Another new beginning

There are 3 or 4 times throughout the year, at least, that standout for me as 'new beginnings.' Of course, every day is a new beginning and should be lived as if it were the last.

Advent is upon us.

We just celebrated Thanksgiving, which is always a wonderful day full of family, fun and food. A time to close out the previous year to some extent, be thankful for what God gave us thus far, and pray that the year ahead is filled with so many more of God's blessings.

It did not disappoint. The entire family gathered to rejoice and thank God for each other and his daily miracles.

Colleen brought the dogs, which was reason to exult in itself!

Sunday the Browns WON! Another reason for jubilance! And to boot, my friends and I wound up at Crop for a delicious dinner where Pork Chop Womack was serving up his signature Pork Chops. There were a whole slew of Cleveland Browns on hand to support their fellow player and his endeavor! He also made the delicious peach cobbler.

The 1st day of Advent felt like a bevy of new beginnings on so many levels as we wrap up another year and prepare for, hopefully, a magical future in the coming days.

I personally need a goose every once in a while to get back on track...to pick up the pieces....to motivate an oftentimes numb existence and shock me back to life.

Well, I am thankful that this time of year has arrived and am hopeful that I can learn from previous mistakes made catapulting into the Advent season....which leads me in leaps and bounds to a heavenly new year!

May all of you find yourself immersed in a peace-filled Advent Season only to find the true meaning of Christmas and hopefully carry it with you all year long.

Our night with Guy Fieri & Ben the Hockey Coach

When I woke up Saturday morning, never had an inkling where the day would lead us.

Saturdays --usually my only day of the week to moderately sleep in, if I'm lucky.

When my girlfriend asked if we all wanted to go to the Food Show, we jumped at the chance. It's become tradition, at least with me.

Mom and I enjoyed all the I-X Center Shows but the Food Show seemed to be our favorite. We'd sit at home and watch so many of those shows on the Food Network night after night. Last year I went and the memories of the fun times Mom and I had came vividly swirling back.

This year, I went with friends in hopes of making new memories and curtailing the sad feelings of Mom's absence.

Boy, did we make some new memories.

We arrived just in time for Guy Fieri's crazy cooking demonstration. He was HI-LARIOUS! The morning show from Q-104 were all on stage dressed up in disco garb stemming from a radio conversation they all had with Guy. They called fans up on stage to assist and taste samplings. One blond woman was totally out of control. We've all been at that stage of drunkenness, though probably not in front of a couple thousand people.

The Fieri show and food show in general did not disappoint. Normally I'm not a wine drinker but sampled some of their fare as well as the delicious foods from around the city, around the world. I revisited the wine slushy stand. We made this last year for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it. Got a few more to make over the holidays.

It was 9pm and the night was still young. So we headed to East 4th and Zocalo for a nice Mexican dinner. Delicious. I love this place.

Afterward, we hit an old stomping ground of ours stemming back at least 15 years --Flannery's.

We used to be in here almost every night. Those days have subsided but always nice to return to your old 'home away from home.'

My girlfriend and I met a most intriguing person at Flannery's. Actually a number of folks we'd never seen before. The first 3 were super nice kids. 2 of them worked for the Bainbridge Fire Department. The other girl is back in school studying. What a hoot. They were hysterical. One of the men spotted a girl he wanted to meet at the other end of the bar. We all chided him to go over there, get the nerve and start talking. My girlfriend even boosted his confidence by reminding him of the Tom Cruise scene in 'Top Gun' where they belt out 'You've lost that loving feeling.' Next thing you know, we are all singing the song at the top of our lungs. Whether he wanted the girl to notice him or not, we were all in her spotlight now.

Another unique individual caught our eye. We all met haphazardly as he struggled to get close enough to the bar to get a beer and we were sitting right at the bar. He was dressed in a suit, which was not the norm for this crowd.

We all got to talking. Found out he was in town for the Milwaukee Admirals vs Lake Erie Monsters games. He was the assistant goal tending coach for the Admirals but assists with most of the teams in this particular league --including the Cincy Cyclones, Niagra Ice Dogs, Nashville Predators. But most impressive about Ben Vanderklok was his love for coaching the little kids during the off season and his excitement surrounding Christmas.

Mind you, it's not Thanksgiving yet. My friend Katie and I want everyone to slow down. The day after Thanksgiving, everything can begin, lights go up, shopping, ready-set-go!

Ben wouldn't mind if Christmas was year round.

I asked if he celebrated The Feast of St. Nicholas. His eyes lit up. He asked if I was Dutch and put my wooden clogs out? He is Dutch and lives in Canada. I told him we have a variation down here in the States. I am and Italian Catholic and celebrate the feast, but we put our stockings up by the fireplace.

Most guys I know (and I'm not saying I know Ben) don't send cards, don't exchange gifts, really don't get into the holiday spirit except to appease their wives and kids. I was digging talking about the Christmas season and traditions with Ben the hockey coach.

Katie and I amazed him. He said he would never be able to hold a conversation such as the one we were all having with some of his female friends up north. Katie and I were telling him about our Cleveland Browns, naming players, who was on the injured list, blah blah blah. His jaw dropped. And then he broke my heart when he asked if the Cleveland Indians' purse was mine. Katie interjected and said, "Danielle is the biggest Cleveland Indians' fan." He shook his head and could not understand.

He can't wrap his arms around major league sports. Totally enjoys minor league, college and high school so much more than the major league fanfare. He asked if I really enjoy the team or just the 'social event' surrounding the games.

I was speechless and then came back to life telling him I adore the game of baseball and watching 'my' Cleveland Indians. I don't go to the games because they are an event. I follow them game to game, win or lose, do or die.

Flannery's had a live band which captivated Ben. He kept wandering up to hear the live music. When the music ended, he wanted to find another place with a live band. Unfortunately, Cleveland was shutting down early this Saturday night. Midnight and Fat Fish was closed, and no other places we passed had anymore live music playing.

We finally landed at The Corner Alley. We were too late to bowl but played a few game of pool. He could not believe that a bar had a bowling alley or a police officer guarding it. He was intrigued by all the bars on E 4th having security. He was also amused by the bride and groom who were enjoying some cocktails in the bar. He alluded to the fact that he's probably be doing something else on his honeymoon rather than sitting in a bar/bowling alley. Finally the bride and groom and their guests did get up to head back to their hotel right across the street.

For a hockey coach who claimed he did not play pool --he lied. Total pool shark. But ya know, we had a blast nonetheless!

I swear, life truly takes us all on journeys that we'd never imagine. I kind of like that. Though I'm quite organized and like to stay on script much of the time, it's those impromptu happenings, those serendipities, those detours which lead us to much of the excitement which enriches our lives more than we ever imagined!

I thank Katie and Monique....Guy Fieri and the Food Show folks....and last but certainly not least, Ben Vanderklok for a fabulous day and memories which will remain with me for a lifetime!

Euphoria

That's the best word to describe the feeling at Cleveland Browns' Stadium after the 34-14 win over the New England Patriots.

You all know I am a big sports fan. Baseball clearly my true passion, but all in all, I'm a Cleveland sports fan.

I must admit, last year, I hit only one Browns' game due to everything happening with Mom.

Another confession--when it gets really super cold and snowy, I tend to watch the games where it's warm, cozy, and I have have people waiting on my supplying my food and drink!

I've been lucky. This year, the weather has been superb whether they were home or away.

More importantly, win or lose, the games have been exciting until the very last play. The fans do not leave. They stay until the final tick on the clock.

This particular game had everyone jumping out of their skin with anticipation, jubilation, and a euphoric pleasure that seemed to last for over 3 hours.

If it were a Viagra commercial, the doctor would have sent the entire stadium to the emergency room.

Every play had action to cheer for....screaming until the voices were all gone.....and a natural high that would last for days to come.

At the end of the game, a feeling descended on Cleveland Browns' Stadium that has been absent since the Browns came back to Cleveland.

Fans could not stop smiling and were high-fiving everyone and their brother the entire walk up the hill or to wherever their destination lead them.

And what's more important. The Monday after the game was not a normal 'Monday.' It was not 'the Monday after the Browns lost a heart breaker.' It was the Monday after the Browns beat the bejeebers out of the New England Patriots, and before that, creamed the New Orleans Saints!

Our saviors seem to be young Colt McCoy, the Beast Peyton Hillis, and you name it, it's always been a team effort between Cribbs, Massaquoi, Robiskie, Stuckey, awesome Dawson, Steinbach, Thomas, Womack, Haden, Adams...I'm not gonna mention the whole team but it HAS been an entire team effort banding together to make the magic happen.

Ahhh, life is good. There's no place like home!

Who's a pest?

Do you remember the children's book "Who's a pest?: A Homer Story?"

It was 'An I can read book' by Crosby Newell Bonsall.

I loved to read as a child and would always make Mom angry by saying I was a pest! Even today when folks' joke and say 'Who's there?" I go, "It's just the pest!"

Those days have changed. Even being the English major, I never read and have pretty much forgotten everything I learned in high school and college.

I digress.

This week, I truly had cute (I think they were cute) little fuzzy pests up in the attic.

What an ordeal.

I think we've had them for a while by the ripped up paper bags and worn paper boxes. For all I know they could be nesting warmly in one of the hundreds of stacked boxes.

However, just within the last few weeks I heard what sounded as if it were an animal running on the roof. But the more I listened (usually early in the morning), the more it sounded as if it were just above me which was definitely NOT the roof.

I finally got a hold of a pest agency to come out and look around. The gentleman seemed very knowledgeable of his craft. He surveyed the house, never found an animal in the attic but saw 'signs' something had been there and saw ways he or she could have entered.

We're always leary at having strangers come inside, but I guess for certain tasks, you have to let them in and be trusting.

He gave me the rundown and what he wanted to do: trim the trees first and foremost so that animals did not even have access to the roof, fix the soffits, and as a last resort, put traps.

I'd never dive into this career, but I imagine being a pest control agent could be quite exciting. You never know what animal you are dealing with unless you catch it red handed.

You have to come back to the house every day around the same time to check the traps, the areas where they possibly enter, and see if they've returned.

My pest control guy said he hopes the tree trimming will do the trick, but it's always much more fun trapping the little buggers. Not sure if that's my definition of fun!

The first day he showed up was election day. Once he filled me in on his diagnosis, for the next 30 minutes we stood and spoke about election day, the United States, voting, the constitution and so much more. I was intrigued because he was sharing his beliefs and way of life, which honestly, I'd never heard of before.

At the end of the discussion, I surmised that he adhered to sovereignty. He said he had no debt, no bills, did not have to pay taxes or parking tickets or mortgage, or anything. He also said he was above the current law followed by the USA (which startled me a bit) and shared so much more that he was currently studying in law school.

I just stood there taking it all in trying to figure out how this pest control guy by day, law student by night would ever mix the two careers. He seemed to be in love with both?

I had to focus on the task at hand and hope that he would solve my pest problem.

After about a week of returning, trimming, checking and fixing, I hope he's rectified the situation. I am kind of afraid to return to the scene of the crime alone but one day will have to get the nerve to face my demon pest, who hopefully is in my past.

Mom's hand print still present in my life

It's been 365 days and counting....since we buried Mom.

We've all lived through an entire year of experiences, events, relationships, fending for ourselves without the matriarch of the family.

I don't believe it will get easier.

I don't believe I personally will ever get over this life-changing circumstance.

That does not mean I have not continued onward.

Mom used to always tell me, 'we are survivors.'

And we were...and I am.

Mom enjoyed life to the fullest and I am sure expects the rest of us to continue that legacy.

The irony of this past weekend and how it played out tells the story.

We celebrated Mass for Mom Saturday and then the entire family gathered for dinner. Mass was beautiful. Behind the scenes up in the choir loft, Mom 'the jokester' had the upper hand as a number of mishaps occurred, though not visible or noticeable to the congregation. My choir director turned to me at one point as we held back the laughter & tears and said 'Your Mom's playing tricks on us today.'

I hope people see that part of her in me. Her eyes lit up a room and so did her smile. She openly loved her God, her family, her friends, and her life.

At dinner, the same fun and frivolity continued....I must say. Sometimes families feud. We all have. But, usually when we all get together, there is much more laughter, strolling down memory lane, and making of new memories than anything else. Just picture 7 people sitting around the table in a Chinese restaurant (that has a turntable on the center of the table) ....and much of the night all talking at the same time telling funny stories...good times!

Mom must have placed her hand on all of us this weekend to lift our spirits and remove our sorrows. I heard from a very dear friend of mine Saturday night. I was surprised to hear from him, yet overjoyed.

I know many adhere to the mantra you should make your own happiness and not rely on others. I am sorry. There are a handful of people in my life who DO make me happy. I get excited just knowing I may see or hear from them. They do bring joy to my life, whether they want to admit it or not. When I talk or see them, I can not remove the smile from my face or the twinkle from my eyes.

Well, that's this friend. And I thank God daily for him. God has truly blessed me.

Sunday much of the same, under Mom's watchful eye. The Browns had a bye week so I figured all right, going to get a lot done AND the Browns can't lose this week! Uh-huh. After singing all the Masses I heard from one of my best girlfriends who I met for lunch.

Then off in search of a bracelet that a friend of mine asked me to buy....he has a necklace for his sister and wanted a matching bracelet. I promised I'd keep my eyes open for the kind he's requesting.

While at the Mall, I got bamboozled to purchase a hair accessory, except the man selling me the accessory spewed compliments the entire time he fussed with my hair. Was he doing it to sell the item? Honestly, I don't think so. Now his tag team partner WAS just trying to close the deal on the purchase. I folded. I made the purchase. It was well worth the 40 minutes of compliments and hair fussing!

And because he detained me so long, I saw the most delicious sunset on my way home. The entire weekend, whole day had Mom's hand print stamped all over it.

Finally, handing out candy to the adorable trick or treaters brought it all to a perfect conclusion. We must have had at least 150 children, all cute and courteous saying please and thank you.

I must admit. As a child, Halloween was an ok holiday. It was safe to trick or treat with your friends....my sister and Mother always made me the greatest costumes....and we'd always make our way to Chaloupka's bakery for lots of free 'old time' candies.

As I got older, both Mom and I really disliked this Hallowed time for some reason. That's why when her funeral fell on Halloween, the irony of it all overwhelmed me. However, what we could never get over is handing out candy, oftentimes, to kids who may not have the easiest of lives. The look in their eyes, the smiles on their faces, and the gratitude in their parents' faces made the entire night so worth it all.

Thank you Mom, for yet another fabulous day. I know you are not physically here but I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that I AM still here today because of you. Thank you for that and I love you so very much (I love you more!).