"I wouldn't ever set out to hurt anyone deliberately unless it was, you know, important —like a league game or something." ~Dick Butkus

LET'S GET READY TO RUUUUUUUMMMMMBBBBBBLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEE...

How I remember my dad as a child...
when he wasn't on the couch watching football :)

     The Superbowl has always been a neat day in our house...especially when I was younger.  I loved watching my dad prep his game day snack; Triscuits, Beef Sausage and Cheese on a wooden cutting board.  Dad didn't get a lot of free time between flying for the Coast Guard, raising three kids and coaching whatever team we roped him into helping with, so no matter who was playing, he was settled in and ready on football day to weigh in on "the game" from his comfy perch on the couch.   To this day, no matter where I am on this football day of fun, I can close my eyes and see him sitting there.  This year, my dad's favorite team the Patriots are here in Indianapolis getting ready to try and defeat the Giants.  I really don't care who wins either way to tell you the truth.  I'm just happy The Superbowl is here and providing so much revenue for our wonderful city and that my dad's favorite team could take a win today...all while he gets to relax comfortably on the couch in Florida eating his beloved snack.  My crew will be watching the game at my sister's house with friends of hers and my niece.  

     What I am most looking forward to are the commercials as this has ALWAYS been my favorite part ~sorry boys but you just can't compete with that E*Trade baby or those fun Go Daddy ads and of course my latest craze c/o my cousin Jonathan...Doritos.  This year our family is especially excited to see if our cousin Jonathan Friedman; VA Beach, VA, will win a spot amongst these famed ads with the commercial he created.   In the words of one of Jon's friend's Matt from back home 

Congratulations and best of luck to Jonathan Friedman for advancing to the finals of the Doritos "Crash the Super Bowl" Contest. The contest consists of amateur filmmakers submitting homemade commercials promoting Dorito's and having the internet elect the finalists . The top two entries will be shown during the Superbowl and the creators have a shot $1M. He's already a local celebrity in Hampton Roads (http://hamptonroads.com/2012/02/ad-contest-let-doritos-fall-where-they-may) where the Virginian Pilot / Ledger Star and several TV stations have picked up the story. You can watch the ad here: http://www.mansbestfriendcommercial.com/ or click below.

Fingers crossed Jonathan!  Win or semi-finalist only, you will always be a STAR to us!  You have made it so far and we are all so proud of you cuz!  

     That's it for today as it's 2 hours till I need to round kids up to leave...and yes we're all still in jammies!  Heh, do me a favor though, wherever you are today, look around you and take in the memory.  XOXO

"Live a life youre proud of and if you need to, have the strength to start all over again." ~Unknown      This quote holds a significant meaning to me everyday,  but especially so this month, as well as every February since 2010.  As my children and I come upon the anniversary of their fathers passing, I once again am in awe that we have not only "made it" another year, but thrived, changed, grown, learned, loved, and lived.  G.d is good.        Two years ago on February 4th we were a family of five, living what I thought was "the dream."  We were making plans for that weekend to do what most of us will be doing tomorrow, watching football and hanging out with family & friends ~especially since our beloved Colts were playing that year down in Miami!  Who would have known that a couple of short weeks later, we would be a new, changed, broken family of four, clinging to each other, raw and unsure of what the next few minutes, hours, days, weeks and months would bring.  The friends we leaned on those first few months will and can never be repaid.  How could we possibly, but we are forever grateful.   We were given strength when we had nothing to draw from, nourishment when "breaking bread" was the last thing on our minds, laughter -even when it seemed inappropriate, but yet wonderfully needed at the same time, shoulders upon shoulders upon shoulders upon shoulders were cried on...too many to count but all remembered fondly,  as well as an insane amount of just plain LOVE ~sent from as near as next door, down the block, across the city, the country, to as far as a whole other continent.        There are those who have asked "How do you move forward?"  This is how we have moved to this place two years in the future, not just "making it," but thriving, changing, growing, learning, loving, and living.  Because of you, we are here. More to come on who we are, but first things first.  RIP Douglas Richard Weiss 1969-2010.  Son, Father, Husband and Friend.  You are missed everyday.