Tasty Thursday

I like M&M's.  I like the peanut kind and the plain.  I enjoy the almond kind, and I even find the peanut butter interesting.  I wasn't so sure about the pretzel when I heard that those M&M men had inserted one inside their chocolate candy coated shell.  But in the interest of trying foods, something I like my kids to do, I bought a pack of these babies and munched on them.

I am a big lover of Flipz, the pretzels dipped in chocolate, and while these M&M's won't take it's place, I found them tasty.  A little bit of sweet and a little bit of salty.  Who doesn't love that in one bite and one package?

Why I don't wear Prada or carry Coach

It is time for the second child's turn with braces.  So far she has had three other appointments in preparation for this big day.  First some teeth were pulled, then impressions were taken, and then spacers were put in.  At the spacer appointment she was suppose to get a tongue appliance, otherwise known as the "rake" or the "fence", otherwise known as the appliance that will stop her from sucking her thumb.  Of course, that isn't what the orthodontist's plan is for the appliance.  He is using it to stop her tongue thrust where she rests her tongue against the back of her front teeth instead of on the roof of her mouth.

During that spacer appointment, the appliance wasn't ready yet and so out came Darcy smiling happily at the thought of another four weeks of sucking her thumb.  She had also been warned by her sister that the spacers between each teeth were miserable and to expect pain.  Instead the technician only put in two spacers because Darcy's teeth are far apart enough without them.  Quite a nice little visit.

This week she has been sucking every chance she gets.  I hate that it has come to this.  I too sucked my thumb until I was twelve, but I had to do it on the sly or listen to my parents growl and yell.  I got pretty sneaky at it, even removing my retainer at night so I could suck my thumb.  I vowed not to let that happen to Darcy, and for the most part we have allowed her to suck quite peacefully. 

Today we set off for the orthodontist for the horrid appliance and braces on her top teeth.  I admit I shed some tears this morning beforehand because as long as she was sucking that thumb I could pretend she was still my little baby girl.  She was a tad excited about getting braces and joining the middle school crowd, but apprehensive about the appliance.

The appointment took two hours and when she appeared she was smiling.  The appliance hadn't fit.  It was too wide for her mouth and the prongs weren't coming down behind her teeth, but in front.  It has to be sent back.  Four more weeks of thumb sucking.

I have one happy kid....braces and all!

Home sweet hospital

Last week, after the Steelers game, I called my mother and realized I would need to get up there as she wasn't feeling well.  A week or so ago she had developed an ulcer on the bottom of her left foot.  It had been cultured and was negative.  She was told to stay off her foot.  She isn't good at listening to directions.  Over the weekend the foot got worse, she got a fever, and I called 911.

The foot was infected with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).  The wound was nasty.  For over an hour Connie was out of it, but after a shot and some pain relievers she snapped to it and was asking to sit up and watch the Manning brothers duke it out on Sunday night football.

She was admitted into the hospital and put immediately on IV antibiotics.  She saw a podiatrist who took her in the next morning for surgery to clean out the wound.  He dug out all the gook and black stuff in the above picture, leaving a hole in the bottom of her foot large and deep enough for a Polly Pocket doll to move in and live comfortably, with furniture.  Lucky for Connie, she can't feel her foot because of her neuropathy.

The MRI showed the infection was not in the bone, and the cultures taken during surgery didn't grow out anything so the prognosis was two weeks in the "rehab" hospital on IV.  A wound pump was inserted into the hole in the foot and it pumps out all the blood and pus.  She is to stay off of the foot so therapy right now is at a minimal.

Her attitude is resigned, but she is keeping a stiff upper lip.  Last night word came that the wound wasn't healing as quickly as they would like so they are planning on keeping her longer, perhaps six weeks.  She is hoping not to lose her foot so she is behaving and waiting it all out.  The care is alright.  She has a wonderful nurse.  She is enjoying the food more, but boredom sets in quite often.  As long as she has her television to watch the Tampa Rays then she can handle it!


I'll add an update to Connie's health on the right side of the blog for those interested.

Monday Football Recap

When the Pittsburgh Steelers' game schedule was announced and Tampa was a visit, my Steelers watching buddy, Scott, took charge of getting tickets for about twenty-five us Steelers fans.  My whole family opted to go despite the knowledge that the heat index would be over one hundred.  It would be my first ever NFL game.  (Tom and I went once to a Tampa Bay Bucs preseason game, but I don't count that as the first stringers only played a few minutes.)

Good thing I had tickets to the game as it was blocked from television due to low ticket sales.  As we traveled the entrance to Raymond James Stadium there were five Steelers fans to every Buccaneers fan.  The sidewalks were awash in black and gold and Terrible Towels were waving in the hot, humid Tampa air.

First expense:  $25 to park a mile from the stadium in a field.  We found shade next to a tree and tailgated a few minutes to eat some lunch.  We hiked to the stadium and then stood in line to be frisked, boys in one line, girls in another.  My handler glanced into my purse, tested the weight of it from the bottom, felt around under and over my arms and passed me through the gates.  I've had better security checks at Disney World!

We then hiked up into the "projects" which is where Scott described our seating.  In reality we were three rows from the top of the stadium, but the view was incredible.  I could see the entire field and the players weren't as small as ants as I worried they might look.  I also had a wonderful view of Tampa Bay, including the Yankees training field. (Boo Yankees!)

I missed the introduction of the players as we were still maneuvering the crowd to get to our seats, but the roar for the Steelers was much greater then that for the Bucs.  I read the next day that was due to coach, Mike Tomlin leading the players out of the tunnel, fists pumping in the air.  As a former Bucs assistant coach and a good friend of Raheem Morris, he was ready to kick some Buccaneer butt, and since over half of the stadium was filled with Pittsburgh Steelers fans it was a great moment.

I made it in time for the opening kick-off and I felt like a little girl seeing her favorite celebrity.  There was Troy Polamalu (whom I photographed the most), Larry Foote (who had tackle after tackle in the 4th quarter), James Harrison (who our buddy, Grandpa Bob, said he wouldn't want to meet in a library, let alone a dark alley), Heath Miller (whose name is one giant roar when he touches the ball), and finally! Charlie Batch (who played like I knew he could as a leader). 

Although we got the ball first, Charlie threw an interception and the defense came out on the field, holding the Bucs to a field goal.  From then on it was Steeler ball.  Charlie got his act together, the run couldn't be stopped, the defense showed the curtain was back, and we just scored over and over and over.

Second expense:  $4.50 for a bottle of water.  I never left my seat.  The sun beat down on us fans clad in black and sweat trickled down from my head to my toes, but I didn't care.  I chugged my bottle of water and just wiped my brow with the complimentary Buccaneer towel given at the gate to offset the Terrible Towels.  My eyes never left the field.  I soaked it all in.

From the action during the game to the action during a time out, I took it all in.  I always thought watching it on television that I got so much more, but I was wrong.  You miss so much by viewing it on TV then by being there in person.  I could keep my eyes on Troy Polamalu at all times watching him watch the Bucs huddle or watching Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman's eyes.  It was amazing to see him cross one side of the field to the other side to make a tackle live instead of watching it on TV replay.  He is certainly an intense and intelligent player and a joy to watch.  The man knows his job.

Third & final expenses:  $6.00 for bottomless cola and $4.25 for cotton candy.  One of the interesting things that happened was during a time out.  I'm not sure what I thought happened during TV time-outs, but I never pictured that they stayed on the field.  They do.  Water is brought out to them in gatorade bottles and squirted into their mouths.  Some of the players huddle up.  Some of them eye the opposing huddle.  Toward the end, with the Steelers defensive second string in the game the Bucaneers were on the goal line at 4th and 1.  The Steelers had stopped them on 2nd and 1 and 3rd and 1.  Time out was called and the Steelers stayed on the line while the Buccaneers huddled up.  Out came the cheerleaders to do a routine, butt up against the Steeler defensive.

Many of the fans booed.  I thought it quite cheeky, but then I don't know cheerleading protocol.  Still I'm thinking the head cheerleader might have used better common sense.  Surely they know football?  The Steelers don't have cheerleaders so the players are pretty use to having the field.

The best happening in the game came near the end.  Troy was out and hanging on the sidelines.  Freeman was under pressure and threw the ball toward the sidelines and Troy caught it.  The stadium of Steelers fans erupted.  Even out of the game Troy is still catching the ball!  Hilarious!  Even he was laughing.

A great Sunday for me.  Now I'm working toward flying to Heinz field for a game!  Go Steelers!

Tasty Thursday

My sister-in-laws brought this to my house a week or so ago and it didn't hold any interest for me....until I tried it.  Holy mother of deliciousness!  Run out and get you some of this stuff.  I think the carbonation in it makes it for me, but the cranberry and hint of lime taste is authentic and quite tasty.  I downed two of them that night and two the next night. 

They were on sale at my local grocery this week, but all out of this flavor.  I picked up the blueberry/lemonade flavor instead and spit it out as soon as it hit my taste buds.  Horrible.  So if you try this one, love it, and want to branch out into other flavors, don't do it.  Stick with this sweet, carbonated baby.  A nice drink to enjoy over ice in the evening sitting poolside or on the balcony or the porch or hidden in the car.....

Out of the mouths of my babes

Gathered around the family dinner table:  Cara, Madison, Kelly, & Darcy
Delicious meal cooked by: Cara
The above doesn't have anything to do with the conversation, but it was a darn fine meal.

Me:  "When you took Elliot out for his little walk did he poop?  He hasn't pooped today with me.  Not at all.  Not this morning, not this afternoon, not at all.  Did he poop?"

Madison:  "No."

Me:  "What?  What?  He didn't poop?  He didn't poop?  Why didn't he poop?"

Madison:  (shrugging)  "He just didn't have to produce."

Weekend Football Wrap-up

Steelers Game:

• Another Troy Polamalu interception, but the best defensive move he made was the sack at the one yard line where he literally jumped over the line to get to the Titan's quarterback.  The man is the bomb!  And all of this after having welcomed a new baby boy to his family a few days before the game.  I just can't get enough of this man!
• Defense is looking amazing.  Nice to see the curtain hanging again once more.  Hats off to Timmons, Harrison, Polamalu, and the boys.
• Longest game of my life.  After the first half my buddy and I felt like we had just spent 6 hours watching the game or been through a war.  Tough game when it is all defensive.
• Again I don't get starting Dixon at quarterback when we have a veteran on the sidelines, but I certainly didn't like seeing Dixon being driven away on the cart.  Then Batch comes in to play and doesn't get to throw?  Not sure the cautious way was right, but I can't complain as we put a W in the column.

Around the NFL:

• The Manning bowl turned out to be a snoozer, and I watched it in the ER at the hospital.  Peyton must have given his defense a talking to, don't you think?  Still nice to see two well respected, just plain good guys going at it.  No disrespecting of women from these two.
• Then Giants running back Brandon Jacobs throws his helmet into the crowd because he is boo hooing his team's poor play?  I'm not sure I buy the whole I was throwing it at the bench and it happened to fly upwards 10 rows.  And where was NBC's coverage of that excitement?  Only thing we saw was the guy who refused to hand over the helmet.  
• Guess the Jets didn't like all the press they were receiving so they went out and played to shut everyone up.  Worked well.  Always love to see the Patriots lose.
• So the Vikings lose two in a row and we all the talk is whether or not it is Favre's fault.  Sigh.  Team, people, team.  Yes, the quarterback is the leader, but the team too has to stand up and play.  Vikings should take a look at the Steelers team.
• I didn't pick the Detroit Lions to win, but I have to say I was pulling for them there at the end.
• Jeez, that pool was a wash out for me.  Gotta get it back next week!

Out of the mouths of my babes

Darcy received a letter telling her that she placed 3rd in the Celebrate America Creative Writing Contest that is held nationally.  Locally students in the 5th grade write an essay usually using the topic, "Why I'm proud to live in a land of immigrants".  Darcy's 5th grade class wrote essays in the spring.  First place winners of the local contests go on to compete nationally.

I gave Darcy the letter and she opened it and read aloud:

Darcy:  "As the third place winner you will receive a $50 prize.  In addition, you will be honored at the American Immigration Lawyers Association Central Florida Chapter Annual Conference Luci-an-o on Friday....

Me:  "Wait!  What?  Luigi-an-o?  The word is luncheon."

Darcy:  (laughing)  "Well, it was so formal I thought it was French."

Tasty Thursdays

I've come across some new food and drink items this past week and so I thought a weekly post would be fun.  Feel free to join me.  Each Thursday I shall post a new food or drink item that I'm enjoying and then you will go out and buy it and enjoy it too BECAUSE I DO.  If you want, please post on your blog your tasty treats too.

My friend Kelly purchased a box of these (sea salt & olive oil) while we were vacationing in Disney World.  They have become my new favorite daily luncheon with different types of cheeses and lunchmeats.  I also eat them by the handful plain.  In Florida crackers do not stay fresh for long despite being wrapped in plastic, foil, and thermal blankets.  Usually they are stale by the second day, but these little babies?  These crackers are still so fresh each day without any wrapping that they still crack and crunch when I bite into them.

I haven't tried the other flavor, but I purchased a box today at our grocery.  It wasn't easy to find as two men with carts were in the aisle chatting with one another instead of restocking the shelves like they were suppose to be doing.  The cracker man's cart full of boxes of Wheat Thins was blocking one third of the aisle, and I tried peeking around it, over it, and under it in search of these crackers whose name I couldn't remember.  Finally I left the aisle and finished my other shopping only to return once more because I was determined.  The man saw me, remembered me from a minute before, and moved his cart where I found my crackers ON SALE.  Only they didn't have the sea salt and olive oil.  Sigh.  I shall try another grocery this weekend, but in the meantime I'm cracking open the new box tomorrow!

KelCar's Car Repair Service

After we returned from Disney this past week and I pulled into Kelly's complex we noticed her car tipping a tad to one side.  The front tire on the driver's side was flat as a pancake, and according to Kelly, this wasn't something she wasn't expecting as this tire had been giving her some trouble for a couple of weeks.  Being the good friend that I was I dropped her off, tossed out her luggage, and went home leaving her to deal with the situation because I was tired, cranky, had the dog in the car shedding pounds of fur, and still had to go to the grocery store to get lunch for my kids for the next day.

Later that night Kelly called asking me for a ride to work as her AAA membership had expired 6 days ago.  After wiping my tears of laughter (you just have to know this crap happens to Kelly all the time) I agreed to pick her up and take her to work on my way to school.  My husband, on the other hand, wanted to know her plans for the tire.  As this wasn't something I had to deal with at the moment and as I was tired and cranky from walking Epcot and driving home and grocery shopping and unpacking and vacuuming out the car I gave him a shrug and went to bed.

The next day I delivered Kelly at her place of employment.  Later that day a co-worker took her home and changed her flat tire with the spare.  Her plan was to get the tire fixed on Friday when she had a half day.  My husband didn't agree with this plan and questioned me mercilessly about why she wasn't taking care of this problem.  I told him to talk to the source, meaning call Kelly that evening, but instead he called her the next morning and told her to drop off the tire before she went to work and he would take care of it for her.  As she wasn't prepared to do this she declined as she wouldn't have enough time to do this and get to work on time.  Thursday passed.

On Friday Kelly called me as she got out of work.  She needed me and my expert car repair service.  Her battery was dead.  This is the second time that Kelly has needed my help in jumping her car.  You can read about that here, but I can tell you that battery cables were not needed in that episode.  So, armed with directions from the Internet, I headed over to her place of employment.

Her car was parked in the second row in the parking lot with cars next to her on both sides.  There was an empty space in the front row catty corner to her vehicle and Kelly motioned me into that spot.  I got out of the car with my Internet directions and stated that I didn't think the jumper cables would stretch that far between the two cars.  Kelly made some remark about my negativity before we had even begun and we both turned to our cars to open the hoods.  I can honestly say that I have not opened the hood of my car in the last year and possible never.  My fingers searched all around for the latch to open it, but Kelly had to take over, open the hood and prop it open.  We then went through the same nonsense with the fingers all around on her car and again she got it opened and propped.  She got out the jumper cables and once again I stated that I didn't think they would reach. 

Me:  "These cables will not reach between the cars."

Kelly:  "Well, that may be, but I think we should at least try."

Me:  "I don't need to try.  My $5,000 eyes can clearly see that the cables aren't long enough."

Kelly:  "Well, I want to try so pick up your end and stretch."

The cables did not stretch and so we stood and surveyed the scene.

Me:  "Do you know who owns these cars next to you or in front of you?"

Kelly:  "No.  No I don't."

Me:  "Hmmmm"

Kelly:  "Get into my car."

Me:  "What for?"

Kelly:  "Because I'll push the car backwards into that empty area of the parking lot."

Me:  "Why do I have to be in the car?"

Kelly:  "Because you have to steer and stop the car, that's why.  And I want to see if I can really do this."

So I got into the car and instead of steering I took pictures of Hercules Kelly as she single-handedly pushed the car and me into the empty area of the parking lot.

 Once her car was in position I moved my car next to her car so that the jumping process could begin.  Only while Kelly was acting as an ass mule the sky above us was darkening.  Not the sky around us mind you, only the sky above us, and about the time we got everything ready that little dark cloud above us opened up and it began to rain.

So Kelly and I decided working on electrical equipment in the rain wasn't a smart idea and so we climbed into my vehicle to review the Internet instructions on how to jump start a car.

The view from the side window- clear skies

The view from the front - clear skies

Now Kelly had gotten some helpful advice via text from a co-worker who told her to put the positive on the positive and the negative on the negative.  Very simple.  Only as we read the instructions it told us not to go all wild and crazy and start attaching cables because the order of the cables was very important.  

1. Attach one end of one cable to the dead battery's positive terminal.
2. Attach the other end of the same cable to the positive terminal of the battery in the starting vehicle.
3. Attach one end of the other cable to the negative terminal of the battery in the starting vehicle.
4. Attach the other end of that cable to the engine block of the car with the dead battery. Look for unpainted metal surfaces and be sure it will clear anything moving when the car starts. Do not attach the negative cable to the dead battery itself.
   

I read these aloud to Kelly and when I was finished she asked what that last sentence meant.

Kelly:  "Wait.  We aren't suppose to attach the negative cable to the battery?"

Me:  "Yes, but not first."

Kelly:  "What?  It doesn't say that.  Read that part again.  See?  We aren't suppose to attach the cable to the negative terminal."

Me:  "Kelly, it means that we aren't suppose to get outside right now and just willy-nilly attach the cable to the negative as order is very important.  Let me read these instructions again."

Which I did.  And then I got to the part about attaching the last cable to the engine block and I stopped.

Me:  "What the hell is an engine block?"

Kelly:  "See we aren't suppose to attach it to the negative."

Me:  "Well, of course not it says that right here.  We attach it to the engine block, whatever the hell that is."

Kelly:  "You said...."

Me:  "Okay, okay, I was wrong.  Good thing you caught that.  So much for your co-worker's helpful advice with his positive to positive and negative to negative.  He's trying to kill us.  It goes on the engine block.  And now that I'm thinking about watching my Dad jump cars he always put the last cable on some piece in the car.  I don't think it really matters where."

Kelly:  "On an unpainted metal surface."

Me:  "I think we should call Tom.  Just for some advice since it is raining and all.  And you know how he likes to be a part of our car repair jobs."

I texted Tom with the following message:  "Can u talk?  I have a question and it will either make you laugh or make you whine depending on your mood."  While we waited for his response, I finished reading the last of the directions which were these:

"Now after all is said and done, there is a matter of etiquette. Personally, I thank the hell out of the person who was kind enough to stop and help me out."  I look at Kelly and give her a nudge.  "I will also offer them $5.00 or $10.00 for helping me."  I nudge her a little harder and respond that lunch sounds good.  "Generally the person giving the jump will refuse the money."  Kelly nudges me.   "Being a Good Samaritan is often thanks enough for them."  Kelly nudges me harder and calls me a Good Samaritan who will buy her own lunch. This is entirely up to you and your conscience." - Vincent Ciulla, About.com


Tom calls me back with a lot of heavy sighing and we explain the problem we are having with the negative and positive and engine block.  We ask for some sage advice.

Tom:  "Where are you?"

Me:  "What?  What does that have to do with anything?"

Tom:  (sighing)  "I'm trying to picture where you are."

Me:  "I'm in the parking lot at Kelly's work.  Being a Good Samaritan." 


Tom:  "Ok, so you are at Kelly's work.  That's good."

Me:  "Tom, seriously do we have this right because Kelly's co-worker told us positive to positive and negative to negative, but the instructions I got off the Internet tell us to go positive to positive and negative to the engine block on an unpainted metal surface."

Tom:  "That's right.  Have you done that?"

Me:  "No, it's raining.  We are sitting in the car."

Tom:  "Why are you sitting in the car?"

Me:  "Because it is raining.  I just told you that."

Tom:  "Just jump the car while I'm on the phone."

Me:  "In the rain?  We didn't think this type of electrical work should be done in the rain."

Tom:  (sighing)  "It will be fine.  Just do it while I'm on the phone."

Me:  (to Kelly)  "He says to jump it while he is on the phone."

Kelly:  "In the rain?"

Me:  "He thinks the rain is a non-entity."

Tom:  "You will get wet."

Me:  "Uh huh.  Listen all we wanted to know was the whole negative thing.  And what is an engine block?  We put the cable somewhere in the car, right?"

Tom:  (sighing)  "Yes.  Put the last cable on a piece of metal.  And it is going to spark."

Me:  "What?  Spark?  There isn't anything in the directions about a spark."

Kelly:  "Spark?  What spark?"

Me:  "He says it will spark when you attach it to the engine block."

Tom:  (sighing)  "It isn't a big deal.  It's just a spark."

Me:  "Yeah, it isn't a big deal to you cause you're not here."

Tom:  (sighing)  I have a meeting in two minutes so just jump the car while I'm on the phone.

And so Kelly and I got out of the car and began our jumping process.  The rain had slowed to a spit and we opened the hoods and got down to business.

I had the instructions, my camera, and the phone with Tom at the other end.  It was extremely difficult to hold all three especially when Kelly made me hold the other end of the jumper cables and so I hung up on Tom (who was on another call).  Kelly attached the cable to the positive terminal in her car.  Then she told me to do the same in my car.  I refused.  I don't do anything electrical that could result in a fire.  I have a thing about fire.  Besides, I told her, how would I take her photo?  I went to her and took the other cable while she hooked the cable to my terminal.  Then she did the negative (all the while with helpful advice from me on where to actually attach it).  She then went back for the last cable.  I ran away so that when the spark happened I would be safely out of the way in case I had to run for a fire extinguisher or call 911.  Kelly took several deep breaths, shook herself, and attached the last cable on a piece of metal sticking up out of her car.  There was no spark.

Kelly:  "It didn't spark.  There wasn't a spark."

Me:  "Well, really, there wasn't anything about a spark in the Internet directions."

Kelly:  "We didn't do it right."

Me:  "What?  Oh, please, we did it right.  I'm going to start my car."

Kelly:  "It didn't spark.  That means we didn't do it right.  Should we do it over?"

Me:  "I'm starting my car and then you start yours, and Tom said not to wait the 5 minutes that the Internet directions said, and then if it doesn't work we will do it again."

And so that is what we did.  And her car started right up.   And we danced in the parking lot and thought about what design we wanted to put on our business cards for our new car jumping business we were thinking about starting.

Kelly:  "How long do we leave the cables attached?"

Me:  "Uh, there isn't anything here about that.  Just that we have to remove them in the reverse order of how we put them on."

Kelly:  "Do you turn your car off when we do that?"

Me:  "Well, you don't turn yours off because it might not start again."

Kelly:  "We could just jump it again."

Me:  "Don't be an idiot.  Let's just take the cables off with the cars running."

So that is what we, well Kelly, did.  When she removed the first cable from the engine block it sparked.  There was some discussion about it sparking and how Tom was wrong and how her co-worker was wrong and how the Internet directions were wrong in not mention sparking, but we cleaned up the job and headed off to a repair shop for a new battery and to have them check the tire.  Kelly ended up forking over more than $400 for the entire job, including two new tires, but now her car drives like a dream.....I hope.

Football Weekend Recap

Steelers Game:

• Several records were set in the Steelers/Falcon game on Sunday.  Hines Ward became the 24th player in the NFL to surpass the 11,000 receiving yards mark.  He also set a record in that it was the 26th game in which he had over 100 yards in receiving.  His 6 catches in the game put him 12th on the league list of players with more than 900 receptions.  Falcon's player, Tony Gonzalez, became the first tight end in history to catch 1,000 passes.
• Not impressed with the play callers in the booth.  Once they called a loose ball when clearly Matt Ryan was throwing as he was sacked and the whistle was blown for a dead ball.  The second time they got excited and called another wrong play that was clearly not right (I can't remember it anymore).  Then they just kept going on and on about how well the Falcons defense was playing.  Against a 4th string quarterback?  Let's reserve those accolades until we watch them against the 1st string boys.  Only thing they got right was saying that Ryan was an idiot for locking eyes with Troy Polomalu and then throwing the ball....right into Troy's hands.
• Enjoyed the replay of Falcons coach, Mike Smith, running down the sideline trying to call a time-out and instead bending over and grabbing his hamstring that he pulled in the exertion. 
• The Steelers defense was back in this game.  Good to have them back.
• Troy!  Another interception for my boy and it was a doozy.  Saved the game and would have won the game if not for Jeff Reed's missed field goal that sent the game into overtime.
• I'm still not sold on Dennis Dixon over Charlie Batch as starting quarterback, but I was impressed with the two times he stood in the pocket getting slammed by the defenders and how he kept his cool and made complete passes.  If Ward can continue to mentor him he will be a good quarterback.
• Terry Bradshaw going off on Ben Roethlisberger on his Fox pregame show?  Entitled to his opinion, but let's not forget all the other nfl idiots out there committing "crimes", especially the ones that are charged.  Singling out Roethlisberger because you were a former Steeler or because you and he don't see eye to eye and have some history?  It was harsh, truthful and a tad humorous at the end, but it would have been more effective if this was the first time you slammed Ben.

Other NFL games:

• How awful was the replay of Eagles fullback Leonard Weaver's leg/knee getting hurt in a tackle?  It was so bad that reportedly one teammate threw up after watching it.
• Seriously Rex Ryan needs to get his team together and thinking about football instead of off the field antics.  Nothing was learned in Ben Roethlisberger's situation?
• What was up with Randy Moss' boo-hooing after the game?  These athletes have got to get a grip, but contracts seriously should be taken care of before the season starts.  Think his mind is on the upcoming games?
• Peyton Manning throws for 433 yards and the Colts still loose?  I'd say that the rest of the team needs to jump on the wagon and give the poor man some back-up.
• Two games lost in the end zone.  Detroit Lions loose one after the receiver dumps the ball after his catch intent on celebrating.  Too bad the rule states that you have to come up on your feet with the ball in your possession.  Cowboys thrilling last minute attempt to win the game null and void after two holds are clearly spotted in the back field, one gripping the other around the neck hard enough to cut off circulation.
• Ain't it grand to be back to football season?

Obviously not ready for some football

Sunday, dressed in my Pittsburgh Steelers Troy Polomalu jersery, I made breakfast for my husband's family who were visiting.  Some of them had not seen my new painting job, tile job, and Steelers room.  My brother-in-law wandered into said room and looked around while I was slaving in the kitchen.

Richard:  "Cara, who is this guy?"

Me:  "Guy?"

Richard:  "This Polomalu guy you have all over your room and your body."

Me:  "Troy Polomalu."

Richard:  "Is he the pitcher?"

Later as the dishes were done and dinner was in the crockpot, I bid the family good-bye as I set off to watch the game at my buddy's house. 

Mary Anne:  "What game are you going to watch?"

I don't know, but something tells me this family wasn't as keen as I was about the start of football season.

Oh, the land of magic

This past weekend our family ended the summer with a 4 day trip to Disney World.  Since our travel plans were pretty much null for the summer I scheduled us for a last hurrah at Wyndham's Bonnet Creek in the new Presidential Reserve building.  While I have griped a bit regarding Wyndham I have to say that this trip I was given the royal treatment.

"Well, Cara," Kurt, the Wyndham employee told me, leaning in quite close and handing me gift bags, Godiva chocolates and a black key card that allowed me entrance into the Presidential Lounge, "You are a Presidential owner.  You are one of the elite."  That of course became our weekend phrase, but it also meant we had to confine our very non-elite ways to our suite.

which was a very nice four bedroom suite on the 17th floor of the new building.  Probably as big as my entire house and something I've decided I could get use to living in for a month or so.

Madison and Darcy each had a room with two double beds and their own flat screen TVs.  Kelly and I (with Tom) each had a master suite with a jacuzzi tub which we tried out after hiking around Disney.  As usual the suite and resort are very nice and worth hanging out for a day to enjoy all the amenities.  Some day I swear that will happen.

Instead we hit the Disney parks with our Florida passes.  The first afternoon we went back to Hollywood Studios.  The next day we did Animal Kingdom as Kelly had never been there and as it is one of my favorite parks.

We took the two week safari, which was cut short due to poachers, and rode the Kali River Rapids where Darcy and Kelly were soaked to the skin.

We went underground and visited with bugs, and Madison and Kelly rode the backwards roller coaster at Mt. Everest.

On Monday we decided to spend the morning hanging out at the resort.  We had a leisurely breakfast and coffee on the balcony where we enjoyed a gorgeous view.

We swam in the pool outside our building.  It had three entrances of zero depth, a ship that ran aground complete with a slide and playground, and an area that was 5 feet deep.  The water was quite cold and refreshing and there was a tiki bar for beverages.

We spent a couple of hours lounging and bathing and then we got ready to wander around Epcot.  By the time we arrived the afternoon sun was covered behind clouds and a small breeze was blowing as a storm began heading toward the magic land.  The wait times were fabulous and so we jumped aboard several rides right away.

While in The Land awaiting our fast pass for the ride Soaring, the rain hit.  We stayed and ate, took a boat ride through Epcot's green houses, and hopped aboard Soaring.  Eventually we ended up in the rain, but it was a drizzle and not a down pour.

We stayed until the 9:00 PM fireworks and light show, one of my favorites.  Unfortunately where we were standing was in front of a snotty kid who kept fake crying the entire show and then whined aloud about how boring this show was.  I first spoke aloud in German just to let off my growing steam, but eventually I said loudly, "Oh, my, god, shut up!"  Why the parents didn't just leave the area was beyond me.  Hmpf!

Tom left that night as he had to return to work the next day so we were left to our own devices the next day.  We emptied the suite and loaded up the car and headed back to Epcot to do some eating, shopping, and riding of rides we missed the day before.  All in all a nice ending to the summer.

Colors

The colors are aplenty, so many to choose,

and with Kool-aid as our base we have nothing to loose.

We tried pink, and red, and purple and blue,

then put it on their hair to create a nice hue.

 After the paint came a "little" foil,

We certainly didn't want the colors to spoil.

To bed everyone went all happy and gay,

and woke up with streaks to celebrate Labor Day!

Solicitor Chit Chat

Years ago I forked over the dough and got my phone number on the Florida No-Call List which meant that if a solicitor called my number I could report the company and they would be fined.  This did not apply, however, to those companies with whom we did business such as TV Guide Magazine or our bank.  Apparently, my subscription has run out because we are now getting calls again from everybody and their brother.  Most of the calls are for my husband as his name is on most everything, but occasionally I get a call wanting me to apply for life insurance or take a survey on local radio stations.  Because I know these people are just doing their jobs I try to listen and communicate with them in a kind way.  Below are some of my responses.  Feel free to take them as your own.

• One moment please.  I just want to inform you that parts of this call will be monitored or recorded for quality assurance.  My husband wants to make sure that I am passing on his phone calls in a timely and accurate way, and my children like to make sure that I am using proper phone etiquette like I'm teaching them to so I've found recording these conversations and/or having my neighbor monitoring them is the way to go.  Who was it that you wished to speak with again?
• How am I?  Well, I am certainly better off today then I was the entire summer.  I have had 11 weeks of daily diarrhea that no one could explain to me.  I've lost 18 pounds, which was the positive in all of that, had a colonoscopy, an endoscopy, an ultrasound, and had my blood drawn numerous times.  Since yesterday I've had almost normal bowel movements.  They are still soft, thus the almost normal.  This might be due to the two medications I'm on for the next two weeks.  How are you?  I hope you are well.
  
• Have I thought about upping my life insurance?  Not as much as I've thought about upping my husband's life insurance policy.  I mean, he is older than I am and he does pay the bills so losing him is going to be way harder on me than losing me is going to be on him, if you know what I mean.  How much can I get on him?  Is there a cap on that?  Because I'm thinking a million isn't going to give me the lifestyle I want to become accustomed to.  Especially if I have to fork over some of that to the government.  Do I have to do that?  Is it like winning the lottery or money on a game show because I just don't see the point in going on a show and only winning a million because the government is going to snap up half of that.  I'd blow that half a mil in a few months.  I'll need more in life insurance to live on.
  
• Have I thought about upping my life insurance?  Hell no!  That just gives my husband more motivation to kill me.  If he thought he could reap tons of cash with me out of the picture, my days will be numbered.  But, hey, how about we up his life insurance?
  
• I would love to take your survey on movies in the theater, but I don't think I'm the type of person the company is looking for.  I don't get out much.  Especially in the last few months.  I've had 11 weeks of diarrhea....and so sitting in a movie theater isn't really something I thought I should do.
  
• No, I do not verify anything personal over the phone.  No, I will not verify my address that falls under the personal category.  Yes, I'm aware that is all you need, but I'm aware that schemers and scammers are everywhere in the land of the phone.  They are poised to capture my voice verifying certain innocent requests so that they can take my voice prints and use them for evil.  Next thing I know my identity is gone and I'm naked on youtube and my bank account has been wiped clean.  If you are interested in me joining your club, sending you money, giving something a trial run then you can mail me the information and I will look it over, but I won't okay to do that over the phone.  What?  You need my address to mail me the stuff.  Looks like we have reached an impasse.  
• Please let me educate you on the comings and goings of my husband.  First of all, he works outside of the home so reaching him during normal business hours is never going to happen.  Rest assured that if he should have a day off he isn't spending it at home and even if he were he would not spend his free time talking on the phone.  Secondly, I haven't a clue when is the best time to reach him.  The man comes and goes willy nilly usually without informing me.  Half the time I think he is in his home office only to find out that he left an hour ago and is off swimming laps.  The best time for me to reach him is in the thirty seconds before he falls asleep for the night.  Thirdly, you are wasting your time.  He will not buy anything, take a survey, or listen to what you have to say if you do reach him by phone.  He talks all day long on a phone and thinks he shouldn't have to do that at home.  If he is standing by the home phone and it rings, he doesn't even hear it.  You are seriously better off talking to me.

8 Month resolution check

Checking in on how well I'm doing on my 2010 resolutions. Grading system will be from 1-10 with 1 the worst and 10 the best.

• To study one subject (can be anything) once a month - I'm thinking that I shall use my illness as an excuse here for the last two months because I don't think I studied anything besides more illnesses that have daily diarrhea as a symptom.  Well, I did learn some more about my blogging template so I'll count that as it took me two days to learn it.  Score: 5
  
• To see a movie once a month - This is is still my favorite resolution and the one that I've kept each month.  I saw Ramona & Beezus, & Despicable Me for my two months.  While this was really meant to get me to adult movies I am enjoying the family ones as well.  This month I'm determined to hit a few adult themed movies and not necessarily good ones. Score: 10
  
• To get into a cleaning routine and keep my house straightened - Okay, this one has yet to take fruition.  I'm not sure why, but I'll work on it in September. Score: 0
  
• To relax in general and to not react hysterically, especially when it comes to the dog - The summer months helped in this category because I made the girls take over.  Now that the beast and I are back together once more I am working diligently on this.  As I type this he is wailing at the door and I'm okay with that! Score: 8
  
• To tone down the potty mouth - Think I'm good here.Feel I only used it when it was appropriate. Score: 9
  

Total Score:32 (out of 50) - Good thing I'm the one grading so that I could move up one point with that potty mouth work!

Out of the mouths of my babes

Me:  "Darcy, today is yogurt day for school lunches.  Do you want one of these yogurts or would you like two?"

Darcy:  "Is that my main course?"