be me at work and 2 hours later, our lives turn upside down a bit. Great timing!

Lori (Drake) Gilbert (right)
10/11/69 - 10/09/08

We will miss you Lori!

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.
-Mary Frye

16 Blessed Minutes

From Stacy's Blog -

Family and Friends
I sit with a lack of words...
Isaac Timothy Delisle was born and was with his precious mom and dad for 16 minutes and then Jesus welcomed him home.
Stacy and Spencer are able to be with him and hold him.The doctor said he was beautiful!!Stacy went through the surgery well. The doctor said that they both are full of great courage and strength.
More details will come when we get them.
Details about a memorial service will be coming soon. I will try to give updates as we get them.
Kirsten for Stacy and Spencer

He Will Carry Me - Prayer Request

Tomorrow, October 7, Stacy and Spencer will finally meet their son for the first time. They will, almost certainly, say goodbye to him just a short time later. You can read their full story here if you are interested. To put it simply, Isaac (their unborn son) will be born with Turner's or Down's syndrome (best case) or Trisomy 13 or 18 (worst case). With all of the testing that was done, the doctors are only giving Isaac a 10% chance of living after birth. I can't even imagine what they are going through. Here is a list that Stacy put together of their specific requests.
1. For a miracle... we know that it's not too late, and that God had the power to heal Isaac should that be His will. Please don't stop asking.
2. For His peace that surpasses understanding... there's a lot we don't understand about all of this; but we desire to rest in the peace of the truth of who God is.
3. For strength... just getting through our days at work has become a pretty laborious task.
4. For my body to continue to cooperate with this medicine and not go into labor prior to Oct 7.
5. For my fears to be calmed about having a c-section.
6. For the doctors, nurses, and hospital staff that will be working with us... that they may see Christ through our choices, through our love for Isaac, and through our love for each other.
7. For the doctors performing the c-section... that they would be able to navigate this more "complicated" procedure in a way that would be as pain-free as possible for Isaac and that wouldn't put my body or health in jeopardy in any way.
8. For Spencer... that God would strength and uphold him as he continues to comfort and support me.
9. For our parents and sibblings... they, too, are experiencing a loss.
10. For the details we're trying to work on regarding a burial service and a memorial service for Isaac... that the details would come together and they would both honor Isaac and bring glory to God.
11. For the details we're working on with our church regarding having a playground built in Isaac's honor.
12. For a good night's sleep each night, and particularly the night of October 6.
13. For God to carry us and make His presence very real to us in the weeks and months to come. 14. Please pray for peace today, tonight, and tomorrow; please pray that we'd be able to have joy in meeting Isaac even though we know that time will also be filled with sorrow.
Stacy also mentioned wanting to be able to fully be with Isaac while he is alive but she is afraid that it won't be possible because of the c-section.
We need to pray for this family. We need to pray for peace. We need to pray for understanding. We need to pray for the thousand of others going through this.

Vice-Presidential Debate

This is simply brilliant. Tina Fey was excellent! Queen Latifah was excellent!

Attagirl

Urban Dictionary
definition -
1. An expression of congratulations or praise directed at a female.
Comes from the expression "that's a good girl" which became "that a girl" and finally "attagirl."
"Attagirl! I knew you could do it.

2. A girl that is awesome, meaning "that-a-girl" or "what-a-girl", also see shiznit.
Bonnie is such an attagirl. (My personal favorite definition)

3. this definition is too vulgar... and I honestly have no idea why it would be considered a definition of this word

Anyway, I got an "Attagirl" today. Very nice considering I was in the boss-man's office yesterday crying so hard that I made the Niagra Falls seem like a puddle streaming downhill.

"Dear Bonnie,
Thank you for taking the time to explain the new I/O to Ralph (and me). You demonstrated remarkable patience and skill. I know something about training and coaching so I can see you have outstanding skills in these areas (in addition to your outstanding technical skills).
Thanks again,
Jim

Jim is one of our "Corporate Trainers" and is highly respected in our company. He is one of those guys that has been around forever, knows the ins and outs better than anyone, and is highly respected. I am very excited that of all people, he is recognizing me and my abilities. With everything that is going on in this company, my "Attagirl" really couldn't have come at a better time.

Vacation! - Monday

Cracked in the rears yet again for dolphin sightings. The funny thing about this sighting was that the dolphins were going in the opposite direction than the day before. I didn't try to get any pictures because I focused on the video. I actually caught a dolphin flipping! Watch Video.
I got some AMAZING sunrise pictures...



We went to Assateague Island for the day.



Since I hadn't been there in years I sort of forgot about the importance of having gas in your car... needless to say we desperately needed to leave and get gas.

When we were leaving, Ella suggested that we meet at this BBQ place called Smoker's BBQ Pit which was close by for lunch. We went to the closest gas station and used one of those really old (ha, ha, ha) gas pumps that didn't have a digital screen or a place to swipe your credit card. We went to Smoker's and had very good lunch. Then, back to Assateague!



That night Jeremy and I decided that we were going to go play our traditional game of miniature golf. After the game (I won! I won! I won!) we went to a sub shop called Tommy's Subs. (blah) It was another great day at the beach!

Vacation! - Sunday

I can't remember who, but someone cracked us in the butt to wake up because they saw dolphins. I, of course, did not mind this one bit! Here is a picture - look for the fin.


Watch the video here.

We really didn't do much because we were all pretty tired so we sat around and read all of those wonderful free publications and coupon books. Ella, Jeremy and I decided that we were going to go ride the OC Screamer. We hopped in the car and made our way down to where they dock and came across hundreds of motorcycles. (It was Delmarva Bike Week) We drove around trying to find somewhere to park and then we finally got the idea to check to see if the boat was still running and to see if our seats were still reserved. Dad hopped out and checked and was told that the boat had encountered some problems and to try again tomorrow. Crap!

We went back to the condo and I started to cook dinner for Jeremy's birthday party. His birthday isn't until the 26th, but he wanted to celebrate down at the beach. Dinner was pretty good but let me just paint a picture in your head for a minute - a soup pot and a frying pan were basically all I had to pull off a pierogie dinner. During the day, Mom was sort of sneaking around while making Jeremy his birthday cake. Last year, she made him a hot dog cake. This year, she made him a hamburger with all of the fixings and steak fries.


It was so much fun! How cute is this?!?!?

VACATION! - Saturday

Early Saturday morning we set off for our 7-hour'ish journey to Ocean City, Md. The drive down was fairly uneventful (I slept half of the way). Just before crossing the Bay Bridge, Jeremy pointed out a very interesting cloud formation...


I am so not making this up! In the 2nd picture, look above the truck and you will see it again.



We arrived safely, got the keys to the condo, and unloaded the car. The rest of the family joined a little while later.

We went to Captain's Pizza for dinner. It was pretty good! Mom, Aunt Bon and I then went to the grocery store after we dropped everyone else off at the condo. I suddenly remembered where I get my marathon run from while shopping; I could hardly keep up with Mom as she zipped up and down the aisles tossing things in the cart.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

A friend of mine told me about this with a warning to have a box of tissues close by. Now I know what she meant. I cannot even imagine what this is like for either the family or the photographer.

The story of how this organization started is incredible. If you can, make sure that you read the founder's letter to her son, Maddux. http://www.nowisleep.com/showthread.php?t=6&highlight=maddux (There are 3 parts to the letter that are accessed above the letter)

The Gallery http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/pageDisplay.php?page=20 shows just some of the photographs. If you click on the picture you also read the story about that family.

May God continue to bless the photographers who donate their time and services to these families.
http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/start.php

Dogs in the car

I took a break this morning outside with a co-worker. We heard a dog barking and looked to see where it was coming from. We saw it in a car directly in front of us barking frantically with all of the windows of the car closed. Completely closed! We waited about 5 minutes and I decided to call the local police (yes, I used the non-emergency number). We waited another 10 minutes and before the cops showed up, the guy came out of the salon right next to us and got in the car and left. I still can't grasp that this man actually did this. There have been tons of psa's done by tons of different animal welfare groups regarding leaving animals in cars. You just DON'T do it!

Here are some facts from 2 articles I quickly found on www.humanesociety.org :

• on an 85 degree day, the temp in a car can increase to 102 degrees in just 10 minutes
• after 30 minutes on said day it can increase to 120 degrees
• on hot & humid days in direct sunlight, temperatures can increase 30 degrees PER MINUTE!
• on mild days, at 72 degrees the temp can increase more than 40 degrees per hour with 80% of that increase occurring within the first 30 minutes
• 110 degrees poses a danger of heatstroke in dogs
• cracked windows provide a minuscule benefit

Interestingly enough, some auto manufacturers are understanding the fact that some people are just stupid and need some type of alarm system in their vehicles for purposes such as this. General Motors has been working on a low-energy radar system since 2001 that will be able to detect motion as subtle as a baby breathing. The sensor will then trigger a unique horn alarm if the temp inside the vehicle registers at a dangerous level. The article from 2003 mentioned that GM hoped to introduce this mid-decade but I couldn't find any mention of it on GM's website. Perhaps they have turned their focus more to fuel efficiency and other forms of safety alarms.

To all of my friends, family, aquantances, and such - please do not leave your pets in your cars!

Who has been reading this?

I figured that Denise was the one reading my blog, but as her comment states below, she only just discovered it. So, who has been reading it? Please comment! I would love to know!

Seriously?

I admit that I have been on the crew of the green patrol for a few months now and have made a few simple, yet environmentally friendly, changes in our household. I have been getting better at remembering my cloth shopping bags when going to the store, have been diligent in using the mounds of plastic bags that we had under the sink for other purposes, have switched laundry and household cleaners, and have been trying to purchase less packaged foods to reduce our garbage (and wastelines!). However, this is where I absolutely, 100%, draw the line...

No, these are not cat toys, but are crocheted and/or knitted tampons! There was an article in the PG regarding a woman who has taken steps to reduce paper waste in the home. This lovely woman sews their own menstrual pads, paper towels, tissues, etc. Yes, even toilet paper!

http://http//www.post-gazette.com/pg/08197/897011-113.stm

http://http//www.eapoos.com/

Sorry, but no amount of environmental thinking is going to make me think about going this route.

Dear Fellow Chip Chewers and other crunchy things,

I am writing today to beg you to please close your mouth when eating chips or other crunchy items. It is pretty easy - all you have to do is close your lips after placing the crunchiness in your mouth and THEN start chewing. It isn't necessary to start the chewing process immediately. If it is, then you are shoving too much into your gaping hole!

Sincerely yours,
Bonnie

Fireworks Festival

On Saturday we went up to New Castle to partake in their annual Fireworks Festival. The day was beautiful and the weatherman said to enjoy the sun and lack of rain. He was wrong because it started to pour when we were trying to find our perfect sitting place from last year. It stopped so we took a walk to get some food and enjoy the festivities. When we got back to the car we got our chairs set up and started to eat. About 10 minutes after that it started to rain again. The show was to begin at 9:30.... then it got pushed back to 10.... and then pushed back again to 10:30. The downpours kept ending as quickly as they started. Thank God for umbrella's! We ended up keeping the chairs in the trunk while we stood with the umbrella and enjoyed the fireworks. I don't have any pictures to share because I forgot our camera but believe me when I say they were awesome. http://www.ncnewsonline.com/local/local_story_185093518.html

Some quick history on the "Fireworks Capital of the World". http://activerain.com/blogsview/577022/How-did-New-Castle (why re-write something that someone already took the time to do?)

Anyway, the festival is the weekend after 4th of July weekend, so if you are ever looking for some great fireworks, head on up to New Castle!

Update on Buddy

Buddy is doing much better. He ended up having a blockage caused by struvite crystals and with the help of some meds he will make a full recovery. We have noticed a steady improvement in him as he is starting to get back into trouble and seems to be eating constantly. As I am posting this, he is sleeping in his kitty bed with Abby close by. Thank you for the prayers!

A "Happy 4th of July" it was!

We headed down for Pittsburgh's fireworks on Friday night. Trying to find the best ever parking space was actually much easier than anticipated. Thanks to my eagle eyes we parked at Station Square and literally had a front row view of the magnificant display. We got there around 6:15 and encountered a lovely parking attendant who informed us of the parking charge.



We found an ATM close by (cash, cash, cash), got our parking pass, and then proceeded back to our original location.

Here is the gigantic hill that we had to climb in order to get our eagle-eye view.



Here is a picture of the folks beside us under the exit ramp for West Carson Street. They have obviously been doing this for years because they had all of the right beer, drinks, and most importantly... food! We were starving! We had every intention of finding a vendor or something, but since we were on the other side of the river that didn't happen. Some nice guy offered us a cold beer though and I took him up on that offer. :)




These kind people were also the ones that warned of us a very harsh reality that was close to us:




To the right of us and up was the entrance to the Fort Pitt tunnel.


Across the river are all of the people sitting on the grass on the North Shore. If you look behind the orange balls in the water you will see the barge that was being positioned with the fireworks on it.



And here is a video of the last 3 minutes of the fireworks display. Oh, you may want to tilt your head to the right for better viewing :)




We had a great time! This is going to become a regular tradition in the "D" household for sure.

Our poor little guy...

Buddy is in the hospital. He has a UTI and he is having a very difficult time urinating. The doctors are afraid that he is going to develop a complete blockage (he has a partial blockage now) so he is spending a few days with them. So far, everyone at the vet hospital has been very nice and has taken the time to explain everything that is going on with him.

Please do us a favor and pray for our little guy. To some he is "just a cat" but not to me or Jeremy.