Congratulations Bill !

Couldn't let the occasion to go by without a mention:

My brother graduated college yesterday! (woot! woot!)



Graduating magna cum laude with a degree in Music Education from Clarion University, he now has the daunting task of finding a job in this lovely economy of ours. But I am absolutely sure that no matter what, he will touch the lives of whomever his path crosses.

He'll kill me if I get too sentimental on such a public forum, but suffice it to say, he has been and continues to be one of the single most important people in my life - and I am utterly proud not only of his academic accomplishments, but of the outstanding individual he has become.
Warm, witty, honest and just down-right swell. Ask anyone, they'll agree.

Thankfully we were able to witness his big day, considering Mother Nature decided to dump a Nor'Easter in our laps this morning. So thanks be to my Jeep, as well as my careful hubby.

Since I forgot my camera (duh!) I have no pics of him in cap & gown yet. (My future sister-in-law to be has promised me some!) But I will leave you with this one, taken by yours truly way back in the day.



Congrats, Bill !!
And all the best awaits you, I'm sure.
Love ya.

Ode to Oliver

Today's Oliver's 2nd birthday!

So...extra treats for the O-Man on this special occassion.

And a big thanks to the hubby for not only rescuing Ollie, his mom, and two sisters, but for letting me keep my favorite. What a truly wonderful addition to the family. No offense to Biscuit, but Oliver is the happiest, friendliest, most loving kitty I've ever met.

Sorry for the gushing. He's just so sweet;)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!

Love ya!

Joining the club

Hey, my brother Bill started his own blog - you can check it out here.
Should be full of snarky, sarcastic, and cynical comments just like his sister's.

Welcome aboard, bro!

Happy Birthday!

Just want to say Happy Birthday to my cousin Nickie!



Hope your birthday is a happy one!
Let's celebrate!



(but not too much...)

Tremendous talent!

Anyone who knows me knows I have a younger brother who I am quite proud of, for so many reasons. One of which is his incredible musical talent.
Which he is putting to good use at college in the Music Education Department.

And so as not to embarrass him too much....

Oh forget it Bill - I'm gonna embarrass ya!

This past sunday night was his Senior Recital at Marwick-Boyd Auditorium on the Clarion University campus. This means JUST HIM - alone, on stage, playing piano for a half hour with a room full of people there just to hear him and only him.
Lots of family and friends were there, besides his professors, to lend him support. Even his piano teacher that taught him from when he was a wee lad through high school and beyond, was there to witness the event.

And he was...Wonderful! Impressive! Top-notch! Sensational! And a hundred other adjectives I want to list here. But won't.


tickling the ivories

Seriously, he did a fabulous job and I know he feels an incredible weight lifted off his shoulders, having this recital behind him now. Now he can relax!

The program included selections from Scarlatti (Sonata in D Major), Haydn (Sonata in E Minor, Hob 34), Bartok (Sonatina), and my absolute favorite - Chopin (Polonaise in C-Sharp Minor, Op.26, No.1).... I almost wish I was renewing my vows or having some kind of formal gathering so you could play that just for me.


concentration is KEY.

The difficulty of the pieces was staggering, in my mind. Perhaps someone with more music in their background than high school band and chorus and a few years of piano lessons may not think the complexity was that demanding, but I found the arrangements quite merciless as well as intricate, and cannot imagine learning it - let alone memorizing them.

That's right, folks - he had to memorize every agonizing bar of music. During the third selection (the Chopin), my husband finally looked at me and said "he doesn't have any music in front of him!"... he had just noticed.
Simply amazing.


That smile is one of relief - he's finished!

So many congrats, Bill - you did such an outstanding job!

I'll stop going on about it now...
But that Chopin number....simply DIVINE!

Congrats!

Best Wishes to my cousin Kiley and her new hubby, David.



They got married yesterday and so I wish them health, happiness and fun in their lives together!

My favorite uncle Shawn and I were talking, at the wedding, and he mentioned how I hadn't updated my Compulsive List Addiction blog in a few months - and he suggested I write about the things I hate about weddings.

Which I did. You can read that rant here.

But it in no way mirrors my feelings for Kiley's reception. It was tasteful, classy, and fun.

(But I have been to some really crappy and/or ridiculous celebrations in my time and so this rant is a reflection of those 'wonderful' times...)

All the best, Mr. and Mrs. Cribbs!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Mom and Max (when he was a tad smaller!)

Cats are just funny

"Watch my eyes.... you're getting veeerrry sleepy.......
..now, where are those tuna treats?....."



"That Jay Leno is a real hoot!..."

Ollie's big day!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY OLIVER!

My cat's a rock star.

Seriously, this effect is easy @ http://www.magmypic.com/

*Seems like just yesterday Ollie was living in my basement, growing up with his sisters.
He was so tiny.

He's been with us since he was 2 weeks old, so we're pretty used to having him around.

Now he's nearly 15 pounds and dwarfs his sister Biscuit.

Extra treats today!
Love you O-man.

all legal and everything...

A big huge shout out to my brother who turned 21 yesterday.
Now he can finally at least legally do all the things he's been doing for the last several years!
Best wishes, I love ya.

Who's your daddy??

Happy Father's Day to the guy who has put up with so much from me over my lifetime and still lived to tell about it.
You're the best!

Many Happy Returns!

Happy Birthday, Dri!
Have a great day!

Home Sweet Apartment!

Congrats to my brother Bill and his longtime girlfriend, Audrina - they just moved into their own apartment and are enjoying the freedom of independence and the joy of being on their own! Best of luck - enjoy life! You both deserve it.

(And thanks to Dri, cause I ripped this pic from her myspace site without her permission! It's an awesome photo!)

To my BFF

My best friend in the 'wide world' is having a birthday
on April 7th!!
So I have to tell Juli to live it up and have a great day!
Love ya!

To my Sweetie

Had to wish my favorite person in the whole world (my hubby!!) Happy Birthday!
You make my world go round! Sometimes I get dizzy, but that's the fun part of the ride.
Love you.

Congratulations!

Just have to say Congratulations to my brilliant, musically superior little brother, Bill - he scored a music scholarship for next year at Clarion University, where he will be a SENIOR (oh no!!!!!! I'm getting old)...
Way to go, bro!

Winter in PA

Here's my cousin Sydney in all her winter glory. I don't know what her friend's name is, but he sure is cute.





Unfortunately, I have to think her friend isn't still visiting...
It got into the mid-40's with rain yesterday.

Birthday of two legends

Yesterday (the 15th) was the birthday of two legends -

Seattle Slew


photo credit: Tony Leonard)

In my opinion the greatest racehorse that ever lived.
Oh, many will argue - but who was better on the track AND in the breeding shed?? I dare you to name one horse.
Anyway, he was born February 15, 1974 - and for those of you born under a sports trivia rock - he won Thoroughbred Horseracing's Triple Crown in 1977. Only 11 horses have ever done that, in 134 years. Wow!
Slew died in May, 2002 - 25 years to the day of his Kentucky Derby triumph. His legend lives on through the thousands of horses out there running their hearts out on the track and elsewhere every day.


Also celebrating a monumental birthday yesterday is my favorite uncle - Shawn!



Happy 40th, dude!! Love ya!