Angie’s Drama

After all these months, the wires are finally off!!! I’m still not up for eating friend chicken or ribs, but at least the metal is out. It’s so weird to have them off after more than thirteen weeks. I can actually smile my normal smile and not worry about the reflection from the metal hitting the flash on the camera at just that perfect image that results in a hazy smudge that could be mistaken for the Virgin Mary or a crucifix. The good news was that I didn’t have to have the local shots, they used a spray which made my gums somewhat numb. Not that it was a fun experience but at least the whole thing’s over and my alignment is pretty close to normal. It’ll still be a while before I risk eating anything really hard or crunchy but really, I’ve survived this long on soft food so I’m pretty happy!

Because I grew up and have lived in Peoria all my life. Because I met JJ Anderson and Dick Verace when I was younger. Because I worked at Mangiamo’s where Molinari would bring recruits and I got to know some of them. Because I worked at the Civic Center for six years and worked every single Bradley game. Because I worked at Avanti’s on Main for three of those years and met players and coaches. Because I graduated from Bradley and met those players and coaches. Because I love the tradition and the game. Because I love the community involvement that goes along with being a BU fan. Plus, I’m a big fan of red and white.

I’m not a BU fan because they went to the 16 two years ago. I’m not a fan because it gives me the right to constantly rag on the coaching staff. I’m not a fan because it gives me the right to constantly rag on the players. And I certainly did not buy season tickets to listen to the loud-mouthed a-holes around me second guessing the players and coaches at every turn, until things were going our way. Sure, rag the ref when there’s a bad call. Rag the other team when they throw a blatent foul the refs didn’t see. But, if you’re a Bradley fan, you need to be one through and through and that means supporting the players the ENTIRE game. That’s what a true BU fan does.

Yogi aka Yogurt, our chocolate lab, is probably one of the most loveable and sweet animals I’ve ever been around. Intelligent has never really been a word used to describe him. He’s more of a dopey, gangly 120lb chocolate. While most of the other dogs might open an eye (or not) if I get up in the middle of the night, choc-o is by my side at all times. He also seems to have a bit of a phobia with ceramic tile. When he gets excited, he forgets about the tile and ends up sliding all over the place. Sometimes he creeps into the bedroom but sometimes he just hunkers away, backwards like the tile is going to get him. So, I guess I’m trying to establish that Yogi is our “special” pup. When I was off work, Rob started letting Yogi back in the house in the morning while the other labs were out. It got to the point where Yogi would pretend to run with the others toward the basement and then scramble back to Rob’s spot on the bed. Usually with his big brown nose buried under my shoulder. This morning, I realized that Rob hadn’t let Yogi back in but I didn’t really think much of it. Then, I heard Vito’s repetitious bark. Remember the scene in a Christmas Story where “The Old Man” was reading the paper on Christmas morning and the Bupkiss’s dogs were running by? That was me this morning. I looked out the window and thought I saw a shadow and looked away. I looked out again and saw Bella. I opened the front door and there was Yogi. I went downstairs and Aiko and Bella were in the dog room. I had a dozen scenarios going through my head about how Yogi ended up outside and how I must be losing my mind since I swore I saw Bella. After I sent chock-o back out, it hit me. The fence. There’s a certain area where if a dog smooshes down flat enough, they can skate through. That’s EXACTLY what I caught Yogi doing. Apparently, he was going under the fence and running to the front door. And because he’s our “special” choc-o, he would go right back under when he realized I wasn’t at the front door. At least we know our babies don’t want to go anywhere except inside the house. There’s no roaming the neighborhood for them. Give them mommy or give them their backyard. And that reminds me of another lab-o-cedent. A couple years ago, Rob and I came home one night and the back gate was wide open. Apparently Rob had forgotten to push down the pole in the gate after he had mowed. Needless to say, we got out of the car freaking out…only to find a pile-o-labs lying on the front porch, wagging their tails. They weren’t going anywhere…I guess we’ve spoiled them just enough.

Yesterday was Grandpa Kelley’s funeral. There was so much pageantry and it was really beautiful. The Knights of Columbus were on hand as were maybe 30-35 deacons and a full choir. The choice of music was very appropriate with Be Not Afraid, Let There Be Peace on Earth and Eagles Wings. As if there wasn’t a dry eye in the church to begin with, the recessional song was When Irish Eyes Are Smiling and featured a bagpipe soloist. After the burial and fellowship, we went to The Recovery Room, sipped green beer and listened to his favorite songs on the jukebox. We told stories, laughed and cried. It was a good old fashioned Irish wake.
I’ve been thinking alot about the kind of person I want to be. Isn’t it funny how during funerals, a person’s career is rarely mentioned unless it was a career that affected people directly like a teacher or counselor? I’ve decided that I need to put more focus into my relationships and to the community all of which seem to have been taking a backseat lately.

Grandpa Kelly passed away this afternoon. Colleen’s grandfather had an impact on every person he met. As Colleen’s first real father figure, he shaped her life completely and those of the people around him. Colleen lost her grandmother in 1992, right before I lost my mother. We were able to lean on each other in the coming years for support and to stroll down memory lane. At our ages, our peers weren’t exactly clamouring to listen to our memories of our loved ones. Shortly after my mom’s death, my grandfather’s health faded and he too passed away. Grandpa Kelly became my surrogate since I had never known my paternal grandfather who passed away ten years before I was born.
Grandpa Kelly was a deacon at St. Thomas and a member of the Knights of Columbus. The first St. Patrick’s Day I spent with Colleen’s family was crazy. It was all about the parade and party hopping. I couldn’t believe that Colleen and John actually got out of school for the day. I saw Grandpa proudly walking with the Knights and waving to us like crazy. I felt like a fish out of water. I really hadn’t seen a holiday celebrated that way before. When I mentioned that I felt a little out of place, Grandpa Kelly said, “Angie, you may be Greek but you’ll always be Irish to us.” I may have taken that to the extreme over the years, but thanks to my second family, I’ll always be a little Irish and Patty’s Day is my favorite holiday. Over the years, with his health failing, he couldn’t walk in the parade anymore. But, he was with us every year in his green hat and wheelchair decorated to the hilt. He had a smile for everyone but then again, he may have just been thinking about green beer.
I know right now, he’s watching his beloved Cubbies win the World Series and drinking a green beer. Go Cubbies!

I think I’m having one of those blah days. Considering I usually appreciate the sarcasm in just about everything, it’s kind of rare for me. This morning, I drove by Sullivan’s and saw the sign being taken down (moment of silence, please) which was a bit of a bummer. Since Colleen had to work on her birthday (Monday) we had planned on the usual Hoffbrau dinner tonight but then that got postponed. Colleen’s grandfather really isn’t doing well so she decided she wants to spend time with him tonight, which she should. Rob was out of town last night which means I had another sleepless night with the pups. When Rob’s not home, every minor sound coming from outside could mean a) daddy’s home or b) daddy’s not home and it could be someone else soooo… they all bark and go crazy until I get out of bed to check. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the dogs being concerned but I also appreciate a good night’s rest. I would actually think they would sleep sounder since when he’s gone, they’re all on the bed, fully stretched out and not on the cold floor.
I took advantage of Rob’s absence to watch a few things he has no desire to every see. First, I watched Dreamgirls. I really had no idea it was close to three hours long. Good gravy. Then, I watched Law and Order SVU-which Rob loves but I get to tell him I’ve already seen it. Finally, I watched last night’s new episode of Real Housewives of Orange County which just sucked more brain cells out me. Lately, Rob’s been telling EVERYONE about the reality shows I watch so EVERYONE has been making fun of me. And I don’t watch that many so it’s been pissing me off a little. Blah!

Rob and I spent the weekend in Chicago with our friends. Just to try something new, we decided to take the train. Granted, we were an hour and a half late getting to Chicago, but I’d definitely do it again. It was really comfortable and we watched The Simpson’s Movie and Shrek III during the ride. Brent’s folks are living in Florida but they still have their house in Batavia, so that was home base for the weekend. Friday night, we went to Al Capone’s Hideaway and Steakhouse on the Fox River. While we ordered (and paid for) prime steaks, I’m not sure that’s what we got. I was a little bitter that the lobster tail we ordered wasn’t deveined either. In the end, it really didn’t matter because we had a great time with our friends. Saturday, we had lunch at Lou Malnati’s which was awesome. Someone should really start another franchise in this area. Then, we went to the Premium Outlet Mall. I was in heaven since they have Kate Spade, Coach, Ferragamo and Armani. Rob found a leather coat but at $900, we thought we better pass. I found a great purse at Michael Kors that I love but of course, I have to get a new coat and shoes to match…
Saturday night, we drove into the city. We had dinner at Twin Anchors on Sedgwick. The place has a lot of character and tons of history. Our waitress said that they had just filmed a scene from the new Batman movie there the week before. Since I still can’t eat ribs yet, I went with the pulled pork which was absolutely fabulous. Everyone else ordered the ribs and said they were to die for. After dinner, we went to The Green Mill, another spot with tons of history and beautiful architecture. Instead of jazz, they had live gypsy music. And it wouldn’t be Chicago if we didn’t get shushed for talking as we were leaving. I guess they take their gypsy music pretty seriously up there. Finally, we stopped by The Spot. Mikey knows the owner and we had a blast. It was great coming from the packed Green Mill and then having our own area upstairs at The Spot. Once we got back to Batavia, we stayed up until about 4:30am playing Catchphrase. We had so much fun this weekend but it’s really nice to be back home. When I picked up Sophie and Vito, I realized just how nice it was. They didn’t leave our side all night.

Last month, I went back to the oral surgeon who told me that I can finally have the metal removed from my mouth. Unfortunately, due to scheduling the earliest I could get was January 11th. Well, seeing as I’m a huge wimp when it comes to pain originating from my mouth, I decided to take the rest of the day off to recover and tend to the ungodly pain I’m assuming I’ll have. Well, I’m an idiot. I realized last week that my appointment is scheduled for the day of the Seinfeld show. Considering how much our tickets cost, the fact that we bought an additional pair as a gift for Rob’s dad and I assume I’ll be laughing a great deal, I decided to reschedule the big appointment. Now it looks like it has to wait until the last of the month. AND OF COURSE, today for some reason, I can’t find the wax I normally carry and a wire is not only digging into my lip, but hooking onto the skin. Talking is definitely not an option today (I’m sure Rob will accept any and all pats on the back)Anyway, twenty five more days and counting…