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!