Soccer in Tucson?

    Ahhhhh yes - Tucson let Spring Training go...and minor league baseball (yes, we are still paying for Tucson Electric Park)...all we have is the U of A - thankfully, they put some great teams out there for us!
    But tonight and tomorrow night, Tucson has MLS soccer, played right at Hi Corbett field! 

            FC Tucson, our new semi-pro team, takes on the NY Red Bulls!  And they were handing out FREE Red Bulls to the crowd!  Good stuff!  The grass looked better than I can ever remember it and the level of play was outstanding.
            Back when I managed Toys R Us's on the east coast, they were a sponsor of the US men's soccer team and we'd get tickets all of the time.  Kim and I saw the U.S. play the U.S.S.R., or what was left of it, at Lehigh University.  We saw the U.S. play Sheffield of the English Premier league at Vet Stadium - stopping off on 9th street for a cheesesteak at Gino's on the way down!  We saw the U.S. play Uruguay, also at the Vet.  They packed the stadiums and the fans were great.
           When I played soccer, Kim would come and watch practices and make it to the games.  One time, as I was running at Nitschmann Junior High School, by myself and just kicking a ball and getting some conditioning in - I saw Kim appear on the top of the hill leading to the school - she surprised me and went out and bought herself a pair of cleats and a soccer ball, to be able to run with me!  So, we used to go down to the soccer field and pass around - she was pretty good!
           I was thinking, as we enjoyed tonight's games (Sporting KC of the MLS, defeated the Arizona Saguaros 6-1 in the first match and the Red Bulls were up 1-0 at the half when we left - we knew we had to get up early tomorrow for Kim's Klimb), that Kim sure would have had a good time out there tonight...the weather was perfect and the soccer was great.
         
          We started out by getting some good food over at Rubio's!

                                                Lexy and Autumn enjoy rice and fish tacos!

Tonio goes for the taquitos and Cody got the nachos.

               Angie, Andrea, Breanna, Cody, Autumn and Lexy at Hi Corbett field - we had some pretty good seats!!  Courtesy of Sean Smock, GM of the Tucson Toros - thanks Sean!  We had a great view of the field and avoided the bleacher seats.  There were about 5,000 fans in attendance tonight.  The kettle corn was delicious and the kids all had Eegee's.

                    The Arizona Saguaros take on Sporting FC.  Sporting FC's big star is, Omar Bravo (and it was his birthday today, too).  He was the Mexican National team's captain and was one of the best players in the Premera liga in Mexico for Chivas.  Good games, but we had to leave around 9:00, knowing we'd be on the road by 7:15ish for Kimmy's Klimb in the morning!

                  When I picked the bambini's up at school today (well, actually, Autumn stayed home one more day with me...and talked me into watching the Last Song with her - very sad), we got some more good baby news!  Mrs. Rienstra, who Autumn had in 3rd grade, is pregnant too!

          Congrats!  Again, Kimmy would have cried with happiness for the Rienstras and, she's been a great teacher, so we know she'll be an awesome mom!  I warned Mrs. Rienstra she'd be appearing on Kimmy's blog...'In my p.j.'s?'  she asked....well, we have no fashion critics as a part of this blog and, personally, our family are big advocates of p.j.'s - just asked Antonio!  'They are just comfier!' he states.
         So now we have Kim (Angie's youngest daughter), Mary Montes (Autumn and Tonio's kindergarten teacher) and Jenny Rienstra all ready to have little blessings...must be something in the water!

Dorney Park, Allentown, Pa

      Alfonso the Clown used to rule the little kingdom known as Dorney Park...as you entered the park, you could see his visage, spread over the entrance - anybody else feel a little unnerved by clowns?  Once inside, this family owned amusement park was so entertaining...and Kim and I frequented this playground.

      This park was started back in 1870 by Solomon Dorney.  He originally built it as a fish hatchery, and addd games, rides, a hotel, petting zoo, etc.  In 1923, they built a wooden roller coaster, at the time, the largest, longest and fastest of its kind.  Kim and I road this roller coaster often!  We loved roller coasters, in general, but this one really gave you whiplash around the corners and was such a classic.  There was even a house underneath it!  Apparently, as the park expanded, one elderly lady did not wish to sell, so they made a deal with her to let her keep her house, and allow them to build their state of the art coaster.
       Our all time favorite ride there, was called Journey to the Center of the Earth, kind of a poor man's Pirates of the Carribean.  It was originally the Tunnel of Love (no small wonder this turned out to be our favorite ride!) and they added some spooky special effects, like a T-Rex head and 'lava', etc.  It was almost a Splash Mountain type deal, with a lazy boat ride, finished off with a breathtaking downhill ride into a lagoon, that assured you were going home wet.

   We once saw Bob McAllister host the game show Wonderama right there in the park!  We hoped we'd get chosen to participate in the show...we were not selected, but sure enjoyed watching...
    There was a great spook house ride called the Bucket 'O Blood  and a walk through spook house called The Wacky Shack, that sadly burned down in a fire in 1983.  Kim and I would go on these rides over and over and over and over...!
    Of course, I always had to win her something and Kim ended up with an odd assortment of stuffed animals over the years from Dorney Park!
   In 1985, the Wildwater Kingdom opened up, attached to Dorney Park - it was one of the only water parks in the entire Northeast when it opened.  Kim and I loved to buy the 'dual' pass and go on rides at Dorney Park, until we were overheated and then go over to Wildwater Kingdom to ride the tube rides and cool off.  In 1988, when I started working with Toys R Us, the store manager, Nick Romano, took us all there for the store's picinic.
    While working with Toys R Us and managing the Broadway location, I met the general manager of Breakers, a man named Steve...he was originally from Wilkes Barre, Pa and had once been the general manager of Dorney Park - small world...you think?
   Anyways, Kimmy and I loved amusement parks and went to them wherever we traveled...

    Speaking of Toys R Us...it was this day, March 3rd, back in 1994, 18 years ago today, that Kim and I left the frozen tundra of Pennsylvania!  The night before we left, I heard the forecast for snow, and moved our moving truck, a 27' box truck, with a full trailer to tow our Jeep Wrangler, to 8th Avenue.  I knew 8th Ave would be one of the first streets plowed if it snowed and we'd have a chance to escape!  Sure enough, it snowed a lot and everyone asked us to postpone our departure... I vowed that I would not spend another night in that frozen hell!  We burst the truck over the plow's handiwork and drove to Baltimore to pick up my Dad, who drove my Toyota 4X4 across the country with us...a glorious trip.

    A miscellaneous memory popped into my head today.  One of Kim and mine earliest dates...I was 17 and thought the sure way to impress Kimmy was to buy some beer!  Yes, this was a can't miss plan...except, at 17, I looked like I was 12.   However, my friends, Andy Thom and Joe Slapinsky had happened upon a bar that could help.  It was on the southside of Bethlehem (why is it, that every city's southside is the roughest part of town?).  This bar had no name.  It simply had a sign, hanging perpendicular to the entrance, with a photo of Curly from the Three Stooges on it.  I loved it at first sight!  It also, inexplicably, had scallop sea shells stuck decoratively on the front of the building...this was totally out of context with the rest of the block, which was a solid row of very random type of business, with about 5 stories of apartments above them.
   I waltzed in there like I owned the place, leaving Kimmy in my running car (1977 Chevy Malibu, that my Dad graciously allowed me to use - we lovingly called it the 'Silver Bullet'), in this nefarious neighborhood.  The bartender approached me, with an amused look on his face, and asked how he could help me?  I hadn't thought about what to do once I made it inside...I liked Budweiser, but wanted something fancier, something special, to show Kim how much I cared and what great taste I had...so I said 'I'd like a six pack of Michelob please'.  Not sure if it was the 'please' or my 12 year old face staring back at him, but the bartender asked 'You have any I.D.?'....'Uh, no sir, left it at home...I'm on a date and wanted to get something to impress my girl'...I stuttered....'No problem', he said and returned with my Michelob.  He slipped it into a paper bag and gave me a wink and a smile.  'Good luck', he told me.  'Uh, yeh, you too, man'...and I was outta there!
   Turned out, Kim did not drink beer.  What a surprise.  So I had to drink it myself.  I'm sure that I truly impressed her there.  Gives you yet more insight at to what a special lady she was, to stick with me after that date, say?
  
    Well, on the homefront, the bambini's continue to amaze me.  Cody's grades are the best he has ever had and he is about to begin track season.  I tell you, I've seen every professional sport there is (sorry, golf is NOT a sport) and I absolutely feel that it is much more exciting to watch this boy play sports!  He is so fast!  I can't wait for the season to begin after Spring Break.  Angie's youngest daughter, Kim, the RN who works on the 5th floor at St. Joseph's, and who provided Kimmy with so much comfort, picked up Antonio at school.  She took him to his favorite restaurant, with her son Micah, McDonald's and they got Happy Meals!  And you know, when I broke the fantastic news about Mary Montes being pregnant, I forgot to mention that Kim is pregnant too!  Our Kimmy would have been, or is, so happy for Kim and Rashon!  She absolutely loved this couple - they are great parents to Mariah and Micah and Tonio had so much fun playing with Micah after  school today!!

    Autumn stayed home with me today....she started a cough last night, that I did not like (goose walked over my grave)..and had a fever this morning.  So I called Dr. Radomsky, who've we've taken the kids to for 12 years (and Janene and Kim both take their kids to) to have her checked out.  Dr. Radomsky is a kind of guy you'd want to have as neighbor.  He walks into the room today, immediately reminds me to call him Scott, and asks about the family.  It's the first time we've seen him since Kimmy passed...our kids, like Kimmy, don't need to see the Dr. often...He's blown away, but comforts us and puts Aut on an antibiotic.  We'll keep her home again tomorrow to get her ready for Kimmy's Klimb on Saturday!

Andrea told Autie to drink hot tea with honey to get well...Autumn likes it!  And I made her the fideo soup, which she loves...tacos for dinner (green onion, cilantro and lettuce = veggies!)...but, my beans did not turn out - my first attempt at making the refried beans.  Not enough water...

    Meanwhile, Janene gave me a haircut today and brought me back to near respectability - I kept the beard and 'stache.  Kimmy would never let me grow one, saying, it reminded her of when I was a 'bad person' and made me look mean...I'm just channeling my inner-Al Pacino.  Janene is working on a fantastic event to benefit Kimmy's Foundation.  She will open her shop on a Sunday and do a hair cut-a-thon and 100% of the $$ will go to Kimmy's Foundation!!  I was so energized by her vision and how excited she was - she is also bringing her neighbors, the Shishkabob House and Arizona Pizza, into this event.  I've known the owner of both for several years, from when I was managing the Linens 'N Things in the same parking lot - they are great.  Now, that Linens 'N Things is the worlds largest Peter Piper Pizza, complete with roller coaster, right where the sheets used to be!  I remember my current district manager, Tom, commenting that he had stopped in my LNT while prepping for his interview with me for Barnes & Noble - he said it was a clean, well merchandised building that I ran...I wonder what he would think of it now - it is overrun with video games, a sea of tables and, the roller coaster!
          That's all I have in me tonight...all of the bambini have fallen asleep - praying Aut wakes up feeling good...and praying for sweet dreams, as we wait for the sunshine...
           Love,
              Dave

Happy Birthday Kimmy!

      Happy Birthday Kimmy...where to begin?  Kim always had a love/hate relationship with her birthday...she never lamented  the 'big' ones, like turning 40, believing it was 'just another day', but she varied on how she wanted to celebrate, or whether she wanted anyone to make a fuss over her!  As you can imagine, she'd try to keep it simple...but I wouldn't let her!
      But, one of my favorite Kimmy birthday stories, is from when she was in 1st grade.  Kim invited her whole Brownie troop to her house for a birthday party...only it wasn't her birthday...and she wasn't home as the guests and parents began to arrive.  Her startled Dad took things in stride, thanking the child for the gift, explaining that there was a mix up and smiling the whole time.  When Kim got home...she found that she now had to return the gifts to each child and apologize to the parent!
      Since Kim's birthday was in March, it was not the ideal beach weather, so we often would go skiing or ice skating.  I took her to Colorado one year for her birthday to ski.  And, one year, we did go down to Long Beach Island for her birthday and found it fun to walk the cold beaches all bundled up, and having it all to ourselves.
     For her 40th, we had a big celebration at Pinnacle Peaks, a wild west steak house - her Mom and Jim came out and we had the entire Williams family there - having a table that literallly stretched the length of the room!
     Other years, we found ourselves at Chuy's with Betsey, Brian, Amy and Tom and their children.  Most recently, she liked to go to Zona 78.
     
      Today, after I dropped the bambini's at school (I made them pancakes with sliced strawberries for breakfast, a Kimmy favorite for them), I headed out to the San Xavier Mission, where we were married on May 21st, 1994.  It was a surreal drive...I was doing good, cruising along at 75, when...wooossshhh - the world began to spin backwards, as I strained to see the road through the tears - it felt as though I had slowed down to about 20, the surrounding scenery growing impossibly large...and the poof!  I was back...

         I caught sight of the church...I remember, each week, when we attended Mass here, we'd see who saw the church first and call out 'the White Dove in the Desert', which is the Mission's nick name...I ducked inside just as Mass began.

        During Mass, the father reminded us that we do not know how long we have on this earth and should not be worried about material things or what we are having for dinner or what to wear tomorrow, rather, we should worry about the well being of one another and loving each other...wow, how appropriate...and the tears began to flow...I couldn't help but look at the altar and remember meeting Kimmy there on our wedding day to exhange our vows, she a vision of lovliness...me, a nearly reformed train-wreck she was still cleaning up...

        After Mass, I approached the front and lit a candle for Kimmy, as we had done many times for loved ones, including her Dad, who also passed away from cancer.

            I lingered and took a bunch of photos - the inside of the church, so beautiful, with statues and paintings...

          Father Kino, who founded the church, is found in several places around the church...

          The upstairs balcony, has beautful murals and a old fashion organ - which was used during our wedding.
          Next, I went to the little side chapel, that pays homage to Mary...

     I placed a photo of Kimmy on the altar and lit candle for her here, too...again, we have lit many candles for loved ones in this shrine...

          I can't even tell you how many times Kim and I stopped in here to pray for someone...and, today, I was praying for her...and all of you, too...and, once again...lost it.

          This is a side entrance to the church to the north.  When we were running late for Mass, we would sometimes sit in this courtyard and listend to Mass - they keep the door open during Mass.  And when Cody and Autumn were little, they would run around here and play.

     Each week, after Mass, we would make the pilgrimage to the top of this little hill, where there is a large white cross...the kids especially liked this trek.

          On the east side of the hill, is this altar built into this grotto.  We'd always stop and pray here and the kids liked to see all of the belongings left behind to help their loved ones...I added a heart to the fence for Kimmy...

          After I walked back down the hill, I went into the courtyard, behind the church...it was next to this beautiful fountain, with humming birds darting by, and orioles high in the palm trees, that Kim and I had our wedding photos taken after the ceremony...oops, there goes gravity...I could feel the bricks beneath my feet begin to heave...when, I felt a steadying hand on my shoulder...through my fish eyed lenses, I could see it was a lady who had sat in the pew in front of me during Mass...she asked if I was ok, I could only nod...she asked if I was a tourist, like her...I told her I've lived in Tucson 18 years and was married here in '94 and that my son, Cody, was baptized here in '97...and then I melted, again. 
          Her name was Sherri and she was visiting Tucson from Nebraska with a friend, Stephanie...Sherri told me how she had lost her husband at the age of 49, almost 15 years ago...she told me that the first year is the hardest, as you 'anniversary' holidays and birthdays without your loved one....She asked where we were from originally...I told her we grew up three blocks from each other in Bethlehem, PA...she told me she was from Shippensburg, PA originally - where I graduated from college! We talked about Kim, and what a great person she was and Stephanie commented that God needs the really good ones more in Heaven, than here on earth.  And Sherri added, you know that she will be there waiting for you.  Her and her friend Stephanie were a steadying influence on me this morning and it was very obvious that they had lingered the 45 minutes or so after Mass that it took me to retrace Kim's and my footsteps, so that they could comfort me...Heaven sent...They promised to pray for my family and wished us well...

           Here is the school where Kim and I prepared for Cody's baptism and the sister teaching the class swallowed a slow moving fly!

             Finally, I stopped by the series of little gift shops within this enclosure (praying for the health and happiness of this seasoned couple going in before me)...where, on our first anniversary, I had a ring made for Kimmy by an Indian, Joe Begay.  He was such a colorful man.  He had a huge photo album of him acting in various movies filmed at Old Tucson, like Tombstone and a plethora of stories to tell.  He made Kim a beautiful, sliver ring, with a carving of the Mission on it, to represent our wedding there, a saguaro, to represent our love of Tucson, a roadrunner = Godspeed! and a sun, for happy days...Kim, in her usual Kim way, was overwhelmed by it and loved it.
            It was an amazing Mass and an incredible start to Kimmy's birthday!
            I stopped by Carondelet on my way across town and dropped off a large check to benefit Kimmy's Foundation - thank you all who have donated, and thank you to all of you who have purchased Knights of Columbus raffle tickets through me or St. Pius (50% of proceeds go to Kimmy's Foundation)!  Please remember to put Kimmy's name on the donation, or it will go into a general fund.
           Then, I went to see my friend, Dave Williams, over at Tatoo Artistry on Country Club and Pima...Dave added a little color to my shooting star, as a present for Kim's birthday...

         After the tatoo enhancement, I ran over to see Rosa and Vito at Viro's and had a cappuccino with them...they are leaving for Italy tomorrow, so it was nice to see them off and see them on Kimmy's birthday, too.
         When I picked up the bambini's, I ran into Mary Montes - Mary was Autumn and Tonio's kindergarten teacher...she helped with Kimmy's Celebration...she's always been a positive light for our family and her dad, Sam, has helped me navigate the legal waters following the loss of a loved one...Kimmy worked as Mary's parapro when she had Antonio in her class and absolutely loved her as a teacher and as a friend.  Kim would always say 'oh, when will her and Emilio have a baby?  Mary will be such a wonderful mom!'...well, today I got a great birthday gift on Kim's birthday, as Mary told me some fantastic news...she is pregnant!

         I was given exclusive rights to blog this great news!  Although, I failed to get it in writing...
         Our family is so happy for Mary and Emilio and pray for them and their little blessing!  They will be great parents!
         
        For dinner, we met up with Angie and her family - Angie and Mark treated us all to dinner at Kimmy's all time favorite restaurant...Zona 78!  There were 20 of us, and Vince, the manager there, did a great job to accomodate us as we overtook his restaurant. 

           Brendon, David, Cody, Autumn and Lexy shared this table - with the boys eating pizza and the girls going with the pasta!  Lexy and Autumn are styling in their matching fedora hats.

                  Mariah's pizza went missing and Breanna and Antonio always enjoy each other's company...

               Roshan, Kim and Micah enjoy their meal (didn't notice Micah was spinning his head around when I shot this, or I'd have retaken it!).  Kim is an RN and works on the 5th floor at St. Joe's, where Kimmy spent a couple of weeks - that team was so nice, caring and hard working!

        Mario gets ready to devour a bianco pizza - Angie and Mark have huge bowls of pasta with meatballs.  And Bryson is enjoying a pizza, too.  Their pizzas are made in a wood burning oven and are great.

               Andrea ponders the menu...before choosing...pizza!  We ate a lot of bianco pizza tonight!  Looks like Antonio is entertaining Breanna, Bryson and Mariah in the background.

                          Kason and Janene work on some bruschetta...I swear Brad was there a minute ago, but I did not seem to capture him on film, er, digitally.

           One last shot of the 'fedora sisters' enjoying their pasta...
           Anyway, our southwest family felt Kimmy's birthday would be better spent together...and they were right, we had a nice time...and, for once, I could not remember the first time we went to Zona 78, what the occaison was or why we decided to try this place - but, it has been Kimmy's favorite for several years.
           And, when we arrived home, exhausted from our emotional rollercoaster of a day, we found these tasty brownies in our fridge...courtesy of our neighbor, Amy!

              Amy took the recipe from a Chocolate cookbook that Kim used to use to make us luscious treats!  And, Amy, these would have made Kim proud!  They are so decadent!              Once again, the incredible support we have here, came through for us and helped make this day a good one, for Kimmy, on her special day...the stars were interspersed with whispy white clouds tonight when we went outside to say goodnight to Kimmy...each bambini intoned their special birthday wish to Mama and wished her a good night...and thanked her for this spectacular day (75 degrees, sunny, with beautiful, strands of clouds dotting the sky...)...
            Happy Birthday Love.

            Love,
                   Dave           
          

                        
          
     
       
   
   
    

Snow Day!

    I told you before...I am in hell...and here we go again - cold, windy and...snow!  Last night, when we left the Icecats game, it was near 10 and we did not have to wear jackets...imagine my surprise, when, at 7 a.m., I went to let Bella outside to find a blanket of fresh snow....

       It was, indeed, beautiful...on this peaceful morning...and Bella was delighted!  Her first experience with snow!

          She walked gingerly through it at first...hmmm, it did not hurt or sting, so it must be fun!  Then, she sniffed it, pawed at it and took off frolicing wildly through it!  It was fun to watch, but then, the cold started biting at me...and I remembered how much I was looking forward to taking Cody through Fantasy Island today on some new paths Tom wanted to show us...and I remembered 'oh yeh, I'm in hell'...so I went back to bed.
        Around 8, Antonio was stirring and I told him 'Tonio, go look out the window.'   He squealed with delight and yelled for Autumn, who sat up and said 'Dad, my head hurts'...While Antonio scrambled to find warm clothes, I took Aut's temp...99.  Not so good.  Now, we would miss going to see Vito and Rosa, too, who are Italy bound on Wednesday.  I gave her some motrin...and went back to bed....only Antonio needed help, and I remembered another reason I'm glad it rarely snows...it took 20 minutes to outfit the boy so he could withstand the elements!
       And he was off!

             Yes, that is a Marvin the Martian hat...this boy was fired up!  He threw snowballs to an anxious Bella, who chased them down as if they were rabbits...a boy and his dog...then, he started to make a snowman - now, this is only the second snow Tonio has seen in his life time, so he was struggling...dammit, I had to get more clothes on and help him - I may have mentioned this, but I only own 1 pair of jeans, because I always feel that I should be able to wear shorts....that's why Kim and I moved to Tucson.  I got geared up and we set about making a snowman, complete with carrots for nose, chocolate chips for eyes (you can guess which animal ate those!) and Tonio found some sticks for his arms and mouth.

                                           Nicely done Antonio!  And Bella did try to help!
                      Around 9, I ran over to pick Cody up at his friend, Johnny's house, where he had spent the night and the entire neighborhood was in their little park playing in the snow.  The entire neighborhood...the snow didn't stand a chance, it was already wiped out.
                     When Cody got home, he hooked up with his buddy Alex and they built a snow ramp in our park (which was not overrun by the neighborhood and had plenty of snow left) and pulled each other over it on Alex's boogie board!  They got some pretty decent air.  Channel 4 news stopped by and filmed them jumping the ramp, interviewed the boys (and Amy and I) and then had the boys pelt the anchorman with snowballs - Cody hit him square in the back of the head - which looked pretty cool on the 5:30 news! I went to KVOA.com to see if I could find any video footage, but it looks like it may not get posted until tomorrow.
   Here's a shot of our park before Alex and Cody got there!

                   Amy and I were trying to remember that last time it snowed and we decided it was 4 years ago - I remember they kept the kids home.  Amy told me she had to talk Kim into it!  Kim was worried about Cody and Autumn missing school, but later, when she called me at work, was happy she did since the kids had so much fun. 

                                   Cody and Alex are being interviewed for Channel 4 news (guy in blue).  Oh, and Amy made a snow angel - I should have taken a picture of that!
              The rest of the day, was movie day, medicine runs and I made some fideo soup for Aut, which she ate two bowls of.  Plus, I got a hot tip about strawberries being on sale at Fry's, and got her to eat two bowls of strawberries, too!   Cody had fun playing with Alex all day and Amy and Tom took them to the Park Mall and kept him well fed!
              The thing Kim and I absolutely loved about snow out here, is, you get to enjoy it while it is still pristine, so peaceful and beautiful - and within a few hours, it is gone!  No shoveling, no plows to bury what you just shoveled, no gray, dirty snow lingering for days and no snow to drive in.  It is fun to see it through the bambini's eyes...they had so much fun and Autumn was such a good sport about not being able to play - her fever topped out at 101 and she was not feeling good enough to make it outdoors, anyway.
             And Kim used to like going up to Mt. Lemmon to let the kids play in the snow - sometimes we'd bring hefty bags to use as sleds and most of the time, the kids wore socks for gloves!  It was always nice, because you could enjoy the snow and then drive back down the mountain and warm up!
               When we went out back, just now, to say good night to Kimmy, Tonio asked 'Mama, did you send us that snow today?'...and Autumn added 'Please send us some sun tomorrow!'...

           "The darkest hour is just before the dawn..."
                                                            Proverb.      Except Sunday as it delivers us Monday...it's all dark...

               Love,
                       Dave
       

Icecats

         We found ourselves back at the TCC to watch game 2 of the Arizona Icecats versus the Arizona State Ice Devils...deja vu all over again...just a change of characters...tonight, Andrea dropped Lexy off to us and we went to El Minuto again, minus Amy, Tom, Alex, David and Cody (Cody had a birthday party to go to that turned into a sleep over!)...

                  Lexy chose the beef tacos, Autumn got the topopo salad again, Antonio (oh man, you know that I have my hands full just looking at that face!) got rice.  Yes, rice.  That's it.  He wants Mario's recipe on how to make this kind of rice.  And I got carne asada tacos.  Once again, great food - and two nights in a row!  I literally did not eat a meal today in anticipation of this feast!  And it was well worth the wait.

        We had some sweet seats, courtesy of Mrs. Golembiewski, a teacher over at Desert Sky Middle school, where Cody goes - she also happens to be the sister in law of Icecats coach, Leo Golembiewski - nice contact to have!  The Icecats attract a curious crowd...many of them truly like hockey...some are just students there to support their school...some just like to yell, scream and be as loud as they can...some don't have all of their teeth...this was the case of the mother and son that had been sitting next to Lexy...they were unabashedly rude and unapologetic...and got kicked out before the end of the first period, protesting all the way 'Hey, this is a hockey game, come on!'.  It was a lot quieter after they left.

       Tonio's favorite is the Zamboni...invented by Frank Zamboni back in 1949.  He aspires to drive one some day...When Kim and I were Philadelphia Flyer season ticket holders, we'd always enter each other in the 'drive the zamboni' contest...but, alas, it was not meant to be.  Kim sure loved the Icecats games - we typically would see one or two a season.  One season, a young lady I worked with at Linens 'N Things, had an uncle who was head of security and scored us free tickets!  We saw at least 5 games that season!
      During intermission, we ran into one of the technicians, Robert, from St. Joseph's, who works security at the Icecats games.  He worked so hard for Kimmy, and was always a calming influence for her and our family.  He presented Antonio with a puck!  Antonio is so excited - he took the puck to bed with him tonight...yeh, that hard rubber is not a cozy, comfy, huggy item, but, for Tonio - it works!
      Well, having lost 10-5 last night, the Cats got off to a great start and were winning 4-1 after the first period!  They actually looked coherent and were putting together smart drives with crisp, clean passes.  Then, they gave up 3 unanswered goals in the second period and it was 4-4 after 2.  There were two lengthy delays, as a panel of glass was shattered and took about 30 minutes to replace and later, one of the braces holding the top of the glass together came lose.  So we left after the 2nd, as it was already 9:45, the kids had had their ice cream ( I am a new fan of the Thrifty brand! It is so smooth and creamy!) - not sure how it turned out, but, hopefully the Cats found new life in the 3rd period.

             Lexy and Autumn decided to sit together in one seat...and fit with no problem!
             Earlier in the day, the bambini got a great workout at Skate Country.  One of Autumn's friends, Emma LaPlant was celebrating her 11th birthday there and the LaPlants were gracious enough to allow me to drag Tonio, Cody and his friend Alex along.  I always think of those skating dates Kim and I had back in junior high - they didn't do enough 'couples' skates in my opinion!
             Slowly, we are piecing things together...some days, things fray at the edges, or out right tear, leaving the fabric of reality seeming thin, almost transparent...but today, we held it together...together.

           Surely, on those days, where I begin to lose my grip on reality and that feeling of being absolutely lost descends upon me, I find comfort in the words of Dave Mustaine:
         
Somewhere there's a reason
Why things go like they do
Somewhere there's a reason
Why somethings just fall through
We don't always see them
For what they really are
But I know there's a reason,
Just can't see it from this far

Maybe I don't like it, but I have no choice
I know that somewhere, someone hears my voice

I thought I knew it all
I thought I had it made
How could it end this way?
I thought I knew

Somewhere there's a reason
Why things don't go my way
Somewhere there's a reason
That I cannot explain
Just like the change of season,
Just may not be my turn
But I know there's a reason,
The lesson's mine to learn

                  -Megadeth

        It's a great tune, really - and sounds best with Liberty High School graduate, Jimmy DeGrasso as their drummer!

          Love,
              Dave
      
        

Klimb 4 Kimmy

       The Klimb 4 Kimmy up 'A' Mountain is next Saturday already!  Remember, this year there are no official registration forms - please just make a $25/ walker donation to Kimmy's Foundation (link and directions on how to donate are posted on right side bar. Remember to specify that your donation is for Kimberly Conca's Foundation - my Dad's donation got slotted into a different fund by accident, but we got it straightened out!).  I'll get something together for next year and t-shirts, too!
       The walk starts at 8 a.m. (give or take) at Pima County Community College West on Anklam Rd.  Some walkers begin earlier, some later...over the years, we varied our start times based on how pregnant Kim was, weather conditions or just how our morning happened to be going...
        The walk proceeds down Anklam to Silverbell, heads west and goes up the road up A Mountain.  At the top, there are refreshments, jumping concerts and most years, they've had live music.
        Should be a good time!

                                      

Sabino Canyon

          We had a big day today...I wanted to take the baminis to Sabino Canyon.  Kim and I spent so much time there while on vacation here, when we moved here and right up until we had Antonio...about that time, there seemed to be so much mountain lion activity in the canyon area that Kim no longer felt comfortable hiking there...

             There are several ways to get in and hike the canyon - Kim and I had tried each one many times.  There is a back door at the end of Bear Canyon rode, that is a neat hike and brings you out by Bear Canyon.  There is a path from the southeast corner of the parking lot that takes you to the path leading to Sabino Dam, or you can split northeast and catch the main path into Sabino Canyon.  Then, there is the paved, main path, which you can walk on or take a shuttle ride to the top.  We chose to walk the main route and here the kids are at mile marker 0.
             As you hike up this main path, a small trail called Esperero trail, branches off to the northeast.  Kim and I hiked this one on many occaisons.  It was especially beautiful in early spring when the wildflowers were in bloom and there would be so many butterflies.  I stopped at the trailhead to tell the kids the stories of Mama and I hiking this trail...

        Here is Tonio, at the trailhead, beneath a sign that warns that there have been recent mountain lion sightings...the way I feel, the mountain lion should be scared of us...but, we stick to the main trail.

Near mile marker 1, we spot water!

                  

              
                       At mile marker 1, Autumn sits down to get some water out of her Ramona and Beezus pack.
    And, I tell the kids, how next time we will take the tram.  I've forgotten how that first mile is always the hardest.  It is uphill most of the way, before sloping downhill quickly to the mile marker.  It is also the least scenic and seems to take forever.

             A lot of these paths were created during FDR's administration by the WPA and CCC.  Later, President Nixon had the main road paved...the bambinis were happy there was a bench!

            A large earthquake in Mexico, back in 1887, moved large boulder like this one into Sabino Canyon.  There is water running around this boulder and it is a wonder neither Autumn or Antonio fell in!

            This is one of the areas Kim and I would frequently stop and relax at.  There is a bit of a sandy beach that I am standing on to take this picture.

            We hiked another mile, or so, and came to this water hole...Kim and I would often pack a lunch and make a day of our time in Sabino Canyon.  When we'd come to a water hole, like this one, we'd swim and hike alongside of it, finding hidden waterfalls and places to lay on the beach or rocks, soaking up the warm rays of the sunshine.

And finally, our all time favorite swimming spot - stop # 6, about 2 1/2 miles up the main trail.  We would spend hours working on our tan, eating, swimming, hiking.  Once, we were swimming and I saw a tiny head swimming just between us...'Kimmy...look!' I whispered.  'What?' Kimmy asked...'Snake!' I whispered back.  Kim got out of that water faster than I've ever seen her move!  We took all of our visitors to this particular piece of beach.  The day after our wedding, we took everyone on the shuttle ride and stopped here for a picnic lunch.  When Kim's niece, Niki, came to visit, we swam here.  Cody and Autumn both splashed and froliced in these waters.  And today, finally, Antonio had his chance to skip stones and throw sticks into the water.  I promised him we'd come back when it was a little warmer.  This water is frigid right now, the result of snow run off from Mt. Lemmon towering high above us to the north.

            This is another little beach we always had fun at.  The kids enjoyed skipping stones here.  Kim and I would hike a little ways back along this water way and hang out together.

           And yet another sandy stretch of water!  It was so good to see the bambini enjoying their time here so much, just as Kim and I did so many times!! 
          We were blessed with a beautiful day (about 70), and with flowing water in the canyon and the sunshine, of course, the sunshine warming our hearts as we hiked together...

           After our 5 mile hike, we were starving!  So we went to Viro's!!  Vito came out and had lunch with us - Autumn scarfed an immense plate of pasta!  Tonio ate a ham sandwhich and Cody had the panini Italiano and mozz sticks.  I went with the fish burrito...I'm telling you, it's good! 

          We weren't done yet!  We had tickets to go see the Univeristy of Arizona Icecats versus the Arizona State Univeristy Ice Devils...Amy, Tom and Alex came with and we picked up David, Andrea and Mario's son, too.  We first went to eat at El Minuto, right across the street from the TCC.

                        David, Cody, Alex and Amy enjoy a huuuggggeee cheese crisp!  Tom had the huevos rancheros, Tonio had rice and beans, Aut ate the topopo salad and I had beef flautas.  Pretty filling!

              Autumn enjoys the game and looks stylish...Cats up 3-2...

             Here's a view of the rink...Cats up 5-4...

          Alex, David and Cody enjoy the action, but alas, the Cats let sloppy play, lack of discipline and lack of fundamentals spoil there lead...in fact, their wheels absolutely fell off in the 3rd period and we left when it was 10-5...and there were still 8 minutes to play!  ASU was ranked #9, coming in.  This is not NCAA sanctioned hockey - it is club level, so the play is not as sharp or crisp, but the fan enthusiasm and the effort the Cats put in, makes up for their lack of true skill.  And I was wearing my newest Flyers jersey, #13 Dan Carcillo, the 'enforcer' of the team, who sometimes can get some goals, too (4 on the season).  I saw one other fan wearing a Flyers jersery tonight, and he also was wearing Carcillo's jersey!  Carcillo was my favorite for the Phoenix Coyotes and I was delighted when the Flyers traded for him last season.
          When we got home, well after 10, we spotted some javelinas eating our neighbor's flowers!

                  Oh, wait a minute...these are clown fish from Scripps Aquarium in San Diego (thanks for this wonderful shot Lexy!)...

               It is hard to see, but just to the left of the Saguaro cactus, is the mama.  She had two little babies in tow, that were pretty cute.  These things can be pretty dangerous when they have babies.  Kim worked on many a dog that got torn up by a javelina that it tried to tangle with when she worked as a vet tech at Ventana Animal Hospital.
              It was so good to go back to Sabino Canyon and share the memories I have of the special times Kim and I spent there...and to give them a new memory of a great day we shared together and to get Antonio there for his first visit!

             Love,
                     Dave