Wii Fit Review

Well, I have officially have had my Wii Fit for two weeks. I really like it. I do, however, have a tendency to yell at the TV screen and call the little character on the screen names.

First, lets talk about Miis. Miis are little versions of you that you create for use on the Wii. Look how cute my little Fonda Mii looks like.

Well, once you start using Wii Fit, you enter in your date of birth and your height. The balance board then weighs you. The program then calculates your BMI. At this point, I am told that I am OBESE and my Mii now looks like this!

Okay, I am chubby, fluffy, whatever. I sure as hell am not obese. Then, it puts you through two balance tests. The program then uses all the information to come up with you Wii Fit age for the day. Well my first time I was an OBESE 50 year old!

I eagerly waited for Mr. Bruises to get home and had him go through everything. I was SURE that he would he older than I since I play roller derby and he doesn't do much. Well, first he is OVERWEIGHT. I can honestly say that's wrong. Does this boy look overweight??

Anyway, he does his tests and he is awarded a Wii Fit age of 34. WTF??? How the hell can he be 34 and I'm 50. I then proceeded to kick his ass repeatedly in downhill skiing. And we all know I can outskate him.

So, in two weeks, I am now OVERWEIGHT and I am 30! Much better!

Mr. Bruises Goes Skating

For Christmas, Mr. Bruises got skates from Santa so that he wouldn't have to rent skates anymore. He also got some outdoor wheels. We went on our annual Anniversary trip (one weekend early) to Presque Isle and we took our skates.

He was all skeptical in the beginning. Even though he had knee pads on, he was concerned that he didn't have wrist guards. I couldn't lend him mine, even though I have two pairs. I wear an extra small and I am certain they wouldn't fit him. I assured him that he just needed to fall on his knee pads and he will be fine.

I let him go first. See, I am such a talented skater that I can skate AND take his picture at the same time. He did pretty good. After awhile, I got passed him and he kept yelling at me to slow down.

We skated for quite a ways, stopped and took a break and then headed back the way we came. When we came to the parking lot where the tracker was, I kept going. I could see the look of doom on his face.

I continued a little further then decided to put him out of his misery and quit. He was all sweaty and his feet hurt. I, on the other hand, could have kept going. He told me that was because I do this for a "living". I was like WTF??? Where has my derby paycheck been going all this time??!?

Rudy - The Bathing Beauty!

My guinea pig, Rudy is six and a half years old. Most G pigs live for about five years. I am so blessed to still have her. Rudy has always kept herself so clean. I've never had to give her a bath. Plus, I've always read that they are terrified of water.

In the past year, she has developed a growth on her belly. There isn't anything you can do with it, they are too little to be put under, so I was told to just monitor it and ensure that she is happy and not in pain. So far so good!

Saturday, I trimmed her nails and realized that this growth is becoming a poop catch all and she was a little dirty on her belly. I decided to give her a bath. To my surprise, she LOVED it! I even used the spray hose on her and she didn't freak out like I thought she would.

When we were finished, I wrapped her in a towel and rubbed her to dry her. She started squealing and chirping like she does when she is extremely happy! I see a few more baths in Rudy's future. Have you ever seen a cuter animal?!?

The Other Woman

For some time now, Nick has been babbling about getting a Mini Cooper. I informed him that those cars are owned by either women or gay men. I also informed him that he already had three vehicles already, two of which are four wheel drive vehicles that will never see snow or rain. I told him that if he wanted a Mini, that he should sell something first.

Well in mid June, I found out that he had already purchased a Mini, who he lovingly named Abigail. He not only bought it, but he hid it from me for three weeks in the big garage across the street from our house. Needless to say, I was not too happy with him.

He has tried to get me to look at her, to ride in her, to accept her. I will not. He needs to keep his end of the deal and sell something. He may call her Abigail. I, on the other hand, call her Camilla. She's British, she's the other woman and she's ugly.

So, what does any self-respecting woman do to the other woman? No, I didn't kick her, or punch her. What I did do, was brand her. Yes, I left my ass prints all over her. I wonder how long it will take him to notice?

Using Your Head

I saw an amazing thing yesterday. I saw a motorcyclist actually wearing a helmet! Ever since PA lifted it's helmet law, I've been amazed at how many people ride motorcycles without helmets.

Nick grew up on a motorcycle. Motorcycles are a big part of our lives. I can truly say that anytime we get on a bike, we wear a helmet. It just makes sense.

This dude was really using his head today. About two minutes after I snapped this photo, the white car in front of him decided that he no longer wanted to exit and cut the biker off, while making his way back onto the highway. The biker was going slow enough that he was able to let the jackass in front of him. BUT, had there been an accident, he would have had a greater chance of surviving because he chose to wear a helmet.

Oh, and the biker had a sticker on his helmet that said "Rehab is for Quitters" Hmmmmmmmm

Summertime

It's been hot and hazy, just the way I like it. I took the boys for a walk the other day and decided to take some photos. Riley and Travis always inspire me. They love life to it's fullest.

Riley reminds me to run freely in the grass! Enjoy the way it feels on your bare feet and to take some time to just roll in it, looking up at the clouds, deciding what shapes they form.

Travis reminds me to stop and smell the flowers. Even if they are weeds, you have to appreciate their beauty.

We live near the river and there is a family of swans that has been there for years. I look for them everyday on my way home.

I call this the "Love Shack". It's a bird house that I bought my mother for Mother's Day one year. It was one of her favorites. When I closed up her apartment last year, I brought it home with me. I was overjoyed this spring when I realized that there was a nest of birds in the Love Shack!

Derby Foot and Skin Care

Playing roller derby creates problems for those of us who like to look and feel feminine in our time off skates. Regular skating creates calluses on our feet and regular wearing of elbow pads, leaves our upper arms bumpy and pimply looking. Regular maintenance of our feet and arms will leave them looking as good as new.

Calluses are formed for a reason. They are there to protect the body. It is never a good idea to cut them off or remove them, they will only grow back and when they do, they will be thicker. Your best defense is to regularly reduce and smooth them, making them look better.

Every derby girl should have a foot file in their shower. After you are finished showering, the last thing you should do is use the file on your heels and then use it on your calluses. Most of us have the big ones on our right feet on the inner ball of the foot and the big toe.

You should never file too much. If it hurts, stop. Less is best. By filing after you shower, the callus has been softened by the warm water and this is the most optimal time to do your filing. Be sure to wash your file off before you hang it up to dry. And for goodness sakes, don't use a Ped-Egg, it's like using a cheese grater on your feet and your callus will GROW.

While you are in the shower, use a sugar or pumice scrub on your arms. You can find these anywhere, just go for a scent and texture that you like. These pimply looking areas on your arms are ingrown hairs that are caused by the constant friction of your pads rubbing against your arm. By exfoliating regularly, you will free the hairs and the bumps will go away. Always moisturize after exfoliating, so when you get out of the shower and dry off, use a good body butter or lotion on your arms.

When you get out of the shower, be sure to dry your feet, including between your toes. Most people never dry their feet or toes. This is a great way to keep from getting a toenail fungus.

Now is the time to moisturize your feet, right after you've exfoliated them. The best product that I have found for use on feet is Mary Kay's Extra Emollient Night Cream. It is really thick and greasy,, a little pricey, but it works and one tube goes a long way. It also works best on moist skin. Take a dime-sized amount and rub it into the entire bottoms of your feet, making sure to get the sides, heels and really work it into those calluses.

Start regularly exfoliating and moisturizing your feet and arms and you will see a difference. No more need to hide those feet in shame!

Privacy, please!

I have absolutely no privacy in my house, thanks to the four legged members of the household. Every day, when I am showering, usually when I have shampoo in my eyes, I clear them to see this. It's Travis trying to get into the shower with me. I tell him to get out.
Then I see this. Travis tries to come in the shower from the other end. Again, I tell him to get out. He then tries in the middle. I don't have a photo of that one and can I tell you how hard it is to take photos while showering? You have to wipe the steam from the lens right before you snap!

So, finally, he gives up and when I get out of the shower, this is what I see, Travis taking a nap, waiting for me to get out. He then tries to lick my legs dry and gets scolded. Then, he tries to lick all of the lotion I put on my legs off of them.

What's that? Why don't I just close the door? Well, I do. The problem is, my cat doesn't like it so she knows how to open doors and she lets him in. I really need to get some good locks!

Crochet Project

I've crocheted since I was about five years old. I started out making dresses for my Barbies. I then moved on to baby afghans, pot holders, etc. While reading The Burgh Blog last night, I found a new project that I can now crochet. These are NOT cat toys, people, they are reusable TAMPONS! I am not kidding.

I am all for going green, but this is ridiculous! There are people out there that are making their own REUSABLE toilet wipes, menstrual pads and tampons. REUSABLE!!!! OMG! I think this is just too much.

However, they insert catnip in cat toys. I think I may write to the creater of these beauties and suggest that she introduce a potpourri scented crocheted tampon line. So that you are potpourri fresh!

Kennywood

As a kid, we would trek to Kennywood every July for the Ford City Community Day Picnic. It seemed like everyone in town would be there.

As I got older, I wasn't able to go on Community Day. Nick and I would go when we could. It's been a few years since we've made it there together, so I was excited to go on Monday. Both of us are off on Mondays and I usually have team practice that night, but we don't have practice the week after we bout. So, plans were made to go.

Kennywood has great rides, especially roller coasters. It is a great park that is set along the river. Kennywood encourages picnickng. People come in with coolers and pick their spot at the many pavilions in the park.


While in line for The Exterminator, we encountered this family. We felt like we were in the security line at The Pittsburgh International Airport with all the luggage this family was towing. They periodically, pulled snacks from their cooler while in line. I guess they didn't realize that there are pavilions or better yet, lockers, so that you don't have to lug all that stuff. The best part was the "feminine products" that were in the mesh area on the side of the cooler.

My biggest pet peeve about Kennywood is the people who run around in wet clothes from the water rides. I don't ride these rides, because I don't like walking around in wet clothes. Nothing pisses me off more than having to sit in a seat that was previously occupied by one of these assholes.

Don't even get me started on the ones that run around the park in their swimming suits. It's KENNYWOOD, not SAND CASTLE. I mean, sure, wear the top, but put some shorts on for goodness sakes! Yoy!

The Bitch Doctors win

Despite a valiant effort by The Hellions, The Bitch Doctors won on Saturday, securing their spot in the Championship in September. The Hellions season, is officially over.

The Bitch Doctors deserved the win. They played much better as a team. They worked together the entire night.

I think the reason that The Bitch Doctors are so successful comes down to one thing. They like each other. They are friends, they respect each other and they just stick together. I envy that.

Congrats to the rookies who played their first bout. McShovin', Fraulein Funbags, Red Alert and Uma Hurt'em all rocked it for the Hellions. J-Bomb and Whip Smart rounded it out for The Bitch Doctors.

Sounds like there are a lot of changes in the future for our league. I'm not sure where that will take me, but I am looking forward to change.

Photo courtesy of Cameosteph

You gotta have friends!

So much that's wrong in the world today is caused by the fact that most people don't respect each other and just aren't friends anymore. What happened to the days, when we were young and you were friends with everyone!

I know someone who follows the mantra that she isn't friends with someone until they give her a reason to be. That is just crazy. It's supposed to be, you are friends with everyone until someone gives you a reason NOT to be.

I can honestly say I am a friend to almost everyone. A few people in my life, have given me reason to not be friendly with them. I just avoid them. I am the kind of person that would do anything to help anyone.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all. If people would follow those two simple rules, the world would be a much better place. Think about it.

One Year Later

I can't believe that it's been a year since we lost her. I was at roller derby practice when the call came in. I got the message about an hour later. I drove from Glenshaw to Kittanning in like 20 minutes. I was too late. Nick's mom was already gone.

We've muddled through all the special days and holidays. Mother's Day was rough. This photo was taken in 2001. We took Nick's parents to a Pirate Game for Mother and Father's Day. We were all excited to see the new ball park. We were on the Gateway Clipper when I snapped this.

I still miss her terribly. So much has changed since she's been gone and most is not for the better. I've been the family matriarch for one year now. They have been awfully big shoes to fill.

Nancy never forgot my birthday. She always sent me flowers and got me a nice gift. In return, I always made sure that she had flowers and that she got a cake. It's funny how sometimes people try to do things for people after they are gone, like they are trying to make up for things. I made sure she got her flowers from me. This is something I totally would have done if she was still with us. She loved pink flowers and loved roosters.

I know she knew how much I love her son. I hope that she is looking down upon us all, helping to guide us in our lives.

A Derby-tastic Week!

In preparation for Flat Track Fever, I've been skating like crazy this week. This is going to a great bout on Saturday. I've played The Bitch Doctors as a Hellion twice now, and we lost both times. This time will be different.

Monday, we had team practice, then we scrimmaged The Wrecking Dolls. Tuesday morning, I headed to Bladerunners and had the ENTIRE rink to myself for two hours. In the evening, I headed to league practice. Last night, we scrimmaged The Slashers. Tonight, will be another league practice, but it is scrimmage night.

Lots of skating this week. Lots of scrimmaging this week. We are ready for Saturday, we are going to, as Pittgirl would say, "Choke a Bitch!"

If you come out on Saturday, first, wear your GREEN and bring a donation for the two animal shelters that we are collecting for!!

Holiday Traditions

I've looked forward to the Fourth of July holiday for years. This is mainly due to the fact that my town has it's annual Heritage Days celebration. It started when I was in ninth grade and was supposed to only be held for a few years until Ford City celebrated their bicentennial. By the time that arrived, the festival was too big to stop.

It is basically five days of ethnic food and crafts. Add in the carnival rides, petting zoo, 5K walk/run, parade and fireworks and you got yourself a tradition. Most people come home for this holiday. Class reunions are planned for that weekend. You will see people you haven't seen for years.

Over the past five years, the festival had been going downhill. It was mismanaged. The good crafters pulled out. The entertainment was not much to write home about. Last year, everyone feared it would be the last year.

The old committee retired. A new committee was formed. New blood, young blood and they promised to revitalize a family tradition. I have to say, I think they are well on their way of doing that.

After being a pedicure and nail whore for two days, trying to fit three days worth of clients into two, I ended up with a UTI. Working 12 hour days and forgetting to take regular bathroom breaks finally took it's toll on me. I spent the entire Fourth of July in bed. For the first time that I can remember, I missed the fireworks.

Yesterday, I was able to venture out in the evening. I got to see the parade, which is always highlight for me. The parade was shorter than in years past. I remember the bicentennial parade lasting until 1:00 am. Nick said at one point that next year we need to bring a kid with us. I looked at him and realized he meant so that we could get some candy. I quickly proved to him that "I" can get candy from firemen! I just waved at all of the ones that I knew and an abundance of candy flew in our direction. He ate every single piece of it too.

Since we have missed all but two days of this festival, we have some ground to make up. Usually, we plan our days by what we eat, spreading out the goodies all week. With only two days, that's a lot of eating. We made sure we got the Polish Platter (piergois, cabbage rolls and mashed potatoes) last night, as well as Apple Dumplings with Ice Cream. Tonight, we have to get our Pastrami Sandwich and hopefully some Cabbage and Noodles as well as a Bavarian Waffle with Ice Cream. Oh boy, I hope I don't come home with a tummy ache like last night.

We always visit the petting zoo. I am an animal lover and am drawn to any kind of animal. Some don't agree with petting zoos. These animals seem very cared for and very well fed. Every year, I visit with the llama. It's the same llama every year. I like to think of him as being named something regal like Kensington. He has an air about him, like he feels demeaned to be in a petting zoo. I can just imagine him speaking in a high class voice saying "I can't believe that they have me in here with these barnyard animals. What an utter embarrassment"

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend, filled with their own holiday traditions. I know I sure enjoyed mine, UTI and all!