Out of the mouths of my babes

Madison:  "Can we get something to eat on the way to Darcy's game?  I'm starving."

Me:  "Did you eat pizza again for lunch?"

Madison:  "No, it didn't look good."

Me:  "Did you go into the cafeteria?"

Madison:  "No, because I didn't have time."

Me:  "Did you even eat?"

Madison:  "I had french fries."

Me:  "That's it?"

Madison:  "No, I had ketchup too."

Monday sports recap - Week #8

Steelers: 

• Weather - Rainy due to the storm heading up the east coast.  It left a lot of spots on the camera filming my game. I had to watch on the computer since my buddy was at his last soccer game of the season and our Fox affiliate was showing Atlanta.  Meanwhile here in Florida we too were feeling some of the hurricane with some clouds and cooler weather.  Cool enough to break out these bad boys purchased in Indiana this summer:  
• Throwback Uniforms - The Steelers went with 1934 uniforms that were only worn one year.  They only had black and white photos to work from and the results were OMG horrible.  I don't think we will be seeing those uniforms up for sale anytime soon.  The bee-like outfits made the Bucs creamsicle ones look decent.  They even made these uniforms designed for Flo rida's alma mater high school look fabulous (which I thought they were anyway).  At halftime every update made mention of the uniforms and laughter was always accompanied.  But we played so well that I'm thinking these uniforms are "the bees knees".  Hee Hee
• Young Money Crew - The Fox Pregame show did a segment on Pittsburgh young receivers Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, and Mike Wallace who call themselves the Young Money Crew.  The name came from them talking about their low paychecks when rookies compared to Hines Ward's paycheck.  A few years later they now have individual names; Brown is Cash Money for his huge newly signed contract, Sanders is Easy Money because he makes catches look easy and he is easy going, and Wallace is Fast Money due to his speed.  It was a cute segment.  All the guys are good looking young men and they were funny.  But the best line was Michael Strahan's who said after the segment that he hoped they would be the "Save Some Money Crew".
• RGIII - Not as impressive as I've been hearing, but I'm chalking that up to the Steelers impressive defensive play.  The rookie QB was only 16 of 34 passes for 177 yards, which isn't too poor, but his receivers sure did have a hard time holding on to his passes, dropping ten of them.  He also got some hard tackles when he did try to get out of the pocket or to rush.  Not much of a debut for me in seeing him play for a full game...but I'm certainly not complaining either!
• Jonathan Dwyer - Another great game by the back-up running back who had 16 carries for 107 yards.  Look out Mendenhall your job just might be in jeopardy. 
• Dropped Passes - On both sides.  Santana Moss had several.  The Steelers had four.  I'm thinking the rain might have been the cause in this game.
• Ryan Clark - Just what we need another safety down.  Clark went into the locker room in the beginning of the third quarter with a concussion that knocked him out of the game.  Ryan Mundy and Will Allen took the places of Clark and starter Troy Polamalu, out another game with his calf injury.  Both men played well for the Steelers with Allen making two great hits that broke up key plays.
• DeAngelo Hall - He got a little heated in his tackling of Emmanuel Sanders late in the fourth quarter resulting in the official coming over to talk to him.  He took off his helmet, a no no in the league, and then just kept verbally attacking the refs until they, as the head official stated, "excused him from the game."

Other:

• Adderall - This drug for ADHD is illegal in most sports without a valid prescription, but that hasn't stopped the the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from chomping down on the amphetamine.  First cornerback Aquib Talib was suspended for four games for having the drug in his system and now Jay Glazer has reported that the other cornerback Eric Wright has tested positive for the drug.  Knowing the Bucs players, I'm thinking maybe some attention issues might be the cause?
• Chris Long - I guess I'm late on the fact that Howie Long's son is a professional football player for the St. Louis Rams.  He plays the same defensive end position that his father played with the Oakland Raiders.  I'm still stunned that Howie is old enough to have a son in the NFL.
• England Football - Which is really soccer over there, but for some reason the NFL sends players overseas to play a game in jolly old England.  I don't get it, but I heard via Twitter the Steelers are heading there next year.  Since a trip to England has always been a dream of mine perhaps I should head over there the same time as the Steelers and kill two birds with one stone.  I'm serious.
• Matt Ryan - The Falcons quarterback was smokin' hot in the first half.  He was 17-20 and threw three touchdowns.  The undefeated team scored on all four possessions in that half.  He kept it up in the second half as well and the Falcons are the only team still undefeated this season.
• Jets at halftime - Would not have wanted to be in that locker room after that first half debacle, but then again that room has been a place of contention and issue for over a year now.  Apparently, Rex didn't fire them up enough or maybe they just really don't care enough because they didn't come out of that locker room any better than when they went in losing to the Dolphins 30 - 9.
• Mark Sanchez - He supposedly broke up with Eva Longeria due to his poor attitude from not playing well.  That didn't seem to help him, poor guy.  Something tells me that she made him feel a whole lot better than he is feeling after that game.
• Serena Williams - She beat Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-3 to win the WTA Championship ending her year with seven titles including Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, and the Olympics gold.  Not bad for someone who thought she might never play the game of tennis again after several hospitalizations and injuries.
• Notre Dame - Are these guys on a roll or what?  The past two weeks they looked a tad slow winning in the end, but struggling.  Last night against Oklahoma, who I picked to break the Fighting Irish's winning streak, Notre Dame was on fire killing the Sooners 30-13.  Two Sooner touchdowns were called back and Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops was clearly frustrated.  Give the Notre Dame kids credit.  They are playing some football and winning.
• IU Basketball - Voted #1 in the AP preseason poll! Yeah baby! Go Hoosiers!

Sunday NFL football picks and more - Week 8

Last Week - 10 - 3

Overall - 61- 44

Pittsburgh over Washington - I don't go against my boys, but this game is a worry for me. I'm excited to see RGIII in action, but our defense is going to have to come out more than ready to play. We are at home and it is a 1:00 game and we usually play well at that time. Don't know if the coming storm will affect games tomorrow or not, but Pittsburgh isn't far from the brunt of it. Looking forward to this game.

Chicago over Carolina - I almost went with Cam Newton in this game. His press conference last week made me think he would fire up this team, and maybe the firing of general manager Marty Hurney will help things in the organization, but I chickened out. Cutler and company are playing well  And I'm not sure the Panthers can overturn that.

San Diego over Cleveland - I know people are talking about the Browns and how well they are playing, but they won't beat the Chargers who will "stick it to 'me". Hee Hee couldn't resist.

Seattle over Detroit - This week I'm picking the Seahawks so the defense better be theer and Russell Wilson better kick some Lion butt.

Green Bay over Jacksonville - This was a no brainer. Poor Jags.

Tennessee over Indianapolis - The Titans are on a roll. This was another match up that I contemplated going with the other team, but Matt Hassellbeck has worked hard at keeping his job. if Loker is still out and Hassellbeck is at the helm I see the Titans winning this week.

New England over St. Louis - I don't see Brady losing this week. Not to this team.

Jets over the Dolphins - The Jets are still a mess, but they have showed something the past two weeks. Last week's lost won't be sitting will with coach Rex Ryan so he'll have the locker room wanting to win to shut him up.

Atlanta over Philadelphia - Hmmm....sports guys are thinking the Eagles have what it takes this week to hand the unbeaten Falcons their first loss of the season, but I think Andy Reid's job is looking good to recently ousted Browns President Mike Holmgren. The Eagles locker room is sounding more and more like the Jets each week and Reid probably needs to take some time away from football to deal with his personal stuff. The Falcons will be beat, and maybe Philadelphia will do it, but I'm going to stay with Matt Ryan.

Oakland over Kansas City - I didn't hear about Chiefs Brady Quinn taking over the QB position until after I made my picks so this is probably not going to go my way. New blood always excites a losing team and the Raiders are so up, down, and over that you don't know who is showing up each week. But I picked them so I can't change now.

New York Giants over Dallas - Eli showed RGIII what veteran quarterbacks can do last week. He isn't going to let Tony Romo beat him twice this year. No way.

Denver over anew Orleans - This will be another passing game between the two quarterbacks. Manning had a week off so I'm going with him.

San Francisco over Arizona - The battle in the west. The Cardinals are struggling right now. The 49ers aren't scoring so well. This could be a good game for Monday night, but I'm thinking San Fran will run away with it.

Marcus Lattimore - How horrible was that leg injury for the South Carolina running back in the college game against Tennessee? His body went one way and his leg the other way. Still no word on how bad the injury is, but it was so great to see both teams spill out on to the field to show support and respect for a guy who just returned from a torn ACL. Sports get some bad raps, but there are good things that occur and this was one of them.

Hurricane - The bounty talks were postponed due to the is-it or isn't-it hurricane expected to hit the east coast on Monday. Glad to see they can come to some kind of decision in this bounty issue.

World Series - Well last year's was exciting, but this one is only exciting to Giant fans. They are running away with a 3-0 lead and the Detroit Tigers are left standing in the batters' box wondering what went wrong.

Friday's 10 things I learned this week

1. The dog is more energetic during cooler weather - Those three coats of his probably contributes to this, but I feel it too. Yeah 60 and 70 degree weather in Florida!
2. Sunday night football should start earlier - When the Steelers play at night whether it is Sunday or Thursday you might as well put a fork in me for getting anything accomplished the next day. I can't go right to sleep after the game. Win or lose I lie in bed and go over all the plays. I'm either hyped up with happiness or pissed and annoyed. Either way sleep doesn't come easy. The NFL should pay for days off for those of us watching.
3. The meaning of the word "lede" - The meaning is an alternative spelling of the word "lead" in journalism.  I took several classes in journalism in high school and in college, but do not remember ever hearing this word. 
4. That I am more than tired of hearing about how everyone that doesn't stay home and raise children is "working" - It is a terrible excuse.  Yes, yes, you work.  Guess what?  So do I.  In fact I work 14 hours a day, sometimes 24 if the kids are sick.  I spend several hours in a car traveling from one end of the county to the other.  I cook, clean, take care of the dog, do laundry and ironing, balance a budget, pay bills, and help with homework.  In between that job I have part-time work that I do including teaching kids to swim, blogging, and writing.  Despite all of that, I also return phone calls and emails in a timely manner.  While I understand that people work outside of the home and go to an office daily that doesn't mean they are can get away with not doing crap.  We all have troubles, issues, etc.  "Working" isn't an excuse.
5. I shouldn't buy Halloween candy a week early - You might think this is because I eat it. I do. But my kids eat it more. We are on our third bag now and Halloween is still six days away.
6. Getting to bed early really does help with my sleepiness - I was starting to worry it was a medical condition, but these past two days I've gotten more than five hours of sleep and haven't needed a nap. Who hoo! Now if I can just keep that up.
7. That I will drink after my dog - I made the best cup of coffee and was outside listening to music and blogging when he licked the inside of my cup which was sitting on the stones by my chair. I admit (sorry Mom) I just turned the cup around and finished my coffee.
8. That if it weren't for spelling I would be useless with homework - Well, also grammar and writing, but after that? Forget it.
9. That when someone says the name, "Troy" it doesn't always mean who I picture - The meat guy at the counter at my grocery was kind enough to ignore my faux pas when I cut into his conversation with another worker. Turns out there is a wrestler who goes by the name of Troy. Yeah. What kind of sport is that?
10. That I don't learn much in a week - Either that or I can't remember it. Which makes me wonder if I learned it in the first place.

Out of the mouths of my babes

Darcy plays co-ed flag football for her school.  At the beginning of the year after her first game she told me that she felt she could catch the ball easier if she had some receiver gloves.  Apparently all the boys had them.  I asked around and found out that the fathers had paid $40 for their sons gloves.  I found that a tad expensive and asked if they had tried Target.  They looked at me in surprise because of course they had gone to a sporting goods store and paid top dollar. 

The next weekend Darcy and I were at Walmart and she went over to the sporting section and found a pair of Riddell receiver gloves for $15.  When we got to the check-out the gloves rang up $25 and so we went back to the sporting section and sure enough the pair she had were more expensive.  I thought they were better gloves than the $15 ones and so we kept them.

Me:  "Now that I've paid $25 for these gloves I expect you to catch the ball.  In fact I expect touchdowns."

Darcy:  "Well, I borrowed Julianna's gloves and it makes it easier to catch.  It doesn't hurt my hands to catch the ball."

Me:  "Yeah, well, then I expect catches.  I figure that for every catch you make I'll subtract a dollar.  That means by the end of the season if you don't want to pay me for the gloves you will need to have made 25 catches to pay off the debt."

The next game Darcy not only caught the ball, but ran it in for a touchdown.  She came over to the sideline after the game.  I had mentioned my deal with all of the fathers, one of whom wanted to know if I had purchased gardening gloves when he saw them on Darcy's hands. (I got back at him for that when she scored the touchdown.)

Me:  "Awesome job!  One dollar down.  Only 24 more catches to go."


Darcy:  "Actually, I caught the ball and scored 6 points on that touchdown so technically that should be worth $6."

(Can't slip anything past her.  And the fathers all hooted and hollered over that and are holding me to that deal.)

At the beginning of the year I began investing ways to make a little money using the college degree that sits gathering dust on the floor of my closet. I added ads to my blog and then signed up to be a writer for Yahoo. They have a contributor program for various sites that they sponsor and they offer payment based on several different criteria.  There is an assignment desk that I can opted to go into to collect certain assignments that are supposedly tailored to my background based on a survey I filled out when hired. I can also submit my own articles that may or may not be published.  I also have to take some online courses through Yahoo to better understand the process and to gain a reputation in the publishing world.

In the beginning I couldn't think of anything to write about.  I would check into the assignment desk, but nothing worked or seemed fitted to me.  For example, today's assignment is about the first snow.  I've been here over 20 years and it has only snowed once so the chances of that being an assignment up my alley is pretty nil.  I kept checking back with no luck and just kept blogging.  A few weeks ago, however, I got fired up over some football shenanigans and wrote an article for my blog.  I thought it such a well written article that I reworked it and sent it into Yahoo.  Lo and behold they published it.  I was official!  Unfortunately, because I had already published the same article myself on my blog it is payment per clicks and the article itself was only timely at that moment.  I don't expect to receive much.

But that got me thinking.  On my blog I can see which part of the country or world is reading me.  I can see how they got to my blog say by searching for a certain subject.  I get hits from all over the world, countries I have to look up on a map sometimes, for my article on putting up my Troy Polamalu fathead.  I figured why not rework that article and send it in.  If I get hits on Goggle why not Yahoo?  The article was excepted and was published.  Again, payment per clicks.  It won't be something that will happen overnight, but who knows.  The point is that I'm writing, that I'm using that degree I got, and that a little bit of money is trickling in.  Yeah for me!  Now I just need some more topics.

If interested in seeing my name in lights, here are the links:

Football article

Fathead article

Exercising away my tiredness

I need to exercise. Since school started I'm tired all of the time. At first I chalked it up to less than eight hours of sleep, something I need each day and am not getting. I took naps to make up for it, but now I realize that naps aren't cutting it either. My next attempt at problem solving is exercise. The problem lately with that has been my back. A year ago I was diagnosed with DDD or D3 as I refer to it; degenerative disc disease. My exercises that I did at my gym seemed to make things worse so I stopped going. I tried starting back again a couple of months ago, but I went about it like I was training for the Olympics, lifting weights, cycling, and rowing, and after two mornings of that I spent four days flat on my back. So I stopped going once again.

Cue the sleepiness and dizziness that I've had lately. Instead of worrying about a physical ailment I've chosen to blame it on lack of exercise. Last week I decided to start out slow in my quest for exercise. While traveling over our fairly new causeway bridge on the way to work (I teach swimming lessons) I had seen tons of walkers and joggers using the new walkway over the bridge. I decided that would be my new exercise when the weather turned cooler. Since that happened last week I drove under the bridge, parked, and hiked up the ramp to the 72 foot high bridge. At some point  I thought perhaps I should have warmed up with some stretches but figured the hike up the ramp was warm up enough.

I began the climb. It was a magnificent day with a cool breeze and the view was spectacular. Unfortunately, I was concentrating too hard on putting one foot in front of the other on the climb to appreciate the view. People twice my age passed me. Joggers passed me. Mothers with kids in strollers passed me. Everyone was very friendly exchanging good mornings and pleasantries, but after awhile of that I had to resort to nodding so that I could breathe. When I reached the top of the 72 foot high bridge I snapped a photo and began the trek downhill. I was feeling better at this point, the breeze so wonderful that I began having delusions thoughts of continuing the length of the bridge out to the beach where I would sit and ponder the meaning of life. By the time I got down the bridge, a trip that seemed to take hours, I realized it was probably another half a mile to the end and that I would eventually have to turn around and do it all again if I planned on going home that day. I decided turning around at this point was a smarter idea.

I played tourist and snapped some more photos with my phone, took in the view for awhile, and then turned around and started retracing my steps...back UP the bridge. Now the sun was directly in my face, and although I had on sunglasses, I did not have on a hat. Not a good thing to forget when climbing a mountain in Florida facing the sun. Nor was forgetting my bottle of water in the car. I did have my phone and for a moment as I made it to the top I thought of calling Kelly and asking her to leave work to come and rescue me. But my Mason determination kicked in and I made it back down the bridge, down the ramp, and to my car where I drained the water I had brought and pretended I did this all the time by nonchalantly walking out to the water as if cooling down. My legs were throbbing, my back aching, sweat pouring down my face, and my feet numb so my admiration of the water and cool down period lasted two seconds before I was back in my car and heading home.

I felt great when I got home, told my neighbors what I had done as if this was going to be a daily thing no big deal, and then promptly went inside and fell asleep across my bed for two hours. When I woke up I had shin splints and sore calve muscles that lasted four days. My back was not happy either. I decided I needed to work my way to the bridge climbing.

Yesterday I decided walking around my neighborhood would be a good beginning. Elliot was willing to join me it being in the low 70's and off we went. Since the whole bridge walk had taken only half an hour I decided to at least walk that long if not longer. We took the double street route that I use to walk several times a day when he was a puppy and I in better shape. We were back home in about 27 minutes and that was good enough for me because I would walk it again later that night. I never did that. I did, however, fall asleep on the couch for a couple of hours after the walk.

This morning I decided that I would head back to the gym and do some cycling. I dropped off Darcy and headed to the post office to mail something for her. The post office is on the beach and that gave me the idea of instead walking the beach for my morning exercise. I mailed the envelope, drove across the street, parked and followed two other walkers through the parking lot and out on to the beach. It was another glorious day with low temperatures, a breeze, and the sound of the waves crashing on shore. I began my walk.

The plan was to walk fifteen minutes down the beach and then turn back around and return to my starting point. My estimation was that would take roughly the same amount of time giving me my thirty minutes of exercise, a good beginning point for my first week. The only people on the beach were walkers and joggers and fishermen. Everyone was very pleasant. Who wouldn't be in this environment. Fall in Florida is paradise and the time we remember why we are still living here. I nodded and loudly voiced hellos and good mornings until it hit me that I hadn't marked my starting point. I was not at my usual place on the beach so I had no idea of where I was or where I had started. I looked up and took notice of the pinkish, orange building on the shore and figured if I could get back to it I could eventually find my way to my car or at least out to the road where I knew I could find my way.

I walked and walked enjoying the water and the smell of the sea. I talked to the birds that were standing nearby hoping for some leftovers from the men fishing. I stopped and picked up a shell that caught my eye. I had on a hat and I was carrying water. Life was good. Eventually though the thoughts in my head began giving me trouble. When I'm alone I tend to think of all the worries I have and unfortunately all the worries I have could fill a notebook...a college ruled one. I tried clearing my brain to enjoy the water, but a new worry and problem would pop into the brain and I was a goner. Soon I was turning around deciding that next time I needed to plug my ears with music. Or take a class in meditation.

I made it back for a total of 35 minutes of walking. I found my entrance which turned out to be the only one along my route. I stopped and stretched some, contemplating sitting in the sand for awhile, but instead opted to head home for coffee. I've decided that tomorrow I will do the cycling at the gym and on Thursday walk the beach again. This time I will bring a bathing suit and music for the walk and a chair, towel, and book to enjoy after the walk.

So far I have not taken a nap and don't plan on allowing it. I'm two days into my exercise regime. It seems like a week. I have a feeling I might just have to start searching the Internet for an ailment as maybe exercise isn't my problem.

Monday sports recap - Week #7

Steelers:

• Big Ben's meeting - It was reported that Ben met with the offense this week to give a pep talk and beat some sense into these guys.  It worked.  It is what is needed on this team.  We have got to have a leader who motivates and fires up these guys.  Last night wasn't pretty, but it was a start.
• Dropped Passes - I hope these guys look at the game film this morning and wince.  I don't have the number of dropped passes, but most of them were right where they were suppose to be.  That is crazy.  Makes me wonder about "stick-em" eh?
• Ike Taylor - He was all over A.J. Green last night allowing him only one catch of the night, unfortunately that one in the end zone.  I have to say that Taylor has been the most improved along with Ryan Clark since the start of the season.   
• Two point conversion - People are saying it was an odd choice that early in the game.  Huh?  Tie up a ball game that you were sorely getting your ass whupped in?  Got to give these guys some motivation people.  That probably did more for the team going into the locker room at halftime than anything.
• Johnathan Dwyer - He stepped up with our two running backs watching on the sidelines.  A huge game for Dwyer with 122 yards on 17 carries.  Somebody better watch his back. 
• Long way to go - Next week is RGIII - hey, I'll get to see him play a full game - so the boys had better not get too comfy.  Still need our defense.  Still need some sacks per game, something that was missing last night.  Still need our running game.  Still need Ben to make big plays and be a leader.  This is just one game.  Enjoy it for tonight and get ready for more. 

Other: 

• Investigation on Saints - I thought Howie Long's assessment of Paul Tagliabue taking over for Roger Goodell as a lateral move was a good one. "...I find it hard to believe that a former commissioner is going to cut the legs out from under a sitting commissioner." Long said. He seemed to suggest taking it to the court system so that we could all hear the evidence and conclude this whole thing. Interesting, but if these guys really did have a bounty they might find the punishment by law is far greater than sitting out for several games.Investigation on San Diego Chargers - In the game against the Denver Broncos an equipment manager came out on to the field with a towel full of an illegal sticky substance. An official on the field asked to see inside the towel, the equipment guy said no, a group formed on the field, and eventually the manager emptied his pockets and the substance was discovered. Now an investigation is underway and the Chargers are in big trouble with a possibility of loosing draft picks.  Makes me laugh at all those people who said to put a fork in Peyton Manning. Yeah, well now teams are having to resort to cheating even when up by 24 points to try to win against Peyton.
• Fox NFL pre-game - If you missed Terry Bradshaw's assessment of Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers where he compared him to his rooster Big Ernie who went through a molting and lost his champion beauty, you missed a hilarious segment. Just another example of why I watch Fox every Sunday. 
•  Tampa throwback game - I'm not sure why the NFL does these games because it seems like a waste of money to me. It isn't like the guys are really wearing throwback jerseys of old players. But to make the Buccaneers wear those "creamsicle", orange uniforms with weird , winky Bruce helmets was just cruel. When my friend Kim and I first moved here we had the hardest time taking the Bucs seriously each week in those outfits. And they never won in those things...and they didn't yesterday. 
• Tampa Game - ...although they gave it a good try. Buccaneers Ronde Barber started things off right with his 46th career interception that the Bucs turned into a score. Quarterback Josh Freeman had a career high passing of 420 yards with 3 TDs, but when he needed to stand up straight and tall he slumped and you can't do that against Drew Brees. Plus you can't give him 2:30 on the clock at the end of the half when the Bucs themselves didn't convert.
• Rick Pereira - Enjoy having an expert official onboard to answer questions about certain calls in games that leave fans pissed and/or wondering. Fox had Pereira on at the end of the Bucs game to explain why Tampa Bay's touchdown to Mike Williams with no time on the clock was overruled. Williams was pushed out of bounds legally while Bucs quarterback Freeman was out of the pocket, therefore no touchdown despite Williams coming back in bounds and re-establishing himself.
• Helmet to helmet - For the last three weeks I have watched offensive player after offensive player duck his head as a defender is coming toward him. The problem with this is that the defender is coming in with his head down AS HE HAS BEEN TOLD TO DO in the NFL video that circulated last year so that in most circumstances the defender would tackle the offense in the shoulder area or below.  There has been criticism from the defense that the rules aren't even and I tend to agree. There are always ways of working around the system and right now the offense has found it and is profiting...as is the NFL. Time to start fining the offense Mr. Goodell. 
• RGIII - I wish I could just watch one full game to see this guy play instead of just highlight reels. But darn that Eli Manning and Victor Cruz and his end zone dance and darn Skins Santana Moss for his fumble or I might have won my wildcard game.
• Ravens post-game - A little odd as if they all got hit one to many times yesterday.  Without Ray Lewis as leader the team floundered, despite his letter of motivation read by coach John Harbaugh. They got killed by the Texans and this is not a team that will sit quietly by and be okay with that.  I'm just glad the Steelers don't have to play them next week.
• Game 7 baseball - Oops, the St. Louis Cardinals seemed to forget they are the reigning champs letting the hometown Giants run away with game 6.  Should be a doozy tonight.
• Missy Franklin - The Olympic phenom chooses California for her college and swimming career, a team that has won the past two national championships.  Anyone surprised by this?  

Sunday NFL picks & more - Week 7

Last Week - 5 - 9

Overall - 52 - 40

• Buffalo over Tennessee - This might be an interesting game as both teams are evenly matched despite their records. While Matt Hasselback has shown considerable poise and determination at quarterback I'm not sure that he can beat Buffalo on the road. 
• Indianapolis over Cleveland - This is the game I had a hard time with.  Will Andrew Luck step up and avenge his loss from last week?  Will the Browns ride their win from last week while on the road?  I think the Browns will finally put it together, not sure what is happening with them as I haven't really seen them play, but I went with the Colts because they are at home.
• Green Bay over St. Louis - Here come the Packers!  After a mediocre start, the team from Green Bay is getting it together behind their quarterback.  Don't expect them to have any trouble this week.
• Minnesota over Arizona - The Vikings are the surprise team of the year working their way slowly and efficiently through and over their opponents.  Arizona with much expectation started out with a bang, but now barely whimpers where the offense is concerned.  A change at quarterback may spark them, but not in enough time for a win this week.
• Washington over Giants - This is my wildcard win.  No reason for it.  A feeling.
• New Orleans over Tampa Bay - Don't expect the Buccaneers to play like they played last week with the Saints coming off of a bye.  While I don't think the Saints have solved any of their issues I don't think the Bucs have either.  Playing at home, as I've said before, ain't exactly an advantage for Tampa.  This game will put a W in the Saints category.
• Dallas over Carolina - Tony Roma will pull through this week.  I mean the Cowboys are playing the 1-4 Panthers.  This is a gimme game before the have to play the Giants and the Falcons.  Roma and the Cowboys need a win just to get them on a high for the next two weeks.  He'll get it this week.
• Baltimore over Houston - I think the Ravens can do it.  They've lost their leader with Ray Lewis' injury.  He'll be telling them to win it for him.  They will.
• Oakland over Jacksonville - I think Oakland has a team.  I think Oakland wins.
• New England over Jets - Bad blood between these two teams.  The Jets were fired up last week, but the Patriots are coming off of a loss.  Statistics show that Tom Brady doesn't lose many two in a row games.  Patriots will show the Jets that their game last week was a fluke.
• Pittsburgh over Cinncinati - The Steelers need a win or we will just have to put a fork in them and call the team done.  Harsh, yes.  True, yes.  We need some Ray Lewis leadership and I'm thinking LaMarr Woodley will be the one who will step up and fire this team.  Not sure the players have the respect for Ben or that Ben has the mojo to stand up and scream any more.  He sort of stands around like no one will listen to him, preferring to speak on the field.  But the team needs a leader.  Let's see if someone pulls them through.
• Chicago over Detroit - This could be a real good Monday night game.  I'm going with Cutler because the Lions have been too wishy washy lately.  Period.
• Ray Lewis - Despite my harsh feelings on Lewis, I do think that he is a leader in the locker room, the field, and, after his murder trial acquittal, in the community.  I would say that he answered the wake-up call after his arrest and reinvented himself for the better.  He is the spark that ignites the Baltimore Ravens team each week.  He yells.  He cheers.  He coaches.  He'll do this on the sidelines now with what could be a career ending injury.  I'm sorry for that.  I think each team needs a motivating man like Ray Lewis.  I think that is more than half of the Steelers problem right now.  I hope that the Ravens really didn't make him play injured.  I hope he can come to terms with life after football.  
• Roger Goodell stepping aside - Regarding the Saints bounty appeals, NFL Commissioner Goodell is sitting these out and turning over the job to former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliebue.  A smart move.  Not a move I see Goodell doing on his own, but smart by whomever made the call.  My problem with all of it is that this is still dragging on.  This is the reason why the NFL allows all these misfits, criminals, etc. because we have appeal systems and mediation processes despite a ruling.  Darn the law.
• Tebowing - Tim Tebow's marketing arm has filed to trademark Tim's touchdown celebration of going down on one knee and praying.  Tebow says it is to control how it is used, which makes sense in selling of a T'shirt kind of way, but seriously?  Tebow isn't the only athlete to fall to one knee on the football field.  He isn't the only person to fall to knee to pray.  But now we will all have to make sure that we do this in the dark of our own home and not where a trademarking official can fine us?  Cue my eye rolling.  Ah, the crazy NFL again.

Things I learned this week

• The new IOS update is crap on my IPad. - Tom always tells me to wait a couple of weeks after new updates arrive so that the kinks can be worked out.  Usually I never hook my electronics up to my computer unless there is some problem.  This time I hooked it up because I had deleted some ads and they were still insisting on updating every week.  Also, Tom had updated his phone so I thought I was in the clear.  No such happiness.  Now I can't update apps or connect to my ITunes account. I get on the Internet and it kicks me off. I'm certainly glad I haven't updated my IPhone.
• I can only make it two days with only 4 hours of sleep - After that I become a crazed woman who can barely stumble through her house.  I decided last week that I would not complain about being tired.  I made it until Thursday which was the longest I had ever gone (as my mother will tell you), but I was one miserable little puppy with dark circles under her eyes and a very dizzy, befuddled head.
• It is LaMarr Woodley - not Lamar...oops I knew that.
• Santa has quite smoking - A woman has spent over $200,000 and two years of her life trying to get Santa Claus to give up his pipe and smoke halo. She should have asked our government to intervene.
• Old age sucks - The older you get the harder it is to lose weight, avoid ailments, and feel decent.  At least it is for me.  And I'm blaming age.
• Must do better on resolutions - I need to make more realistic new year's resolutions.  I either forget all about what I'm improving on or it becomes such a hard thing to accomplish that I just give up.  Mostly I forget about it.
• The running for elections makes people insane - Five years ago I got emails on what a crappy job George Bush has done for this country.  I got them daily and the inaccuracy and stupidity of these emails made me nuts.  Now I'm getting them telling me what a crappy job Obama has done for this country.  Hey, email senders, notice how no one is making you happy and doing what you think should be done?  It is because both parties have lost sight of what this country was built on and for.  The problem is that everyone is out for his own agenda and not what is best for all of us.  And I have to say that the haters of the current administration are downright ugly in some of the things that are sent over facebook.  Sad.  Shouldn't we be working together?
•  A day off is needed - My kids have today off.  We are headed to the beach.  Glory, glory.  I feel great leaving behind the laundry, dirty house, dirty dog, homework, etc.  I'm hoping to feel even more rejuvenated when I return to all of that later in the day.

Fall...er...Florida fall

I am not much of a decorator when it comes to my house.  I know what I like, but I hate the shopping part and the putting it all together part.  I'm not creative enough.  I prefer someone to come and just do it for me while I spend the money.  Several years ago my friend did that for me with my living room and bedroom.  It could use a new make-over, but I have more important things to redo than those so I chug along with the way it looks now.  When it comes to holiday decorating I rely on my sis-in-law.  Since she lives in Indiana and can't just fly down to do it for me I do the next best thing; I steal what she has done to her own home.

This year she posted on her blog some ideas and then pictures of what she did to her front porch.  While I loved it I knew it would be difficult to copy.  First, I didn't have the planters that were used on either side of her front door.  Secondly, we do not have great crafty stores in our area other than Michaels so finding big planters and different colored pumpkins wouldn't be easy.  Third problem; I also have my home decorated for football season so I like to incorporate that into the decorating process.  Lastly, I live in Florida.  Our weather is still in the 90's so we don't buy and carve real pumpkins until three days before Halloween because they will mold and stink.  What to do?  What to do?

Darcy and I set off on Saturday to check out stores.  I explained what the sis-in-law had done and how the Steelers black and gold had to be incorporated as well.  Daughter rolled her eyes, but gamely joined in.  We tried Big Lots and Dollar General, two places I thought might offer up something different.  I was wrong.  The Halloween selection was stark compared to the Christmas selection and any planters there were too small.  I did find two little scarecrows to take the place of the big ones I tossed out last year.  That gave me an idea.  I've had two porcelain tiled planters for several years that use to house palm trees out by my pool.  The trees died (just another reason why I don't belong in the decorating business) and the planters have pretty much been empty since.  I decided I would plant mums, a favorite decoration of my sis-in-law, in the planters and poke in the scarecrows. One problem solved.

Next we went to Walmart, but other than the mums I didn't find anything there either except aisles and aisles of Christmas decorations like the other stores.  We left there and finally hit Michaels.  Should have probably started off there and will remember to do so next year.  They had various sizes of craft pumpkins but only in orange and white.  I was hoping for at least some black pumpkins and then some that I could paint yellow to match my Steelers flags.  The white pumpkins were half off, but they didn't really look like they would hold being painted despite the "craft" name.  I was getting discouraged until we found these:

We bought ten of these babies and Darcy used them around our brick area in the front of the house, putting little pumpkins in between each pair.  We thought it made a nice addition to the whole theme.

Next I took my lone big scarecrow and prettied him up some so that he would fit into the whole theme as well.  He was quite corporative and happy to have some new additions to his wardrobe.

I hung my wreath on the front door, scattered some pumpkins around and called it a day.  Darcy found our flying, hit-the-wall, witch in our tub of decorations and added her to the house to the right.  Each week I'm going to put the opposing team's logo on her back and label it, ".... Fan".  For example this week it will say, "Bengals Fan" on her back.

I think the whole thing turned out well with Darcy's help.  The neighbor was so inspired she got up early the next day and decorated her house.  I spent the next day placing a few things inside my house which I suppose I could blog about or at least show a few photos of my less than stellar decorating techniques.

Thanks to my sis-in-law once again for posting her porch decorating pictures for me to uh...um...borrow.

Monday sports recap - Week #6

Steelers:

• Ben surpasses Terry - Ben Roethlisberger needed 287 yards to pass Steelers great Terry Bradshaw as the all time leading passer. He did that and more passing for 363 yards, his 17 yard pass to seal the record coming in the third quarter to tight end Heath Miller. That being said no one cared because the Steelers lost the game.
• NFL Network - I enjoyed Cee Lo Green's "Hey! Ho!" opening that had us all on our feet singing. I also enjoyed the laid back style of Brad Nessler and Mike Maylock who called the game. Both had a great sense of humor leaving me chuckling at times. It felt like I was hanging out with two old friends in my living room making comments about the things I was seeing in the game.
• Injuries - The Steelers just kept dropping like flies with injuries. We lost center Maurkice Pouncey again. He has been hurt every year since we drafted him out of Florida three years ago. Next came tackle Marcus Gilbert, then running backs Isaac Redman and Rashard Mendenhall, followed by Will Allen and Ryan Clark who shook off his injury and returned to the game. Add those to LaMarr Woodley and Troy Polamalu who watched this game on the sideline and the team is quickly running out of players.
• Shaun Suisham - He missed the 54 yard field goal for the lead after kicking a 52 harder earlier in the game. I don't blame him and neither did Ben remarking at the post game conference, "We just shouldn't have put him in a situation to kick such a long one."

Others:

• Football Commercials - I have to say that I'm enjoying the various NFL players in commercials this season. Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers is the new Peyton Mannning of the commercial world scoring State Farm and then going head to head with Manning selling Pizza Hut pizzas to Manning's Papa John's pizza. But the best ones are nfrlevolution.com and nflshop.com. Tom Brady wanting to meet "the little guy" who turns out to be Ravens Ray Lewis. Hilarious.
• Oakland Raiders - They are the team that others seem to discount, myself included, and then they just keep on pushing and shoving until the opposition is off guard and thinking, "Holy Shit, this team is seriously kicking our butts." The Falcons, unlike the Steelers, rallied, and Matt Bryant's 55 yard field goal kept the Falcons undefeated.
• Bengals secure info - During the Cinncinnati/Cleveland game the home team Browns didn't get much home field advantage in the first half when the wind blew their papers across the field and into the hands of Bengals coach Marvin Lewis who didn't hide the fact that he was reading what was on the papers. Turned out maybe it was a decoy from the the Browns since the Bengals came out in the second half and let the Browns take them to the cleaners.
• Giants - So much for the revenge game. Eli Manning and the Giants didn't have any trouble with the 49ers romping them soundly 23-3.
• Howie Long - Just have to say that man knows how to dress. I loved his purple tie and pocket kerchief on Fox's Pregame show. Also liked that last week he made a comment about Ben going to break Terry's passing record, something that wasn't discussed this week at all.
• RGIII - He played despite "concussion like symptoms" eluding defenders and running 76 yards for a touchdown.
• Underdogs - Who knew this would a week of underdogs? Obviously not I. Tennessee won. Cleveland won. Seattle won.  Buffalo won.  Had the Chiefs won I would have quit making picks.
• Ray Lewis - Possible season ending torn tricep? Say it so ain't so. Nah, I'm kidding. Not.
• Baseball playoffs - Exciting first round.  Yankees down 2-0 in the second rounds.  Cardinals in it.  Looking good.

Football picks- Week #6 & more

Last Week - 9 - 5
Overall - 46 - 31

I'm already down one since the Steelers lost on Thursday, a game which I will discuss in my recaps tomorrow.  Sigh.

Atlanta over Oakland - I just don't see the Falcons letting the Raiders beat them at home.  At some point I think Atlanta, and Houston, will get knocked off, but I don't think today is that day.

Cincinnati over Cleveland - This is the gimme game for me this week that could go either way.  My gut picked Cleveland first, but then my brain reminded me of all the wins they keep letting get away.  Cincinnati lost last week.  My brain took over my gut and I went with the Bengals.  Plus, I'd hate to play them next week coming off a loss despite how much it would help the Steelers if the Browns won.

St. Louis over Miami - I seem like I'm down on the Dolphins and I certainly don't have any thoughts or feeling about the team one way or the other.  I just happen to think the Rams will win this week over the Dolphins.  St. Louis is on a streak as the quiet team and just like on Survivor you have to watch those types of players.

Indianapolis over New York - I don't think this game will be easy.  It is a road game for the Colts going into a stadium of losers desperate for a win.  Rex Ryan is crazed, pissed, and chomping at the bit for a win.  It will be interesting to see how Andrew Luck stands up to the pressure.  This could be a game where the Jets just blow them out, but I'm going with the Colts still riding the emotion high.

Philadelphia over Detroit - A no brainer.

Tampa Bay over Kansas City - This is another one that could go either way, despite the Chiefs woes.  Tampa Bay is so up and down and all over the field in both offense and defensive that one never knows what is going through the players' heads.  Home field advantage doesn't matter much here as the Buccaneers can't sell out the stadium and the fans can't watch at home due to blackouts.  The Chiefs are still looking for another win, but the Bucs had a bye week and want to shut up the local sportswriters so I'm taking them this week.

Baltimore over Dallas - Tony Romo is in trouble most weeks.  He won't be out of it this week against the Ravens defense and Ray Lewis.  The Ravens are Super Bowl bound with their coach wanting to play his brother.  You think the Manning brothers have rivalry?  You haven't seen anything until the Harbaugh brothers go against one another for the biggest prize in football.  I saw them cheering for Indiana University at a basketball game where IU's coach Tom Crean is their brother-in-law.  They are a competitive family no doubt.  They will run away with this game.

Arizona over Buffalo - Arizona won't be happy with their loss last week so I expect them to come out gunning.

New England over Seattle - Yes, yes, the Seahawks behind their jumpy, excited coach have pulled out some games legally, but Tom Brady isn't about to loose to a team of this caliber.  The Patriots run away with this one and Pete Carroll goes quietly into the locker room.

San Francisco over the New York Giants -This is a game I hope I get to see as I think it will be a doozy.  Eli has his work cut out for him today as the Giants won't have an easy time against the 49ers.  The 49ers want revenge from last year when the Giants beat them in the playoffs, and I said it with the Ravens game, but the Harbaugh brothers are on a mission and losing isn't in the game book.  The Giants defense isn't solid ranked at 22nd and like the Steelers they are banged up.  Eli will try his best, but the 49ers will win.

Washington over Minnesota - Well, I make these picks on Wednesday so that my bookie can get them in before Thursday's game so I made this emotional pick without really knowing the status of RGIII.  Now that he is "questionable" I'm thinking the Vikings might just run away with the game.  Oops, too late to change that now.

Houston over Green Bay - Sorry, Nancy, but I'm going with the Texans this week again.  While I think the Packers have it in them to come out and play a good game against the undefeated I just don't think they will pull out the win.  At some point the undefeated teams will fall, but the Texans are at home, Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings is out with an injury, and their running game is as bad as the Steelers has been.   Despite the Packers emotional game and loss last week I don't think it will be enough to beat Houston.

Denver over San Diego - This is another one of those games like last week where the Chargers played the Saints.  Two gunning quarterbacks.  Two teams coming off losses.  I'm just going with the more veteran of the two quarterbacks.  Plus, I want Peyton to succeed.

Lance Armstrong - Allegedly ran an elaborate doping scheme that involved a motorcycle agent, blood transfusions, and secret hideaways.  It sounds like something from a movie, and while horrifying, it is impressive as well.  Obviously this US team wanted to win.  The fact that they ran this scheme for years AND won 7 tours is even more impressive to me.  

 

Listen.  Pro sports are raking in so much money and power that these athletes are forced to compete in any way they can.  Personally, I think the organizations and owners have to look at themselves.  They keep upping the sport adding extra games in football and baseball and another mountain climb in cycling.  The more money they can generate and the hell with the athletes, their bodies and lives is very scary.  It doesn't shock me at all to know that athletes have to build up their bodies with substances to even compete at the levels expected.  

 

The agencies take urine and blood samples as a way of testing.  Failing those means you cheat.  Armstrong never failed either.  Period.  That should have been the end of it, but it wasn't.  The USADA and the feds kept on trying to prove he cheated.  Why?  We want winners, but we don't want to believe they are winners.  We the taxpayers paid for the years of effort and investigating that went on.  Meanwhile who was keeping track of the current riders?  More money had to be spent to hire other investigators for the current tour.  I think the whole thing is nuts.  Armstrong's wins were years ago.  He passed the tests that were set in place.  Did he get around that?  Maybe.  But that is on the USADA and they need to be taking a look at their system.  Change the sport.  Armstrong used stuff that wasn't illegal back in the day, same as baseball players and football players.  Now that is illegal.  Why isn't someone worrying about the fact that these athletes feel the need for the use of performance enhancing drugs?  Come on!  It is a cry for help and instead we just keep pressing and pressuring them for more, more, more.

We have a lot of terrible things that happen in sports.  We have rapists, men who beat their wives, killers, and bounty players.  Those are players that are hurting others by their actions.  The sad thing?  They are still playing their sport!  That to me is who the US needs to be taking action against.  You have to have rules.  Put them in place and abide by those regulations.  If you don't, you are gone.  Instead we skirt around and around until these athletes are back paying out money, serving suspensions, and smiling on public service commercials. 

Armstrong passed the tests put into place.  He is being taken down now by hearsay.  Instead of fixing what is wrong in the organization the USADA is causing headaches for other sports.  Jealous of that Super Bowl MVP?  Hate that so and so beat you at bats?  Gonna get that guy that dunked over you?  All you have to do is talk trash and offer up some allegations.  Don't worry about yourself because you will be offered great immunity and everyone will think you a hero for coming forward and outing out cheaters.  What is this?  High school?

The whole thing is awful.  Armstrong was someone to look up to.  A man who beat cancer and went out and won 7 tours.  Shame on him for having to do that by doping.  But look how much money he brought into the sport.  Look at how much recognition he brought into a sport not even known to many outside the world of cycling?  The tour is now on its own TV channel for heaven's sake thanks to Armstrong.  Did the USADA, the media, the officials go after him with a vengeance as long as he was helping the sport?  Well, no, not really beyond some accusations and testing.  Shame on all of them for that.  Shame on all the organizations and owners and media and fans and athletes for letting it get to this.  Shame on all of us.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. - He had to pull out of the run for the Chase Cup because of two concussions in six weeks; the first one not even seen to by a doctor for fear of not being able to race.  Just another example of a faulty organization.  With concussions being a huge topic in football right now wouldn't NASCAR being paying attention?  There is nothing in the rules about a driver seeing a doctor after a crash?  Irresponsible in my opinion and just another point in my above post.  A man has a concussion after a crash so bad that drivers were tweeting concern and no one insists he seek medical attention beyond the ambulance responders at the scene?  Well, no, let him get back on the road.  The hell with the other drivers.  Glad Earnhardt Jr. realized his errors on his own and sought medical attention.  He was pulled from racing due to the extent of his head injuries despite him being one of twelve drivers in the hunt for the cup.  He did the right thing.  For everyone.

Jeff Gordon - He made stupid, and I repeat stupid, comments about how he wouldn't have sought medical attention like Earnhardt Jr. while racing for the cup.  Winning is too important he said.  While he did acknowledge that that mentality was probably what was wrong with racing today, he continued to talk about his competitiveness and how he would have kept on racing no question.  Hey, USADA here is a man who admits to getting behind the wheel of a car after having his brain knocked around by a wall.  I bet he drives his little kids to school too.  Should that be a concern to someone?  Or are you only concerned with athlete who hurt only themselves?  (Yes, I know they are a doping agency, but I'm making a point here) NASCAR is now looking at changing their policies in the wake of Earnhardt Jr. come to mama realization.  Someone ought to let Jeff Gordon know so that he can shut his mouth.

Derek Jeter - Ouch.  Another athlete going down while not getting hit or touched by another.  Jeter went down last night during the Yankees lost to the Tigers while trying to field a hit to center field.  He apparently turned his ankle fracturing it as he went down to the ground.  Hey USADA here is a man who has played hurt all year.  Why?  Because the money was too good? The team needed him? The sport demanded it of him?  Sad to see a legend go out this way.  "Do not carry me," he told manager Joe Girardi after they got him to his feet.  Show no weakness.  

 

Because that is what America expects of athletes.

Out of the mouths of my babes

Darcy and I spent today shopping for fall, football, Halloween decorations for the front yard.  When we returned home I made her help me clean the front porch and decorate; spend some quality time with her mother.  The first thing we did was sweep away the millions of leaves that fall from our oak tree on to our brick porch and sidewalk.  I took the porch and Darcy the sidewalk while Elliot ran from one to the other of us trying to eat our broom and our pile of leaves.  Eventually we ended up with a small pile of leaves out on the sidewalk.

Me:  "Go get the dustpan and we can dump those into this bag."

Darcy instead began sweeping the leaves into the yard.

Me:  "Darcy!  What?  GO GET THE DUSTPAN.  Why would you do that?  We just swept them all up.  You'll just have to do that again when it comes time to rake them in the yard.  Jeez.  Get the dustpan."

I went back to the porch and began working on the windows.  When I turned around Darcy was scooping up the leaves in this:

Me:  "What are you doing?"

Darcy:  "You said get the dustpan and use that for the leaves."

Me:  "Uh, Darcy.  That is not a dustpan."

Darcy:  "It isn't?"

Me:  "That is a shovel."

Darcy:  "Well, it looks just like a dustpan and it works the same so who cares."

More memories

I've written before about my love of my home in Indiana.  After my mother sold the house I dreamed about it nightly.  I can remember every inch of that house even though I can't remember what I ate for breakfast today.  I'm not sure why it calls to me the way it does, but as time passes the dreams aren't as frequent and I don't dwell on my idealistic childhood as much as I used to.  Except when something conjurers up the memories.  (Jeez, just like yesterday's post)

Yesterday when I got on the Internet to begin my blogging I ran through Yahoo's lead stories like I do every day.  I love keeping abreast of what is big in the news and what celebrities are doing what to whom.  There is always some interesting tidbit, fact or outrageous-ness that catches my eye and I'm off and reading the article, a lot of times forgetting why I sat down at the computer in the first place.  Yesterday's eye catching article was this one about a hiker who found an old rusted canister with a note inside written in 1972.  The author of the note was a 13 year old boy who had climbed a peak in the California Sequoia National Park and felt the need to document his accomplishment.  He wrote the equivalent of "a note in a bottle" asking the finder of the canister to drop him a letter at his address which he provided in the note.

Reading the article with a smile, I recalled the times that I had done the same.  I loved the idea that somewhere in the future someone, I usually pictured a kid, would find my note or a box of paraphernalia and read about my life.  I liked that I was leaving a part of me around to be found.

The first note that I hid was in my bedroom at the house above.  I had a closet that ran almost the entire length of my wall.  On either end the closet sunk back further from the opening of the doors so that you pretty much had to enter the closet to touch the side walls.  One time while in my closet, probably hiding from my brother's wrath, I noticed a small hole around the framework of the closet door.  It was big enough to stick my finger in about halfway and that gave me an idea.  I wrote, "My name is Cara and this room was my bedroom.  I hope that whoever finds this note loves this room as much as I did."  Then I folded the paper and jammed it into the hole.  I never messed with the note, but I loved knowing that it was there.  My only concern was that someone would find it while hiding in my closet as it was a great place to hide.

Eventually I moved away and my mother redid the room.  At some point the framing around the outside of the closet was replaced due to an ant problem.  I wondered then about my note, but my mother said nothing like that had turned up.  I couldn't find it, but decided that somehow it got inside the new framework to be discovered years later.  After the house was sold I wondered if in all the remodeling that was done by the new owners if anyone had found my note and if he were as excited about the discovery as I would have been.

The second note I hid was in the lifeguarding room of the country club where I worked for several years.  That room was a huge part of my life for many years.  In the room was a full length mirror attached to one of the concrete walls.  During a weather lull while some of the guards and swim team kids were hanging out in the room, I got the idea to write a note and put it behind the mirror.  We wrote something like, "The gang was all here" and we put the date and then each of us signed the note.  It was written on the back of one of the charge tickets that we filled out when members brought guests to the pool.  We had quite a time sticking the note behind the mirror as the area was quite tight and we had trouble getting the end of the ticket through.  Eventually one of the guards used a thin piece of wire to push the ticket through and we heard it drop to the bottom of the mirror.  I wonder sometimes if anyone ever discovered it when the room and pool were torn down years later.

The third thing that I hid was probably the best.  Each summer when I head back to Indiana I think about trying to find it and dig it up just for nostalgia.  I don't know how old I was, but my friend Michelle and I decided to bury a box of some of our possessions.  I think we were playing that we were explorers on the hill behind her house that had a small covering of trees we called a woods between her property and the people behind her.  We were digging around and we found something minute like a glove or a lighter or something (I have no memory now of what it was that we found) and we thought that was cool and wondered how it got there buried in the dirt.  That gave us the idea to do something just like it.

I have no memory of what we put inside the box, but I do think they were little trinkets that were important to us.  We wrote a note with our names, the date, and why these things were important.  It was sort of done like a time capsule with the note explaining what was happening in our lives on this date.  At least I think that's what it said.  Michelle and I dug a hole and buried the box on that hill in the woods behind her house.  I remember being very secretive about it and keeping an eye out for the people who lived on the hill behind her house as if they were going to come out later that night and dig up our box.  Later on we would occasionally check back to see if the dirt had been touched and then eventually it was forgotten.  I have absolutely no idea of the location of the spot, but I always wonder if anyone has ever discovered it or if anyone ever will.  Mostly now I think how cool it would be to dig it up myself and see what was important to us back then.  The two of us had quite the imagination.

The article on Yahoo yesterday said that the finder of the note was doing what he could to track down the author of the note who would now be 53 years old and hasn't lived at the address provided in years.  I certainly hope that Yahoo keeps track of the story because I want to know how it comes out.  It would finally be nice to have an ending to one of these discoveries at least.

How I learned the game I love so much

On Sunday morning, like I do each morning, I unplugged my security blanket cell phone to put into my pocket.  When I unplug my cell phone it turns on the screen allowing me to see all the important messages, game alerts, missed calls, and tweets that I missed while sleeping.  Sunday's screen showed me tweets from my sis-in-law that she had posted the night before while watching football.  Huh?  Who would have ever thought I would type that sentence.  But apparently from what I gathered from her tweets, she was watching Notre Dame football and learning about the game from my brother.

• @Goreheadswife:  "Watching ND put the beat down on Miami along side hubby as he tries to teach me the game. I love his patience."  

 Had I seen this tweet the night before I would have replied with

• @cmkerwin:  "He taught me the game as well...a long time ago.  I don't remember patience being one of his virtues then, but @rustoleum68 is the man."

My brother and I grew up in a household of sports players and watchers.  If you weren't an athlete, you had to be an athletic supporter (quick, name that movie!) as we watched all sports that graced our television.  Sundays were football at noon and golf in the late afternoon.  Back in the day the Colts played in Baltimore and Indiana was known for basketball.  We got the Steelers game on the tube along with obscure teams like the Dolphins and the Cowboys.  I picked the Steelers as my team while still in elementary school because I could watch them every Sunday, and every Sunday I sat in our living room cheering on the black and gold.

Fast forward years later.   We were on a rode trip in the station wagon to Pennsylvania and my brother was playing football on his Mattel handheld electronic device.  It made beep sounds and maybe even talked a bit and it drew my attention away from my book.  I agreed to play my brother and in the process of punching buttons and acting like I knew what I was doing I got a first down and realized that I could keep playing.  I did the car equivalent of jumping up and down in my seat because I got to continue keeping my brother from the his turn.

Rusty:  "You're suppose to get a first down.  If you get a first down, you keep playing just like in real football stupid."  (I don't really remember the conversation verbatim, but he was always calling me names so I'm sure somewhere in here was name calling)

Me:  "I don't even really know what that means, except you can't go."

Rusty:  "What do you mean you don't know what it means?  You watch football every week.  Don't you know what you are watching?"

Turns out I didn't.  But I was good a faking it, obviously.  My brother was appalled and so he set about teaching me the game of football on the handheld electronic gadget.  He explained to me the goal of downs; try to get down the field ten yards at a time to keep the ball.  I learned that each team got four downs and that if you didn't make your yardage on the fourth down then the other team got the ball in that position on the line.  Ah, no wonder the teams punted.  My brother groaned, shook his head, and kept on teaching.  Had he had a phone back then he would have texted everyone he knew alerting them to the fact that his sister was a football faker.

I learned positions of players.  I learned about the line of scrimmage.  Suddenly why Terry Bradshaw was calling a passing play over a running play made sense.  What a fascinating game!  By the time we got to Pennsylvania I was not only full of knowledge on the game of football, but I was kicking his butt on the handheld game.  The game of football was now so exciting to watch and I was a part of things instead of playing the part.  I owe my love of the game to my brother, and I had forgotten all of that until I read my sis-in-law's tweet.

Of course, football was obviously in my blood before all of that since I chose a winning team to follow and back.  Alas, my San Diego Chargers fan brother could have learned a thing or two from me, but as usual he didn't take my advice.  Hmpf.  Or...secretly did he?

Monday football recaps - Week #5

Steelers:  I see that it is going to be a long and stressful year for us.  Holy Steelers Nation.  I had to watch the game on my computer as I didn't hear from my Steelers buddy who has the football package on his digital cable so didn't get to see things as clearly without the HD and big screen.

• Returnees - The three injured were back; Troy Polamalu, James Harrison and Rashard Mendenhall.  It was so nice to see them on the field....for awhile.

• Troy Polamalu - He was there and then he wasn't.  Returning from a calf injury that has kept him out of the game for three weeks, Troy started off making plays as if he had never been gone.  And then he was limping off the field never to return.  Sigh.  So much for Howie Long's, "Troy is the key."

• Mendenhall - Thank goodness #34 returned and with a fervor. He had 218 yds. by rushing and receiving and it was nice to see us move the ball on the ground as well as in the air.  Now if he can just stay healthy and keep on running.

• Lawrence Timmons - He was a monster on defense in the first half breaking up plays and causing fumbles.  It was crazy how good he came out playing.  I just wish he could get the rest of the defense to get that pepped up.  And now that we've lost Polamalu and Lamar Woodley for god knows how long we need Timmons and the defense to play like that every week.

• Run, Ben, Run - I don't know if Michael Vick in the house caused him to run as much as he did, but he did it when we needed it and he did it well for a change.  As usual he led the team in the final minutes down the field to set up our winning field goal.  Big Ben is good in clutch when he isn't throwing interceptions. And no sacks this week!

• Shaun Suisham - Even winning the game by kicking a 34 yard field goal isn't enough for people to know your name.  Terry Bradshaw called him Squeeze-em when he recapped the game.  The boys will straighten him out, however, and as long as Suisham keeps putting it through the uprights people will eventually learn it correctly.

Other:

• Fox pre-game show - I love these guys.  Our local sports guy doesn't care for their banter, but I think that is part of why I watch them.  They are passionate about the game and their opinions, just like most of us, and when heated discussions occur there is always talking over one another.  I find it humorous.

•  Terry Bradshaw - One of my fav Steelers yes, but he knows the game and reports it as well as any sportscaster.  I love when they ask him about quarterbacks to fire him up, but his little "talk" to Bears QB Jay Cutler was spot on, "Grow up young man!"

• PA teams - I loved Fox's little piece on Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.  Best thing of all was Chris Pizzi wearing all the great T'shirts from the Burgh like "Fear the Beard" and the shadow pic of Troy Polamalu.

• Indiana's comeback - I got to see the last part of this game, but I kept track of it as it went.  At halftime I thought my call of "win one for the Gipper" was not going to happen, but Andrew Luck and team stepped up to the plate and won an awesome game against the Green Bay Packers for their coach who is fighting leukemia in the hospital.  Luck brought them back from an 18 point deficit to finish the night with 362 yards and two touchdowns; one of which he rushed himself.  Reggie Wayne was a rocket catching 13 passes for 212 yards; four of those yards twisting and turning his way into the end zone for the winning score. I admit I was on my feet cheering caught up in the whole win like the home team because really, who doesn't love a story like that? 

• Tim Tebow - Talk all week of "will he be the man or not"?  Once again I say that is not the problem or the answer to the New York Jets.

• Halftime - Jeez, at halftime the media didn't have much to show in the way of recaps as all the teams were pretty much slumping along in the scoring department.  Except for Clevelands 62 yard reception and touchdown there wasn't much excitement.  I knew it was bad when Fox picked Steelers Antonio Brown's touchdown as the Visa Halftime play.

• Victor Cruz - The Giants receiver scored three touchdowns and then proceeded to dance his little heart out in the end zone.  Seemed to go well with Terry Bradshaw, Jimmy Johnson, and Jay Glazer's little Gangname Style video shown earlier on the pre-game show.

• Ravens/Chiefs game - Jeez, 9-6?  What were they really doing all game?  And the hometown cheering when Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel went down with an injury?  Class-less.  This isn't Philadelphia for heaven's sake.

• Atlanta undefeated - 5-0.  Whew, a close one, but knocking out RGIII helped.

• RGIII - This guy takes a licking and keeps on ticking except for Sunday.  After getting pummeled by Atlanta linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, RGIII stayed down awhile before getting up and leaving the field never to return.  The Skins better start talking to their offensive line and to the QB.  Maybe show him some Michael Vick films.

• Drew Brees - Pulled out the win.  Broke the record.  The coaches and staff were there to see it.  The Saints aren't winless.  Good-night.

Sunday NFL picks week #5

Last Week - 12 - 15 

(Won the football pool!)

Overall - 37 - 26

Cincinnati over Miami - I haven't been able to see the Bengals play yet for any significant time, but I'm picking them over the Dolphins as they are in a hard division.  Tee hee.

Indianapolis over Green Bay - Okay, this is one of my upsets this week.  The Packers won last week, the replacement refs are no more, and although the team got it together last week I haven't forgotten their play of the first three weeks and think last week was played on emotion and anger.  On the other side, Colts coach Chuck Pagano was hospitalized this week and is being treated for leukemia.  He has communicated with the team and has left former Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians in charge.  The Colts organization has put together a CHUCKSTRONG campaign selling blue shirts, wristbands, and other paraphernalia to raise money for leukemia.  While they expect a huge showing of Packers fans for Sundays game, it is still a home game and one that will be full of a lot of emotion.  I'm going with that for the win.

Baltimore over Kansas City - While I don't think Kansas won't be the next Lions team in loosing I also don't think they will beat the Ravens.  I wish they would, but they won't.

Giants over Browns - New York is coming off a loss.  Cleveland is winless.  At some point this year the Browns will win, but like the Chiefs, it won't be this week.

Pittsburgh over Philadelphia - The two PA teams that everyone wants to think are big rivals.  Pfft.  The Eagles are just another team they need to beat on the way to capturing another title.  The Steelers three injured players are "probable", but I anticipate James Harrison and Troy Polamalu to run out on Heinz Field on Sunday afternoon.  Home game.  Steelers need this win and they'll get it.

Atlanta over Washington - I'm liking this Falcon team and I'm liking RGIII and his style, but I think the Falcons are on a roll and that they just keep on rolling.

Carolina over Seattle -This is one that could go either way.  Both teams lost last week which takes away that little edge.  I like the Seahawks defense, but the Panthers have Cam Newton, who although wishy washy is more wishy than washy when it comes down to tight games.  So I'll go with the fact that the Panthers are playing at home and the Seahawks are having to travel.  Panthers win.

Chicago over Jacksonville - How annoying or exciting is it to watch to see whether Bears QB Jay Cutler will or will not break down, whine, grimace, ignore his coaches, yell at his players, etc.  Certainly makes for great TV for the announcers.  The Jags aren't so exciting and therefore won't win this week either.

Minnesota over Tennessee - The Vikings and the Titans are sort of alike in my mind except Minnesota is 3-1 and Tennessee 1-3 so I'm going with that and giving the win to the sneaky Vikings.

Denver over New England - This is my other upset this week and one I'm second guessing.  Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady.  Brady doesn't like that Manning gets the respect, the talk, and the commercials.  He likes to come out gunning when he plays Manning.  Manning considers Brady a worthy opponent and always throws plenty when playing him.  I expect this to be an offensive game.  I don't remember why I went with Peyton except I like him and respect him more and love his commercials.  Hope that's good enough.

San Francisco over Buffalo - I think the Bills have play in them, but not against the 49ers who have more than that in their gut.

San Diego over New Orleans -This is my other unsure upset of this week.  Hmmm.. A lot like Manning vs. Brady.  Philip Rivers vs. Drew Brees.  Brees use to be the QB of the Chargers with Rivers as his back-up.  Imagine there is pressure and rivalry between the two.  New Orleans is without a win, at home, and Brees is certainly going to break Johnny Unitas' record of consecutive passes in 47 straight games with his suspended coach in the stands. (Brees asked Goodall to allow suspended coach Sean Payton, general manager Mickey Loomis, and assistant coach Joe Vitt to attend Sunday night's game)  Why the hell did I go with the Chargers?  Felt it in my gut.  Although maybe that was just gas.

Houston over the Jets - Yeah, the poor, poor Jets.  Blah.  They need ego checks in and out of the locker room and I'm thinking it needs to start with the coaching staff first.  Houston has no problems in the locker room or on the field and they are just cruising their way to the Super Bowl.  Won't be any problems for them here.