Dana Daily

I woke up with a crazy idea this past Friday and spent the day mulling it over. When Sal got home from work, I threw it out there, "Let's rip up the hall carpet!" He wasn't opposed to the idea. In fact, he might have been more willing to go for it than me. I was nervous about what we might uncover, and the expense involved in repairs or in replacing the carpet. Saturday morning, we took measurements and decided to visit a local flooring store. We chose a carpet we liked and set up an appointment for someone to come measure, but I just wasn't sold on wall-to-wall in the hallway. Our existing carpet was ugly and dirty and needed to go, but I wanted to rip it out because it just never looked right to me; a carpeted hallway and hardwood with area rugs over them in 2 of the 3 bedrooms. When we got home, Sal decided he was going to read, and I decided I was going to rip out the carpet. I couldn't take the suspense. I started pulling and called him upstairs...

Common Core is focus of debate by: Ann Rodgers Bishop Zubik’s letter gets widespread exposure On March 18, Bishop David Zubik issued a statement that Catholic schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh are not using federal or state educational standards known as the Common Core. This has drawn widespread Internet attention from people engaged in a wider debate over the merits of Common Core. The bishop emphasized that his concern was to explain why the Common Core standards aren’t helpful to the diocese’s dual commitment to a strong Catholic identity and high academic standards. The Common Core is a set of minimum standards, developed to assist public schools with their effort to prepare students for higher education and for the workforce. His statement pointed out that schools in the diocese have always aimed higher than the standards of the Common Core, both academically and spiritually. “This is a matter of preserving our higher standards, moral and intellectual, in ou...

I had to dig to find a good picture to post today, but how about this one? Sarah, when she was 6 weeks old. Such a sweet baby who turned into a sweet little girl. It's hard to believe this was almost seven years ago.

We celebrated Sarah's seventh birthday with a small family party. Grandma and Pop-Pop came, as did Auntie Em and William. Between the below average temperatures we've been "enjoying" this Spring, and Sarah's love of the movie, Frozen , so it was an obvious theme. I read online to use wrapping paper as a table runner. Since I already had snowflake paper, this was easy enough to do. Dairy Queen created the beautiful Frozen cake; get it? It's hard to tell here, but someone mixed purple and pink icing for the border and the top is lavender. They really outdid themselves and Sarah and I were thrilled. She chose a number 7 candle, rather than seven individual cameras this year. For some reason that tugged on my heart strings a little. I hope she remembers this party for years to come. We had a lot of fun, whether or not the kids look like it.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Pea! Where has the time gone? When Sarah was a colicky newborn I wondered how I'd even make it to her 5th birthday. Now she's two years past that milestone. She's a delightful first grader whose favorite color is pink, recently changed from purple. Last month she joined the children's choir at school and loves it. She's going to give soccer a try this Spring. She's hoping someone gives her the movie Frozen  for her birthday. Shhhh, we have it covered. Pictures from her party this coming Sunday will be posted shortly thereafter.

Yesterday and today were absolutely gorgeous days. With highs in the 60s, I took full advantage of the spring weather at the end of winter. A coworker and I took hour-long walks each day at lunch, and I walked in the evening as well. It felt so good to get out there again. It was also warm enough to open the sun roof. I feel pretty good knowing I took full advantage of those sunny days. I cannot wait until Sal and I can go bike riding again. That's the real sign of Spring. Unfortunately, we'll dive back into winter for a couple days as forecasters are calling for snow Wednesday into Thursday.

As I mentioned earlier this week, my grandma turned 96. We celebrated with family and friends today in the chapel at her nursing home. Sal and I saved the day ;-) by making a last minute run to Family Dollar for some festive table cloths. The clear plastic covering my mom planned on using wasn't going to cut it. Her cake was yummy, and had pretty daffodils on it.

I've gone back and forth on what I wanted to give up for Lent. For the first time in my life, I wanted to take this season seriously. I guess that means I'm growing up, maturing. . .finally. I reached the conclusion that giving something up wasn't enough of a challenge. When I set a goal, I accomplish it, plain and simple. Give up Facebook? Okay. Would I love it, no? Could I do it? Yes. Give up chocolate? Okay. Again, not that difficult. I would find something to replace it, and besides I honestly don't eat that much chocolate to begin with (same with other junk food). I decided that in order to make the most of Lent, I needed to DO something. Something that would really be a challenge. The biggest challenge I have is balancing my time between work and home. I have to be at work 8.5 hours a day, Monday through Friday. That's a given, and if I want to keep paying the bills, not working isn't an option. We are definitely a two-income household. I somehow hav...

Today is my grandma's 96th birthday. This picture was taken in late June 2013, but it's the most recent I have on my phone. I wish it were better quality, but anyway, we cannot wait to celebrate with her on Sunday.

Since the middle of February it seems like a cloud of illness has been hanging over our house. Emmy and Sal had a stomach bug. Then, I came down with a random virus. This past weekend Sal felt a cold coming on, but managed to stave it off for the most part. That same cold hit me like a ton of bricks. I'm praying for sleep tonite. I am exhausted and over it.