13

This fierce beauty, my middle niece Claire, turns 13 years old today. 13! Where the heck did the time go?!? I can’t believe she’s now an official teenager who will be going into eighth grade this fall. Seems like only yesterday she was running around in Justin Bieber pajamas,  telling everyone she wanted  to be a professional wrestler when she grew up😆

Well, she’s gotten over Bieber (thank God!), and while she still enjoys wrestling and the WWE, her current focus is on gymnastics and cheerleading. Perfect outlets for her abundant energy! Claire has competed in statewide gymnastic meets over the past 3 years and has won several awards and trophies, but now that she is into cheerleading, that has taken precedent. It would be too stressful and time consuming for her, and her parents, to keep both activities. Not to mention expensive.

No matter what she does in life, proud auntie here will always be there cheering her on. Love you, sweet girl!

Tengo Cuarenta Y Tres Años

Today is my birthday. I'm officially old.

I didn't have to work because of the Abraham Lincoln birthday holiday (happy 203rd, Mr. President!), so my best friend and her husband treated me to a matinee of The Woman In Black. Is it pathetic that the ancient toys in the film scared me more than The Woman herself? It's embarrassing to admit, but toy monkeys playing maracas and cymbals are a thousand times creepier than any ghost. Daniel Radcliffe did an excellent job as the young lawyer Arthur Kipps, but I have to admit there were times when all I could picture was him as Harry Potter. I heard an older woman in our row say to her friend, "I just can't get used to seeing Harry Potter drink alcohol!", so at least I'm not the only one.

Other than the movie, I have no additional plans for the day. It's cold and snowing right now, so perhaps I'll have a little nap. Naps are good.

Brain Droppings, Part Two

Bits and pieces of randomness...

1. I had my baseline mammogram on Nov. 11. To my immense surprise (and relief), it was not at all uncomfortable or painful. The results? Everything is normal.
2. The St.Louis Blues fired head coach Davis Payne on Nov. 7 and replaced him with Ken Hitchcock. I'll admit this took me (and many other Blues fans) by surprise; we thought the organization would give Payne, like Andy Murray before him, more time to get back on track. Guess they weren't playing around. So far under Hitchcock, the Blues are 4W-1L-2OT. Not too shabby. My brother Bart, best friend Kelly, and I traveled to St.Louis on Nov. 12 to see the Blues beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-0. My boy, TJ Oshie, scored a beautiful empty net goal in the second period. Kelly pointed out that he has scored a goal in every game we've attended in person. Coincidence? I think not.
3. I'm totally addicted to The Walking Dead and American Horror Story. Hands down, two of the most graphic, downright bizarre shows in the history of television. I tried watching Walking Dead during the first season but, for some reason, just couldn't get into it. When it appeared on streaming Netflix, I decided to give it another shot and found myself hooked. I love the characters (well, not Shane because he's an ass), the suspense, the creepy zombies, and the plot twists. As for American Horror Story, I became intrigued after it was featured in Entertainment Weekly, so I caught the first three episodes on Xfinity On Demand and was blown away by what a mind freak it really is. It's hard to describe what's going on in the infamous "Murder House"- you just have to see it for yourself.
4. I'm seriously considering going back to school next fall to earn a certificate in medical transcription. I'd like to have a reliable career back-up ready should I have to leave my current position as a special ed. teacher assistant, either due to layoffs or loss of benefits. If neither situation occurs (fingers crossed), I figure I can still use the certificate by doing medical transcription work part-time (ideally from home).

Growing Like A Weed

My 12 year old nephew Garett is already 5 ft. 7 1/2 inches tall and towers over Grandma. He needs to stop growing up so quickly