Sunday football picks and more - Week #4

Last week - 9 - 7

Overall - 25 - 23

No Steelers this week.  I've been assured by Lamar Woodley that they are working hard, but I have my doubts about how well they will do this year.  James Harrison has told me that he is back to practicing and I read that Troy is back as well.  Whoop-de-do.  All that matters is they are back on the field come Oct. 9th.  Add in Mendenhall that day and I expect a huge win.


Atlanta over Carolina - The Panthers are still finding their way while the Braves know where they are going.  If they don't think too much of themselves they will win at home.

New England over Buffalo - Tom Brady will pull his team up by their bootstraps and get them into the end zone.  Buffalo will give them a good game I think, but two losses is weighing heavily on the Patriots.

Detroit over Minnesota - The Vikings are showing they aren't a team to ignore, but the Lions are at home and coming off a stupid loss.  I think they will run over the Vikings.

San Diego at Kansas City - Okay, the Chiefs pulled out a winner last week.  Ryan Lilja looks to be replacing injured center Rodney Hudson since the Chiefs placed him on injured reserve, but the Chargers are one of those teams that always play hard after a loss.  They are traveling to Kansas City so I might be wrong about this one, but I'm giving Rivers the win.  But I could be wrong.  This is one of those iffy picks.

Seattle over St. Louis - Yes, the Seahawks won last week with the help of the refs, but they shut down the Packers O-line like pros, sacking Aaron Rogers left and right.  I liked what I saw from them, and I love their glow in the dark uniforms, so I'm going with Seattle and crazy coach Pete Carroll.

San Francisco over the Jets - Not even worried about this game.  The 49er's will romp and show why they are the team everyone was talking about last week.

Houston over Tennessee - Yes, the Titans are feeling great after their pull out win last week, but Houston is going to be the team the Ravens have to beat on their way to the Bowl. And they are working for a bye and home field advantage, and they just beat Peyton Manning, so I'm going with the Texans.

Denver over Oakland - Speaking of Peyton....he will demolish the Raiders who won last week because the Steelers handed it to them on a silver platter.  Not too impressed with the Raiders defense and not really that much with the offense despite their numbers last week.  Manning gets the win at home.

Arizona over Miami - Still liking the Cardinals for the NFC playoff run and don't think Miami is going to stop them from going 4-0.

Cincinnati over Jacksonville - Not too familair with the Jaguars other than what I heard about them this upcoming season and it was enough that I think the Bengals will beat them on the road.

Green Bay over New Orleans - Can you imagine a team that will be more fired up and ready to win then the Packers who got robbed on Monday night?  I don't see Rogers and company being down in the dumps like the Saints have been after their fines and sanctions.  I see the Packers coming out at Lambeau Field and kicking ass.

Washington over Tampa Bay - Oh, Tampa Bay, how I thought you would play better.  I liked what I saw on the first play of the game last week when the Buccaneers intercepted Tony Romo on his first pass of the game and then actually turned that turnover into a touchdown, but alas, it went downhill from there.  Now they are going up against RGIII and I don't hold out much hope for them.  They might do it...stranger things have happened with this team, but my money is on the Redskins and their new quarterback.

New York Giants over Philadelphia - This is the one that could go either way like the Chargers game.  Will the Giants nonchalantly give it away?  Will Michael Vick go gunslinger on the defense?  I'm going with the Giants because they have a Manning and I believe in the Manning boys.

Chicago over Dallas - Whooo...another that could go either way...and on MNF to boot.  Both teams have nutty quarterbacks that either come out and play or come out and get sacked multiple times.  Jay Cutler whines a lot, but the man can play ball when he wants to.  Tony Romo looks down trodden and beaten most of the time, but the man can play ball when he wants to.  I just think Da Bears have the better defense and thus Romo will spend more time on the ground then Cutler.

Replacement Refs - are no more after the owners and the referee union came to an agreement Thursday on contract negotiations.  Too late to help those teams who lost games due to poor officiating, but maybe in time to salvage the NFL's reputation.

Fines levied against coaches - $130,000 was collected by the NFL for fines laid on NFL coaches Patriots Bill Belichick, Redskins Kyle Shanahan, and Bronchos John Fox and Jack Del Rio for their inappropriate attitude and conduct with the replacement refs.  Hmmm.  While I respect the NFL for letting coaches and players know that there are rules regarding their refs I also expect the NFL to fine themselves for causing the last three week debacle of illegal calls, poor judgement calls, and missed calls that actually gave wins and losses to the wrong teams.  Something tells me that won't happen though.

Tampa Bay Rays - And here come the boys of September.  Just when you think they are done for the season they come out with smokin' hot bats and a desire to win.  These guys and coaches should visit the other pro sports teams and give pep talks.

Sound the alarm!

My van has been causing me some stress lately (I'm working on that blog piece for later) so to ease my troubles Tom switched cars with me.  I'm now driving what I call the Fred Flintstone vehicle because it is much lower, and I stress much lower, to the ground than my van.  But the Buick LeSabre runs and doesn't cause me much stress. 

We only have a one car garage so the van is housed in there at night and the Buick sits outside.  Every night I harp on Tom to lock the car.  He thinks I'm ridiculous about worrying about this saying if someone wanted into the car it didn't matter if it were locked or not.  It reminds me a lot of my father who use to leave his keys in the ignition or the trunk or in the door lock and he would say, "Someone might want to go for a ride."  Yeah.  This week as I headed out to the car in the driveway in the morning to take Darcy to school it hit me that I didn't remember locking the car when I parked it the day before.  Wanting to check, I didn't hit the unlock on the key fob, but tried the door and found that I had indeed not locked the car.  Shame, shame, I scolded myself.

I took Darcy to school, windows rolled down enjoying our cooler, no humidity cold front.  When I returned and parked the car I shut off the engine and rolled my fat body out of the door, hitting the lock as I did so.  But then I realized that the window was half open and since it is a power window I would have to get back in and turn on the ignition to close it.  Decisions, decisions.  This is what went through my brain (which will explain why I'm crazy most of the time):

My thoughts:  "I should probably roll up the window if I'm going to lock the door because what is the point of having the car locked with the window rolled down?  I mean, would an intruder see the window rolled down and be more drawn to the car then if the window were rolled up?  Is he more likely to come over and check the door?  Will an intruder even be in this neighborhood where all the neighbors are home during the day?  Will a solicitor leaving crap on my door turn into an intruder when he notices the half open window and unlocked door?  Would he open the door?  Would he lean in and grab....what would he grab?  There is nothing even in this car to grab except my kleenex box.  But he might hit the garage door opener and get into the house, but then Elliot would bark and we would hear the garage go up and that would give me enough time to get Sid who would come over with one of his umpteen guns and shoot the intruder.  Then that would certainly be a mess, not to mention the trauma of it all.  But really, who is going to go through all of that trouble?  And wouldn't a locked door stymie him just a bit more so than if I left the door unlocked?  Yeah.  A half opened window would lure him, but the locked door will cause him just a bit of quickness and maybe stop him from trying to unlock it in the first place.  Okay, I'll leave it alone because it is too much trouble to get back in the damn car and get the window rolled up."

And I left the window down and the car locked and went into the house.  A few hours later I came out to go and pick up Madison from school.  I had some stuff cradled in my arms and I was trying to find the correct fob to unlock the door.  My key chain is full of keys from different houses of relatives and friends and neighbors and two key fobs in case I would need to jump into the van.  I always end up punching the wrong fob because I'm so use to the feel of the van key fob.  Naturally I punched the wrong one over and over.  I was standing at the car at this point, annoyed because I couldn't see down past the stuff in my arms to see my keys clearly.  I kept feeling around trying to locate the fob and each time I ended up with the van fob instead of the Buick.  I was muttering to myself and noticed that my neighbor across the street had some guys working on painting and fixing up some stuff around her house.  One of the guys was standing in the shade of her oak tree watching me.

My thoughts:  "See that guy probably noticed the window was down and was thinking of coming over and checking out the car.  Who are those guys?  Where did she find these guys?  She usually uses Don for fixing things.  Are these guys that Don sent over because I trust Don, not that he ever came and finished up my tile job, but I trust him to hire decent guys.  Well, maybe the guy didn't see me come out of the house and maybe he thinks I'm robbing the car.  Maybe he is not working and staring at me because he isn't sure who I really am.  Well that's nice of him.  Maybe he notices that I'm having trouble finding the right key.  Oh, lord, I hope he doesn't come over to help me.  Great, now these guys will know I'm gone from my house.  They will probably want to break in knowing I'm not here."

About this time it entered my head that the window was half open and I that could reach my hand in and unlock the car door.  Ah Ha!  I reached in and pushed where I thought he button was located.  No button.  I had to move closer to the car and scramble around with my hand as I searched for the lock.  I found it, hit it and then I pulled out my hand and lifted the car door handle.  Nothing.  I'd hit the wrong button and locked the car again.  I reached in again and felt around and around for the button, touched it, felt for the up and down button, thought some about whichwas which, hit the up unlocking the door.  Ah, success!  I took out my hand and lifted the car door handle and the car opened.  It also set off the security alarm, something I do not have in my van, and it was the loudest sound I had ever heard.  It didn't register at first in my brain that this alarm belonged to the car that I was breaking into, and I lifted my head to search my neighborhood for the source of the alarm.  My eyes locked with the guy across the street watching me and it hit me in that moment that the alarm was coming from Tom's car. 

Me:  "God Dammit!"

The alarm just kept beeping and beeping, much like a horn sounding the approach of a tornado.  I threw the stuff in my arms in the car and fumbled for the key fob, knowing from my friend's car that I needed to hit the red button on the fob, which I did turning off the honking.  I took a deep breath, my ears ringing, climbed into the car, shut the door, started the car and slowly backed out of the driveway acting like I belonged in this neighborhood, in this house, and in this car as I drove away past the worker still staring at me.

My thoughts:  "Great, what if he calls the cops.  Won't that take some explaining to do.  And won't Tom just enjoy that in the whole switching of the cars since the van is working like a charm for him.  How was I suppose to know their was an alarm on this car?  And good lord, but that thing is loud.  I guess I got my answer on whether or not it would slow down an intruder.  I'm just lucky I went to the bathroom before this whole episode because that noise would have made me pee my pants.  And who thought of putting that kind of noise in a car in the first place?  And really, did anybody even come outside to see what was happening?  Suppose my car was really being stolen?  I hope that guy does call the cops because at least that will mean someone cared, but he won't because surely he saw me struggling with stuff and knows I live there.  Well, this is sure a funny story.  Hey!  It will give me something to blog about.  Awesome!"

Another McDonald's saga

I have written before about my past McDonald's experience which involved a problem in my order and an uncaring employee.  I wrote to the company and received an apology and a promise to pass the complaint on to the district manager.  I did not receive any coupons for free food so I decided to boycott McDonald's especially the establishment where the incident occurred.  My boycott lasted longer than my kids expected, but the lure of their iced coffee and frappes at half the price of Starbucks lured me back.  I did still avoid the troubled McDonald's, which was difficult giving its location to all sporting events and my house.

When we arrived home from our summer vacation and we were out and about we decided that we needed McDonald's for whatever reason (it's been too long that I don't remember) and I was even willing to pull into the 'horrible" McDonald's.  When I started to turn into the parking lot I was stopped by an orange construction barrier and found to our amazement the McDonald's that had caused me a night of sleep and a several hours of my life was gone. Kaput. Mowed over by a bulldozer. I took credit of course assuming the district manager had checked out my complaint and was more than irritated by the lack of response from the same employee. Only thing to do...destroy the franchise.

I found out a couple of days later that alas it was being rebuilt as was a McDonald's near the high school that I have been known to pass through. It all was not really such a big deal since our favorite establishment near Darcy's school and our grocery was still standing having gone through renovations some time ago. But as luck had it after an especially trying orthodontist appointment of tightening, new bands, and impressions for yet another appliance, I was talked into running through a McDonald's drive thru for a frappe to cool and relieve Darcy's aching mouth. We were near the high school and more than halfway there before I remember that the McDonald's was under construction, but I assured Darcy that I thought another one was just down the road from that one, and I was right. We called Madison to see if she wanted anything and I got into line at the drive thru.

Her: "Welcome to McDonald's would you like to try a (insert whatever)."
Me: "No thank you. I'll have 2 small mocha frappes and 1 chocolate chip frappe and a small fry."
Her: "If the total on the screen is correct, please pull forward to the first window."

I followed the directions and pulled up to the first window to find two girls working. One appeared to be training the other and both had on headsets. The first girl leaned her upper torso through the window, told me my amount owed, and then quickly recoiled when I handed her my debit card.

Her: "Huh uh. Cash only."
Me: "What?"
Her: "This is a cash only. I told you that first thing. Cash only. First thing I said when you pulled up to the drive thru box. We only taking cash." (She was pointing and waving her finger back and forth tsk tsk-ing me.)
Me: "No. No one said anything about cash. I don't have any cash."
Her: "Well, we taking cash only."

She shook her head at my stupidity and turned away from me as the trainee beside her said into her headset, "Welcome to McDonald's would you like to try our...." Annoyed once more at this company I pulled around the cars at the second window and sped off, ranting and raving. Darcy agreed that no one had mentioned cash only to us at any time during our ordering process. I mean, really, what business doesn't take credit? I suppose something was wrong with their credit machines, but if that was the case then make a sign and post it in the drive thru. How much energy would that take? I ranted all the way home once again saying I was done with McDonald's.

A few weeks later I recanted my stance and decided that the only McDonald's I would go to was our favorite down the street near my grocery.  At different times over the years they have had the best guys working the drive thru window.  I even got out of my car once to tell the manager how good the one guy was as a customer service representative. Now there is another guy that works the window who is just as great as the first one. I joke around with him every time I see him and he holds his own and makes me laugh. I ordered, we chatted, and I paid and moved up to the next window where I got my bag and frappes. Off  we went. It wasn't until I got home that I discovered they had given the kids their large fries, but not my hamburger. I ordered nothing but a tiny hamburger because I was starving and just needed a little something something to take hold me until my next meal, and I was craving a damn hamburger! I was not a happy camper, and even more annoyed when I could not get anyone on the phone to voice my displeasure. I did not say I was done with McDonald's as I knew my kids were waiting for that to come out of my mouth so they could then remind me of how I don't follow through on that statement.

Fast forward to this week when I decided after dropping off Darcy to get a black coffee on my way to my mother's house. I had brought a cup of my flavored creamer with me so that I could use it in my black coffee. McDonald's was offering a free small coffee this week for some reason and what the hell they owed me. I got my coffee and traveled on until I could pull over in a parking lot to fix my coffee. When I pried the lid off I found myself staring down into, not a black pool of liquid like it should have been, bit a butter colored pool of liquid instead.  Someone - an employee of McDonald's - had put cream and sugar into my ordered black coffee.  Oh, the horror and rage that cursed through my body.

I'm done.  Done from driving through this place.  Done with their Southwest Chicken Salad.  Done with their iced vanilla coffees and dollar sweet teas.  Done, done, done.  McDonald's has screwed me over for the last time.  That has been four strikes from this company this year, the last three in the last month.  I don't care how good their crappy fast food tastes or how quick it is for a pick me up.  I'm going to start carrying a little cooler in my car for moments like that.  And this time I'm serious.  I mean it.  No more ordering through the drive thru at McDonald's.  From now on I only deal face to face with their employees.

Did the Seahawks win the Super Bowl last night?

I didn't watch last night's game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks.  Unusual for me, but staring at Adam LeVine for a couple of mindless hours sounded better to me.  Also, I was on the second television watching The Voice because my main television was recording two different shows, thus making it impossible to watch another live.  Since the inception of the DVR I rarely watch anything live, sports being one of the only concessions, so I had paused The Voice for thirty minutes before tuning in and wasn't able to go back and forth between the show and the game like I normally do with a Monday Night Football game not involving the Steelers.  All of this is why I missed the big finish.

For those who live in a cave, MNF's game came down to the wire with a Hail Mary pass being thrown by Seattle's quarterback Russell Wilson into the left corner of the end zone.  What occurred next is what has the sports nation in an uproar this morning.  According to one official, and honestly, instant replay, Packers safety M.D. Jennings flew over several players to catch the football.  As he was falling back to earth, Seahawk wide receiver Golden Tate reached his hand around Jenning's arm and touched the ball.  Both men fell to the ground and wrestled each other for said ball with Jennings the clear winner, the ball always clutched in his two hands and held tightly against his chest.  That official called a touchback. The other official saw Jennings and Tate both catch the ball simultaneously, and according to the NFL rules, "If a pass is caught simultaneously by two eligible opponents, and both retain it, the ball belongs to the passers. It is not a simultaneous catch if a player gains control first and an opponent subsequently gains joint control."  That official called a touchdown.

Time had run out on the clock.  The call went to review, another mistake according to the rules, and was upheld as a touchdown.  Uproar, chaos, and confusion ensued.  Seahawks coach Pete Carroll jumped up and down, his arms emulating a touchdown, before jumping into players.  One would have thought he had just won the Super Bowl or at least the playoff game getting his team into the Super Bowl.  After the game Carroll said, "From what I understood from the officials it was a simultaneous catch.  Tie goes to the runner.  Good call."

Okay, first of all let me just say I can give him his excitement in pulling off a last second stunner during the game in real time in the moments during and after the touchdown call.  That happens all the time in football and sports.  Someone makes a great play, a great catch, a touchdown and in the heat of the moment excitement is shown.  But as an armchair football fan, I know not to get too excited because we now have challenges, reviews, and instant replay.  Hell, I didn't jump up and down when Santonio Holmes made his unbelievable catch in the corner of the end zone in the Steelers/Cardinals Super Bowl until after the review and the referee declared it an official touchdown.  And for the most part you can't argue with instant replay that can be slowed down and reversed.  I can do all of that now myself on my own DVR equipped television. The play went to review and I guarantee Pete Carroll saw it, over and over and over again, on some giant screen in that stadium.  Unless the man is a complete idiot, and I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt, he knew what he saw was, as Trent Dilfer later said, "a debacle."  He knew the controversy it would cause.  He knew this was only week 3 of the season and he knew of all the issues with the replacement refs.  Shouldn't he have just calmly walked off the field and done his ridiculous in-your-face celebration in the privacy of the locker room? Can you imagine Mike Tomlin in that situation?  Bill Belichick? Tony Dungy?  Tom Landry? 

Why is it that all of the college coaches who break into the NFL as coaches act like children?  Carroll had to know he won that game because of a crappy call.  Yes, that happens more often then it should, but why would you go overboard on celebrating a win like that?  As a coach, a man, wouldn't you want to shake your head, shake the opposing coach's hand, and then acknowledge at your post game interview that, "something has got to be done about his labor dispute with the NFL referees?"  Wouldn't you rather go down in history - and make no mistake these three weeks of replacement referees from Division III, high school, and the lingerie leagues will be historical and part of a film maker's NFL movie - as a coach who maintained pose and credibility in the face of nonsense?  Obviously not in Pete Carroll's opinion.  I hope he gets up this morning, watches his actions on television, and rethinks his behavior from now on, but I'm not holding my breath.

Monday morning sports recap - Week # 3

Steelers:  Gave that game away.

• Defense - Last week the defense stepped up and this week the defense stepped out. Why did they even get on the plane for California? 
• Big Ben - 384 yards, 4 touchdowns, and no win. Which one is going to matter in the end? I thought Ben looked strong, but he has got to lead and pull these guys into the win column.
• Fumbles - Maybe the team needs to purchase the same receiver gloves I bought for my daughter's football season because too many of our receivers couldn't hang on to the ball. The worst was Antonio Brown's fumble in the endzone. He did recover it for the touchdown, but seriously a fumble in the endzone? I got those gloves for $25 at Walmart.
• Penalties - Ten penalties that cost us 81 yds. and who knows how many chances to score. It slowed down the game and pushed us in the wrong direction time after time. 
• Heyward-Bey - It is terrible to see a guy down and unconscious. I despise the violence of the game. I know none of these guys seriously want to injure a player and live with that on their conscious. But I didn't think the hit was a bad one. I'm not an expert in this game, but it looked to me like Mundy hit low in the shoulder area and his helmet caught Heyward-Bey's face mask as he lowered his chin. Unfortunately all it takes is one hit in this game to cause serious injury. I hope Heyward-Bey is okay and will continue to be able to play.
• Replacement Refs - Ah, how many illegal hits went undetected in just this game? How many illegal plays were missed? I don't blame the replacement guys, although shouldn't they be improving each week? I blame the NFL. It's getting old. Make the deal and get the experts back in this professional league.

Other:

• Replacement Officials: "If it weren't so important, it would actually be funny." Howie Long's statement on the Fox NFL Sunday pregame couldn't be truer. The NFL talks the talk, but isn't walking the walk. They claim their changes of the game are to protect the players, but then they put in replacement refs who, as Terry Bradshaw pointed out, have only had two months to study the rule book. So far they have been lucky, but for how long? The throwing of the hat in the endzone which resulted in a tripping of a Dallas receiver? All the crazy issued calls in week 3? The Ravens and the Pats game debacle?  Get this situation resolved.
• Kneeling Down - For some reason I don't have much of an opinion on this fiasco that has blown up in the media and Internet. I never understood the kneeling down myself. I mean I understand why they do it, but I've never understood why the other team says, "Oh, okay. Bummer. You win." It isn't a rule that you have to abide by the kneel down, so Tampa head coach Greg Schiano wasn't doing anything illegal. As Jimmie Johnson said if the Bucs had knocked out the ball the media would be talking today about how that was a great play. The question was would he do it again?  Yes, he would.  Twice in yesterdays game against Dallas.
• Steve Sabol - Kudos to Fox for having Friday Night Light innovator filmmaker Peter Berg do a tribute segment on the president of NFL Films. Nice.
• Lions OT Loss - Supposedly it was a miscommunication, but what in the world was going through the Lions players' heads when they tried to go for it on 4th down? Couldn't anyone call time out and ask WTF?
• San Francisco - They were the talk of all the pre-game shows and then they went out and got spanked. Gotta give credit to the Vikings.
• Matt Straub - Ouch. He lost some of his ear lobe on an illegal hit. Gross.
• Overtime - Three games went into overtime and each one had some drama; the before mentioned Lions/ Titans game, the Jets beating Miami with crazy timeout calls and blocked kicks, and the Saints going 0-3 and the Chiefs finally winning one. Who doesn't love football?

Sunday football picks & more - Week #3

Last week - 8 - 8

Overall - 16 - 16 - Hmmmm....not such a good start as usual

Chicago over St. Louis - Jay Cutler is very washy washy, but I'm pulling for him here.

Buffalo over Cleveland - I'm just annoyed that the Browns didn't do it last week. Watch them do it thins week and the Bills fall apart. Then I'll really be pissed.

Dallas over Tampa Bay - Tony Romo is smokin' right now and I don't anticipate that the Bucs will give him any trouble, but then again the Bucs are wispy washy as well.

Detroit over Tennessee - The Lions will prevail.

Indianapolis over Jacksonville - Andrew Luck is still finding his way, but the Jaguars won't be his downfall this week.

Jets over the Dolphins - No one on the Jets team wants to see Rex Ryan burst a vessel if they lose two in a row so Miami better be ready.

San Francisco over Minnesota - The 49ers led by the other Harbaugh coach are just,plain tough and the Vikings aren't. Simple as that.

New Orleans over Kansas City - The Chiefs are in trouble and while the Saints aren't exactly spotless they have something to prove.

Washington over Cincinnati - I just can't go against RGIII.

Arizona over Philedelphia - This is my wild card. I like former Steelers Ken Whisenhunt and what he has done in Arizona. While it won't be easy I think they will stump Michael Vick.

Atlanta over San Diego - The Falcons are a interesting team right now and the Chargers are always falling down about now so I'm going with Atlanta.

Houston over Denver - Kelly defers to my picking expertise, but she doesn't like when I go against Peyton, but the Texans are one of the best teams right now. this was a tough one, but until Manning gets this team in order I think they are beatable.

Pittsburgh over Oakland - No Harrison and Polamalu, but I'm hoping the team that comes to play is the one that kicked butt last week.

Baltimore over New England - This is the gimme this week as each team is coming off a loss. Usually I'd go with Brady in this situation, but the Ravens are hungry, nasty, and not wanting to be too far behind the Steelers. I will be rooting, however, for New England and I can't stand them either.

Green Bay over Seattle - I really don't know much about the Seahawks. I guess I'll have to study them Monday night, but until I do I'm betting on the ones I do know and that's the Packers.

Tampa Bay Rays - Will they or won't they? One day we believe and the next day we give up, and then the next day they prove us wrong. Which group will emerge here in the end?

Notre Dame - I bet against them darn it. I need Regis to set me straight each week.

Greg Schiano - He certainly has caused a commotion in his second week as a professional coach. What will he do this week? Did the Glazer's chat with him about how things run in the NFL? Will other,players want to show him how things are done in the NFL by coming after Josh Freeman or by passing, passing, passing? I read an article that his is a blankety blank pompous ass but the bottom line for Tampa Bay is can he win?

8 month resolution check

1. To "work on" not chewing my nails - Nope.  Haven't jumped back on this resolution.  Chew them.  Don't know why.  Can't seem to stop.  I'm terrible.  Score: 0
2. To lower my cholesterol - Have the paper work to get it tested again, but I really feel that I conquered this one the first time it was lowered.  Can't do much more on it until I'm tested.  Score: 10
3. To find time and do things only for myself - I haven't done much in this department except sleep, which I guess could count.  This trying to get back into the only 5 hours of sleep category is whipping my butt.  Plus I'm working daily on top of my SAHM duties.  Must work on getting to the gym.  Score: 5
4. To do a better job of keeping on top of my SAHMly chores - I have to say that I've been better in this one, not perfect, just better than the last check-up.  It isn't what I'd like it to be, but it is getting there.  Score:  5
5. To say something nice to every person I come into contact with daily - I don't know what I was thinking on this one.  It isn't an easy thing to remember especially if you aren't up to par, but for the most part I think I'm decent to people.  I'll try harder next few months. Score:  6

 Total:  26 out of 50 - Hey, I'm halfway there if just two months off the halfway mark.  These are silly resolutions now that I'm more than halfway there.  Next year I'm really going to concentrate on important things!

Definitions

Cara: "This construction is ridiculous. I avoid this area and I don't drive here anymore because this is a nightmare. This construction is just a nightmare."

Kelly: "No, a nightmare is when you're running in the dark from a man chasing you with a knife in one hand and a rattlesnake in the other. That's a nightmare!"

Cara: "Seriously? A rattlesnake in one hand?"

Kelly: (nodding head) "And a knife in the other."

5 random photos

1. 

Which one doesn't belong with the others?  I speculated quite some time about how this bird got its red wings like falling in paint and eating something that didn't agree, but then Darcy's classmate got into my car and told me it was a roseate spoonbill.  My bad.

2.

Darcy had two friends over to camp.  Because we didn't have a tent and because I wasn't comfortable with them in the front yard alone Tom and the girls set up this makeshift tent for camping in the backyard poll deck.  They had a fan to cool them down and cooler with water.  I jokingly asked if anyone was a sleepwalker.  Imagine my horror when one girl admitted she did.  We tucked her on the side so she didn't walk into the pool, but I didn't sleep much that night and neither did Elliot.

3.

I put this out on the counter unopened to see which of us is the boss.  So far it is still sitting on the counter unopened.  Apparently I'm not raising any leaders and Tom and I are content to rule from the background.

4.

My car was parked under our oak tree and as I walked toward it this little woodpecker was going to town on the tree.  He is smack in the middle of the photo, but I couldn't get any closer without climbing the tree and I'm afraid of heights.

Saturday was spent running important errands and making important purchases such as this one for Kelly's car.  Her steering wheel was beginning to peel, a hazard here in the Florida sun, and so she needed a cover.  She opted for the tan one instead of the pink fuzzy one, which I thought would have brought out the funk in her personality.  We had some time attaching the thing, but we managed to get it on...and I was not wearing my black, beaded car repair shirt.

Monday sports recap - Week #2

Steelers:
Lamar Woodley promised me on Facebook that "we won't be 0-2" and I believed him.  Thank you Woodley!

• Defense - Seriously? No Troy Polamalu and no James Harrison due to injuries. We just can't have both of these guys sitting on the sidelines. And the rest of the defense making stupid holding penalties isn't going to win us any games. But I have to say that they pulled themselves together after the first few mistakes and played like this defense should.  I really believe we have one of the best defenses, but they have all got to be on and together and for some reason they just aren't each week.  But when they are....look out.
• Ike Taylor - Dude, if Taylor could just be an animal like this every week the defense would be looking more like the Steel Curtain of old. He made a stupid error in the beginning of the game, but more than made up for it with his tackles and breaking up of plays.
• Helmet to Helmet - Have we not learned anything in this category? Lawrence Timmons should deservedly be fined for his hit on Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez.
• Running Game - Obviously the Steelers organization is not reading my blog, but I'll say it again RUNNING THE BALL IS NOT WORKING!
• Colorful Language - My husband was not aware that this type of language is acceptable during Steelers games, but I set him straight just in time for the...
• Mike Wallace catch - Welcome back to Pittsburgh Mike Wallace! If anyone wonders if he can play without having practiced and gone through preseason, wonder no more. The man has something to prove this season and if he continues to do that he just might get close to what he wants.
• Ben Roethlisberger - Can anyone move around the pocket and break tackles like this guy?  When he is hot he is smoking. His throw to Mike Wallace was phenomenol. If he could run a bit, he would be three for three, but when you're that tall it's a long way to the ground. 
• Replacement Refs - The NFL needs to get this straightened out because the officiating in this game sucked. Pass interference on Ike Taylor? First down when it was second down? Bad calls made on both sides. Either educate these replacements or end the lockout.
• Isaac Redman - I have to give kudos to our running back who is our Jerome Bettis replacement. His job has been to run it on 3rd and 4th down and to get us into the endzone when we're in the red zone. Yet he has tried to step up as our only running back lately carrying and running the ball through quicksand. He has kept at it and kept at it and run and run and struggled and struggled, yet he hasn't complained and has kept on persevering. Glad he finally got into the endzone there at the end.

Other:

• Buccaneers - Since they were playing in New York we got to see the game, and what a game it was! The Bucs defense played the first half like maniacs stealing balls and tackling players left and right. The offense took advantage of the defense's play and scored on the turnovers. But the defense seemed pooped in the 4th quarter and you can't be when playing against a Manning quarterback.
• Coaches Exchange - On the last play of the game Eli went to take a knee and the Bucs defense acted like he was pulling a trick play and some scuffling ensued. Giants coach Tom Coughlin had some curse words for Tampa coach Greg Schiano after the game, and Schiano acted like this taking a knee was all new to him coming from the college level. All it really did was get the media hyped up and subject us to more replays of the Haugh/Schwartz exchange from last season.
• Replacement Refs - One was removed for being a Saints fan.  What... that was a question on the application?  Apparently the ref posted pictures of himself on Facebook in Saints garb. The fact that he is from New Orleans didn't factor in as much as the phone calls to the NFL telling on the guy. After last week's awarding of an extra time out during the Seattle/Arizona game guess the NFL wasn't taking any chances.  The NFL also sent out memos, according to my Twitter buddy Jay Glazer, that told coaches to stop the bullying of the refs.  Seems like things aren't going so well for any of the sides.
• Reggie Bush - I keep forgetting Bush is in Miami, but he sure reminded me yesterday. He has vowed to be the leading rusher this year in the NFL and his 172 yds. and two touchdowns against the Raiders was a good start.
• Dallas - Sigh. They fell apart a game sooner than I expected for my picks.
• My Picks - I should join the NCAA picks since I only missed one in our cockeye pool and sucked in the NFL. The Patroits dropping passes, getting kicks blocked, and missing field goals? The terrifying Ravens defense letting the Eagles sneak in the endzone in the last few minutes? And the Saints defense sucking even more than last week? Who knew?
• Helmet to Helmet - I think Roger Goodell needs to send out a refresher video. Some of the ones I saw last week and this week were not the kind of hits that are unavoidable. With all the hype last year and the research that is coming out this is getting unacceptable.
• NHL lockout - Here we go again. Someone please tell me why owners offer contracts they don't plan on paying? No wonder the players are annoyed. But they too sign these outrageous contracts that have in the past not been honored so they too are to blame. Someone needs to change things, and since the owners have more to lose in this lockout I suggest they step up to the plate.
• The Saints - What? If they can't have bounties to play for the defense can't play? They've given up like 900 plus yards in the first two games. I'm not sure but if they don't pull themselves together the city of New Orleans might have to put a fork in them.
• RGIII - This guy is electric! At least in the highlights. So much for thinking these college grad newbies need  a few years to gain some insight and maturity.
• Andrew Luck - Kid showed poise in the final moments and got the team close enough for the Colts veteran kicker to win it through the uprights.
• Faith Hill - Does anyone besides me think that Faith's dress in the opening of Thursday night football is a tad too short?  When she lifts her leg up near the end of her performance she almost shows us what is or isn't under that thing.  Does she let her daughter wear dresses like that?

Sunday picks and other sports news - Week #2

Last week - 8 - 8

Total so far: 8-8

Buffalo over Kansas City -  This one was a wash for me so I went with the team I thought would do better last week.

Cleveland over Cincinnati - This is my wildcard game.  But I'll admit I didn't watch either Monday night game due to a meeting, a high school volleyball game, the men's US Open, and a headache so I don't know how good the Bengals might be.

Indianapolis over Minnesota - I think Andrew Luck wins this week at home.

Oakland over Miami - Miami could win at home, but unlikely.

New England over Arizona - I almost went the other way for my wildcard, but I got a grip and followed the line.

Giants over the Buccaneers - Tampa usually starts going downhill about now and the Giants aren't going to want to lose to this team and be 0 - 2.

Baltimore over Philadelphia - I hope Michael Vick kicks the Raven's beaks, but I highly doubt it after his four picks last week.  The Ravens have fire and the Harbaugh boys are itching to play one another in the big Bowl.

New Orleans over Carolina - Another tough one, but the Saints almost pulled it out last week so I'm going with the veteran QB over the second year one.

Houston over Jacksonville - The Texans are going to be another great team this year and the Jags aren't.

Washington over St. Louis - I'm a believer in RGIII now and the Rams are well, the Rams.

Dallas over Seattle - It isn't time yet for Romo to start loosing it.

Pittsburgh over the Jets - I don't want to hear from my Jets loving buddy or Darcy's football Jets loving coach so the Steelers better want to save face and not be winless.

San Diego over Tennessee - Here come the Chargers.

San Francisco over Detroit - Read my previous entry regarding the Harbaugh brothers.  This is one of those teams with one of those brothers.

Denver over Atlanta - This should be a good game, but I'm betting on Peyton because well, he's Peyton with or without a year off.

NCAA Football - I have to make a few picks in this area because of the pool that I'm in with Kelly.  For some reason it can't just be a pool of college games or a pool of NFL games, but a combo of all the NFL games and a handful of the college games.  It is one of the oddest set ups I've ever been a part of, but because that is the way it is, I have gotten to pay attention to NCAA football.  Most of the time I'm not that good, but last year I studied and wasn't bad so I'm anticipating a good year this year.  Although the person in charge does tend to pick weird games.  Anyway....I have watched college football the past three Saturdays for heaven's sake which either means I need more of a life or I'm going to need some bookie intervention.

US Open - I missed both games.  Due to weather and delays the games were pushed back a day and played at odd times due to the other sports already scheduled on television.  Sunday is football for me, although I kept reminding myself to watch Serena at 4:30 pm.  Yeah.  I watched football instead.  I have the NFL Network now due to a switch in cable companies and they have an awesome game center on Sundays.  I was hooked.  On Monday I had a meeting and after the meeting I ran down the hall to the gym to watch some of Maddy's friends play in their first volleyball match of the season.  In the middle of the second set I checked the score of the tennis, saw that it was in the 5th set, and ran home to watch it.  I got there in time to see the trophies being handed out.  Sigh.  Next year.

Connie foot update

Looking very good once he cleaned off the nasty black scab.  The Foot God does love to cut.  This is the first time I have actually seen her skin come together and close and look like the bottom of a normal foot.  She is to still wear the crow walker boot, but she can put weight on it and try to regain some strength.  She had another spot on her other foot that we have to keep an eye on, but he "buzzed" it down and said it looked fine for now.  She had some adjustments made on the crow walker boot so that less pressure was put on the wound and she has an insert for her shoe for the other foot.  Maintaining the status qua until we see the Foot God again.

Monday morning sports recap - Week #1

Steelers:
Going to be a long season. Sigh.

• Hines Ward - He looked good in his broadcasting debut. I loved his response to what should these receivers be doing (Broncos) and he responded he would be baking him cookies, cutting Peyton's grass and babysitting his kids. He started off a bit nervous, but that smile is so contagious one can forgive any mistakes he might have made. 
• Ward/Dungy - It was kind of neat to have two experts in Ward and Tony Dungy for this game giving insight on both quarterbacks.
• Missy Franklin- I thought it cool she was the Honary Captain for the night as a Colorado native. I liked that Peyton chatted with her instead of just patting her like the other Bronco players did.
• Peyton Manning - I have to say that I got a little teary when Manning completed his first pass on the first play of the game.  The NFL needs leaders like Manning so I'm glad he is back.
• Running Game - I know that the Steelers are considered a running team, but that was the past. We haven't been able to run the ball for three years now and with Mendenhall out with an injury the Steelers are looking at Issac Redman to do the job. But he's our Bus. He's our third down guy not our go to on every play guy. Let Ben throw the ball!
• Max Starks - For a guy who hasn't been appreciated by the Steelers organization he sure has been the organization when it comes to the left tackle position. Last year he was let go and then picked up in the middle of the season due to injuries. This year he wasn't signed until the last minute and once again he is handling things due to injuries. Without him last night Ben would be hurting more than he will be this morning.
• Larry Foote - He started off hot. Wish he would have had more help.
• Offense - So far not impressed with Todd Haley. Why did we bring him on board again?
• Defense - Hot in the beginning, but when they had an hour rest between half time and the time the offense spent slugging down the field they must have fallen asleep.
• O Line - Here we go again; injuries, injuries and no one to take their place. Tell me again how we improved thing since last year?

Other:

• Art Modell - The owner of the Cleveland Browns who eventually moved the team to Baltimore and became the Ravens died this week.  Not many people in Cleveland were sad, but he was a pivotal character in the NFL having brought the game of football to television.  The Browns organization was going to show appreciation for the man, but eventually gave up the idea after Modell's family asked them not to considering how many in the city might not agree.  I, however, couldn't get past the Ravens organization rolling out his casket on the field as a tribute.
• Washington Redskins - Wow!  I guess I need to get updated on this RG3 guy.  I didn't pay much attention because it was the Skins and because Andrew Luck dominated the draft, but the rookie quarterback came out and threw over a hundred yards in like his first twenty minutes.  Is he this year's Cam Newton?
• New York Jets - I believed the preseason play despite my never doing so.  I thought they were in trouble.  I should have known.  Rex Ryan loves to show that he knows what the hell he is doing and he loves to prove the naysayers wrong.  He was one smug, happy camper.
• Rex Ryan - Has he been reading my blog over the years on his weight? I was shocked to see how good Coach Ryan looked at the Jets post game conference.  Apparently he had lapband surgery a couple years back and has lost over 100 pounds in that time.  Kudos to him for doing something about that gut that led the way when he walked.  Plus, look how quick he moved when one of the Bills players ran out of bounds and knocked him down.  
• Andrew Luck - Okay, he didn't get off to a great start with 3 interceptions and a fumble, but he has sixteen more games to improve.  The fans of Indianapolis hope he improves by next week, but this poor kid has had a whirlwind of emotions, media, and expectations hurled at him. I though he handled his post game conference well. He's like this big lug with a baby face. At times I thought he might cry, but he answered questions with maturity, took the blame, and planned to forge on.  Maybe this game was what he needed to get the cobwebs shaken out. Maybe now the hard part is behind him. Or maybe the owners will be dreaming of Peyton all year.
• Eagles/Browns - Eight interceptions in this game; both quarterbacks throwing four each. Vick just had his early enough to get the win.
• Erin Andrews - I love her because she knows her sports.  I was sorry to hear she was leaving ESPN, but now that Fox is going to use her on their pregame show I'm pumped.  None of this telling us what the weather is in the cities where football is played nonsense.  She came out with a nice piece on Packer's quarterback Aaron Rogers that showed she knows her stuff and that she isn't afraid to ask the questions.  Here! Here!
• Dave Akers kick - Sixty three yards and it hit the goal and bounced over. Cool.
• Monday Night Football - What is up with the two games on this night?  I can barely stay up for one!  And who is going to stay up til 2:00 am watching this game?  It isn't even anyone exciting.

Sunday football picks and more - Week #1

• Chicago over Indy - I liked what I saw in Andrew Luck over the preseason.  He was a leader, he kept his cool, and he looked at home in the huddle.  He reminded me of Peyton Manning actually.  But Da' Bears have been the buzz for this season and they are at home so I'm going with them.
• Eagles over Browns - Thought the Eagles looked good in preseason and the Browns never start off fast and furious.
• Detroit over St. Louis - I keep hoping the Lions will continue on their path to redemption.
• New England over Tennessee - I always start out with a W for Tom Brady, but the Titans have some buzz going on so I could be wrong here.
• Atlanta over Kansas City - I think Atlanta is going to be one of the big teams this season.
• Minnesota over Jacksonville - This is a wash with either team winning.  Since it is at Minnesota I'm going with the Vikings.
• New Orleans over Washington - I'm not familiar with the Skins and I need to get more informed on their new quarterback.  I had the Skins first since I think New Orleans at this point doesn't much care and are still annoyed, but that being said maybe that will motivate them in a "we'll show you" kind of way.  Plus they are at home so I'm taking the Saints.
• Buffalo over the Jets - Will Tebow start or not?  That is the big questions (cough) for the start of the season and Rex Ryan loves that the media is all over this.  With Ryan one never knows what he is thinking, but unless he straightens out his locker room the Jets aren't going anywhere.
• Houston over Miami - Sigh.  The poor Dolphins.  Enough said.
• Green Bay over San Francisco - Packers at home at Lambeau Field?  No brainer.
• Arizona over Seattle - I keep waiting for Arizona to shine and I'm not up on the Seahawks so that's why I'm going with the Cardinals.
• Panthers over the Bucs - The poor Buccaneers.  Cam Newton?  Ain't going to happen.
• Steelers over Broncos - Should be an interesting game.  I'm worried, no doubt, as I always am against Peyton Manning.  He has a lot to prove tonight and James Harrison most likely will not be playing.  Without our defensive leader and our safety (Ryan Clark out due to his sickle cell trait - can't play at high altitudes) I'm concerned.  But I never go against my boys so Pittsburgh will bring it home!
• Baltimore over Cincinnati - Ravens pfft.  But they are good.
• Raiders over the Chargers - Always have to have a wildcard and this is mine.

• Officiating - The NFL has locked out the experienced NFL referees due to contract negotiating issues and replaced them with referees from various other leagues, including the lingerie league. The owners refused a request from players to reinstate the NFL referees for the start of the season, preferring to use replacements until a deal is finalized. The players are concerned about their safety, the referees are concerned about their livelihood, and the owners are concerned about money. Hmmm...who should I root for? Come on! The owners make a boat load of money in this league with the players making money in the millions. Something tells me the referees aren't asking for anything near that. In the meantime the season has started with Roger Goddell's new regulations on hits to players and the league thinks putting in novice replacements is no big deal? Yeah, I'm not so much on board.
• US Open - Due to rain the women's final will be played today and I expect my gal Serena to cruise to the win.
•  NASCAR - The run to the Chase finished in an upset with Hendrick's Racing having all cars in the finals.  My paper said the chances of Jeff Gordon making it in were nil, but I never doubted him.  Exciting!

Dolphins galore

 For some reason this area has a thing about painting large replicas of animals and displaying them around town.  Years ago it was turtles and now it is dolphins.  A dolphin display to hook visitors to the Republican National Convention was done by local artists who prettied up the fiberglass dolphins and displayed them at the city's beach park.  They are sponsored by local merchants and are going to be around the area for some time as they have turned into a big hit.  We got to view them two weeks ago while hanging out at the beach and I took a few pictures of the ones I liked the best.

Characters:

Colorful:

Theme:

I enjoyed them all and just read that they will be sold for $1,000 a piece and hopefully kept in the area.  I would buy a few and put them out by my pool deck, but I couldn't decide which ones since I liked so many.

When it rains....

• Latest appliance to break; my dryer.  It broke on Monday while Madison was drying her excessive load of laundry.  She never noticed that the load wasn't drying, despite going through five cycles.  Darcy washes a load and the next morning hubby takes out Maddy's laundry, puts in Darcy's laundry, heads off to work and never notices the dryer isn't hot.  I come along and run a load.  When the time comes to move it to the dryer I notice Darcy's wet clothes and the fact that the dryer is cool as can be.  Then I feel Madison's load on top of the dryer.  Wet.  The dryer is broken.  I haul and do six complete loads at the laundromat in one hour.  Something to be said for getting it all done in one fell swoop.  At one point the laundress comes over to me and asks me to keep an eye on the place while she steps out for twenty minutes.  She does not ask the man in the laundromat.  I did not receive any free loads for doing this for her.

• Maddy comes in my room late last night after I had fallen asleep and wakes me to inform me that picture day is in the morning and that I have to fill out a form.  I tell her I'll get it in the morning and then I make sure to drag my butt out of bed earlier to do so.  It is pitch black at 5:30 in the morning here and I despise lights so I dim them very low.  I didn't have my reading glasses and could not see the form clearly, but the package I needed was $39 and I was annoyed that school pictures would cost so much.  I know I didn't pay that last year and so I turn up the light and discover that same package, minus a calendar, at $27.  I sigh, write the check, and then fill out the form.  What happened to the good old days where you took your picture in front of a crappy background with clouds or a flag?  I had to pick a pose, pick a background, and decide if I wanted to have touch-ups done to her blemishes.  Seriously?  I went to see what she was wearing so that I could pick the background.  She was in a darker green shirt with some type of birds all over it.  I decide blue, but when I got to mark it there is a parenthesis that says deduct $4 from total if ordering blue.  WTH?  I sort of lose it at this point so Madison picks a pink background to go with some pink spot inside these birds all over her shirt.  I remember that all school pictures are suppose to look cheesy ten years down the road and feel she deserves that pink background.

• I relax a bit in bed after the photo episode before getting Darcy up and at 'em.  We get in the car to head off to school and a strange noise emits from my engine.  It gets louder as I drive, then disappears, and then reappears by the time I pull into the school parking lot.  I ask the teacher what that noise is, as if I didn't know it was coming from my own car, but turns out it was only audible inside the car.  I drive back home.  I know that this sound is something I've had before, but with the car just shutting off at various times during the day, I'm sure that this is not something to ignore.  My friend arrives with breakfast (she was planning to lounge by the pool while I was off teaching swimming) and I make her get in the car so that I know I'm not crazy.  (See previous story regarding van)  The noise is now audible inside and out so we drive to the auto repair shop where the men do not run when I pull in.  A plus I thought.  I give a great description on noise using sound effects that earn me looks and drive home with my friend (who diagnosis the problem as a belt).  We arrive home, have some coffee, and the rain comes.  I call my lesson people, but they assure me it is sunny.  I leave friend sitting on couch annoyed that it is raining and drive off in her van to my lesson.  It pours and pours as I drive.  The main road is flooded in areas because of how hard and how fast it is raining.  I'm wondering if lesson people have a screw loose, but as I get twenty minutes down the road clear skies.  Twenty minutes into the lesson the rain hits, gentle at first and then an onslaught.  The little boy and I get wet (ha, ha, a swimming joke).  I slosh out to my borrowed van and drive off in the rain.  Ten minutes down the road the rain is gone and the sun is brightly shining.  I get some lunch for us gals and head home.  By the time I pull into my driveway the rain is back and friend is still annoyed.  I contemplate taking off in her van forever and leaving her behind with my dog, but decide that I would miss her too much.  The sun finally came out for an hour, friend got into pool, I got to drive her van again to collect my eldest, and my van got fixed.

• I looked on the Internet for repairing a dryer and decide the problem is the thermostat.  Hubby takes apart the dryer and takes in a huge piece that includes the thermostat.  He arrives home for lunch after I arrive back from my lesson.  He has my fixed van, but has traded it for his car at the service station and must now leave me again without transportation.  On the up note he had dryer part.  I mention that my friend and I will put it all together with the help of the Internet and instructions.  He says, "Please don't."  I huff and puff and tell my friend that my father taught me how to repair things and I'm sure that we can do it.  I tell her that I will read the directions and she will follow my instructions.  She says she will call her hubby and have him come over and do it and then we will sit smugly on the couch when my hubby returns.  We decide to do neither as the sun comes out.  Hubby is out in the garage at 9:30 repairing the dryer.  Tomorrow can only be brighter, right?

2012-2013 TV Season

September is here, which means the fall TV season is just around the corner, and I do like some TV watching. Last year I tried to watch all the new shows, and as always, the ones I really liked the most didn't all make it into this season. I'm more of a drama watcher than a comedy watcher, but I did discover two new comedies last year to go with my Modern Family and The Middle watching. I tried all the shows last year because I needed something to blog about and didn't want to miss out on really good shows like I have in the past (The Good Wife, Mad Men). I'm one of those people that refuse to jump into a new show after it has already run for a few seasons unless I can go back and catch up. Alas, that isn't as easy as it used to be.

This year we changed cable stations, so I don't have the On-Demand feature like I did last year that helped make sure I watched all the new shows. This season I've done some research and read several critics' take on the shows to better prepare my DVR and watching schedule so that I also do not miss my favorite returning shows. I doubt that I will get to view all 21 new shows, but I've created a list of the ones I will watch, along with my returning shows. N = New and R = Returning

Sunday:

• 666 Park Avenue (N) - The premise sounds ridiculous, and anything with Terry O'Quinn is sure to be spooky, but it is one of the commercials that run 24/7 online when I watch abc.com to catch up on General Hospital and therefore is is stuck in my head.
• Once Upon a Time (R) - A returning show from last season and one I found so creative. Most writing classes that I took throughout my life had us rewriting fairy tales, and this show does that, taking it to the next level. It's a good one to catch up on online if you missed it last year. ABC is one of the few shows that lets you do just that.
• Revenge (R) - Another show that was new last year with good acting and interesting, mysterious plots. I'm not sure how they will continue it this season, but I'm on the edge of my seat waiting!
• Football (R) - But of course! And the Steelers open the show this week!

Monday:

• Revolution (N) - Not sure what the fascination is lately with the post-apocalypse, but again the commercials for this show have gotten in my head. I'm not much for sci-fi shows, that's my hubby's department, but it has J.J. Abrams's name behind it so everyone will watch.
• Dancing with the Stars (R) - Yeah, yeah, whatever, I like it.
• The Voice (R) - I only watch the first few days of this show, and I usually don't continue after the next round. I don't particularly care for the way the show works, but those first auditions? Priceless.
• The Mob Doctor (N) - Hmmm...another doctor show that includes the mob? I already watch General Hospital, so why the hell not?
• 
  

Tuesday:

• Ben & Kate (N) - This one doesn't sound too great, but I'm a sucker for a brother being nice to his sister and wanting to help her out. Might as well turn to fiction to get that.
• New Girl (R) - Love her. Love the characters.  Last season's ending? Just one of the best ever.
• Go On (N) - Again, the commercials during the Olympics suckered me in, and the buzz is that it isn't bad. It comes on at a good time as I record the results of DWTS and need something to watch in the meantime.
• Emily Owens, M.D. (N) - I'm watching this because it stars Meryl Streep's daughter, Mamie, and let's face it, if she has her mother's acting genes...
• The New Normal (N) - I'm not sure I will watch this one, but I might give it a shot. I read the plots are pretty lacking, but the acting is better.
• The Mindy Project (N) - I'm told this one has the best buzz, so it is on my list. Plus, I like it when the networks give shows to people outside the box. But seriously, it has got to be better for me than that Whitney thing last year.
• Vegas (N) - I loved Pan Am and The Playboy Club last year, and neither one made it, so I'm not too hopeful for this in the past drama either, but I'll watch it because I like Dennis Quaid. Although, it better not remind me of the other Vegas show I loved with James Caan.

Wednesday:

• Survivor (R) - Still my fav of all reality shows. Won't miss it.
• The Middle (R) - If you are from Indiana, you gotta watch this show. Axel is my nephew, Austin, all the way...well, maybe not in the brain department.
• Modern Family (R) - Best show on television, hands down. 
• The Neighbors (N) - This one didn't get a good buzz, but I loved the line I see in the promos where the kids say, "Mom, I go to public school, I know weird." or something like that. Enough to get me to tune in for at least the first show.
• Animal Practice (N) - Yeah, I already saw this one, and except for the monkey, I wasn't impressed.
• Chicago Fire (N) - Sigh. I'm trying to go into this one with a good attitude, but I'm not sure that any show with firefighters can compare after Rescue Me.
• Nashville (N) - This is the one that I'm most excited about as I adore Connie Britton and Country Music, so it's all good.

Thursday:

• Person of Interest (R) - Taraji P. Henson! (inside joke) Another one of my favs shows from last season. I have yet to watch the season finale because of some technical glitch, but this show is exciting from beginning to end and very creative and different.
• Up All Night (R) - Another comedy that got me hooked from last season. Hilarious! And the little girl? Adorable.
• Last Resort (N) - Interesting plot, exotic Island, and I'll give it a go.
• Glee (R) - S much fun with great storylines that will make you laugh and cry simultaneously.
• Elementary (N) - I don't know about this one. Tom and I enjoy Sherlock on PBS, so not sure how this will compare, but I love mystery, so I'll give it a go.

Friday:

• Grimm (R) - Although right now, it has already started and is on Monday nights. A very different show and I love the new direction it has taken so far, although not so much the intro.
• Malibu Country (N) - The buzz isn't good on this one, and that is too bad because I enjoy reruns of Reba, and who doesn't love Lily Tomlin? As there isn't anything else on Friday nights, I'll give it a shot and hope that the writers get better.
• Made in Jersey (N) - Another lawyer show, but what the heck not watching any now, so maybe this one will draw me in.

Other:

• Smash (R) - This little gem from last season is a midseason replacement, so I have some time to wait on it, but my whole family enjoyed the behind the scenes of off-Broadway.
• Body of Proof (R) - I can't believe they got rid of half the cast, but I like the show as it is simple and tidies up in an hour, so I'll be back. I just hope they can make it work for those of us upset over the loss of characters.