I still can't believe it...

I have been a fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since I was a kid. My mom and I moved to FL the same year the Bucs franchise began. I can remember my mom taking me to game when they were dressed in their orange and white uniforms - now referred to as the "creamsicle" look. We would sit in the old "Sombrero" stadium and she would hand me the binoculars and tell me to look for grass stains...and alas, my love of football began! ;) (they had white pants back then just in case you were wondering). Probably not the best thing to tell your young daughter to do but hey, it helped pass the time and kept me interested in the game!

I grew up as a Bucs fan...even when they were downright awful. I am not what some would refer to as a fair weather fan. I am a Bucs fan for life. Today though, I am truly disheartened with the whole franchise. Over the years I have not always agreed with some of the choices and changes they have made but today's big announcement really left a bad taste in my mouth and a heavy heart. They let Derrick Brooks and 4 other veteran players go. There are a small few who support the move but I, and quite a few others do not. My heart is heaviest at the dismissal of Derrick Brooks.

Derrick Brooks is a class act on and off the field. He does so much for this community and he has played his entire career as a Buccaneer. Even he was blindsided by today's announcement. I feel so let down by the whole franchise. They don't seem to have any sense of loyalty. Granted, I am not a football expert but I think Derrick could have finished his last year on his contract and then been given the chance to retire as a Buccaneer...let him go out the way he came in. I have lost faith in the whole organization and I think the move they made was disrespectful and just down right classless.

Warrick Dunn is another one who is truly a class act on and off the field and another one they let go. It is really unbelievable to me. Both of these men are tremendous role models for our kids today...man, I just can't believe how sad all of this makes me.

I know I am not alone in my feelings either. I don't think this year is going to be the same for the football fans around Tampa Bay. I wish both Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn, as well as Joey Galloway, Cato June and Ike Hilliard, all the best in their future endeavors. I am so sad to see them go.

"WHO's YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER? ---- MR. DERRICK BROOKS!"

"Who's Your Favorite Player..."

You will be missed!

Project 365 - Feb 9th

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...so what does this one say to you? LOL! That is our little Tiger Lily -- not so little anymore though. She hopped on the couch to keep us company while we were watching The X-Files Movie. Guess she figured since the kids were all tucked in bed we needed a snuggle buddy. She is rather partial to Steve.

Project 365 - Feb 8th

Another beautiful day outside...perfect for a birthday party. One of our neighbors had a party for her son who was turning 8...and for once I did not have a camera in my hand! One of our favorite neighbors, Amy, took some photos though...she probably wanted to make sure I didn't try and take hr little Sophie home with me! ;) Isn't she just the cutest...and she has 2 adorable big sisters too!

Project 365 - Feb 7th

The kids had the day off from school today (won't even get started on how ridiculous THAT was!) but it turned out to be a gorgeous day out and so I took them out for a bike ride around our neighborhood. It was so peaceful and quiet and for that little bit of time there was no fighting between them -- oh wait! I take that back, there was a brief interlude about being "first"! LOL!

Project 365 - Feb 6th

My little brother and his girlfriend...aren't they just the cutest? Her name is Christine and I think she absolutely rocks! They came over and played American Idol with us tonight...and can I tell you how proud I was of my brother -- he actually sang! And he didn't do too bad either! Christine totally rocked out, too! She likes Shane West as much as I do! *gasp* Haven't met anyone else who did! Oh yeah, I am totally adopting her!

Project 365 - Feb 5th

Today I had lunch with some friends from high school...haven't seem them in about 10 years! It was really nice to see them both and catch up -- well, as much as you can in about an hour! LOL! It is fun to hear how everyone has "grown up" (yeah, okay, so I use that term loosely! ;)

Project 365 - Feb 4th

Another one home sick...this time it was Stevie. Turns out he has all kinds of allergies...both environmental and food wise. Poor guys has had stomach pains for the longest time. Now that we know what the allergies are, hopefully we can get him feeling better soon!

Is it really February already?

Is it just me or do the days seem to go faster as I get older?!

Feb 1

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY! Our friends Jamie and Glenn decided to have a few friends over to watch the Superbowl and we were more than happy to go. Out of everyone there though me and Jamie's daughter Kathleen were the only ones rooting for the Steelers. Such a close game but the Steelers pulled it out in the end! WOOT!

FEB 2

PLAYDATE! I snapped this pic of The Ribble kids and The Hall kids when I came to pick up Stevie and Alyson from their playdate on my way home from work.

FEB 3

Nothing too exciting today. Took a page out of Becky Higgins 365 album and snapped this pic on my way to work this morning. Do you think maybe the sunglasses are a little too big? (Steve picked them out for me a couple of years ago...I am still amazed they have lasted this long!)

Finishing up January

My last few pics for January and the Project 365 album.

JAN 26

Donut? Steve is in major marketing mode for our Liberty Tax stores and he had an idea to bag up a couple of Krispy Kreme donuts, staple one our coupons to it and then pass them out to drivers on their way to work. It took us 3 hours to bag up 70 dozen donuts! WHEW!

JAN 27

I made it all the way to work this morning only to have to turn around and head to school to pick Alyson up when the school nurse called to say that Alyson was vomiting. When I got there to pick her up I was told that her whole table was out sick that day. So she spent some time cuddled up on the coach watching the Tinkerbell movie.

JAN 28

We love Miss Faith! Steve and I were attending a networking cocktail party and so Miss Faith came to sit with the kids. She is one of the most intelligient, well spoken, well informed teenagers I have ever met! She is a Christian and proud of it and I love that she shares her love of God with the kids. She is as beautiful outside as she is inside too.

JAN 29

Alyson grabbed the camera this morning and was having fun snapping pics while I was combing her hair before school. She is quite the character.










JAN 30

Stevie went to spend the night with his buddy Lucas so when Daddy called to see if his girls wanted to meet up for a little ice cream date our sweet toothed little diva was all for it!









JAN 31

Dinner is served! You know, some days there just isn't much else to take a picture of! LOL! Cheese pizza for the kids and Spinach and Feta cheese for the parents...and everyone is happy.

Project 365 - Jan 25

Every once in a while you have to break all the rules and let the kids have cake for breakfast!

January 24th - FAMILIES GAME NIGHT!

We are starting a once a month game night with 3 other familes. Unfortunately, Dave and Katheleen had to cancel at the last minute because their kids were sick. We still had a great time although we missed having them there -- hopefully next month! We played a little Catch Phrase as well as Beyond Baulderdash. Such an awesome good time!

January 23rd - Family Time

We had pizza for dinner and played a little Family Version of Cranium. It was Mommy and Alyson versus Daddy and Stevie...and each team won once.

Project 365 - Jan 22

HOLY COW WAS IT EVER COLD HERE!

I know for you northern gals 27 degrees is not that big of a deal...but for those of us in Florida, well, that just doesn't happen to often. I actually had to scrap ice off of the windshield -- which I was not really equipped to do and so I resorted to using one of the kids beach buckets that was in the trunk of Steve's car because his garage door opener wouldn't work in the cold either. Oh yes, it was a fun morning. The kids were enjoying watching the breath.

Project 365 - Jan 21

Our Liberty Tax Store hosted an "After 5" event for the CABA association. I snapped a pic of Steve while he was up in front of everyone speaking. I admire his ability to easily get up in front of people. Definitely not something for his shy wife to do!

I can't keep it to myself.

I am going to vent right now. And yes, it is in regards to politics. Consider yourself warned. I have held my tongue long enough and since this is my blog and I can say whatever I want…I am going to do just that. I respect other people and their opinions, but right now I get to express mine.

No, I did not vote for Obama. Yes, it is a wonderful thing for this country that we have our first African American President and I certainly do not take that away from him. It would appear that our country has come so far. I however do not agree with many of his policies. I will pray for him and our country. I will treat him with the respect that he deserves as this country’s President.

That being said, I am utterly disgusted with the vast majority of this country’s democratic party as well as the obviously liberal media. How anyone can say this country’s media is NOT biased most certainly has blinders on. I am not one to be easily offended but that latter part of the benediction given by Rev. Joseph Lowery at the inauguration yesterday was uncalled for, and I am absolutely offended. This was beyond the realms of simply being rude. This was downright insulting. I can hardly believe this was considered acceptable and actually allowed at a federal ceremony. I can not see how a comment about “whites embracing what is right” will ever help unite this country. People are people – not their color. We are the human race. Why must whites be stigmatized for things that were done well over a hundred years ago – which, by the way, many white people died trying to stop?! Had a white person made any sort of derogatory comment like that about another race it would be all over the news and “racist” shouts would be heard from miles away. I am utterly sick and tired of it. Enough is enough already.

The lack of class shown by some who call themselves democrats is pathetic as well. I saw a lot of people commenting to others less than thrilled to have Obama as President that they should at least be respectful of him. I wholeheartedly agree with that statement. However, what about that lack of respect shown to George W. Bush yesterday?! Apparently that is different?! I find it nauseating how he was treated. It shows a complete lack of class and an absolute inability to even behave in a civilized manner. The behavior was reminiscent of drunks at a sporting event. I don’t care if you liked him or not – how dare people in this country treat a man who took one of the hardest jobs in the world like that! No he didn’t always make the right choice for everyone, he isn’t perfect – nor is any other president. They ALL make mistakes. They ALL make Americans angry at some point. They ALL deserve respect. Period.

As much as I would LOVE to see and be a part of an actual “ United” States of America, I don’t see it happening any time soon. I was hardly inspired after some of the events of yesterday and, try as I might, I am not full of a whole lot of hope either. Yesterday had so much potential but unfortunately left me more disappointed than anything. Disappointed and tired. The hypocrisy in this country is enormous.

Project 365 - Jan 20

This week is our week to drive the neighborhood carpool, which right now means that Steve is driving. I actually managed to leave on time this morning and I was in front of Steve and the caravan of kiddos most of the way to school. I snapped this pic in the side mirror of Steve's car. I miss driving my Sequoia when he has to drive the carpool. Of course I miss my magic van even more. :(

Catching up.

I feel like I am in constant "catch up" mode these days...who knows, maybe someday I actually will be! We had a busy weekend with Stevie's soccer tournament, getting ready for peak time for this tax season, laundry, some deep housecleaning, etc. I made it a point to sit down tonight and get my Project 365 pics uploaded if nothing else!

PROJECT 365 - Jan 15

Steve called and asked if I wanted to meet for lunch today. He was going to be nearby so we met up at Pizza Hut for the All You Can Eat Buffet -- not really my favorite place but I'd be willing to have lunch with my handsome hubby just about anywhere. <3

PROJECT 365 - JAN 16

My brave little boy. Stevie had to go for blood work this morning and I was pleasantly surprised when he wanted me to take him rather than Daddy. I know that he was a little nervous at the idea of having blood drawn but he put on such a brave face -- right up until he had to sit in the chair. That's when I saw his big blue eyes start to well up with tears and I could see the fear all over his face. I sat with him and held his hand and he did great! They really took a lot of blood - more than I would have expected. I was so proud of him and I have to confess, it felt really nice to be needed.

PROJECT 365 - JAN 17

This weekend Stevie had a soccer tournament. He really enjoys playing and he is really good too! I know, I am his mom and a little biased but I have heard other parents say the same thing - yep we are proud! His favorite position is goalie, but on the few occasions a goal has gotten past him he tends to take it just a little too personal. It is exciting to watch him play -- although there are times when I really wish he wasn't the goalie!

PROJECT 365 - JAN 18

We had another soccer game bright and early today. While we were sitting on the sidelines Alyson asked if she could see my camera. This was one of the pictures I found later. We seem to see this face from her a lot these days. She is quite a challenge lately with all the whining, crying and attitude. Unfortunately, I hear it doesn't get any better. Great.

PROJECT 365 - Jan 19

Martin Luther King Jr. Day. No school. Steve called to say the kids wanted to meet me for lunch. Subway it is.

Charlie Bit Me - Remix

Came across this today...just cracked me up!

A friend, fun and smores!

I snapped this picture tonight while we were all out back after dinner making smores. Stevie's friend Lucas is staying the night with us. I know, kind of a weird night for a sleepover but unfortunately Lucas's grandmother is dying and so his mother went to be with her and his dad had a commitment. Please keep their family in your prayers if you wouldn't mind.

Stevie and Lucas became close friends last year when they were in the same class at school. I still remember the first Saturday morning that Lucas called. Really a great kid! And he and Stevie get along so well.

And as you can tell, they were all having fun tonight out by the fireplace! LOL!