Another chapter ends...

(Freshman Year!)

There are those moments when you ask "Where did the time go?"

And then there are those lightening bolt moments when you really can't believe the time has sped by.

We've enjoyed four years of Notre Dame, and it wasn't always sunshine and rainbows.
Molly worked very hard to get where she is, and she did it on her own.
The funny thing about college is we really had very little control over the last four years.
(This was rather hard for me...I like control)

The football games, the tailgates, and all that pomp and circumstance doesn't mean anything if you lack commitment.
It wasn't easy, but she's never been a slacker!

(That's her!)

Four years flew by in a flash, and we're all sad to see it end.

(I had a few secret sniffles, and I wasn't alone)

(A warm hug from a favorite professor!)

(Molly and Will)

It's time for the next phase...work, work, work. The real world.
I have a feeling she's really going to miss the last four years.


I know I will.

"The fireworks begin today.  

Each diploma is a lighted match.  

Each one of you is a fuse."  

~Edward Koch

It's always nice...

TO WIN!!!


We were very prepared for this game. 
In his usual fashion someone complained about  all the damn stuff you keep shoving into the backseat the clutter.
I just let him rant...he eventually settles down.

I wore my comfy shoes, I found my lucky socks, and it worked.

We enjoyed a beautiful day with the MollDoll, all her neighbors, and friends.

My banners now have a permanent place on her balcony.
And our tailgating days are over...
although all the same activities seemed to carry on in her garage and driveway.

(Molly and her roomie Kayley from New Jersey)

Oh...the game was fun too.

I think BigDaddy and I will resemble these two very soon.
I love seeing the older fans..sometimes they're the loudest.

The student section is a sea of blue this year...

We had a great time. LawyerBoy and Carolyn drove in for the game.
There was no breaking down of tents, folding chairs, disposing of leftovers, or cooking on a tiny propane fueled mini grill.
Leftovers were stored in a real refrigerator!
Life was good last Saturday.


And on another note...
My daughter-in-law Carolyn is quite the shutterbug now. 
And if you'd like to know how to save money on the latest fashion,
visit Her Blog!

And thank you ladies for all the emails about my Mom.
We're both blessed by your thoughtfulness.

Go Irish!

Yes I know.

Notre Dame Football has not started out on a good note.
Yada Yada Yada...heard it all.


Say what you want, we'll continue to support our MollDoll's favorite team.


And to the elderly man at the grocery store who told me to change my shoes
when I was wearing these last Saturday...

...you're not a nice man. Shame on you.

My banners are ironed and awaiting flight...

But we won't be tailgating anymore. I feel sad about that.
For three seasons we put out a beautiful spread.

2010

BigDaddy grilled like a champion and I served up a great variety of sides.

2009

But it was loads of work. Lots and lots of work.
So this year we'll be bringing the chow to the MollDoll's apartment and eating like proper folk in her kitchen. 
(There's a link below for the best wing dip in the world.)

2008

I can't wait.

Here's the dip...Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip
The recipe asks for hot sauce...I use wing sauce. 
Hot sauce is way too hot and takes away the other flavors (because your mouth is on fire...not good)

I usually buy a rotisserie chicken and shred it. 
I spent years boiling and shredding chicken for my chicken-salad-lovin' children.
I'm done boiling.
(The rotisserie chicken adds a little more spice too.)


Enjoy!
...and Go Irish!

2008

"When I went to Catholic high school in Philadelphia, 
we just had one coach for football and basketball.  
He took all of us who turned out and had us run 
through a forest.  
The ones who ran into the trees were on the football team."  

~George Raveling

Party on...

It's been a long time since I was twenty-one.
Really...?
Oh stop! 
You really think I look young!?
You're so sweet...


Excuse my fantasy conversation with Bruce. It happens every now and then.

::sigh::

We headed down to The Bend this weekend to celebrate the MollDoll"s 21st birthday. 

It was a little snowy, that dreaded lake-effect snow!

It was pretty though..

Yes, she did turn the big 2-1 last Monday. 

We all know that turning the big 2-1 means a date with legal alcohol.

And when your big day falls on a Monday, you need to celebrate again on the following weekend...

especially when your entire family is coming to visit and bringing their Visa cards love.

I have to say it...times have changed.

My parents never saw me drink. 

Even now my Mother believes I'm allergic to alcohol, and the amber colored liquid in my wine glass is apple juice.

My mother is Italian, but she never really liked wine. 

That meant I wasn't served that sweet, syrupy wine all the Italians drank each night with their pasta. 

My grandmother did enjoy the occasional glass though, and I remember her always trying to sneak me a sip. 

She shouldn't have bothered.

Yuck.

We threw MollDoll a little party at Kildare's

Earlier in the week she was concerned that I may not be able to stay awake and hold my own. 

I am known for wearing jammies before 9pm.

I managed to stay awake long enough to soak up a little one-on-one time with my kiddies. 

It's no secret that my life has had some huge changes, it's not easy getting used to an empty nest. 

But I'm fine with it. Fine. Just fine.

I've learned to enjoy every minute when we're altogether. 

LawyerBoy and I discussed a few things, and he still seems to think he knows more than me.

I'm not sure I'm old enough to have a son in his thirties, but I do.

I'm going to have to start lying about his age.

So now all of my children are of legal drinking age. 

This really isn't a warm and fuzzy milestone for me. 

All it means to the BigDaddy and I is that our sweet little MollDoll can sit at a bar and chug a few. 
I think she's smart enough to embrace moderation. 
Waking up with a throbbing head gets old pretty quickly.

I'm proud to say that my other three children have learned that lesson. 
Some took a little longer for the lesson to sink in...but I won't name names.




We had a great time.

Molly enjoyed the company of her good friends...

...and I enjoyed the fact that this was one party I didn't need to clean up after.

"If you are young and you drink a great deal it will spoil your health, slow your mind, 
and make you fat - 
in other words, turn you into an adult."
  ~P.J. O'Rourke