Another page in the Book of Life has Turned

My beautiful 18-year old daughter Arielle has made another step in life when she graduated from high school over the weekend. Yes, the tears were there, but I was so proud to see this gorgeous, confident girl walk across the stage to recieve her diploma. School was never easy and the School District made it harder than necessary many times, but that is all let go now. She's free! She received that diploma that is so important in life.

Randy and I sat in the front row with the other reporters and professional photographers that were hired to document the event. That's one nice part of my job, a shiny press pass! :) Trevor and Todd sat together and filmed the event. My parents and aunt were further back. Randy's mother had fallen earlier in the month and she was in the nursing home and unable to attend. Sadly, his brother and sister-in-law weren't interested in attending.


I've talked about her many times over the years I've written in this blog. She's been my best friend since birth. We look so much alike, people mistake us for each other. Thanks to Austin Powers, I have a response, "Yes, I cloned her! I call her 'Mini Me!!'"

I homeschooled her for several years and we enjoyed trips to Gettysburg, New Hampshire, Salem, Harrisburg, etc.... as part of her education. She has chosen to become a massage therapist. She made that decision because of my health issues and her grandmother's many health issues. She has chosen to devote her life to helping ease the suffering of others because of what she sees on a daily basis. That shows the heart my girl has.

Following the ceremony, we went out to eat with Trevor, my parents, brother Todd and aunt Judy who came to attend the event. She never misses one of my kids events. It wouldn't be right to have her not be there.


I want to congratulate all the graduates of the Class of 2011!!! You've worked hard and deserve to enjoy your summer before you head off to college, the armed forces, getting married or joining the work force. Don't forget your parents. They were there through the good and bad. Those all night final cramming sessions or 5th grade science projects wouldn't have been done without them. Make sure to give them a thank you as well.

We'll have a large party for her later this summer when her grandmother is able to attend. We'll combine it with her birthday and going away party and her cousin Jessamy's graduation as well. One big, loving family always. :)

IWC - Pro Rasslin at it's finest?

My brother Todd came home for a visit last night and to bring back our glory years, we found a live pro wrestling show and headed out. My kids were off doing their thing, Randy was working, so I decided to have fun. I did change out of the smokey clothes.

The show was the IWC and at first glance, I didn't recognize any of the athletes. Don't make the mistake of thinking just because it's not 100% legit, that these men and women aren't some of the finest athletes you'll ever meet. Even the doughy-looking pudge balls who are there for comic relief are athletes. You try and do what they do for 20 minutes and we'll see if you are still standing after 5 minutes.

Yes, I suppose I should disclose that I did work as a "manager" or a "valet" for a wrestler many years ago, pre-children, of course. That meant I wore a very tight leather top and a very short leather skirt with black hose and high heels. Of course, I had piles of bleached blonde hair. My name? Well, remember, you asked. I was "The Voluptous Miss Candy!" Nothing is sweeter! Yeah, I'll dig out some photos when I think about it.

My brother also got his day in the ring. He was injured during training and that ended his career. He hit his head after taking a fall and ended up with a bleed in his brain. Thus ended the stellar career of The Living Legend Hollywood Johnny Tambo. Yes, there will also be photos of him.


Back to our night in Clearfield. I buy my ticket, something I haven't done in about 20 years, but tonight I was just a fan. I go to find my seat, there was no Section D, Row 2, Seat 17. SIGH! The night is not looking good for me. The kid sitting in the last seat, was maybe 20 and I told him that means I have to sit on his lap. I thought he was going to cry, so I left him with his red face and all his friend laughing at him. They give me a new seat with the wives/girlfriends of the wrestlers and the announcer. "Hi, Jen!!!"

There is an old joke in the sport, "What has 10 teeth and an IQ of 30? The first three rows at ringside at any pro wrestling show." Sadly, the show prooved it all too real. There were young kids (7, maybe 8) who were so vulgar and their parents were smiling and encouraging it! WHY??? My child talks like that or makes the infamous "Suck It" movements, they're in time out for a couple years! But this is pro rasslin and that behavior is expected.

The undercard was as expected. Kids trying to get a break. They know a few moves, but can't really sell them. (Make them look even remotely believable) They might as well be on a loudspeaker and announce what they are going to do next. They miss the hits or kicks, but their opponent falls to the mat, holding whatever was "hit" and cries for the world .. er .. Clearfield to see.


I LOVE wrestling, I really do. I grew up watching and even took a wrestler to my senior prom. Yes, there are photos of that, too.

There were a couple guys who had just been signed to developmental contracts with the WWE. For those who don't own a TV or have never watched reality TV, The WWE is the biggest federation in the world. It's owned by billionaires Linda and Vince McMahon. Yes, Linda ran for Congress or was it Senate last year and got beat worse than a ham and egger in the first match of the night.


The kids who were signed looked so different than the normal indy wrestlers. One of the kids was from Clearfield, so these were his friends and family there to see his last indy show. I must admit, if I were 20 years younger and single ... No, this is a PG-rated blog. Anyhow, here is a photo of us. (I'm the short one)

We already are planning our next show. This time, Randy gets to go with us. This way, he won't call home to find me and just get screaming fans when I answer the phone. :) Off to my next adventure!

My brother got a new car

He's never had a new car before, but decided to bite the bullet and get this one. It's a real sweet ride and comes with a year of satellite radio for free. He'll get hooked on it. I got Randy a subscription to Sirius Radio for Christmas last year. He'll never go back to regular radio again. I have to admit, I'm loving their hard rock and 80's channels!