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.

An unwelcome visitor

Me: "So there were more bugs in my cabinet when I got back, but they were dead."

Connie: "Did you ever call Colby(the bug man) about those bugs like I told you?"

Me: "I did not. I was too busy getting things done before my trip and seriously those little weevils are nothing."

Connie: "But that is what you have a bug man for and Colby wants you to call him when you see bugs."

Me: " Really? I hardly think he wants me to call him every time I see a bug. I mean this is Florida. We have roaches."

Connie: "So if you see a roach in your house you won't call Colby?"

Me: " Not for one roach in my house, Mom seriously this is Florida! If we called the bug man every time we saw a roach he would be running up and down the road all day long."

Connie: "Well, now I want to know. How many roaches will it take before you call Colby? How many roaches in your house will it take before you call the bug man?"

Me: "Three. If I see three roaches in my house then I will call Colby."

(Ok, smart readers that remember their English literary terms and recognize foreshadowing. Settle in and keep reading for the horror that is sure to come).

A couple of weeks after that conversation my bug man, Colby, appeared for my three month spraying. I brought him into the kitchen and explained my issue with the weevils, and he explained there wasn't much I could do about those bugs as they come in through my pasta via the grocery store. He proceeded to empty my cabinet of pasta and rice despite my explaining I had thrown away all the original stuff and bought new. He examined the stuff and pronounced it bug free, sprayed the outside of my house, took his check, and left me to put back the contents of my cabinet.

One day later I spotted a small roach sitting on my cutting board by my sink and without much thought smashed it with the bottom of a glass. It didn't put up much of a fight and I figured that was due to the recent spraying. Madison, remembering the previously noted conversation, joked that Grandma would certainly call the bug man at this point, but that I still had two more roaches to go.  Ha. Ha.

About two days after that roach spotting I was doing my nightly locking down and picking up of the house.  Seeing that the water bottle drawer needed refilling, I unlocked the door leading into the garage and collected an armful of bottles.  Once the drawer was refilled I moved over to the counter that holds our electronic devices, mail, and collections of catalogs, restaurant menus, and telephone booklets.  I started going through the mail accumulating small piles for throwing away, keeping, and shifting to my desk.  At some point while working on this I felt a tiny feeling on my thigh as if my newly bought exercise/pj shorts had a loose, dangling thread.  I patiently rubbed the area and continued with the mail, but the nagging thread refused to stop bothering me.  I looked down at my purple pants, annoyed that I was already going to have to be yanking threads, but seeing nothing I went back to the mail.  Again, the feeling, but this time I registered the fact that the feeling was more pronounced and more like a creepy bug feeling.  I moved away from the counter, looked down at my pants, and sort of jumped while swatting at the legs of my shorts.  Immediately, a blackened shape fell to the floor and sat stunned on my kitchen floor behind the leg of my table.  It took less than a second for my brain wave signal to shriek "roach in my pants" and my mouth to start screaming for help.

It took much longer for someone to come to my rescue, but Madison did finally appear in the kitchen with a shoe and she stood and watched as I jumped up and down batting at my pants, shaking from head to toe, and jibbering uncontrollably.  She thought I was making up the whole incident and began her Maddy-ness of telling me to "calm down".

Me:  "CALM DOWN?  CALM DOWN?  GOD DAMMIT, MADISON, BUT THERE WAS A ROACH ON MY LEG UP MY PANTS!  A ROACH!  A ROACH!  IN MY PANTS!"

Madison:  "Are you sure?  Because personally I don't see a roach anywhere, and you need to seriously calm down.  Take some deep breaths."

And about that time the roach had recovered from his frightening experience of being swatted out of his nice comfortable position UP MY PANTS, and he scurried from his position behind the table leg toward the underside of the cabinet where I had just been standing.  Doing so put him in full view of both of us as we stood in the middle of the kitchen arguing.

Madison:  "Oh."

Me:  "AAAAAHHHHH!  KILL HIM!  KILL HIM!"

Madison:  "With what?"

Me:  "THE SHOE!  THE SHOE!"

But it was too late and the roach was happily undercover and so I had to go back out into the garage for the roach spray, which I haven't used in over two years because our bug situation has been nil or they are dead.  I sprayed the little sucker who still seemed unaware of his surroundings and didn't move.  I sprayed him until the floor beneath him was saturated with liquid and then he crept inside the cabinet out of our sight.

It took me two hours to calm down from the episode.  I lay in bed with Madison who rubbed my back and talked calmly about things that would take my mind off of the situation.  We both agreed that he had probably been inside the new water bottle carton that I had purchased that day at Sam's Club and that I brought him in in my arms with the load I carried inside.  Still, it was my first experience of a roach ON MY BODY and I apologize to all those people before me if I didn't give the proper response when I heard their stories.  OH MY GOD! 

I wasn't sure that I would be able to sleep that night, but I knew that I couldn't keep Madison up all night so I got up to go check out my covers and my walls in my own room.  As I kissed her good-night and started to exit, she joyfully responded with a lasting wisecrack.

Madison:  "Now are you going to call the bug man over this roach or are you still going to wait for the third one?"  (giggle, giggle, giggle)  "Because Grandma will want to know."