Snowmageddon.....Snowpocalypse......Snowlacaust

Take your pick on the name. People are panicking. The worst snowstorm in the history of the universe (as local weather people would have you believe) is about to descend upon us here in the STL metro area. Current conditions from my view from my cubicle indicate cars are already covered under a sheet of ice-swell. Yours truly is still at work because, well, I have assholes who apparently don't care if I get home safely or not and they thus have not called me with the case info I need in order to finish up and get the hell out of here. Snowmageddon is already making me cranky. I anticipate I will not be at work tomorrow. I can handle driving in the snow but throw ice into the mix? Hells to the no. I'm staying home, thank you very much. Charge me as much PTO as you want. Actually, our VP told me today that there is a very real possibility that our office will close tomorrow for the first time EVER. That would be sweet.

Seriously people, be safe out there. An inch of ice followed by a foot of snow ain't nothin to mess around with. F U Mother Nature.

Tay-Sachs SUCKS.

A couple of years ago, my aunt Mary, Aunt Jan and I had the pleasure of meeting the Rochman family. Their beautiful little girl Elise had the same hateful disease that took my sweet baby cousins Adam and Andy, with that "bond", the Rochmans welcomed us into their home to meet them and sweet Elise. Elise was a beautiful girl-big blue eyes and blonde hair. Although she couldn't speak to us, I was still amazed by her strength and beauty. Her parents Tim and Kerri are amazing as well. They work tirelessly with the Tay-Sachs Foundation to find a cure for this disgusting genetic disease. They hold benefits, they get the word out there on Facebook and their blog. They are two of the most wonderful people I've ever met.

And today their beautiful Elise lost her battle with Tay-Sachs. Death is inevitable for children with this disease, but still, the news of Elise's passing leaves my heart heavy this morning. Six year old's are not supposed to die, no matter the circumstance. Although to Elise's credit, she defied the odds by making it to age 6. Most Tay-Sachs children pass away around ages 4 or 5. Elise was a tough little girl. Her parents are even tougher. I'm so sad I didn't go to their yearly benefit last summer-knowing it may be the last one that Elise would be with us. Now this year's benefit will be in her memory, not her honor. Breaks my heart.

Tay-Sachs is one of the reasons I'm scared to have children. I don't know if I'm a carrier, but my mom is, so chances are I am as well. Elise's passing has me thinking about my sweet cousins Adam and Andy. They'd be grown men now if they were still with us, but I will forever remember them as the beautiful little boys that they were. I hope they've taken sweet Elise under their wing.

Please hug your babies today.

Sorry Chicago

Somehow yesterday I committed myself to cheering for the Packers this weekend. I'm not entirely sure how that happened. I was on the phone with someone in Wisconsin and she asked me who I was rooting for. I felt cornered....and panicked....and somehow this led to me assuring her I'd root for the Packers. It was real tricky how it all went down. I do, however, look good in a cheesehead hat. Not gonna lie.

Truth is, I don't really care who wins. I really don't. I've moved on to Blues hockey and am gaining excitment for the upcoming baseball season (pitchers and catchers report next month!). And possible Spring Training plans. So....football shmootball.

Oh and............GO PACK? Um...Aaron Rodgers for President? Er, um.....Cheeseheads rule?

Snow is dumb

Happy Almost Weekend everyone!

Whew, what a long week. I mean, they all seem long, but this one in particular has been really long. Maybe it's the foot of snow we have on the ground. Biggest snow storm in the STL area since like 1998, or something like that. Yesterday it took me an hour and a half to get to work...and I was one of the few that actually showed. Literally there were like 10 people in the office...making for one hell of a busy day. Same amount of work with 1/5 of the staff? Awesome. So, needless to say, I'm glad this week is almost over. And that everyone so kindly showed up today. Dear Snow Gods: We've had enough. Send Spring in please. Thanks.

I am very disappointed in my sister. Here she was, sequestered in the Westin downtown all week (for some work thing-she wasn't even allowed to go home!!!!)....the same hotel that the hated Detroit Red Wings were staying at.....she saw them get on the team bus to head over to Scottrade yesterday and didn't heckle any of them, even once! No "Bertuzzi you suck!" or a nice chant of "Osssssgooooood" or a "Mike Modano I've loved you for 20 years!". Nothing. Very disappointed indeed. ;)

I plan to have a vodka drink tonight. I've earned it. And then laying low the rest of the weekend and working on projects. Have a fun and safe weekend, y'all!

Smile!

This is what I got when I said "Kendall, smile for Aunt Kerri". Gotta love it!

More baseball updates: Alfonso Soriano's mom died unexpectedly and more proof that Milton Bradley is the world's biggest asshole

My condolences to Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano and his family regarding the news that his mom passed away suddenly last night from an apparent heart attack. I just read that Sori had taken her to Disney World just last week-I'm so glad he has that memory to keep with him. Very sad news.

In other, more disturbing (but not surprising news), former Cub Milton Bradley has yet again been arrested for violence toward a woman. Of course, innocent until proven guilty...BUT THIS ISN'T HIS FIRST ARREST FOR THIS. What an asshole. I mean, there is seriously something wrong with him. He defines narcissism.....and sociopath. I'm sure he'll accuse us all of being racist again.  Dear MLB teams: STOP PAYING THIS GUY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. He doesn't deserve it. He needs to just go away.

As if we needed more proof that Ryan Theriot is a douchebag.....

He probably should just shut his pie hole. I mean, seriously. Check out this article in today's stltoday.com:

I don't know about you guys, but this pic makes me want to punch Riot in the face. And where exactly is Pujols' other hand?????

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_18a52492-0736-5b28-a98d-948fd6ef9371.html

Prayers

I will never understand why bad things happen to good people.

I was devastated to hear yesterday that my friend Kelly's beautiful two month old baby boy, Adam James, had died Tuesday night. WHY in the world did that have to happen? It makes me so angry and incredibly sad. And my heart is breaking for them. I hate being unable to physically be there for her (she lives in Maryland), but I'm asking everyone that believes in prayer to please keep the Sauk family in your prayers. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain they are going through.

This is yet another reminder to please, please tell your friends and family how much you love them. We really don't say the words "I love you" enough. Maybe people are afraid to be too mushy or sappy? I don't know, but I'm telling you, if you are someone I'm lucky enough to call family or a friend, know that I love you.

My niece is 21 months old!

A happy belated 21 month shout out to my little niece who is now just three months shy of two. Wow. Can you hardly believe it? Time really does fly. She remains the center of all our lives...she's such an amazing kiddo. She got her first haircut on Satuday and it is the cutest little chin-length bob. She loves to show it off! ;)
We're making progress in getting her to say my name (she also won't say my brother's name and is sketchy about "grandma"). Before when you'd ask her to say "Aunt Kerri" or even just "Kerri", she'd look at me and smile and that'd be it. Now, if you ask "can you say Kerri?" she looks at you and says "yea". And that's it.  Haha! She's such a little stinker. I love it! She loves her great-grandpa (my beloved Grandpa that I talk about on here), she was watching him at church yesterday and kept saying "pawpaw bye bye"....that's a sentence people! She's really starting to talk well. She's so darn cute, it's ridiculous.

Matt Garza is a Cub!

Thanks Easter Bunny!

It's nearly officially official-the Cubs and Rays have agreed on a trade that will bring Matt Garza to the Cubs. I, for one, am STOKED. Yes, so we gave up our top pitching prospect in Archer, but let's face it, pitching isn't the Cubs greatest issue. It's everything else....I AM, however, sad to see poor Sammy Fuld thrown in the deal but hope that he will actually get some big league playing time with the Rays-there wasn't much room for him in the Cubs outfield-and he's like pushing 30. But...he IS a feisty player that, when he's out there, plays his little heart out. I'll miss him.

I know some will say the Cubs gave up too much to get Garza, but I don't agree. You DO have to give up something to get something, and I like this deal.

Such a rare occasion for a Cubs fan to be happy but color me happy today!

This pic sums up the Rams game from last night:

it's ok Sammy Bradford, you're still the greatest thing that's ever happened to Rams football. Go get 'em next year, kiddo!

Sad hockey news

I just read that the 18 year old daughter of former NHL player Pierre Turgeon was killed in a car accident this past week. How incredibly sad!

Pierre Turgeon was (and probably still is) my absolute favorite hockey player growing up. I followed him from his rookie years in Buffalo...to his stint on the Islanders.....and jumped for joy when he became a member of the Blues. He was a great player and, I won't lie, I also had a mega crush on him.

My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. What a crappy thing to have happen. :(

So proud of our Rams!

I realize to most people, a 7-8 record is not considered good. I get it. You've lost more than you've won. HOWEVER.....when that 7-8 record belongs to a team that went 1-15 last season, it sounds downright impressive. And this is where we find ourselves with the St. Louis Rams. A team that could actually make the playoffs. Seriously. I'm not gonna say next weekend's game with the Seahawks is a guaranteed win, especially given the Rams history of not playing well there, BUT, you gotta like their chances. The Seahawks lately look like your 10 year old's peewee football team could beat them. While not perfect by any means, the Rams looked pretty good yesterday, beating the 49ers (and as I correctly predicted, the Niners head coach Mike Singletary was fired after the game).

It's well documented that I love Rams QB Sam Bradford. In fact, all of St. Louis does. However, my favorite Ram is wide receiver Danny Amendola. And not just because he's hot (and he's really, really hot ladies!). I think he's been the best player on the team...he's been consistent throughout the entire year. He's so little and feisty out there-I love it! And yesterday he played his little heart out. That 86 yard punt return had me jumping up and down in my grandpa's living room-for reals!

I'm realistic enough to know that IF the Rams manage to get into the playoffs, they will probably lose their first game as they will most likely be playing the Saints and, well, the Saints are the reigning Super Bowl champs, but still.....if you had told me a year ago that the Rams would even be fighting for a playoff spot this year, I'd have told you you're nuts. So, no matter what happens next Sunday, we need to be proud of what our team has accomplished this year!

Exciting times in STL kids, exciting times!

Merry Christmas ladies!

If this is what they got goin' on in the Dominican Republic...count me in. From left to right: Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Marmol, Starlin Castro and Aramis Ramirez.

Why hellooooo, gentlemen. I spotted this Cubs pic and had to post.  Sori-what big guns you have. Rami-what an, um, big belt buckle you have. Marm-what the hell is on your shirt? Starlin-are you sure you're legal?

I'm starting to get baseball fever folks, and this pic was just what I needed to tide me over.......MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Ok, so I'm a couple of days early, but I doubt I'm back on here until Monday, so.....MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! It's hard to believe it's already  Christmas again! I've already celebrated with my immediate family, but tomorrow night will be the celebration with my extended family on my mom's side and Christmas Day will be with my dad's side. Fine family fun all around!

It's supposed to snow here in Missouri, I'm not sure about other places, but please be safe and have a wonderful holiday.

HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY to my cousin, Rachel

Happy, Happy birthday, baby cousin! I remember when you were born....you were a day old and your mom was able to get out of the hospital and bring you to the family Christmas Eve festivities. I can't believe that was 18 years ago!

I hope you have a wonderful day kiddo. I love you much!

Christmas came early!

Had a great weekend at home with my family! We had our little family Christmas on Saturday. My brother has to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so we decided to bring Christmas to him....a week early.

Of course, the part we most looked foward to was my niece's reaction to the whole thing. At 20 months, she was more apt to "get it" than she was last year. And "get it" she did. Once she realized how fun opening presents was, she was on it. One gift was a bunch of clothes and she took them out of the box saying "oooooooo!" (she's totally a girl, huh?). When she discovered the Elmo book I got her, she yelled "Momo" repeatedly and she insisted on having all of her Little People stuff opened. But....the greatest gift for her by far was the Dora tent/tunnel thingy my parents got her. When she opened the box, she yelled "Dowa, Dowa, Dowa!" and we had to immediately get it out of the box and set it up for her. They have something similar at her day care and she apparently loves it. Now she has her own.....and absolutely loved it. I won't lie, I think we all enjoyed it and her daddy and grandpa even got inside it with her (which she really didn't like. She yelled at her daddy......). SO much fun!

I got some awesome gifts from the fam, it was just a great weekend overall....yay! Now we have Christmas Eve with the extended fam on my mom's side and Christmas Day with my dad's side. Love fine family fun!

Happy Christmas Week!

Rams-Chiefs this weekend. Cross-state rivalry?

It's not really a rivalry. I mean, we think all Chiefs fans are fat and white trash, but other than that, it's not a rivalry. ;)

Who could ever imagine that we'd be discussing meaningful football games for the Rams in December? Certainly not me. But indeed, this is the case. The Rams-Chiefs game on Sunday is big for both teams. I'd like to thank the San Francisco 49'ers for all but dropping out of the NFC West race after last night's shellacking by the Chargers. Now, if the Seahawks would just go away we'd be golden.

Those of you in St. Louis, if you get the chance, you MUST listen to the Fastlane on 101.1 ESPN radio. It's on from 2p-6p and is freakin hilarious. The hosts are former Ram Demarco Farr, Randy Karaker and Bob Ramsey. This week has been particularly funny because they are ALL ABOUT making fun of the Chiefs and their fans. In fact, any time someone says anything about the Chiefs, you can hear a "moo" sound effect in the background. They're saying all Chiefs fans are "heifers". It cracks me up.

So, I guess for this weekend, it IS a rivalry. I soooooooooo hope the Rams come out on top.

GO RAMS!

Woody is coming home!

It appears Kerry Wood is coming back to where his MLB career began (and will probably end). Sources say Woody and the Cubs have agreed to a 1 year, $1.5 million deal that will bring Kid K home where he belongs. I see no negatives with this move. For the Cubs, they get a solid setup man for Marm and at a relatively cheap price and for Woody, he gets to come back to the team that he started his career with, which is apparently his preference because he and his wife make their home in Chicago. Win-win. I'm excited to have him back. He didn't look good in that nasty Yankee uniform.

Happy 83rd Birthday, Grandpa!

Folks, today is my beloved Grandpa's birthday, send him some love, would ya? He's 83 and, all things considered, in pretty good health for an 83 year old. Sure, he talks too loud at church because he can't hear...and he tells the same stories over and over and over again....but, he's otherwise healthy as a horse. Although he did tell us last weekend that he does NOT want to live to be 100. Um.....ok.

My Grandpa is my favoritest guy on Earth. I am so blessed to be able to spend most Sunday's with him. Although he drives me crazy sometimes, I try to remind myself to treasure those moments because they won't last forever. So, if he wants to rant about Reggie Jackson-I let him. If he wants to rant about how the Droid phone can kill you-I let him. If he wants to rant about how stupid it is that people make birth announcements online and how back in his day people actually picked up the phone-I let him. My Grandpa is hilarious and super cute (just ask the old ladies at church that fawn all over him-"Oh Bob, you're so funny!". Gag me.). I hope Grandpa has an amazing birthday and I hope we have many more with him. Maybe even to 100. :)