Goals Met - Birthday Weekend Activities

I turned the official 3-2 this weekend and had a blast doing so. In preparation for the bid day on Saturday, I took Friday off from work. I managed to get a few things done around the house and met up with Mom for lunch.

Soon after, I was on my way over to the Iadipaolo's to have an Opening Ceremony Pizza Party with Sandra and the kids. Check out what round and ringy items were on the menu. Yes, we are dorks.

Even better, we had pizza rounds!

Sadly, I didn't even stay awake for the torch lighting, but I had a good excuse. Sparky and I had to be up early Saturday morning to make our way to Jubilee Park for Whitney's Walk. Here's Sparky itchin' for us to get parked so he could give me a walk. I couldn't keep track of the number of people he had us pass, nor can I remember all the comments they made about my furry little friend.

I checked online and this year Whitney's Walk for Life (Honoring life by supporting programs for depression awareness and suicide prevention.) raised over $106,000, with over $3,900 coming from my team and $165 being contributed by my friends and family! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

This pic doesn't do the green shirts justice, there were so many of us there. And the morning was perfect, just look at that blue sky, feel the breeze and know it was less than 90 degrees out.

After Sparky and I speed walked through the course, it was time to head home and clean up and continue to hydrate. Next up, blood donation with Tom and Sandra. First finger stick iron level was 12.4. I needed to be a 12.5 for them to accept my A+ blood. Second finger stick... drum roll please... 12.6! Boo-ya, take that iron level.

Moving along... after a mini wild goose chase, Tom and I met up with the family for lunch at Avanti's. Our seats were located near the entrance of the restaurant, with me facing outward, sporting the good ole birthday hat. Loved getting happy birthday wishes from strangers. Such fun!

Cake, who needs cake? Ice cream is where it's at.

The coolest present I had was from my parents. Or maybe this is more of a presentation of a present.
Here's the key:
- Find some Sugarland songs
- Choose some phrases
- Omit select words

Bada-bing, bada-boom, instant Sugarland Scavenger Hunt!

After rummaging through my parents' house while following my Sugarland clues, I attempted to get a nap in before heading to the Chiefs game with some friends. Surprisingly, even with the jam packed day, I was unable to get in much shuteye, but I was in luck.

I had a constant stream of Mountain Dew to keep me awake at the game!

To top off the fun game with Tom, Laura, Jim Vince, Kristin, and Nicole... not only did I get a frisbee, foul ball, my birthay announced across the P.A., but they had fireworks for me too!

Seriously one of the best weekends all summer!!!

Just Over Half Way and Only 2 Days Left

Alright people, it's time to search for that spare change in your couch and toss it my way. $35 more dollars and I hit my modest goal of $100 raised for Whitney's Walk.

Click Here to Donate

Cubs vs Cards July 21st

This weekend was a pre-birthday weekend! Tom got me a ticket to the Cubs vs. Cards game at Busch Stadium. I'd only been their once, for an Eagles and Dixie Chicks concert, so I was looking forward to a new and fun adventure.

Tom, his friend Jeff, and I headed out of Peoria around noon on Saturday to hijack Vince in Maryville. When we got down there, we hung out with Sandra and the kids a bit before leaving for the game. The funniest moment:

Vince: Hey, is that an ice cream truck?

(Tom and Jeff whirl around to the kitchen window.)

Tom: It's the ice cream man.

(We look around... Jeff has disappeared... 2 seconds later, he's seen running down the street, arms flailing!)

Absolutely Classic! 

He did not catch-up with the ice cream truck as it started to pick up speed the closer he got. Maybe the music was just playing too loud for the driver to hear. OR it could have been the crazy man chasing it down the street.

I'm happy to report we caught the ice cream truck on the flip-side.

Shortly after we headed to the game.

Here's a pic of our seats, courtesy of Craig and Jim who had seats in left field. Do you see me smiling? Top deck, third section to the right, second row from the top, 3rd seat in. Yep, that's me.


Tom and I decided to split a nacho helmet for dinner. My cousin, John, was too sure about us, but was pleased to get the Cards helmet after we were done.

If you watched the game, then you know it was good up until the Cards took to the plate in the 7th inning. Tom and I weren't too happy with the Cubs efforts that inning. Neither was Jeff (background). If the attempt at wearing the nacho helmet to break the double streak didn't work.

The best part about the seventh inning was when the Cubs got the third out. The whole crowd gave a standing ovation. Cards for the 12 runs, Cubs sarcastically for the 3rd out. No lie, the inning was so long, the sunset started and completed.

Our crew of 4 met up with my Uncle Brian and John for the game. After the game, Brian was kind enough to show us the control room where he works a majority of the Cards home games. 

They probably shouldn't have let a group of Cubs fans into the control room after a 0-12 routing.

Here's the Music Man... I mean Crazy Man, Jeff, playing the organ.

 Tom doing a little electrical work.

Jim taking on the P.A. system.

Craigers on replay!

Vince runnin' the scoreboard.

Don't worry, I had the Jumbotron covered.

Less than a Week

Yep, so my birthday is less than a week away. No better way to celebrate 32 than with a Chiefs's game, blood donation and participation in Whitney's Walk.

Please help me reach my goal.


Click Here to Donate

If you don't feel comfortable with the online thing and you'd like to donate, let me know. (jelizo@yahoo.com)

Relaxing Weekend

I don't have any exciting pictures to show, just a quick update on my super relaxing weekend.

Friday night I took in the Chiefs' game with Tom and Jim. The bonus to doing something Friday night, the weekend feels more like a 3-day weekend!

Saturday morning after the natives woke me up early (Jinkies hungry, Sparky freakin' cause of thunder) I fell asleep on the couch and woke up to Tom' text about batting practice. I believe I made it to the squishy baseball diamond in about 10 minutes flat. Let's hope the extra swings help during these last few softball games!

The Cubs game greeted me when I returned home, then I headed to dinner with Mom before we headed downtown to the Apollo Theater. She talked me into seeing My Fair Lady on the big screen. I hesitate seeing older movies because the style of acting usually grates on my nerves. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the plot and humor in this movie. Two movies came to mind when watching this, Pretty Woman and Trading Places.

Today involved chores and heading over to the Iadipaolo's for a house showing. Now I'm just delaying balancing my checking account... better hop to it.

Have a great week!

Goal Update - 13 Days

I still have the same goal as my last post... on my birthday, have a good day and spend it with as many friends and family as possible.

13 Days and Counting!!!
Hears the updated scoop!

First up, Whitney's Walk at 8am, July 28th. Who needs to sleep in on their birthday? Please feel free to join Sparky and I or help the cause with a donation. I'm only $55 away from my fundraising goal.

Next up, I hit the Red Cross around 11:00am to donate blood with Tom. Gotta start pushing the iron filled veggies.

Then I'm gonna recharge my battery at the parents, lunch with the family and possibly some special guests.

The evening has been set. Assuming Laura's up for it, Tom, Jim, Laura and myself will be headed down to the ballpark to watch the Chiefs game and take in the fireworks. I'm pretty sure the Chiefs still have plenty of tickets left for the 28th, so maybe I'll see you there???

Upcoming Goal - Can you please help?

Many of you may know that my birthday is coming up at the end of the month. As with any year, my goal is to have a good day and spend it with as many friends and family as possible.

How can you be a part of my day, whether you live near or far?
Well, I'm glad you asked!

First up, I'm participating in Whitney's Walk again this year and it just so happens to take place bright and early on my birthday, July 28th. Sparky and I have done the walk the last couple of years on the Living for Lynn team. Please feel free to join us or help the cause with a donation.

If you can't get behind that, then please join Tom and I at the Red Cross later that day, around 11:00am to donate blood. A few years ago I took my birthday off from work and called Tom to see what he was up to. Headed to the Red Cross to donate blood? Sure, I'll join you. Not exactly how I would have predicted that day to go, but it sure brought a smile to my face. I've been stopping down there regularly ever since.

The evening is TBD, but I'm sure I'll be in need of some relaxation. Anyone know if the Chiefs are in town?

Eric Hutchinson - LIVE!

About a week ago I took a Rockin' Road Trip with my friend Theresa. We unfortunately had to leave the dogs behind, but that wouldn't impact the fun that was to ensue.

We hopped on the road mid-afternoon with St. Louis in our sights. Our goal, find the Firebird, grab a bite to eat, and rock out to Eric Hutchinson. Oh, and then, drive back to Peoria. Thank goodness Theresa is used to 3rd shift.

With Suzy's help (my GPS), we made it to St. Louis without any incidents. We found the Firebird and scouted out the area for places to eat on my Urban Spoon app on my iPhone. The Good Pie was our choice. How can you go wrong with pizza?

Well according to my non-condiment loving friend, you could go wrong with the toppings featured at The Good Pie. Plus, the restaurant was almost louder than our concert to come.

Walking down the street, we stopped in to Hamburger Mary's. Good ole American food, heck yeah! This restaurant was a hoot!

As we walked in, the first thing we saw was a Friday, Diva's Night sign. Had we been two days later, I'm sure our waiters would have been in drag and the mirror balls would have been spinnin' and shinin'! They catered to all audiences, even having a Rec Room (sports) area. To cap off the meal, our receipt arrived in a ruby slipper.

After a fun meal, we were finally in line at the Firebird. Listening to the people around us, we discovered there was no seating except for some benches on one side of the gigantic room that contained a stage, a bar, and bathrooms.

Once we got carded and let it, we set our sights on the benches. We weren't too keen on standing for the opening act, Avalanche City. They were from New Zealand and had some interesting tunes, but nothing I had to rush out and buy.

We scoped out the joint and decided the prime spot would be at the back in the center, so we staked out our position while waiting for the sound crew to setup the stage. Our spot was guarded by the sound board to our left, but we were getting a bit bounced around from the bar line to our right and the men's bathroom behind us. This best part, a natural aisle formed in front of us and we were next to the only men's bathroom in the place. I do believe I got bumped into by Eric and his "handler" and then a bit later, the keyboard/guitarist.

Eventually the show started and all my tiredness flew out the window. One of the best shows I've seen. Eric sounded great and had such high energy... my kind of show! Towards the end of his set, he announced he'd be signing autographs after the show. With my second wind in full force, we decided to stick it out.

The Mission: Theresa booked it over to the merchandise table while we waited for Eric and the band to come back for an encore. Fingers crossed we'd be at the front of the Meet & Greet line. I made "friends" with the sound guy and kindly asked if I could have the set list after the show was over. Goal: Get Eric's autograph on the set list without having to wait for 50+ people in front of us.

Did we accomplish our mission. Heck yeah! Third in line, can you feel it? No pictures with him (I didn't want to get tossed out without my autograph, so no leaping over the table for me.) Below is Eric signing Theresa's shirt and his "handler", to the left, keeping us in line.

Set list acquired and signed! Home by 2am and up by 6am... had to get to work to support this nasty concert habit I have.

I'm looking forward to my next concert in August. I'm sure I'll have another good story to tell. This Rockin' Road trip will be with Theresa as we head down to see Zac Brown Band outdoors.