Memorial Day 2008

Monday afternoon at 11 a.m. the VFW Post #1082 Ladies Auxiliary and mens Color Guard paid tribute to the men and women who have passed on before us. The ladies sang patrotic songs and the Color Guard fired their rifles and played taps. It is always a moving moment.



Twice a year, on Memorial Day and Veterans' Day, the Color Guard strut their stuff to honor their fellow heros. My Dad has been a member of the Color Guard for several years and considers it an honor to wear his uniform and pay one last respect to a fallen service person.



Dad had done 3-4 funerals a week. It could be pouring down rain, 100 degrees or -20 degrees with a foot of snow on the ground. If the Color Guard is asked to pay tribute to a fallen soldier, they are always there.

Ric and I have loved ones buried at the Crothersville Cementary and visit their graves often.

Eagles

I mostly listen to country music when the radio is on in my truck. If I have the radio on in the house, it's usually tuned to a country station too. A few days ago, we were watching the CMA awards show on television. I always like to watch the show to see George Strait, Alabama, Reba, Brooks & Dunn and all the other older singers.

To my surprise the Eagles performed during the awards show. Funny thing was our son Patrick said, "I really like the Eagles. Have you or Dad ever heard them sing?"

I couldn't answering him right away as I was laughing hard. I was remembering Glenn Frey and Don Henley from 1972 with songs like Take it Easy, Best of My Love, One of These Nights, Lyin' Eyes and my all time favorite Hotel California. A mere 36 years ago.

So once I explained to Patrick that his dad and I had heard of the group the Eagles from our childhood, he understood why we were tickled.

Thankfully they are still around with their new album Long Road Out of Eden, which was released in November 2007. The Eagles are on the cover the the May issue of Rolling Stone as they continue to make news today as they did several years earlier.

The Eagles' website can be view at: http://www.eaglesband.com/ It sure did bring back countless memories of a different generation!

My Radio...

At the suggestion of a fellow Administrator and Blogger, Dan Kovert, in his recent blog (you can view it here http://beaconse.blogspot.com/ ) he suggesting doing a radio scan for a month. Well, to tell you the truth, it sounded like fun so I thought I'd try it. Let me be honest here and tell you I'm glad the month is over with!

I always listen to I105.3 from Scottsburg, Indiana. I really like that channel as they have news about our little burg with some fun contests and great prizes. (I've won several times from CD's to tickets to Holiday World to free food and even a coupon for a free hair cut and shampoo!) But, I did stick with the month of scanning a new channel each day I was going somewhere in my truck.

I had two long trips during the month to Pekin and one to Charlestown for a junior high track meet. Each trip I had to travel 45-50 minutes, one way. Both times the radio channel I ended up on was talk radio. UGH! I was never so glad to get out of my truck those days and turn the radio OFF!

Now don't get me completely wrong, I did enjoy a few of the radio stations. At first I thought it was going to be a great experience as I heard Areosmith, Eagles, Steppenwolf, Bon Jovi and even the Steve Miller Band, my all time favorite! A day or two later I was on a country station and heard some favorites like Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Tim McGraw and Brooks & Dunn. I came across a couple Christian stations and heard some familiar songs I enjoyed too. Problem with all these good artists, I only got to hear them from my house to the school then to work. Then from work, to the school and home. It didn't last long enough! Unlike the talk radio that I thought would never end!

I stuck with it for the entire month, but I'm glad it's over and now I'm back to I105.3. At 7:45 a.m. each morning they have the trivia question for the day and on Thursday's at 7:45 a.m. they draw a name for 4 tickets to Dollywood in Tennessee. I'm registered for those tickets, so listen for my name as they are giving away five more sets of tickets!

Thanks Dan for an interesting idea! I had fun doing the experiment and may do it again sometime, but I'll wait till I know I'm not going on a long trip or somehow figure out how to skip the meaningless talk radio broadcasts ! :-D

Last School Day for '08

Today was a special day for Patrick as it was his last school day for the '07-'08 school year. To me, it seems like each years goes faster and faster and I can't believe it's the end of another year already! Things started out pretty normal this morning. As usual I dropped Patrick off at 7:50 a.m. for him to start his day.





At the end of the day, Patrick called and wanted me to bring my camera to snap some photos of the retiring teachers. Out of the five that are retiring, Patrick had three of them as teachers this year.

Cheryl Verling was teaching junior high school when I was in the 8th grade, so I know she's been there somewhere around 35 years.



Carol Otte was also a teacher when I was there and actually coached me when I played volleyball my sophomore, junior and senior years. She was there my freshman year, but didn't coach because of the birth of her son Matthew.



Last but certainly not least is Donna Koerner. She was hired as a teacher when I was in high school, but I never had the opportunity to have her as a teacher. I was very glad Patrick had her for Literature and English this year, as he has learned alot from her.



The other teachers retiring are Connie Hehman and Anita Rothring.

Several years of experience will be lost with this group of teachers calling it quits. I know with the teachers pictured above, Patrick is a different person because of them. All three have had a positive influence on his school year and to them I say thank you!

Patrick tired to be strong today as everyone was saying their good-byes, but when it came Patrick's turn, he, like everyone, had tears in his eyes too.

Thanks to Cheryl, Donna and Carol for making a difference in my son's life. You will truly be missed!

My Bunko Group

We are a bunch of wild and crazy girls. I say that with the up most respect too ;-)

Chrystal wasn't able to make it tonight since her daughter was graduating from pre-school so we had Gena as her sub. Dianna, Linda, Stephanie, Shelley, Sherry and Wanda were ready to go at 6:30 p.m.

Our group plays once a month and we are always laughing and leave feeling refreshed and tried from laughing so hard. Tonight was no different. The sun was shining and had all of us in a good mood . . .



I got a few pictures of the girls rolling the dice . . .

Shelley:



Wanda:




Gena:



We love getting together and sharing stories and keeping our friendships fresh:



. . . and of course we love to eat!



Tonight we were at Wanda's home and had some great foods and deserts. The 'bunko brew' was pretty awesome too, as always.

This is the recipe to the popular 'bunko brew':

1 lg can pineapple juice
1 sm can frozen orange juice
1 lg can frozen lemonade
1 cup water
1 cup sugarWhiskey to taste
Mix and freeze.
Serve in glass. 1/2 slush and 1/2 Sprite

It is awesome!

At the end of the game we count up our punches on our cards along with our bunko checks. Shelley is usually the Queen of the group, unless Gena is subbing for someone. She is pretty lucky too. So, as usual tonight we had to have a roll off between to two. If I remember correctly, Gena had a four and Shelley rolled a two. Ultimate bunko gift for tonight goes to Gena. Shelley gets the second best.

Shelley tried several times to help me be the Queen, but I couldn't stay with her all night long so I ended up next to last. But, I still got an awesome prize (something I can actually use!) so tonight was an all around success!

Our next get together isn't until August since were are taking off the summer months. It will be a good break, but it will be good to get together again too!

To see photos of all the want-to-be Queens, check out Shelley's blog at: http://whatifitdid.com/

Stay tuned for more bunko updates!

A good picture

Reading Shelley's latest entry on her blog: http://whatifitdid.com/ made me think of a photo I had taken a few years ago.

If you know anything about Indiana and basketball then you will know the name Damon Bailey. Before Class basketball Crothersville would travel 12 miles north to Seymour and play the Jackson County Schools during the sectional. The experts had a brain storm of an idea to move Bedford North Lawerence into the Seymour sectional during Damon's career with BNL. I believe it was Damon's senior year Bob Knight was in the Barney Scott gymnasium to watch his new recruit play. I remember BNL Stars winning the sectional Damon's senior year. Cable TV provided coverage of the regional, semi-state and state. The Stars brought home the state trophy that year and Damon went on to play with the Indiana Hoosiers.

After Damon's senior year, 1994, the seniors from IU traveled through Indiana playing basketball and putting on a show for the fans. In the winter of '94-'95, Damon and Pat Graham were featured at Home Federal Bank in Seymour. I had taken pictures when they were playing and had Damon autograph his picture. I still have the pictures . . . somewhere in a suitcase.

Damon tried to make it a career as a professional basketball player, but things didn't work out. He married his high school sweetheart, started a family, started his own business and wrote two books (I've got both of them!)

When his second book went on sale, he did a promotion for it at a club in Seymour. Patrick had no idea who he was, even though I mentioned him quite often. We went to see Damon with my trusty disposable camera. The camera had 24+ pictures on it. I took several pictures of Patrick and Damon together and several of him autographing the book I purchased. Before we left I asked Damon if I could get a picture with him. Patrick took the picture and couldn't have been happier. I had met Damon Bailey, and I had another autograpy!

I remember a few months later finishing all the picture on the camera, taking it to Wal*Mart for them to development. When I got the printed pics back I had totally forgotten about the Damon photos until I came upon one of him and Patrick. I remember getting really excited looking through the photos knowing there was one of me AND Damon. As I quickly shuffled through the pictures I didn't find it! I thought I had went too fast and past it or it had stuck together with another one. So, I go through the photos again, still nothing. After a third time I decide to look at my negatives to see if it's been printed. I find the negative with Patrick and Damon, next one is another Patrick and Damon and so is the third. The fourth one I look at is just a blank negative, followed by a picture of our recently purchased boat. Ok?? What happened? I carefully study the negatives again, thinking Wally World has messed up somehow. I compare the negatives with the pictures and finally see what happened.

As Patrick was taking the picture of me and Damon, he had his finger over the lens! I have a picture of Patrick's finger print! His finger totally blocked out me and Damon posing for the picture! UGH!!! A chance of a life time and all I see is Patrick's finger!

I know what the picture is of behind the finger, and I charish it just as I would if you could see one of my heros . . . well, almost as much ;-)

I do have a gazillion photos I've paid for from 3D, Kmart, CVS and Wal*Mart. Thank God for the inventor of the digital camera! I wish I had all the money I've saved on developing photos!

What's cookin?

As I had planned earlier this week, Ric, Patrick and I, went to Seymour to The Pines to eat for our anniversary. Sunday was barbecue day at the local restaurant. I have to tell you, this was some of thee best barbecue I've ate in a long time. I think Ric and Patrick went back for second helpings of the pulled pork and the ribs. Our dogs even got to enjoy the ribs as Patrick brought some of the discarded rib bones home to them! ;-)

I had read about the barbecue event on Mike's website blog at http://thepinesonline.com/whatiscookin/

Shelley had mentioned his website in one of her previous blogs. Once I started reading Mike's blog, I was hooked for life! I enjoy reading about how Mike makes sausage gravy and homemade pancakes, along with all of his other life events.

We went to The Pines today and got to meet Mike and his son Mitch in action:



If you were anywhere close to The Pines on US Highway 31 today, you could smell the barbecue cookin' and it was as good as it smelled!

I introduced myself as Shelley's much younger friend and right off Mike said, "Ah, yes, you're Alisa!"

We enjoyed getting to talk with Mike and watch his son Mitch cook the ribs and chicken to perfection.

June 15th is Fathers' Day and The Pines is now taking reservations for their next big barbecue event. Ric will get to choose where he goes for his special day, but I bet we will be enjoying more of Mike and Mitch's delicious cooking at The Pines.

Thanks to Mike and Mitchell for taking time out of their busy day and making us feel welcome! I look forward to reading more on Mike's blog and getting a few of the secrets on making successful meals!

What were you doing...

May 19, 1979 at 2:30 in the afternoon. . .

Introduced for the first time as Mr and Mrs Ricci Sweazy:





Ric and I were married in the Uniontown Baptist Church at 2:30 in the afternoon. It was a small, quiet ceremony with only one bridesmaid, Robin Engel and one groomsman, Tony Deaton.

Twenty nine years might seem like a long time ago, but I'd do it all over again, in a heartbeat. Now, I'm not just saying this cause I think Ric might read this. (actually he never gets on the computer...he don't know what he's missing, does he?)

Even though it has been 29 years ago, I can still remember it like it was yesterday.

Our first date was on a cold October evening. Leading up to the date is what you could call a 'priceless' moment.

On Friday and Saturday nights, me and my girlfriend, Terry, would cruise the streets. I remember one particular evening Terry told me she wanted to introduce me to her new boyfriend. We had searched and searched, but couldn't find him. I was beginning to think this was another one of her stories and the imaginary boyfriend. Finally, one evening she spotted him coming out of our local IGA food store. She pulled her car up to him and introduced us. At the time I told Ric I was 16 years old (actually I was 18!) We talked for awhile, then Terry and I left. As the evening wound down, Terry went to her parents house and I got into my car to go home. As I was going home, somehow I ended up on Howard Street, in front or Terry's boyfriends house!

There Ric was, in his front yard, with our future groomsman, Tony. It took me awhile to convience him I was not 16 and in fact I was 18. I think it took him about the same length of time to convience me Terry was not his girlfriend. After we got all that straight, we made a date for the next Friday night to see a Seymour Owls football game.

Now, Terry and I usually made our plans for the weekend on a Thursday when we picked up our brothers, Tim and Larry, from basketball practice. I remember telling Terry I wasn't sure what I'd be doing on Friday, but if I was going to be in town I'd let her know. When Friday came, my mom went and picked my brother up from basketball practice. Terry asked were I was and my mom said, "She had a date tonight!" "A DATE??" Terry exclaimed, "with WHO?" "Ricci Sweazy," my mother tells her! I think I heard her scream all the way in Seymour!!

Needless to say, Terry and I didn't 'hang out' much after that evening, but of course I wasn't available, because all my waking moments were spent with my new boyfriend.

Usually every anniversary, Ric and I will have a good laugh about his girlfriend he never knew he had. It's even funnier now as I tell our son, Patrick, Terry could have been his mother instead of me! I always get the same "go to Hell" look from Ric each year!

Happy Anniversary Ric, I love you!

Happy Mothers' Day

Today is a special day for so many special people. I became a mother in 1992 with the birth of our first son, Rick K. In 1994, our second son Patrick was born. Like most mothers would say, it seems like yesterday this took place and I am not any different. It seems like I was just bringing him home from the hospital, but in July Patrick will be 14!

Today, after church and Sunday School, Patrick and I took my mom out to eat at Tumbleweeds. It was an experience as it was her first time to eat there. If you know my mom, you know she is a very picky eater. She finally decided on the rack of ribs, sweet potato and after some coaxing from me, she ordered the dinner salad. I was pleased to hear her give a complement on the food saying it was almost as good as hers. That was as good as it was going to get. Mom and dad both enjoyed their food and were too full to enjoy a dessert.

For my mothers day gift, Patrick got me a fern for my outside flower pot. Saturday we picked out some other flowers for my flower beds and enjoyed the day on Saturday and shared some good mother/son time planting them. (it was good for me anyway)

If you are a mother and you are reading this, I'd like to wish you a very happy mothers' day!

The winners are...

Tomorrow at 2:00 is the big day. The booster scholarship committee will be meeting to select the winners from the senior class for the $500 scholarship the booster club gives to a senior boy athlete and a senior girl athlete. In my previous post I made reference to questions I was going to ask to help me better determine the successful candidate.

Well, that isn't going to happen as the Seniors have left for their senior trip and none of the candidates will be available. I was hoping to see how our future responded to some pressure, an interview with peers and some spontaneous questioning and answering. Guess I will just have to choose the best candidate from their applications.

I will post at a later date on who the committee chose as the winners. I don't want to jinks my picks by naming them too early, but I will let you know if the rest of the committee likes my choices.

Insight

I am fortunate enough to be on the committee for the Athletic Booster Organization to choose our receipant for the 2008 scholarship. We choose one boy and one girl. There are stipulations you must meet in order to qualify for the scholarship. You must be an athlete your senior year. All of the applicants have applied to and have been accepted to their specific college.

On Monday, May 5th, I went to the school, spoke with the guidance counselor and picked up three (3) applications. Before I left, she asked the office secretary if she had any that had been turned into her. She had nothing. I left the school and went to work. At 8:15 a.m. the office secretary calls me and says she had just received a scholarship application. Problem is, the applications were suppose to be turned in on Thursday, May 1, 2008, not Monday! At the top of the application in bold black letters: Applications must be received by MAY 1, 2008. Please return them to the High School Guidance Counselor.

Two other adults are on the committee with me. In my opinion, this applicant should not be considered, as he did not meet the deadline. I have no idea what the other two feel.

If he is approved, we will have four to choose from. Two young ladies, two young men. IThe committee has the final determination for the scholarship and my choose to meet with the candidates and ask them some questions to help us better determine the winner. I have thought of 12 questions I'd like to ask them to help me finalize my picks. I am excited to hear their responses on some of my questions! I tried to think how I would respond to these questions when I was 18. . .

Who is/was your favorite teacher and why?
Who is your hero?
What are your goals in 5 years? 10 years?
What is your greatest strength?
If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
What or who has been the greatest influence in your life?
What has been your most rewarding experience during high school?

Comparing my answers from what I think I would have answered in 1978 to now, they are quite different! Again, I am excited about hearing their answers. I hope I'm not disappointed!

I will post later on some of the answers we get to these questions and others and I will also let you know who we choose as the receipent of the two $500 scholarships!

Phony ~ Fickle

I have notice lately just how phony some people have become. Having a job and greeting the public on a daily basis has only strengthened my assumption of this assessment. I have some customers that come in and won’t speak a word. I will speak to everyone that enters through the front doors with either GOOD morning Mr. or Mrs. Jones or GOOD afternoon Mr. or Mrs. Doe.

The responses I get are quite different from customer to customer. Some don’t speak at all, some will just give back a grumble, then others will greet me back as cheerful as I have greeted them.

What I find appalling about some are the sheer phoniness in their tone of voice. Now just by reading what I have typed here you are not able to use the same phoniness used by these customers. Some are more than just once a month customers.

Next time you speak in public, really listen to your tone of voice. Are you a phony?