The Final Four

is now TWO... A Championship Game!

Michigan State(2) vs. North Carolina(1)

Coach Tom Izzo is one of the best coaches around. And for basketball I will root for a Michigan State team, Izzo's team. But I will draw the line to a gridiron field...Tressel, with an occasional Joe Paterno. Gotta love the ol' man!

We'll be yelling for the GREEN!
Game tip off is Monday the 6th at 9:18pm.

First Games of the Season...

Marked with 2 WINS!

Monroeville Eagles vs. Bellevue Red

13-2

PRICELESS...

Makaleigh was up to bat 3 times with 2 singles and a walk.

1 RBI and 2 scored runs.

Monroeville Eagles vs. Bellevue Gray

22-5

WOO HOO!

Makaleigh pitched a great game...her change up is soooo cool. Even though the batter got a hold of it for a double. She had 7 KO's, 4 walks, & 3 hits. She has grown so much from last year as far as speed, accuracy, leadership and confidence. I'm very proud of her...and you will too, when you see her in action.

Makaleigh was at bat 5 times, with a TRIPLE, 2 singles, and a walk.

7 RBI's and 1 scored run.

Let me just say COLD... The weather started out at 41 degrees with alittle wind. We ended the first game huddling in a bunch~Freezing at 35 degrees! One parent brought a jug of hot chocolate, and cold cut sandwiches for the girls inbetween games. What was I think...double header...duh! But I did have on a winter wool coat & gloves. And all the girls did have on long sleeved Under Armor shirts with pants. I must say, the girls did look sharpin uniforms as a team! The Bellevue team, some had shorts, some had pants and all had just t-shirts on. I think most parents came in hoodies...BRRRRR! Poor Scott and Noah left after the first game, it was too cold for them. We are not trying to get them sick, and must say we have been lucky this sick season.

We have an off week due to Easter, then Makaleigh @ 1 & 3 and Evan @ 2 & 4 on the 19th. Any thoughts on how to split myself into two for being in two places at once????

April Fools Joke?

After 72 years, TV's `Guiding Light' switching off by DAVID BAUDER, AP Television Writer Wed Apr 1, 1:37 PM PDT CBS is pulling the plug on the soap opera "Guiding Light" after a 72-year run that predates television, the show a victim of the economy and changed viewing habits.
The drama's final episode will air on Sept. 18. The Guinness Book of World Records has cited it as the longest-running television drama. It began as a 15-minute serial on NBC Radio on Jan. 25, 1937, and debuted on CBS TV in 1952, focusing on the fictional town of Springfield and the Spaulding, Lewis and Cooper families.
"For many of us, it was the first show we ever watched," said Lynn Leahey, editorial director of Soap Opera Digest. Unlike prime-time shows that came and went, it was a constant in people's lives. "It really is heartbreaking to see something like this go away."
Procter & Gamble Productions, which makes the show, informed cast and crew Wednesday at separate sets in New York and New Jersey. The company isn't giving up on the story, and will explore different ways to keep it going after September, a spokeswoman said.
Soap operas have been in a long, slow decline in popularity, primarily because many of the women who made up their loyal audiences are no longer at home at that hour. They're working, and can find the communal experience that their favorite soaps once gave them elsewhere.
"Guiding Light" had the lowest ratings of the eight daytime dramas on the air. When it leaves, CBS and ABC will have three weekday soap operas, with NBC having one.
"The numbers are really tough for all of these old dramas," said Ron Raines, the actor who portrayed the villain Alan Spaulding in "Guiding Light."
"I don't think any of the other shows want any of us to go off. We're all in this together," he said.
Many successful actors got their start on "Guiding Light," including James Earl Jones, Calista Flockhart, Hayden Panettiere, Kevin Bacon and Taye Diggs
Faced with extinction a year ago, "Guiding Light" significantly revamped its operations. It ditched its fixed, three-camera set in favor of portable cameras that enabled producers to shoot in different locations. The move saved money and changed the show's look to make it seem more like the reality shows younger viewers are accustomed to.
It didn't work, at least enough for CBS. The network hasn't said what will replace "Guiding Light" on the schedule, but it will almost certainly be a talk or game show, which are much cheaper to make than dramas with a large cast.
The changes also made many of the fans and cast members unhappy, said Carolyn Hinsey, Soap Opera Digest columnist. Two of its biggest stars, Beth Ehlers and Ricky Paull Goldin, quit and now work on ABC's "All My Children."
For fans of the genre, Wednesday's move could be a peek into the future.
Ten years from now, "I absolutely think (daytime dramas) will still be around," Leahey said. "I don't know if you'll be able to watch them from noon to three o'clock on network television."
In fact, the cancellation could be an opportunity for "Guiding Light," she said. Perhaps there's a way to keep the show alive on cable or online; Procter & Gamble says it will have to evaluate whether there's a cost-effective way to do that.
For now, its cast and crew are in mourning.
"What is it? 72 years continuous?" Raines said. "That will never be touched. It's a very sad thing, but these are the times we live in. It's very tough out there."

Are you serious? I love this show...and have been watching this show for over 25 years. What I am to do? With this day being April 1st...it really wouldn't be a nice joke to play on me!

Wii Challenge...

is a great time to invite family for a bowling night, wii fitness fun, or go kart racing. Steve & Lisa brought the kids for a fun-filled night. We had a blast! Eating pizza, kids playing, the men watching a movie while Lisa & I were testing the waters of the WiiFit.

Our neices, Karmyn & Kendra.

Having a great time... boxing!

Thanks for coming and spending your Friday night with us- we had a good time!

Happy Birthday Gram

Grandma Halsey celebrated her 84th birthday at the beginning of March, this year! A group of ladies met in Toledo's Cracker Barrel for lunch. Toledo was centrally located for us to meet. Sandy(mom's cousin) was coming from Indiana, Sandy's daughters live in Toledo, Mom was picking up Grandma & Aunt Pam, and Makaleigh & I were coming as well. So in all, everyone drove about an hour to visit & eat a birthday celebration with Grandma. Mandy had to work, but we missed her!

Deb, which is my mom...the only daughter of four kids. Makaleigh, my only daughter of three children and the oldest grand-daughter of four girls and eight boys. But, Grandma on the other hand, had two sisters and two brothers. What a great picture! I love you all...

A Four Generation...how awesome!
Grandma Halsey(84) with daughter Deborah(54),and Grand-Daughter Stacy(soon 35), and Great-Grand-Daughter Makaleigh(14). Sorry about the ages! But easier for me to remember now, than in a few years and trying to decide what our ages were.

I think Gram enjoyed her day... I know Makaleigh & I did! And it was wonderful meeting second-cousins, Becky & Wendy too!

Happy Valentine's Day

Noah had been bugging Dad to take him shopping for Valentine's Day. Noah must totally understand that buying gifts for people that you love are a nice and loving thing to do. He really loves to see your face light up with the surprise of opening and liking the gift he bought. He is so sincere and very caring about you and your feelings. Saying things like: Oh, mom would like that...I think she would really like me to buy this for her! And I need to get my sister, Makaleigh a flower to show her I love her. Scott was saying, if he would let him buy everything he seen for the two of you, he'd need a loan.

Look at that face...so proud to make the women is his life happy!

Thanks for your Patiences!

Let's see...so much has happened! First things first, thank you for being patient with me during a rough month. A writer's block of what to write about, not that they weren't things important enough for me to share, but just lots of thoughts of my Grandpa. Everything took me back to my Grandpa.

For those of you that knew that my Grandfather was battling with lung cancer and those of you that didn't, we lost him on Valentine's Day. My Grandfather was an active, young 83 years old. He loved to travel to Florida for the winter months, and restore John Deere tractors, and most of all take care of his gardening. Well, he farmed a few acres with his son, Bryon. Also had a few fruit trees in Florida. Grandpa also enjoyed a good family cook out with lots of family around.

Makaleigh has started spring softball through the school last week. Grades are good and made the Merit Roll this semester. Makaleigh and I are going to Washington DC for the school's 8th grade trip in a few weeks. We are looking forward to spending four days in DC.
Evan is active as always! He is practicing baseball twice a week for a travel league. And will be in a regular season of ball as well.
Noah has informed us that next year he is going to wrestle. But for now, coach pitch is right around the corner. This will be his third year of baseball. He will enjoy a baseball clinic which is coming up soon.

My Grandpa...

My Grandpa was such a wonderful man! He has lived an amazing life of 83 years. Born to the name of Marvin James Halsey on May 10, 1925. A son, a brother, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather and a friend. The list, I'm sure could go on...

He served in the US Air Corp, now known as the United States Air Force, as a gunmen in World War II. He kept a record of each mission, medals that he received, and moneys from different countries. Grandpa came back from the war and married his sweetheart, Carolyn. Together in happiness, they had four children: Ronald James, Donald Marvin, Bryon Earl and Deborah Lynn.

As the family began to sprout, so did the love of being a grandfather. I remember going into the garden and Grandpa grabbing a carrot for me to snack on, Gramma and I taking him lunch on a country road during the summer mowing season, taking riding in the wagon of the mower. Mandy had said while she would be shooting the basketball, the sound of his John Deere was popping then the lawn mower, and then again the John Deere. I think all of us have great stories to remember about him.

During a recent visit to Gramma and Grandpa's house, Grandpa had mentioned to Evan, "To be good, and if you're not going to be good, to be twice as bad as me!" To this day, that's a saying/motto that our family enjoys! It brings a smile to our faces everytime! That was Grandpa, always trying to bring out the rotteness that was in you.

Grandpa's health was good, he had overcome prostate cancer and regulated his sugar diabetes. He was on his way to Florida and fell in the parking lot of a gas station hurting his shoulder. It just wouldn't heal right, and come to find out it was cancer. Cancer that was attached to a nerve under the hurt shoulder. Radiation and chemotheraphy to follow was soon administered. A stroke...then the thought of losing Grandpa was closer than we wanted to think about. Grandpa, the fighter that he was, didn't give up...he was able to get well enough to come home to Ohio.

We had an 'unforgettable' Thanksgiving dinner. Lots of family, lots of food and lots of photos were taken. We decorated a Christmas tree with each family member having an ornament to hang. Grandpa chewing on a turkey leg, saying that 'the mashed potatoes were delicious', and Bo showing pictures of his first deer of the season to him. What a great day we all had!

I wanted to make a slideshow of Grandpa. So, we went through all the old pictures of when the kids(which are my uncles and my mom) were young, Grandpa was skinny, and at every family gathering. I have a nice collection of the times through the years spent with Grandpa. Music was an option, and I had found the perfect songs. I was able to have the photos and songs on a disc to share before he past away. We watched and listened to the disc with teary eyes and Grandpa's dancing feet. Sorry to inform you, but Grandpa past away later that morning just before noon peacefully on Valentine's Day.

I will miss him always and always wish we had more time... Remember, to appreciate your friends and loved ones, every day as they may not be there tomorrow...

A Big Thank You!

I wanted to say 'Thank You' to both of my grandparents, Nana & Papa Thibaut, and Grandma & Grandpa Blizzard for coming to see my game on Saturday. We played South Central and won with a whopping score of 21-5. And 4 of those points of theirs were in the first half. :) I ended the games with ALOT of bumps and bruises, but no points, just lots of rebounds & assists.

Our next two games are at home starting at 5pm on Tuesday & Wednesday. Tournaments then start on Saturday but at Crestview. Seeds for the tourney will be picked on Thursday at 9pm after all rescheduled games are final.

Again, thanks for coming! I loved to see the cheering section for me!!!

Makaleigh

Fun Day of Sledding with Dad...

For the last couple of weeks, we have gotten snow, LOTS of snow. But the temperatures have been FREEZING! We have been cooped up in the house with school cancellations, and our work schedules weren't being co-operative. A break in the weather (as far as temperatures), so we seen our chance to take the kids sledding. Jack, our youngest of the three dogs (and least to run off) went with us.
Makaleigh and Noah were racing down the hill. And Noah tried to bring Jack down on the sled with him...Jack wanted NO action! It was funny to see him running down the hill with the sound the Noah screaming behind him on his heels.

Noah & Makaleigh racing each other down the hill.

Noah crashing at the feet of Dad.

Makaleigh having a blast sledding!

I think Scott had just as much fun as the kids did! Laughing at the times of Makaleigh and Noah wrecking into each other, and Jack not wanting to be a part of the sled team. Scott and Noah went down together, only to turn into a human snowball! I have never laughed sooooo hard, and now looking at the photos again...makes me laugh like I just seen it for the first time! I just had to post as a slide show(shown just above this blog "A Day of Sledding").


Makaleigh & Noah after a day of sledding!

Relaxed...

A hard day after school, homework, eating supper, & taking a bath...he is all about being relaxed! Noah's routine is just that! He loves that video chair, which he got for Christmas. And the pj's are a every year family tradition. Each of the kids get a new pair of pajamas to wear the night of Christmas Eve to bed. This picture was too cute not to post and share with you all!

Inauguration of Our President-Elect Barack Obama

Sunday, January 18, 2009
A kick off to the inaugural celebration will begin on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. We Are One: Opening Inaugural Ceremonies at the Lincoln Memorial will take place today, Sunday, January 18, 2009. The event will air live on HBO beginning at 2:30 p.m. and again from 7:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT. Both showings are also being made available to non-subscribers for free. There will be performances by: Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher Raymond IV, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am, and Stevie Wonder. Those reading historical passages include Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington.

Monday, January 19,2009
The Disney Channel will air “Kids Inaugural”: We are the Future, Monday, 8-9:30 p.m. followed by a stream of the event at Disney.com.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Watch the Inauguration Ceremony live on television or the web:

Early Morning

CBS News will have live Inauguration coverage on TV and the web beginning at 7 a.m. with The Early Show.
A special 3-hour inaugural edition of Good Morning America , ABC, 7 to 10 a.m.
TV One’s all day coverage beginning at 7 a.m. See schedule
Money for Breakfast and Opening Bell , Fox Business Network, live from Washington, 7 to 10 a.m.


Live coverage of the inauguration anchored by Charles Gibson, Diane Sawyer, and and George Stephanopoulos, ABC News and ABCNews.com, beginning at 10 a.m.
NBC News inauguration special, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., anchored by Brian Williams with Tom Brokaw and Lester Holt
PBS Newshour coverage of the Presidential Inauguration, beginning at 11 a.m.
All day coverage on CNN, CNBC, C-SPAN, FOX News, MSNBC, and TV-One
Special CNN.com Live and Facebook Presidential Inauguration coverage. Facebook users can connect with friends while watching the the inauguration. More information
ABC News coverage of the Inaugural parade beginning at 2:30 p.m. (President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama join inaugural motorcade.)


Evening Events

ABC will air the first-ever, Neighborhood Ball beginning at 8 p.m. Watch the main event, which will feature the President and First Lady’s first dance of the night. Also hear performances by Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Shakira, Stevie Wonder and Nick Cannon (as DJ). Using interactive technology and live broadcast, The Neighborhood Ball will be linked to with parties all across the country. Find out if there is a party near you.
Change and Challenge: The Inauguration of Barack Obama , CBS, 9 to 10 p.m.
ABC News Special, A Moment in History: The Inauguration of Barack Obama , 10 to 11 p.m.
ABC News’ “Nightline,”, 11:35 p.m.- Cynthia McFadden and Terry Moran report live from the inaugural balls.
BET: Yes We Will!: BET’s Inauguation Celebration 8-9 p.m.
Coverage of Inaugural Balls: NBC, 10 to 11 p.m., TV One and MTV, 10 p.m. to midnight
Frontline, Dreams of Obama-The story of how Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States-PBS, 10 p.m.
Tavis Smiley, PBS, 12 a.m., Highlights from President Obama’s inauguration speech and past show apperances.

WOOHOO- They Won!!!

Makaleigh's game was in Crestview, and I was at work Scott dropped her off to the school. I was able to get to the game on time, and what an awesome game it was! The fundamentals are really starting to be second nature to the girls. It was really awesome to see the jumping for rebounds, boxing out, a press-breaker that worked. Makaleigh had five of the six points in the first quarter. She had ended the game with six, and tons of rebounds. I am so very proud of the accomplishments each of the girls have made. Three games are scheduled next week for Tuesday & Saturday at home, and Thursday at Plymouth. Makaleigh would love to have a cheering section at the games. You wouldn't be disappointed at the 100% that she puts into playing ball! Oh, and yes they WON! 26-22. GREAT JOB Girls!

I'm bringing home a boat, Honey!

I had to give strict orders to Scott about 'NO BOAT!' Just kidding! The IX Center was hosting a boat show this past Saturday in Cleveland. Scott had invited Steve & Jay to come with them. Scott had Noah convinced that he was going up there to bring home a boat. Noah was really into checking out the boats, opening all doors, cabinets, and live wells. Grabbing pamphlets for the Uncles. And enjoying walking inside $75-$100 thousand dollars boats. After spending the day, sight-seeing, they headed off to eat. And what better place than Quaker State(of course, a chicken wing was involved).

This picture is of all the pamphlets & books that Noah had pick up. And that is 4# of paper. (hehe! I just had to weight it-that's the baby scale that was used on Eric & I).

12 Degrees Below Zero...

Ok, the kids haven't had school due to iceburg temperatures the last 2 days. This morning at 5 am, we called Time & Temp...and to no surprise, ITS COLD! Actually the temperature was -12. Now, that the sun is shining brightly you would think the air isn't as frigid. Wrong! Still -12 outside at 10:30 in the morning. I can't handle these cold temperatures much longer! It takes hours to get my hands & feet warm.

A Game is Rescheduled

Makaleigh's game that was cancelled for January 13th against Plymouth is back on. The schools have agreed to reschedule on January 22nd at Plymouth with a starting time of 5pm.
A couple more home games to go and the season comes to an end. The girls have worked hard through some injuries and some first time players. And terrible refereeing!!!!!! I honestly believe that the girls last two lost(s) where caused by the lack of referees' call. New London's game was a record breaking jump ball calling. Some if not most of those calls should have been a reach in foul. And for the St Paul game, only one ref shown up, and he was a father to one of the eighth grade girls. Let me ask you how fair that is????
Tournaments are starting January 31st. Time and place will be posted as soon as I know something.

Cancelled...

Makaleigh's last two games have been cancelled due to the weather. She came home on the bus mad at the world that her game was cancelled on Tuesday. The weather was fine, and the 3 inches that were predicted didn't come. I think the big scare was, Chicago's temperature had dropped 15 degrees in two hours and was headed towards us.
Hopefully a rescheduled game or two will be posted soon.

One Crazy Cat!

My crazy cat, Tom just found out that we had fish. I had changed the water in the bowl & sat on the table to answer the phone. Tom's was like "Um, what is that moving inside that bowl? I will investigate." He jumps from his food table and onto the bench of our dining set, with his eyes glued to the fish. First he tries to hit at them through the glass. Then that wasn't enough, he sticks his head into the bowl. And let me just say, Tom was doing all this with Makaleigh sitting at the table doing homework across from him and myself chatting on the phone. He was fixated on one thing! FISH FOR DINNER!

Look at how intense Tom is at watching the fish move in our bowl.

Now that I have move the fish bowl to is rightful place, I worry at night. I have caught Tom, perched up and ready to make his move when the timing is right. Crazy Cat!

Celebrating Two in One

Today is New Years Eve, and we are off to celebrate Christmas with Steve, Lisa and the kids. But first a Baker's pizza was calling our names. We met the Blizzard clan, including Art and Eugenia at Baker's for lunch then off with the wrapping paper. A nice family photo of the all the grandkids.

Ages: Makaleigh~14 yrs, Evan~10 yrs, Noah~6 1/2 yrs, Karmyn~5 yrs, Kendra~3 1/2 yrs, and Lincoln 5 mos.

New Years Eve was celebrated this year with Nuk/Amy, Bowles/Arin, Ernie/Randi and Scott/I. With the exception of Arin, the women didn't drink to toast in the New Year. Both Amy and Randi expecting babies in the near future, and myself exhausted from working, (not been to bed since 10 pm last night). But the guys enjoyed the night! Drinking games like spiral of death and kings kept a beer in their hands.