Happy Days Are Here Again......

I'm happy.

Yes, I'm happy.

For the first time in a looooong time, well 7 years and 73 days to be exact, I look forward to the new day when I get out of bed in the morning.

I get up with a smile on my face. Ok, maybe not a smile. But definitely not the dreaded feeling of wondering how I'm going to make it through another day.

This may seem like a shock to some of you who think I am all fun and bubbly and my life is great. Yes, it may be surprising to some that for seven plus years I was in such a deep funk that it took every ounce of will power just to get out of bed and face another day of the disaster that my life had become. I won't bore you with the details. But it wasn't pretty.

For those of you who constantly tell me how lucky I am. The hair on your back would rise if I told you real stories of how un-lucky I am. And I am serious.
But that is over now. New beginnings. Right?

Anyway...........I was talking to my friend Erin (who needs to move back to Pittsburgh because I miss her and her baby like crazy!) We were talking and she said out of the blue, "You finally sound happy again." And I thought to myself, yeah, I do, don't I. Erin is one of the people who know my whole story. She's one of the few I can and did call in the middle of the night when I couldn't sleep because I couldn't settle myself down enough to stop crying. She's my friend I would call and vent when person after person would tell me how "great" I was handling my husbands death. She knew I wasn't handling it, at all.

It's not that I don't have great friends who would have helped me in through ANYTHING. I do. But it's just that we all know how I feel about sissy-la-la's. People who whine all the time make me crazy. I didn't want to be one of those "woe is me" people. I would rather cry myself to sleep than be considered not strong. I know, I know. I'm fuckin' nuts. But I can't and will not be a sissy-la-la.

Well all of that is water under the bridge now. I can finally stay home. I can finally sit in my living room and watch TV for more than ten minutes. I can finally lay in bed and read a book. I can finally laugh with my kids.
I guess that's why I can finally "out" myself as a sissy la la. Hope I didn't burst any one's bubble!

This is so not where I wanted to take this blog post. I never know what these will turn into when I start typing.

Sigh, enough of this touchy feely shit. People will start spreading rumors that I am push-over. It's bad enough I turned into a far left Democrat for cryin out loud!

Let's see, what else pissed me off this week? (Don't worry, It's a happy pissed off and not a I'm ready to hit you in the face pissed off!)

Passive aggressive people really piss me off. It's the one personality trait that absolutely drives me crazy. If you know me, you know what my opinions are on just about everything. If you know me, you know if I like you or not in about five minutes. If you know me, and you don't like me, or like what I'm doing, tell me for cryin' out loud. It's not the end of the world. I'll live and so will you all. Just don't start that damn whining!!!!! Stand up for yourselves people. No one else will.

How about that scum bag Jesse James! Talk about sissy la la's. Boo Hoo, I was abused as a child so I had to go F#%@ every tattooed porn star west of the Mississippi.Jerk. Just once can't some cheating celebrity just keep their mouth shut and face it like a man/woman. Quit blaming someone/thing!!!!!!!! Just once. Sissy la la punk. I hope he gets diseases. (Sorry Sr. Susan!)

Previously I've told you about a blog I read called Callapitter. It's written by a mother whose two children were killed in a car accident. After reading what she goes through, that's one of the reasons I hate to talk about my own problems. They pale in comparison to this poor woman. She has been trying to get a playground built in their honor. Ginny over at That's Church explains it better than me. I like Doug Shields and usually agree with most of what he does. However, this is puzzling to me. Doug, WTF???? Residents of the Frick Park area, if you don't like noise, how come you live near a park??????????????????

One more thing, then I'm done bitching, I promise. How about the people who want the government out of their lives, ie Republicans. Yes, they want the big bad government to stay the hell out of everything. Until there's a problem. Then there all like "where the hell is Obama, he's not doing anything to help us. bla bla bla."
Just askin'

I guess I'm done bitching for now, I better go dig out the white shoes and linen for Monday.

Where Angels Go..........

OK, OK, I didn't drown in the bathtub.
Nice to know I was missed though!!!!

Sooooooo last we talked I was mad at the Pope. So yesterday he finally saw the light and says "Today we see in a truly terrifying way that the greatest persecution of the Church does not come from outside enemies but is born of sin within the Church,"
There Your Eminence (how does one address the Pope anyhow?) Was that so hard????? Geezeohman. You said it. Now.......let's move on.......I'm over it.

I've been busy lately. Seems like I've been running in circles from here to there and back again. One of the events I attended was pure joy though. My friend Andrea was honored with the Ted Craig Humanitarian Award for her work at the Woman's Shelter of Pittsburgh. Talk about a three hankie deal!!! Holy cow............

She is truly an angel to alot of people. Esp. the woman at the Woman's Shelter. And she does all of this with a life threatening disease that would have killed a lesser person long ago. Truly amazing.

Andrea and I met shortly after her divorce and Dan's death. Both of us being newly single and the same age, we hit it off. In no time we were jet setting our sorrows away. Italy, Camen Islands, Florida, New York, Vegas just to name a few.

Andrea's job comes with alot of perks and I am usually her number one seat filler.
One of her outings brought us to the Pirate Game on Mothers Day. In our box I met two of the most interesting Benedictine Nuns. Sister Susan Fazzini and Sister Audrey Quinn were foster parents to 160 children. YES, I said 160!!! Yes, they surely deserved a Mother's Day celebration much more than I!!!!!

During the game we started talking and I ask Sr. Susan what she thought of the whole Pope thingee and the healthcare debate, you know, my usual.......Andrea rolls her eyes and holds her breath and says "Here we go." But I know she's praying to herself saying "Please Dear Lord, don't let them bring up the Capachuns." (whole other story!)
Instead, I bring up the fact that I used to dress up like a nun and play mass when I was a kid, etc......So I pull up this here blog on my blackberry and show her. She in turn wants my blog address and so I gave it to her.

When I got home, I got to thinking. Man oh man what did I do? What if I offend her? She's a nun for cryin' out loud. Although not as scary as Sr. Florentine or Sister Margarete, but still probably could do some damage. So I went back through some of the rough posts and re-read them. Sort of like through the eyes of a nun. After all, I spent a few years in that habit. Plus, I didn't ask,but as someone who has eighteen years of Catholic Schools under my belt, I'm guessing I might have just as many, if not more, years of Catholic schooling. But don't quote me on that. I'm just guessing.

Anyway, I thought about changing some language, but that would change the whole tone of some of the posts. So I left it. And started saying the rosary.

Imagine my surprise when I got an email from my new BFF Sr Susan saying how much she loved reading my blog!!!!

She wrote me a wonderful note about the blog and my writing.
The extra rosaries must have did the trick!

You know, the world could use a few more angels like Sr. Susan, Sr. Audrey and Andrea. They are true Christians who walk the walk.

And you know what the song/movie says "Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows."........

Uh, that trouble would be ME!!!!

And for the record, that email is so going to be kept in the back of my mind for use when I get to the Pearly Gates. If St. Peter has to think about it, I am so going to mention that nuns liked my blog and I drive a blind lady I hardly know to get Chemo on Friday mornings after going out late with the AMG's on Thursday nights. Hey, that could be the deal changer. Hey, if it means Heaven or hell, I'm not above name/good deed dropping! Every little bit helps those of us on the cusp.

***I must be hanging with the right people because remember when I told you I was praying to the Patron St. of Computers for a new one? Well Ski called yesterday saying she got a new laptop and wanted to know if I wanted her old one. Thank you St. Charles Borromeo............Look out bloggerland, I'm coming back!!!!

Calgon, Or Anyone.........Take Me Away.......Please!

I have this amazing bathroom that I rarely use. Seriously. Except for the obvious, I have never taken full advantage of the most amazing room in my house.

When renovating the house, I took a bedroom out of my second floor and made it into a very large bathroom. It has a soaking tub, a working fireplace, marble floors,the works.
When someone sees it for the first time, the first thing out of their mouth is that they would love to borrow my bathroom, light the fire, and sit in my tub with a glass of wine and a good book.

I have never done that. Not even once.

Now those of you out there in bloggerland who know me, know that I have trouble sitting still for very long let along soaking in a tub. I think to myself sometimes, what was I thinking? The money could have been put to better use. Oh well, It's water down the drain now!

Anyway. Today, I'm miserable. I'm bored. I'm just plain ol' tired. And I'm longing for my old June Cleaverish life. Looking back, I seriously didn't mind stepping over 15 bicycles to get into the house. The toys that I stepped on regularly didn't leave any permanent marks on the bottom of my feet. And the rugs eventually dried from all the kids running in and out of the pool to go to the bathroom.

Tonight, I think I need to take a long, hot, bubble bath. I want to close my eyes and be taken back to Sherrod Street. In my old bathroom. The one where I couldn't have a moments peace. Not the marble bathroom, but the one with the toy basket in the tub. I want my kids banging on the door telling me they are hungry, or they need help with homework. I want the dog barking either because he wants someone to take him for a walk, or one of the Grubbs boys snuck in the house again and is chasing him........Calgon.....Take me away!! Preferably into somebody else' life!! Angelina Jolie's maybe?

Thursday's Thoughts

I know, I know.....I've been quite the slacker lately. Sorry to all my friends out there in blogger land. It's this whole not having a home computer thing. Hopefully that will be remedied soon.

I know there is lots happening out there that is just begging for my commentary. Since I have been MIA for so long I'm just going to do a little recap.

Here are a few of my thoughts on this lovely Thursday afternoon!

Oh, where to start, where to start, where to start.....

I guess I'll go with the obvious. I can't help myself with this one. The Steeler Gods are condemning me to eternal hell.

Sorry, but this was just too good.

Thanks to Ginny over at That's Church.

And how about that Terry Bradshaw. What a guy. I wasn't a big lover back in the day, but now I just love him. I love that he plays stupid. And he's ok with that. Yeah, he's stupid as a fox! This man is no dummy.
I can't recall where I heard it, but on one interview he was saying something to that fact that does Ben really think these girls would be caught dead with either of them if they were just regular Joe's? Right on Terry.

Next up, Jane Orie. I'm not going to say too much because I've already covered her here.
But, do we really have to say anything???? I'm thinking this picture says is all!


We were talking about her this past weekend. Gotta love Donna who hit the nail on the head with this comment. "Forget about arresting her for breaking the law. She should be arrested for that makeup!" One of the best lines of the weekend! One would have to look long and hard to find a more un-photogenic family.
Myself, I think she should be arrested for those nails. Really folks, who wears those nail and expects anyone to take them seriously?

I am sensing a recurring theme here. Opinions of mine that only need one picture to say it all.

Us Anger Management Girls went on our first "Retreat" this past weekend. OMG. We must be getting old. Instead of our heads hurting from a little too much to drink, our jaws hurt from laughing. Really, I haven't laughed that hard in a long, long time.

I just have one thing to say. My crazy friend wore her damn snugly all weekend. She wore it down by the lake when she was Moses, parting the seas. And she wore in in the picture below when she was Our Lady Of The Lake. I can't look at it without hearing her say "The snugly and American Idol are ruining her sex life." I'm not saying another word!!



And what's up with the Pope? Now before you all go calling me anti-catholic, I'm about as catholic as one can get. Catholic Grade School, HS, College, Grad School. Remember, I used to dress up like a nun and walk the streets. And how about that time I went to buy medals and the Nun's were trying to get me join their order? Plusssss, I was on the alter with the Pope for cryin' out loud.
Having said that, He's pissing me off. ducking to avoid lightening bolts I have a real problem with the 200 deaf kids that no one stood up for. This is really, really bothering me.

Enough on that.

Being a Maryland fan (The Madonna makes me by giving me shitloads of free stuff!I'm still pissed Duke won the national basketball championship. How about that Butler? What a bunch of cuties. If that last shot would have gone in, the place would have gone crazy!!! So would my dad and my kids.
This might be mean, but again, I can't help myself. I have never in my life seen an uglier bunch of white boys than Duke's basketball team. Again ducking the lightening bolts. I felt like I was watching the Arian National Basketball team.

Lets see......what did I miss. It's been so long.

I'm not even going start on the whole tea-baggers and Sarah Palin stuff. They had to bring her in on a row boat. That's the only song they can remember all the words to......

And just think, the Health Care Bill had been in effect (or is it affect? Damn I wish I would have paid attention to Sr. Angela) for how long now and last I looked, we still had a county. The world didn't end. How about that????

I'm going to start praying to St. Charles Borromeo for a new computer so I could post more often. He is the Patron Saint of computer users. I swear I am not making this up!

Maybe I shouldn't have dissed the Pope!!

Or I can always pray to Our Lady Of The Lake!

Whose Smarter Than A Second Grader?

Sarah Palin is the best thing since sliced bread.

I can hear you all gasping!!!!!


It's true. She provides endless story lines, jokes, etc.....and will continue to do so for years to come. Face it people. NO ONE is easier to make fun of than her. Think about it. She does not even realize people are laughing AT her not WITH her. Something my mother taught me by the 2nd grade. Oh well, maybe she's a late bloomer.


Anyway, I read this little bit on Yahoo news today. It seems Sarah is hosting a special on Fox this week called Real American Stories. One of the people it plans to highlight is LL Cool J. There was only one problem. They plan on using old tapes of their guests.


I'm confused. What is Sarah actually going to be doing? Just commenting between old news clips? I don't get it.

Oh. Wait. A. Minute. Yes I do. They would never trust good ol' Sarah to actually interview anyone with an IQ over a basement apartment number. So they went through the old stuff and thought, here, let her do this. She can't fuck this up too bad. She can just read through the script. Old white guys will love it.

Only one little problem. When asked about it. LL Cool J said he did the interview over two years ago and they are promoting it like its hot off the press. He thinks that is misrepresenting the public.


HELLO Mr. Cool J, who's NCIS LA ratings blows everyone out of the water.........this is FOX.....what the hell did you expect???

Fox's provided the following statement:


"Real American Stories features uplifting tales about overcoming adversity and we believe Mr. Smith's interview fit that criteria. However, as it appears that Mr. Smith does not want to be associated with a program that could serve as an inspiration to others, we are cutting his interview from the special and wish him the best with his fledgling acting career"

Fledgling acting career???????And they want who to take them seriously???????


LL Cool J's reaction. "Nobody can bring you peace but yourself."

One of the two sounds like a second grader. We won't mention any names!


Did anyone call for "Childish, party of one?"

Won't You Be My Neighbor!

Most of us Burgers either have had a family member who had to leave home way back when or we ourselves have had to leave this great city for greener pastures and employment opportunities elsewhere.
My first brush with this phenomenon came in late December 1970 or 71 when The Madonna packed up her 32 pairs of brown shoes and headed to "our nations capital." Her story was sort of different though. She really didn't have a job like most people, but she listened to that Ruth who wronged her and MADE her move. Hard to believe I know, but true.
Eight or so years later, I followed her......And that was Ruth's fault also. A few years later I came to my senses and moved back to my beloved Pittsburgh. Causing myself to be the butt of many non-Pittsburghers jokes. (That's alright, Harriet just told me to tell them "Jealousy will get you nowhere!")

Anyways.........why I mention all this is because I have just read over at That's Church about a movie Carl Kurlander did about his move back home to Pittsburgh after years in LA. People in the entertainment industry thought he was crazy. Even Oprah replied "Pittsburgh, really?!" when she was interviewing him on her show and he told her he longed to move back home, hmmmph.What does she know anyway? Of course us Pittsburghers know what the rest of the world is just starting to realize.

So if you get a chance, you have to check out this movie.





When the trailer played "Won't you be my neighbor" being sung by Pittsburghers in LA and NY,it got me weepy eyed already.

A few famous Burgers:
Nellie Blye
Andrew Carnegie
Rachel Carson
Mary Cassatt
Roberto Clemente
Annie Dillard
George W. G. Ferris
Stephen Foster
Henry Clay Frick
Martha Graham
Franco Harris
H. J. Heinz
Senator H. J. Heinz III
Henry Hornbostel
Cy Hungerford
Edgar Kaufmann
Michael Keaton
Gene Kelly
Kathryn Kuhlman
Samuel P. Langley
David Lawrence
Danny Marino
Bill Mazeroski
Andrew Mellon
Danny Murtaugh
Fred Rogers
Jonas Salk
Bruno Sammartino
Thomas Starzl
Gertrude Stein
Honus Wagner
Andy Warhol
George Westinghouse
August Wilson and my favorite David Conrad who is pictures with me above. He lives in Pittsburgh when he's not shooting Ghost Wisperer. He really is our neighbor!

Go check out the movie.

* I bet you all thought this post was going to be about health care didn't you??Don't worry it's coming.