Steelers defeat Cardinals 27-13 to win Super Bowl XLIII

The Pittsburgh Steelers, using a bruising defense featuring a relentless pass rush, defeated the clearly overmatched Arizona Cardinals 27-13 on Sunday. The Cardinals, playing their first game against a quality AFC opponent since a humiltating 47-7 loss to the New England Patriots, were on the run all day. The Steelers after the game admitted that the Patriots would have been a far better opponent and they weren't even in the playoffs.

GramBlog 1.30.09

Gram's over for dinner. Fun having her. Here's more from her:

I'm looking at my little Michael and he's so handsome. When I look at him I think of Grandpa because they were buddies.

I didn't go to crafts today. I don't think the girl showed up. Recently we had to make aprons and paint on them. I wrote on it, "I'm the boss. Jo Jo Barry"

I was just weighed and I only gained one pound after a number of months since I was last weighed.

Rick took me to the doctor the other day. It went very well. The doctor said, "No problem."

I had a fine meal today, and I don't have to eat again for a couple of days. Barbara is a fine, fine cook.

Next time I come I'll do some reading ahead of time so I have some fine things pouring out of my mouth (for the blog). Can you imagine what it's like having everything you say being quoted? It's a good thing I don't use swear words.

Breaking News...Cousin Billy Wedding update

As Rae had confirmed on a previous post, Cousin Bill is marrying his girlfreind Lisa. Tentative date set as September 12. As a recall, Lisa has some link to Aunt Norma. Maybe her mother and Aunt Norma were related...but I don't recall the specific details.

Laura's Service Immersion Trip

Hello, all! Just over a week ago, I returned home to Fairfield after my service immersion trip to Jamaica, W.I. Despite having our flight back delayed by a great deal and getting back to my house at 5 am the morning classes started (at 9:30 for me!), the trip went smoothly. Smoothly does not begin to describe it, though, as it truly was an eye-opening experience for me. I hope that this brief account of the trip can lead to further conversation in the future, and that you can gain even a little bit of insight into what I went through.

Flying into Montego Bay the first morning, we had the opportunity to drive the five hours across the Jamaican countryside. What really made this experience golden was that we drove from the touristy Montego Bay to where the locals reside – Kingston. This gave us a means to physically see the transition between the two, and how drastically different they are. We went from resorts, luxury and an extensive collection of white tourists, to shacks, some partially finished (in order to avoid taxes), poverty, and our van-full being the only white people in the region. We stayed in Ursuline Convent, protected by a few guard dogs, first-floor windows barred, and a barbed wire-topped fence with a gate at the entrance. Truly, Kingston is not where the tourists go.

The vegetation is truly beautiful down there, being a tropical region, and the Blue Mountains that run through Kingston make for a picturesque sight. Jamaicans love their color, and it makes even the simplest of things seem spectacular. Their food is phenomenal. In fact, I wish that I could have Jamaican cuisine every day! We did get to try all of their most popular dishes, from patties and jerk chicken to curry goat and chicken foot soup. Yes, there were chicken feet actually in the soup. Even more incredible than even the sights and cuisine was the sense of community and faith that the people had. It was truly inspiring to hear all – from old to young – speak of his or her faith in God as something that they hold dearly and is unwavering. These people speak of being blessed for all that they have, while many have no running water and even fewer have electricity. They deal every day with the violence that gangs bring about, and children speak of being “lucky to make it to [his/her] 14th birthday.” It really puts your own life in perspective.

My group went to a few different sites: two Kingston schools, a children’s hospital’s burn ward, a nursing home, and a hospice. Needless to say, none were easy. Even being with children all day was so difficult, because you could teach them in their class and play with them during recess, but you would see their rotting teeth and the impoverished way of life they lead. All were difficult. The burn ward was hands-down the most difficult. We did not know where in the hospital we were working, and walked into a room filled with grinning children, some covered with burns on up to 75 percent of their bodies. Not an easy day. What got us through was that these children had so much vivacity. It made me feel a little bit better knowing that, though God had let this child be physically and therefore mentally harmed, they had the spirit and strength to get them through.

Each night we would have a period of reflection to discuss our thoughts and concerns of that day. It really helped make the experience ferment in my mind, as I could bounce my experiences off of the others and gain insight from their own opinions. We would have prayer before and after the reflection time, and before meals. My faith helped me get through the trip and has begun to flourish. I’ve grown so much from this experience, and my eyes have truly been opened to the world beyond the bubble that we live in. I’m blessed to have had the opportunity to go on this service immersion trip, and am so grateful for all of you for helping me on my way and speaking with me about it. If you have any questions or thoughts, please email or call me. LCBarry987@gmail.com, (401) 749-2582. Thank you so very much for all your support.

Peace and love,

Laura

Walk on the Wild Side

OK, I had told some of you I was wanting to do some sports writing. Well, I have been in touch with the North Kingstown Athletic Director and used him as a reference in approaching the NK newspaper (Good idea Rick!).

The NK Standard Times is interested in my contribution as a freelance writer. They have asked me to attend a couple sporting events and submit my 'work'. So, I will be attending NK High School events and writing articles for the Sports Editor's review.

It may take some training, or maybe not. Either way, I will find a way to achieve this goal as part of my 'Bucket List'. Please wish me luck. I am excited and a little nervous. But it will be an experience!

UB

Will's Wheels

Bill II bought a car!!!

Comment Section

Everyone,

I just realized there are comments left in the various postings I've left over time. I just thought no one cared!! Sorry for no further responses from me, and thanks for the actually responding to me!! I don't even get that at home!

UB

Camp Barry

Although it is only January, I somehow got to thinking about Camp Barry and wondered if any plans had been made for this summer?

Dates? Place? If I remember correctly you usually stay at the same place for two years and then go somewhere else. Will be changing locations this coming summer?

Dave's family is heading to VA Beach at the end of June, but if another beach vacation were to come up later in the summer .............

Blog from Gram (or GramBlog)

John here. I'm using Mike's laptop. (Thanks, Mike.) Gram's joining us for dinner, and we're showing her the family blog. I'll dictate a message from her word for word. (Brace yourself...)

"Well, I've been sitting her all evening with an ice pack on my head because, as I came in through the family room, I ran across the family room and clobbered myself and hope I don't have a black eye tomorrow. (Pretend sob) I've been sitting here all evening after a delicious dinner from Barbara, but only John and Barbara have been here and I've been bored. But now my little Michael came home, so I'm happy as can be. Now I'm going to have fun. The computer's stupid. Why do we spend all our time just looking at the computer when we can talk to each other?"

By the way, Mom's fine. A little bump on the head. Ah, she's never dull. Hello to all.

John

Brand New Look

Okay. I have been frustrated with the other template because, to my eye, the postings looked too squished together. I made an effort (a heroic effort, actually) to fix it, but none of the changes were satisfactory. In my desperation, I made the executive decision to change styles entirely. Personally, I find this easier to read (though I am still not entirely satisfied with the color scheme). However, if there is sufficient uproar, we can change it back to the original style.

Don't forget to sign up to receive email updates when someone posts to the blog. See below for details.

Ticklishly,

Rick

Email at last

Dear family,

At long last I have found a way for us to receive new blog posts by email. You will notice, in the right-hand column, a section entitled "Email Subscriptions". Under the title there is a box into which you can enter your email address. After entering your address, click "Get Email Updates". This will bring you to a new screen, where you check your email address (to make sure you typed it correctly) and then enter the code. Next, click "subscribe me!". You will then receive a "Confirm your registration" email from FeedBlitz. Open it and click the link that says "Click here to activate your account". A final page will open confirming that you are registered.

I believe it is set up now to send only one email each day that there is a post (no email will be sent if there is no post). I may need to fiddle with it as we go along.

Anyway, in the meantime I still want to work on the spacing of the blog...it still looks so squished!

Tenderly,

Rick

Melissa outstanding role model

Congratulations to Melissa, whose picture and write-up appeared in today’s Providence Journal. She was shown as part of the 2008 field hockey State All-Star Team! The article included a quote by her coach referring to her as an "outstanding role model." No surprise to us, of course. Bravo, Melissa!

Cheap Car

Welcome home Laura!

Hope Bill II doesn't mind my sending this message. He is looking for a very inexpensive (under $1500) auto for commuting to URI this semester. If you know of anything, please let him know.
401-533-4539.

Bill

Laura's back from service trip

Laura called at 3:30 this morning to say their plane just landed in New York (having been delayed in Jamaica). Their journey began January 3rd. No news about the trip itself yet, but she's back safely--and in time for today's first day of classes. I'm sure the trip was a profound experience. Many thanks for everyone's support.

Neglected in North Kingstown

Boo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We wanted to see Rae and Georgia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They like us most!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Visit by Rae

Friday night, January 9 was a festive occasion at Cowesett Green. Rachele, Georgia, and Gram came by to have dinner with Ricky, Aunt Judy and Uncle R. Georgia spent a fair amount of time entertaining us and I thought he food was great, although there was some grousing about it
from the peanut gallery. (Ricky). Thanks for stopping by Rae and Georgia!

Hi Rae,

I think Rick III was trying to figure out how to set this up.

Bill

E-mail alerts?

Hi all,

Rick (uncle) had mentioned setting up e-mail preferences for this blog - whereby you could be notified if a new posting was made.

Does anyone know how to do this? I could not figure it out.

Thanks.

Rae

Plunge

Welcome all bloggers!!!

I did my second Polar Plunge on New Years Day. The temp was 19 degrees, around 10 degrees wind chill. Kevin was with me, but smarter than me. He did not go in. My toes were still tingling that evening. They froze in minutes.

UB

My first blog

Okay, I've done it. I've gotten in. I've figured out how to post a blog, and I did so. I now feel part of the 21st century...(which started nine years ago). Oh, well. Better late than never.

Hello to all.

My first posting

Hello all.

This is most fun.

Looking forward to a great 09.

Talk soon.

Jim

New Years Eve

Being the competitor that I am I wanted to be the first to post in the New Year! We had a nice get together on New Years Eve at Aunt Judy and Uncle R's. Featured were Uncle John, Aunt Barb, Uncle Bill and Aunt Cathy, as well as Gram, Billy and Mike. Uncle Rick's friend Glen stopped by as well. Mike and Billy were pool-playing machines. The highlight of the evening of the evening was when we all all got to sit in the living room (with Aunt C drinking red wine!) Thank you Aunt Judy! for allowing us to sit in there and for the fine food and frivolity.