I have been sick.. bronchitis. One of the problems I've had with it is that when I speak the sound can best be described as an annoying squeak. People didn't even want to talk to me over the telephone because I was so hard to understand. Consequently, holidays came and went and I didn't call anyone to wish them a wonderful Christmas.

Last night the kiddo wanted to stay here so ... she did. It reminded me so much of when I was a kid and my grandparents and aunts and uncles did the same.. all I had to do was ask and they let me stay. The more I thought about it the more I wanted to call the two aunts that remain alive.

It was too late for the older aunt. She'll be 89 next month and probably looking for a ton of attention. Heaven only knows she gave it to me when I was a child! But my other aunt hasn't done too well since my Uncle died. So she's awake till all hours of the night. I called her. She lives in Pittsburgh... my family are all Steelers fans. Though I moved away before I cared about football, I did become a Steeler fan in the early 70's while I lived at home in San Diego.

There's the background to what I thought was an amusing way to have my aunt answer the phone.. "Hello Honey, are you ready for the Super Bowl?" Uhm.. hello? How are you? None of that chit chat she went straight to the Super Bowl question. Not sure why it struck me as funny... perhaps because here at home I'm surrounded by Raiders Fans!

The Christmas decorations are down at my other aunt's house so I imagine she's placed a picture of her with one time Coach Chuck Noll over the fireplace again. She loves that picture and I imagine she makes sure to show it off. She will be 89 next month. The aunt I did talk to reminded me of this so I'd be sure to send her a card or something. Maybe it'll be a "Steelers won the Super Bowl a 6th Time" card?

So, as I'm writing this it occurs to me.. we should drive to Pittsburgh and watch the game with my family!! I told my husband of this very cool plan and he shrugged one of those.. "if you want.." shrugs. The last Steelers game they managed to get him cheering for the Steelers, high fiving and everything.. it was amusing. I'm guessing he didn't have his Raiders shirt on?

Then I remind myself that it's too late to get back here and get enough sleep for him to work and me to take care of the Kiddo. I love my family but ya know, she's important now. Hopefully we'll get to go up in the spring on the motorcycle! Not in time for the Super Bowl but.. eh.. it will be good to spend time with my family!!