2 damsels in distress!

Mom and Dani's excellent adventure.

It was an excellent adventure except for about 10 minutes. But then because I have an outstanding friend, those 10 minutes were erased and replaced with awe and gratitude!

We decided to make the trek to PNC Park to see our boys--on the hottest day of the year! My car thermometer registered 98 degrees, and not the musical group!

But we were buzzing along, great car, jamming to Siriusly Sinatra, having an exquisite day. Until I missed one wrong turn.

We were on vacation. We could take a little excursion and sight see. Which we did. But having been to Pittsburgh numerous times before, it's circles and bridges and highway and hardly anywhere to turn off or turn around!

Finally, I got to the Rite Aid Parking lot so I could call my college buddy, Gary. What a gem. I've found in life that my best buds are my college buddies with a handful of grade school and high school folks as well!. After that, once you get in the business world, it's every man for themselves and forget about it.

Gary not only gave me directions but said, "stay put, I'm coming to get you!" We were in awe and so thankful for having such a wonderful friend!

As Mom hit right on the nose, he has not changed a bit.

We followed him back to his restaurant, "Big Jim's," which was recently featured on Guy's "Diner's, Drive-ins, & Dives."

For the next few hours we enjoyed the company of good friends, excellent food and not having to worry about anything.

When you say in the coming weeks, months and years, "where were you when Farrah died?" or "where were you when you learned about Michael Jackson?" Mom and I were with Gary at Big Jim's spending quality time with good people.

Gary got us to PNC Park, where Mom and I enjoyed yet more quality time together doing what we love best: watching the boys play baseball! I love PNC Park. Mom enjoyed it though she states she likes Progressive Field better.

We are truly blessed. A safe trip visiting good friends and new adventures with those we love. Who could ask for anything more.

Well, we would have liked a win, but heck, it was a good time all in all.

When we arrived home, a perfect ending to a near-perfect day. My cousin Johnny had left a message. What a hoot. He said, "I know you are not hearing this right now or getting this right now and the reason I know that is because we just saw you on TV in Pittsburgh at the game....they just gave you a shout out Dani and her Mom....."

Life is good....

Treat her like a queen

I can't say it enough.

God has truly blessed me with Mom.

To still have her around alive and kicking and vibrant.

We are two kindred souls.

I tell folks 'when I grow up I wanna be like Mom.'

Dream on, they say, dream on!

She really is a piece of work, and that's a compliment.

She still has a passion for living.

A few days this week I was on furlough.

Everyone says, oh, you'll love having a few days off.

Well, no one realizes that I never get a day off. I may be off from my job, but those days are even harder. No one will ever understand the duress, stress, and overwhelming responsibility on my shoulders 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

However, I can take it. I just keep repeating, "God will not give me more than I can handle. God will not give me more than I can handle."

I just wish folks stood in my shoes for a week. Actually, that would not work. They'd think I did have a cake life because most folks do not pay attention to detail as I. Most folks are much lazier than I. Most folks go through life with a selfish attitude 'what can the world do for me' rather than 'what can I do for the world.' I am tooting my horn. I am one in a million and would not trade my giving, caring, energetic, over-achieving go-getter attitude for the world!

Anyhoo, God DOES toss me signs on a daily basis showing me how lucky and blessed I am.

During my furlough days, we went on a shopping spree because Mom needed 'stuff.'

Well, what turned into a 2 hour jaunt extended into an almost 5 hour jaunt.

No rest for the weary!

Yet, we had a blast.

I have satellite radio and it's one of the best items on my car.

God opens my eyes to his blessings as Mom and I travel around from errand to errand jamming to the Siriusly Sinatra Station.

My heart bursts as I hear Mom belting out song after song after song.

Then somehow we get another burst of energy to hit the Indians game.

And they treat her like a queen.

We arrive and find the first spot to park in....

Before we even enter, we have personnel helping Mom to our seats.

Our usher, Bob, adores Mom and pampers her to no end.

If he gets a weather report that it may start raining soon, he'll help her get up the stairs and out of the rain before anyone else.

It was just a great day, a great night.

Mom deserves to be treated like a queen.