Box Tops and Playgrounds

This is the playground at the elementary school my children have attended for five years.

Shockingly much of the equipment came when they built the school - over 50 YEARS AGO!

Two years ago they removed the "merry-go-round", deeming it too dangerous. And last summer, someone burned the climbing turtle (?) so now we have a big gaping hole of nothing in the middle of the mulch.

My friend and I took over the collection of General Mills Box Tops for Education and Tyson Food labels this year and decided that whatever we collected would go to the purchase of new playground equipment. Unfortunately, none of my children will get to benefit, as this is Caeden's last year, but it will be nice to leave a legacy of having done something before we leave.

That's where we need help - we need LOTS and LOTS of labels. You may have a bunch of them in your cupboard and not even know it! We have asked the community for support and now I'm asking you too. The labels look like this - we need thousands and thousands.
Send them to:
Stadium Drive School
111 Stadium Drive,
Boardman, OH 44512
Attn: PTA Home, School & Community

I will keep you posted throughout the year as to our progress. Over the summer we collected 3,400 and that's without even pushing this initiative! Please help... :)

The One Game Season

How do you split yourself three ways when you have three children? You don't.

That is why I didn't see any of Jackson's flag football games this season, save for his last regular season game on Saturday. I was mostly at Cam's games and John would be with Jackson as his coach. And we would both miss some of Caeden's Saturday games but we could justify those as he was the only one who also played on Sunday's.

If you notice I'm using the past tense; that's because all the sports are finished (except for the Flag Football Pumpkin Bowl this weekend)

John had been sharing Jackson's exploits with me all season - how he was the best rusher in the league, how he could move up the field like no one else ; deaking left and right, how he carried the ball from his end zone all the way to the other end for a touchdown! I missed it all.

So on Saturday I took pictures - lots and lots of picture. My favorite are the following where he relentlessly pursued the quarterback.

For your viewing pleasure...Jackson (in yellow) and the one game season!

Unfinished Business

Cameron's football season is officially over.

The final game against our arch rival Austintown Fitch Falcons ended with the score 13 - 26. Three of our top players went down with injuries - including our quarterback. The Spartans were done like dinner.

Cam was on the field for every defensive play but was frustrated that the offense never played the right side - his side.

For us, there was still the hanging question as to whether he even wanted to play again next year. Neither of us ventured to ask but he provided the answer in this conversation:

Cam: I think I might go with some of the other guys to watch the varsity team tonight at Fitch (just on the other side of town).

Me: That might be nice as this may be the last time you guys are all together.

Cam: No it won't. We'll be together next year. Besides - I have unfinished business with Fitch...

Them there is fighting words! Spoken like a tried and true Spartan.

Changing Seasons

A friend of mine pointed out that my blog picture looked very summery (summery - it sounds right when you say it but not when you spell it...)

Anyway - change of seasons...change of photo...the autumn version of Sportsmum...

A Day At The Farm

It has become our tradition to visit White House Fruit Farm two weeks before Halloween to enjoy a rare family day of fun and food. White House was one of the first places we visited when we moved here in October of 2003, personally giving me a great deal of joy as it made me recall growing up in Canada and enjoying the fall season with my family.

I love the following pictures - our simple, loving, and beautiful family...

Best Friends

The kids are off school today. My house is a disaster. I don't even want to think about the sounds I heard a few hours ago when seven boys were playing war in the basement.

I finally got them to go outside and play football. Caeden and Kyle developed their ultimate game plan to defeat the evil Jackson!

Gotcha!

I took my camera to the Team Kid program at our church last night. Ironically, the message to the kids was God is everywhere. Last week we spoke about how God sees all.
Do you think Kyle is trying to catch a peak of the big guy?


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I couldn't resist - I had to comment on John McCain suggesting that Sarah Palin works on behalf of those with children with autism. You can check it out over at my new blog Political Mum.

FANatics and Fans

Here's an observation about fans at football games...

There are those that go all out for the game...such as these strange creatures here...

And then there are those that go out...only to be enjoying another game...

Political Mum Has Begun!

I couldn't help myself - I had to start a political blog.

The good news is that I will spare my loyal SportsMum readers from having to endure my myriad of opinions! Now you will simply get the scoop on whether Cameron won his football game, if Jackson makes it into the Spelling Bee or whether Caeden gets a new pet (he did - a guinea pig).

But if you want to see what I'm thinking today - you can find Political Mum at www.haveopinionwillblog.blogspot.com

5 Years Ago Today...

Today is a bittersweet anniversary.

Five years ago today we arrived here..Had we researched more, I'm sure we would have seriously reconsidered our decision.

This is what I have observed over the last five years...One of the highest unemployment and per capita murders rates in the country, the lowest home prices (translation: you can't make money by investing in real estate), one of the most divisive and volatile political landscapes (See: Jim Traficant, Youngstown Tune-Up), bitterness-anger-hopelessness (Black Monday 1977) and a complete lack of understanding about how to move forward and compete in the global (or even national) economy.

But this is what I also observed...while there is a sense of hopelessness and cynicism, bred by promises made by politicians and selfish business people out to make a fast buck; the people are still fiercely loyal. They will adamantly defend Youngstown when outsiders put her down. They stand by and support their schools, banding together with their fellow alumni to bring spirit and pride to the whole community. And they love their country and have one of the highest voter turn-out rates in the nation.

For better or worse we have made this our home, and while we will always be considered outsiders, we will defend, support, and cheer for the place we have chosen to raise our children.

Besides - today will be 80 degrees, there isn't a cloud in the sky and the maple tree I planted our first spring looks like this...What more could you ask for...

The Danger of Political Rhetoric

This election has prompted me to consider starting another blog. The intensity of this political season has stirred up emotions in everyone I know.

Watching the news last night and seeing the rage at the McCain/Palin rallies has disturbed me on so many levels. I'm really concerned for the candidates safety!

The anger and intensity of the emotions is being fueled by the negative rhetoric of the candidates themselves. Someone needs to put the brakes on Sarah Palin's attack dog strategy before it veers into violence.

I have to applaud John McCain for trying to dispel the anger. Good for him in defending Obama as a person. Good for him in seeing the dangerous situation his running mate's speeches are creating. I was really impressed and touched when I saw him gently reprimand the woman who called Obama an Arab - that was CLASS!

And then there's Sarah. She fires up a crowd by telling them she's afraid of Obama and then IGNORES the comment from the crowd "KILL HIM". What is wrong with this woman? Is she so ambitious that she would put someone's life on the line to win an election?

God forbid something happens, but if it does, I hope people will remember her role and judge her accordingly.

If they don't - I think I'll move back to Canada...

Clarity

I just re-read what I wrote this morning. I sounded a little harsh in relation to Art. Frankly, he was wonderfully humble and accomodating for the entire day - and we ran him ragged going from tv to radio stations to Rotary to the awards!

My angle is that I was amazed how normally rational people lose it over someone who is really just like them. He's just a guy who is trying to get his life back together - he has debt, he has employment issues, and he loves his Mom!

And he has people like me who still hold suspicions of his motives. Remember - you are never cured of an addiction. Part of recovery is the potential for relapse.

He has so much to offer with his story...I pray the process of recovery will allow him to continue to tell it.

Idol Worship

I witnessed an extraordinary phenomenon Tuesday when rational people fawned over someone who was "almost" famous!

I coordinated the marketing and pr for The Valley Impact Awards, an event that recognizes those who have helped others in their battle with addiction. As part of the event, the client arranged for Art Schlichter to be the keynote speaker.

Anyone over 30, particularly men, will know of Art. If you're from Ohio, you worship him.

Art was the quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes in the late 70's/early 80's - the last QB to play under legendary coach Woody Hayes. He almost had it all - drafted by the Baltimore Colts as their QB of the future, receiving a million dollar signing bonus.

Problem was, he had a serious gambling addiction and threw it all away. In fact, he was only released from prison in 2006, having spent the better part of 10 years incarcerated for racketeering and fraud! One of his scams involved selling bogus sporting event tickets, using his "celebrity" to convince people he had access to great seats and events.

So long story short - I was with him for the media tour for the better part of the day. It was amazing - everyone was giddy being so close to a legend, or being so close to someone who knew a legend (Hayes).

Grown men giggling like school girls, women (or one woman) trying to get a piece of him - literally.

And here's the thing - HE HAS NO MONEY AND NO JOB! In fact, he owes over $500,000 in restitution, runs a small organization to raise awareness of gambling addiction, and lives in his small southern Ohio hometown - with his mother!

Here's the scariest part - he offered the CEO of the addiction treatment center Super Bowl tickets that could be auctioned off to raise money for the center. I want to believe it's legit but given his history...

Homecoming

Part of me was ready for this and part of me couldn't believe I was looking at my son, WITH A DATE!

Homecoming is the only dance Freshman are allowed to attend. I'm very thankful for this as it cost us over $300! (Suit, tickets, corsage, dinner)

We didn't get through the evening without some drama...

As I've mentioned before, Cameron is shy to a fault! It was shocking that he actually asked a girl to the dance. Of course, he did it by text - God forbid he would actually have to talk to her! And that was the problem - as of 5:30 on Saturday evening we still weren't sure she was actually going to show up!

The football game the night before, he didn't say a word to her and I watched her all night walking around with two other boys. Then he "texted" her after to make sure they were still meeting between 5 and 6 and all she said was "I guess so".

Saturday he had an out of town football game (we lost 12-6, our record is now 4-1). When he gets home, there is no message from her so he texts again. Nothing.

He then tells us that he bought her ticket and gave it to her the day before - what's to stop her from just going with someone else? He also phones his friend who is supposed be going with her friend and he doesn't even have his date's phone number to check what is going on! (my son is not alone in the disorganization department)

So, being the hyper organizing Mom that I am, I start arranging for him to meet up with other friends and go with them. I even consider getting my friend's GORGEOUS senior daughter to escort him.

Then at 5:40 p.m. the text arrives - "I'm on my way".

...And she was lovely! She had been getting her hair and nails done and didn't have her phone.

They had a really great time but I expect they will just remain friends. Cameron would actually have to continue talking to her for it develop into anything more and why would he do that when he can just text his innermost feelings?!

Where Have You Gone Joe DiMaggio?

I took another break from blogging.

I had full intentions of going on and on about the Californians and their world-wind visit (it was SOOO great to see friends from home!)

I had full intentions of telling the tear-filled tale of buying my oldest son his first suit (I'll tell the tear-filled tale of the actual date this weekend)

I had full intentions of telling of the Saturday sports (two losses and a big win - Go Freshman - 25-24)

I had full intentions of telling about my eldest son shaving his legs - but that one is just too weird.

I had full intentions about sharing the Boardman Rotary Oktoberfest highlights (rain and all)

And finally, I had full intentions of telling everyone I TOLD YOU SO about Sarah Palin.

But - I'm really PMS right now so I have absolutely no intentions at all!