Denver over Baltimore - This is the one game I'm interested in because I dearly, and I mean truly, love Peyton Manning. I think he is the epitome of greatness, not only in football but in humanity as well. He is the type of man I would want for my daughters. I so want him to have the year of his life after all that he struggled through last year, but that doesn't mean he will. Baltimore has a desire, a fire, and a purpose now. They are ruthless and plain mean. The Broncos will have to hold the Ravens defense and protect Peyton like they never have before. On the other name, Denver has a defense too and if they can get inside Joe Flacco's head and score on turnovers they can be the difference. Should be a good game, but I sincerely hope Denver blows them away. I just worry they won't.
Green Bay over San Francisco - I'm taking the underdogs in this game, and yes, I see the pattern...not picking the Harbaugh teams. I don't know what it is about those two men, but I like to dislike them. This too could be a good game (and one I'll have to tape since I'm going to see the Cake Boss Buddy Valastro tonight) with both teams fighting their way to the finish. I think the winner will depend on which team shows up tonight to play. I've been impressed with how the Packers are playing these last few weeks, and they have certainly been better than the 49ers. But the 49ers knew they had the playoffs and they won't want to make the same mistakes as last year, so they should be more motivated.
Seattle over Atlanta - Come on how can I not pick them? They are the little scrappy team that could. I'm counting on the defense and my boy Russell Wilson. I know Atlanta, like the 49ers and Baltimore, have paybacks from last year's playoff debacles, but this Seahawks team is plain fun to watch so I'm taking them. Plus if Pete Carroll gets to the Super Bowl I have more of a chance to make some money when people googled that and hit upon my Yahoo article!
New England over Houston - Uh, yeah does anyone expect the Texans to beat Brady and company? J. J. Watt has his work cut out for him. I just don't see Houston running away from a veteran team and a veteran coach. Doesn't mean I won't be rooting for them! I hope they do win, but I just can't pick with my heart.
Notre Dame - Wow. They didn't even bother to show up for the Bowl game. Those Irish boys were giving a huge ass whupping in front of millions of people and they just stood and took it as if they knew they didn't deserve it. I watched Notre Dame all season since my husband has suddenly become a fan after touring the campus this summer. That wasn't the same team on Monday night that I watched all season. It was befuddling. I would like to discuss it with Regis.
Hockey - It's back on. Does anyone even care?
Monte Kiffin - The best defensive coordinator in my opinion behind the Steelers Dick LaBeau. He worked for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 13 years before following and working for his pushy college coach of a son from Tennessee to California. He finally said enough this year and left his son's crew. The Dallas Cowboys wasted no time in firing their coordinator, Rob Ryan, and snatching up Kiffin. They are willing to make a lot of changes for next year after missing one too many playoffs including switching to Kiffin's 4-3 defense. I was hoping Kiffin would come home, but knew he wouldn't be unemployed for long.
Jim Boeheim - The Syracuse head basketball coach posted his 903rd career win last week passing Bobby Knight to move up to second in the all time winning list behind Duke's Mike Krzyzewski. Boeheim, the bespectacled coach of the Orangemen, took it all in stride after his team beat Rutgers, but insisted the numbers meant nothing to him. It is nice to see that more teams keep their coaches through thick and thin. Turns out these teams are mostly winners.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Friday, January 11, 2013
I am truly sick
I have been under the weather the past week with fatigue, nasal drip, sore throat and a cough. While I didn't have a fever I had days of just plain not feeling well. I have had this sinus issue before, and believe it or not, I think it has to do with inhaling cleaning solutions. I have discussed this with a medical doctor, who agreed it could be a true statement. He did, however refuse to write me a script for a maid.
The first day it started with a cough, and after cleaning my kitchen floor with a vinegar and water solution the post nasal drip started. I didn't sleep that night at all, but it was still vacation so when I finally did fall asleep in the early morning hours I could sleep late. I got online and researched my dripping and found the usual remedies including nasal sprays, antihistamines, and Sud-afed. The second night I took some Tylenol Cough and Cold medicine I had in my cabinet and while I didn't sleep great I at least did sleep some, but the next night the Tylenol didn't do anything, and I didn't sleep a wink. The dripping down the back of my throat was like a faucet which in turn made my throat sore and caused me to hack. By the fifth day I was a walking zombie with dark circles under my eyes and a cranky disposition. I desperately needed sleep and decided what I needed was good ole Sudafed with pseudoephedrine that would knock me out for several hours while the girls were in school. In the old days I use to take Dimetapp liquid, but since-the-hiding-behind-the-counter-sell-your-soul-for-pseudoephedrine days I haven't been able to find Dimetapp so I decided Sudafed would put me out of my misery for awhile.
I dropped off Darcy in the early morning at school, made a hurried grocery run, which did nothing but tire me out and run me down, so that by the time I got to the corner of happy and healthly I wasn't walking in a straight line. The weather was chilly so I was bundled up in my black sweat pants, shirt, and was topping it all off with a black sweater three times my normal size that I love to wrap around me like I'm a freezing homeless person on the streets. I went into Walgreens and shuffled my way to the cold and flu aisle, passing the chirpy, bright-eyed cosmetic girl who sang out, "Good Morning!" to me as I snuffled into the Kleenex held tightly in my fist.
I started perusing the cold section looking for any of the medicines I had goggled, but not really finding the ingredients I wanted, I made my way to the pharmacy. There was a line and I stood behind a gentlemen who was next in line behind the two people being taken care of at the counter. There was a woman picking up medications for someone else who didn't have answers to the pharmacist's questions and much computer tapping was happening. There was a young man giving out insurance information and more computer tapping as the girl tech plugged it all into the computer. Outside the drive up lane was filling up with cars.
I peered over the gentleman in line trying to read all of the different medications on the shelf behind the counter. It annoyed me that I couldn't read the labels. How was I suppose to know which one was best for me? I moved from one leg to the other while I waited as if rocking a baby on my hip. I squinted some more at the shelf. I wiped my nose and sniffled loudly. I tried to remember the combination of drugs goggle had recommended, but not being able to see made me more antsy. The pharmacist looked up at me and stared a second too long, and suddenly I felt like a drug addict. I left the line and shuffled back to the cold aisle to study more medications.
I walked up the aisle, picking up cherry flavored cough syrup and reading the label. I studied the allergy medications. I contemplated a humidifier for $75. Finally, irritated, I made my way back to the pharmacy line where the woman picking up someone else's medications was still dealing with the pharmacist. The other tech behind the counter was at the drive through lane. I stood behind another man and smiled at another man who was sitting in the waiting chairs. I made eye contact with him as if to say, "Are you next in line or waiting for a prescription?" but he scowled at me and gave a disgusted shake of his head which I read as "damn junkie." I peered again at the medications on the shelf rehearsing in my head how I would ask for it. Aren't they suppose to help sick people instead of judging them? I wondered in my head. Shouldn't I be able to give him my symptoms and he suggest a medication? But no. What if he steered me away from the pseudoephedrine? Dammit that's what I wanted! I stood up straighter and tried not to look so desperate.
The woman finally got the prescriptions and left. The tall Asian pharmacist waited on the man in front of me as the girl tech finished in the drive thru lane. Oh good, I was going to get her instead of the pharmacist. She looked at me and moved away from the counter disappearing behind the mysterious aisles of bottles and potions as the man finished his purchase. The pharmacist looked at me. I moved to the counter and peered up at the medications I wanted.
Me: "I think." I cleared my throat. "I think I need something." He waited, looking me over. "I think I need some Sudafed."
Him: "Do you have ID?" He didn't move to get the pills.
Me: "Yes." I dug around in my purse for my wallet while he watched. I wanted to shout, " Take a picture it lasts longer, get me the damn drugs!" I quietly pulled out my drivers license instead. "I don't think I need the 24 hours." I smiled at him. "I just need some sleep." Suddenly a cough bubbled its way to the surface and I had to turn from him to take care of it. It was a good cough, and when I got done hacking I turned back and smiled at him as if to say, "See."
He went to the shelf and pulled down, not the Sudafed that I asked for, but the Walgreens brand, Wal-afed, and looked at me as if daring me to complain. I didn't. I smiled and sniffled, took out my Kleenex for good measure and swiped at my nose. He rang me up and I grabbed the package and practically started running toward the front of the store and the exit before I remembered there were cameras. I slowed my pace and nonchalantly acted like I was interested in the various Holiday items discounted in bins in the middle of the aisle. I smiled at the cosmetic girl who kept her head down. I left the store, wanting to peer into my bag, but not daring. Did I not say Sudafed? Did I look like I needed to save two dollars? I got in my car and slowly drove away from the corner of happy and healthy, not feeling either one. See what these crazed druggies have done to normal sick people?
Side Note - The Wal-afed was the non- drowsy kind. It cleared up the drip, but dried out my throat so much I ended up coughing every twenty minutes all night long. Tom slept through it all. The next day I went to the grocery store and bought a bottle of NyQuil cough. That puppy did the trick, and I slept like a baby for two nights. I'm hoping tonight I'll sleep with nothing in my system and be truly on the mend.
The first day it started with a cough, and after cleaning my kitchen floor with a vinegar and water solution the post nasal drip started. I didn't sleep that night at all, but it was still vacation so when I finally did fall asleep in the early morning hours I could sleep late. I got online and researched my dripping and found the usual remedies including nasal sprays, antihistamines, and Sud-afed. The second night I took some Tylenol Cough and Cold medicine I had in my cabinet and while I didn't sleep great I at least did sleep some, but the next night the Tylenol didn't do anything, and I didn't sleep a wink. The dripping down the back of my throat was like a faucet which in turn made my throat sore and caused me to hack. By the fifth day I was a walking zombie with dark circles under my eyes and a cranky disposition. I desperately needed sleep and decided what I needed was good ole Sudafed with pseudoephedrine that would knock me out for several hours while the girls were in school. In the old days I use to take Dimetapp liquid, but since-the-hiding-behind-the-counter-sell-your-soul-for-pseudoephedrine days I haven't been able to find Dimetapp so I decided Sudafed would put me out of my misery for awhile.
I dropped off Darcy in the early morning at school, made a hurried grocery run, which did nothing but tire me out and run me down, so that by the time I got to the corner of happy and healthly I wasn't walking in a straight line. The weather was chilly so I was bundled up in my black sweat pants, shirt, and was topping it all off with a black sweater three times my normal size that I love to wrap around me like I'm a freezing homeless person on the streets. I went into Walgreens and shuffled my way to the cold and flu aisle, passing the chirpy, bright-eyed cosmetic girl who sang out, "Good Morning!" to me as I snuffled into the Kleenex held tightly in my fist.
I started perusing the cold section looking for any of the medicines I had goggled, but not really finding the ingredients I wanted, I made my way to the pharmacy. There was a line and I stood behind a gentlemen who was next in line behind the two people being taken care of at the counter. There was a woman picking up medications for someone else who didn't have answers to the pharmacist's questions and much computer tapping was happening. There was a young man giving out insurance information and more computer tapping as the girl tech plugged it all into the computer. Outside the drive up lane was filling up with cars.
I peered over the gentleman in line trying to read all of the different medications on the shelf behind the counter. It annoyed me that I couldn't read the labels. How was I suppose to know which one was best for me? I moved from one leg to the other while I waited as if rocking a baby on my hip. I squinted some more at the shelf. I wiped my nose and sniffled loudly. I tried to remember the combination of drugs goggle had recommended, but not being able to see made me more antsy. The pharmacist looked up at me and stared a second too long, and suddenly I felt like a drug addict. I left the line and shuffled back to the cold aisle to study more medications.
I walked up the aisle, picking up cherry flavored cough syrup and reading the label. I studied the allergy medications. I contemplated a humidifier for $75. Finally, irritated, I made my way back to the pharmacy line where the woman picking up someone else's medications was still dealing with the pharmacist. The other tech behind the counter was at the drive through lane. I stood behind another man and smiled at another man who was sitting in the waiting chairs. I made eye contact with him as if to say, "Are you next in line or waiting for a prescription?" but he scowled at me and gave a disgusted shake of his head which I read as "damn junkie." I peered again at the medications on the shelf rehearsing in my head how I would ask for it. Aren't they suppose to help sick people instead of judging them? I wondered in my head. Shouldn't I be able to give him my symptoms and he suggest a medication? But no. What if he steered me away from the pseudoephedrine? Dammit that's what I wanted! I stood up straighter and tried not to look so desperate.
The woman finally got the prescriptions and left. The tall Asian pharmacist waited on the man in front of me as the girl tech finished in the drive thru lane. Oh good, I was going to get her instead of the pharmacist. She looked at me and moved away from the counter disappearing behind the mysterious aisles of bottles and potions as the man finished his purchase. The pharmacist looked at me. I moved to the counter and peered up at the medications I wanted.
Me: "I think." I cleared my throat. "I think I need something." He waited, looking me over. "I think I need some Sudafed."
Him: "Do you have ID?" He didn't move to get the pills.
Me: "Yes." I dug around in my purse for my wallet while he watched. I wanted to shout, " Take a picture it lasts longer, get me the damn drugs!" I quietly pulled out my drivers license instead. "I don't think I need the 24 hours." I smiled at him. "I just need some sleep." Suddenly a cough bubbled its way to the surface and I had to turn from him to take care of it. It was a good cough, and when I got done hacking I turned back and smiled at him as if to say, "See."
He went to the shelf and pulled down, not the Sudafed that I asked for, but the Walgreens brand, Wal-afed, and looked at me as if daring me to complain. I didn't. I smiled and sniffled, took out my Kleenex for good measure and swiped at my nose. He rang me up and I grabbed the package and practically started running toward the front of the store and the exit before I remembered there were cameras. I slowed my pace and nonchalantly acted like I was interested in the various Holiday items discounted in bins in the middle of the aisle. I smiled at the cosmetic girl who kept her head down. I left the store, wanting to peer into my bag, but not daring. Did I not say Sudafed? Did I look like I needed to save two dollars? I got in my car and slowly drove away from the corner of happy and healthy, not feeling either one. See what these crazed druggies have done to normal sick people?
Side Note - The Wal-afed was the non- drowsy kind. It cleared up the drip, but dried out my throat so much I ended up coughing every twenty minutes all night long. Tom slept through it all. The next day I went to the grocery store and bought a bottle of NyQuil cough. That puppy did the trick, and I slept like a baby for two nights. I'm hoping tonight I'll sleep with nothing in my system and be truly on the mend.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
The day after
Christmas came and went in a flurry of wrapping paper and little sleep. I planned to enjoy the day after Christmas by sleeping late and lounging around in my pajamas with peppermint coffee while my husband went to work and my kids played with their presents. Unfortunately, the day didn't start as planned.
9:45 am. -
Beep. Beep. Beep. What is that beeping noise? I sit up in bed, my head quite foggy from sleep. I wonder if the electricity is off because when that happens our back up batteries all beep to alert us to the fact that they have taken over; like we don't know. Why am I the only one who hears this beeping noise? Is it the smoke alarm? I fall back against the pillows and groan. I just wanted to sleep late. Suddenly I go still. Is that the smoke alarm? Should I be worried? Is anyone else even up?
A scurrying noise. Someone is in my bedroom. I ask aloud, "What is that beeping noise?"
Darcy's head appears over mine. Her eyes are wide. "Mom, there is someone in our garage and they are yelling that there is a fire."
I stare at her as my brain tries to wrap itself around her words. "What?" I ask befuddled.
"There is someone in our garage and she keeps yelling, "Fire!" I'm scared."
I leap out of bed. "What? What fire? What are you talking about someone in our garage? Who is in our garage?" My bedroom is spinning as if I've drunk too much liquor, but it is only due to my leaping, something that shouldn't be done anymore at my age. I begin to walk through the house toward the kitchen door that leads into my garage. Darcy is at my heels.
I reach the door and it is completely locked from the door knob all the way up to the lock we put on years ago when the kids were small and we were afraid they would somehow escape. Through the locked door is the Beep! Beep! Beep!, a much louder sound now that I am closer. After the third beep is a woman's automated voice calmly stating, "Fire! Fire! Fire!"
"What is that? What is that?" I ask aloud. "Who is saying that?"
"I don't know," Darcy whines, her eyes still wide. "She was in there when I went to check on that noise so I locked the door."
"Well, this is ridiculous." I unlock the three locks and push open the door. The beeping noise is ear splitting. The woman's voice coming from the alarm won't shut up. "Fire! Fire! Fire!" "Do you smell anything?" I shout above the noise. "Do you smell smoke? I can't smell anything because my nose is plugged. Oh, my god, is the house on fire?"
"No. I don't know." Darcy is standing in the doorway with her wide eyes counting on me to protect her.
I look up at the smoke alarm which is directly outside the kitchen door, high above my washing machine and sink. I vaguely remember that I can't reach this high, that recently I had replaced the batteries in this contraption after spending days searching for the occasional beep that signals the batteries are dying. I register this while thinking that it certainly can't be the batteries there must be a fire. In the attic! It happened once to my friend Sharon, well sort of.
This is all running through my head as I get out the step stool and climb up to reach the smoke alarm. The beeping noise is so loud I can hardly stand to be this close. I reach out and push the button in the middle. Silence. My ears are ringing despite the sudden quiet.
"Jesus!" I try to regain some of my wits. "That thing is loud!" I look at Darcy whose eyes are not as wide now that the beeping has stopped. "Do you smell smoke? I don't smell anything." I put my hand up against the roof of the garage which is where the attic entry is. The concrete is cold to my touch. Wouldn't it be hot if there was a fire? Why don't I know this stuff? Shouldn't I know this type of thing? I feel the roof again. Nothing. I climb down.
"Should I go get Chuck?" Darcy asks. Chuck is our next door retired fireman neighbor.
"Maybe. Come with me through the house and tell me if you smell anything." Darcy and I start back through the house. Madison is sleeping through it all. Elliot, the dog, is sleepily standing in the hallway scornfully looking at us through bleary eyes as if to say, "What is all the fuss? Didn't we have enough of that yesterday? I thought today was a relaxing one."
Darcy and I go through the entire house. Nothing. Darcy goes back to watching television. As far as she is concerned the crisis is over. I walk outside the front of my house, but I can't see the roof. To do that I would have to venture further outside in my pajamas and no bra; not something the neighbors need to be subjected to the day after the birth of the lord. I go back inside, through the house, and outside in my back yard. I can see more of the roof from here. Nothing. Suddenly the beeping noise sounds again. I can hear it from my position outside, and sure enough, the lady, "Fire! Fire! Fire!"
I run past Darcy, who is nonchalant now, out into the garage, back up on the stool. I push the button again, but it doesn't go off this time. I pull the damn thing off the wall, trying to protect my ears with the other hand. I run around the closed garage shaking the thing. Beep! Beep! Beep! OMG, the thing is loud. I punch the button again and silence. I take a deep breath, remove the batteries, and stare at the thing. It says it is a fire and carbon monoxide alarm. What? Carbon Monoxide? I peer around the garage searching for fumes. I turn over the alarm. It says in big letters that carbon monoxide is odorless and fume less. It is a silent killer.
I wonder aloud, "Would the woman yell fire if there was poisoning?" I call my husband.
Tom: "Hello?"
Me: "Are you busy?"
Tom: "Sort of yes, why, what's up?"
Me: "The smoke alarm in the garage is going off. It woke me from a deep sleep. She keeps telling us there is a fire, but I don't smell anything. I thought maybe it was in the attic, but the ceiling feels cool. Could there be a fire in the attic?"
Tom: "Are the other smoke alarms in the house going off?"
Me: "No. But good point! If there was a fire in the attic they should go off, right? But why is she telling us there is a fire? And that alarm is also a carbon monoxide alarm. Would she warn us in the same way as the fire?"
Tom: "Who is "she"? You keep saying "she"."
Me: "The woman in the smoke alarm!"
Tom: "T h e w o m a n i n t h e s m o k e a l a r m?" He says it as if talking to a slow witted person in his what-the-hell voice he only uses with me.
Me: (snickering) "Yes, the woman that sits in the smoke alarm at her computer who pushes the button to alert families to a fire."
Tom: "O K."
Me: "Yeah, ignore all of that. I just want to know if we are slowly dying by carbon monoxide poisoning. You bought the damn alarm."
Tom: "Is there an engine running?"
Me: "No, no I don't think there is any poisoning, and of course there isn't an engine running you have the car. But I'm confused on the whole fire and poisoning in one alarm. Plus, I was awakened very abruptly."
Tom: (laughing) "It's after ten in the morning. If you're really worried, go ask Chuck."
Me: I thought of that, but I'm in my pajamas and don't have a bra on which seems silly if there really is a fire, but you've convinced me there isn't so I don't need Chuck. But I have to tell you THAT ALARM IS LOUD."
The conversation continued in the same vain for some time with him laughing and me getting annoyed. At some point the dog began barking and so I hung up and went in search of why he was barking in case he had detected a fire. He was barking at my neighbors across the street so I yelled out to them.
Me: "Hi Bonnie! Hey, do you see smoke coming from my roof?"
Bonnie: "Hi Cara! What?"
Me: "Do you see smoke coming from the roof of my house?"
Bonnie: "What was that?" She starts walking toward her driveway.
Me: "You don't see smoke coming from my house, do you?"
Bonnie: "What? I can't hear. Come down." She starts down the driveway toward my house.
I sigh. What is the point now. I march out in my pajamas, old age breasts sagging with no bra. I meet her at the street, tell her the story. She sniffs the air. "Do you smell that?" she asks me.
My heart starts racing. Oh, my god, it's true. I'm going to have to get Chuck. "NO!" I shriek. I sniff. "My nose is stuffy. I can't smell anything. You smell something?"
She sniffs again. "It smells like an electric fire. Let's go up to your garage."
I follow her up the driveway, open the garage, and in we go. She sniffs around. "Well, I don't smell it up here." She takes the alarm out of my hand. "I've never seen one of these before."
"Me neither, but apparently there is a woman in there who lets you know when there is a fire. I'm not sure what she screams when there is carbon monoxide poisoning." We both stare down at the alarm. "I thought about getting Chuck, but didn't want to run over there without a bra in my pajamas. Although, now that I think about it I could have put a bra on and then run over there. But that seemed silly too if my house was burning down around me." We look up at each other and start laughing. We laugh and laugh. We talk about the holidays and the neighbors and she heads home.
I put new batteries in the alarm, climb back up on the stool and attach it back in its position above the washing machine and sink. The alarm and the woman are silent. The batteries must not have been good ones when I replaced them the first time. I put everything away and go inside. My adrenaline is pumping. So much for a nice leisurely sleep in. Maybe later I'll take a nap.
9:45 am. -
Beep. Beep. Beep. What is that beeping noise? I sit up in bed, my head quite foggy from sleep. I wonder if the electricity is off because when that happens our back up batteries all beep to alert us to the fact that they have taken over; like we don't know. Why am I the only one who hears this beeping noise? Is it the smoke alarm? I fall back against the pillows and groan. I just wanted to sleep late. Suddenly I go still. Is that the smoke alarm? Should I be worried? Is anyone else even up?
A scurrying noise. Someone is in my bedroom. I ask aloud, "What is that beeping noise?"
Darcy's head appears over mine. Her eyes are wide. "Mom, there is someone in our garage and they are yelling that there is a fire."
I stare at her as my brain tries to wrap itself around her words. "What?" I ask befuddled.
"There is someone in our garage and she keeps yelling, "Fire!" I'm scared."
I leap out of bed. "What? What fire? What are you talking about someone in our garage? Who is in our garage?" My bedroom is spinning as if I've drunk too much liquor, but it is only due to my leaping, something that shouldn't be done anymore at my age. I begin to walk through the house toward the kitchen door that leads into my garage. Darcy is at my heels.
I reach the door and it is completely locked from the door knob all the way up to the lock we put on years ago when the kids were small and we were afraid they would somehow escape. Through the locked door is the Beep! Beep! Beep!, a much louder sound now that I am closer. After the third beep is a woman's automated voice calmly stating, "Fire! Fire! Fire!"
"What is that? What is that?" I ask aloud. "Who is saying that?"
"I don't know," Darcy whines, her eyes still wide. "She was in there when I went to check on that noise so I locked the door."
"Well, this is ridiculous." I unlock the three locks and push open the door. The beeping noise is ear splitting. The woman's voice coming from the alarm won't shut up. "Fire! Fire! Fire!" "Do you smell anything?" I shout above the noise. "Do you smell smoke? I can't smell anything because my nose is plugged. Oh, my god, is the house on fire?"
"No. I don't know." Darcy is standing in the doorway with her wide eyes counting on me to protect her.
I look up at the smoke alarm which is directly outside the kitchen door, high above my washing machine and sink. I vaguely remember that I can't reach this high, that recently I had replaced the batteries in this contraption after spending days searching for the occasional beep that signals the batteries are dying. I register this while thinking that it certainly can't be the batteries there must be a fire. In the attic! It happened once to my friend Sharon, well sort of.
This is all running through my head as I get out the step stool and climb up to reach the smoke alarm. The beeping noise is so loud I can hardly stand to be this close. I reach out and push the button in the middle. Silence. My ears are ringing despite the sudden quiet.
"Jesus!" I try to regain some of my wits. "That thing is loud!" I look at Darcy whose eyes are not as wide now that the beeping has stopped. "Do you smell smoke? I don't smell anything." I put my hand up against the roof of the garage which is where the attic entry is. The concrete is cold to my touch. Wouldn't it be hot if there was a fire? Why don't I know this stuff? Shouldn't I know this type of thing? I feel the roof again. Nothing. I climb down.
"Should I go get Chuck?" Darcy asks. Chuck is our next door retired fireman neighbor.
"Maybe. Come with me through the house and tell me if you smell anything." Darcy and I start back through the house. Madison is sleeping through it all. Elliot, the dog, is sleepily standing in the hallway scornfully looking at us through bleary eyes as if to say, "What is all the fuss? Didn't we have enough of that yesterday? I thought today was a relaxing one."
Darcy and I go through the entire house. Nothing. Darcy goes back to watching television. As far as she is concerned the crisis is over. I walk outside the front of my house, but I can't see the roof. To do that I would have to venture further outside in my pajamas and no bra; not something the neighbors need to be subjected to the day after the birth of the lord. I go back inside, through the house, and outside in my back yard. I can see more of the roof from here. Nothing. Suddenly the beeping noise sounds again. I can hear it from my position outside, and sure enough, the lady, "Fire! Fire! Fire!"
I run past Darcy, who is nonchalant now, out into the garage, back up on the stool. I push the button again, but it doesn't go off this time. I pull the damn thing off the wall, trying to protect my ears with the other hand. I run around the closed garage shaking the thing. Beep! Beep! Beep! OMG, the thing is loud. I punch the button again and silence. I take a deep breath, remove the batteries, and stare at the thing. It says it is a fire and carbon monoxide alarm. What? Carbon Monoxide? I peer around the garage searching for fumes. I turn over the alarm. It says in big letters that carbon monoxide is odorless and fume less. It is a silent killer.
I wonder aloud, "Would the woman yell fire if there was poisoning?" I call my husband.
Tom: "Hello?"
Me: "Are you busy?"
Tom: "Sort of yes, why, what's up?"
Me: "The smoke alarm in the garage is going off. It woke me from a deep sleep. She keeps telling us there is a fire, but I don't smell anything. I thought maybe it was in the attic, but the ceiling feels cool. Could there be a fire in the attic?"
Tom: "Are the other smoke alarms in the house going off?"
Me: "No. But good point! If there was a fire in the attic they should go off, right? But why is she telling us there is a fire? And that alarm is also a carbon monoxide alarm. Would she warn us in the same way as the fire?"
Tom: "Who is "she"? You keep saying "she"."
Me: "The woman in the smoke alarm!"
Tom: "T h e w o m a n i n t h e s m o k e a l a r m?" He says it as if talking to a slow witted person in his what-the-hell voice he only uses with me.
Me: (snickering) "Yes, the woman that sits in the smoke alarm at her computer who pushes the button to alert families to a fire."
Tom: "O K."
Me: "Yeah, ignore all of that. I just want to know if we are slowly dying by carbon monoxide poisoning. You bought the damn alarm."
Tom: "Is there an engine running?"
Me: "No, no I don't think there is any poisoning, and of course there isn't an engine running you have the car. But I'm confused on the whole fire and poisoning in one alarm. Plus, I was awakened very abruptly."
Tom: (laughing) "It's after ten in the morning. If you're really worried, go ask Chuck."
Me: I thought of that, but I'm in my pajamas and don't have a bra on which seems silly if there really is a fire, but you've convinced me there isn't so I don't need Chuck. But I have to tell you THAT ALARM IS LOUD."
The conversation continued in the same vain for some time with him laughing and me getting annoyed. At some point the dog began barking and so I hung up and went in search of why he was barking in case he had detected a fire. He was barking at my neighbors across the street so I yelled out to them.
Me: "Hi Bonnie! Hey, do you see smoke coming from my roof?"
Bonnie: "Hi Cara! What?"
Me: "Do you see smoke coming from the roof of my house?"
Bonnie: "What was that?" She starts walking toward her driveway.
Me: "You don't see smoke coming from my house, do you?"
Bonnie: "What? I can't hear. Come down." She starts down the driveway toward my house.
I sigh. What is the point now. I march out in my pajamas, old age breasts sagging with no bra. I meet her at the street, tell her the story. She sniffs the air. "Do you smell that?" she asks me.
My heart starts racing. Oh, my god, it's true. I'm going to have to get Chuck. "NO!" I shriek. I sniff. "My nose is stuffy. I can't smell anything. You smell something?"
She sniffs again. "It smells like an electric fire. Let's go up to your garage."
I follow her up the driveway, open the garage, and in we go. She sniffs around. "Well, I don't smell it up here." She takes the alarm out of my hand. "I've never seen one of these before."
"Me neither, but apparently there is a woman in there who lets you know when there is a fire. I'm not sure what she screams when there is carbon monoxide poisoning." We both stare down at the alarm. "I thought about getting Chuck, but didn't want to run over there without a bra in my pajamas. Although, now that I think about it I could have put a bra on and then run over there. But that seemed silly too if my house was burning down around me." We look up at each other and start laughing. We laugh and laugh. We talk about the holidays and the neighbors and she heads home.
I put new batteries in the alarm, climb back up on the stool and attach it back in its position above the washing machine and sink. The alarm and the woman are silent. The batteries must not have been good ones when I replaced them the first time. I put everything away and go inside. My adrenaline is pumping. So much for a nice leisurely sleep in. Maybe later I'll take a nap.
Monday, January 07, 2013
Monday football recap - Playoff week #1
Drama, drama, drama this weekend in the playoffs starting with one quarterback not playing due to an injury, ending with another quarterback playing injured, and a whole lot more happening in between.
Saturday's games -
Christian Ponder - The Vikings Quarterback, he who stayed strong in the pocket against the Packers the week before, was ruled inactive less than an hour before the game against the Packers this week due to elbow bursitis. What? He was going to miraculously recover from this injury acquired in that previously mentioned game overnight? I suppose the Vikings were hoping. Ponder tried. He got out on the field and threw some passes, but it was "evident" he wouldn't be able to play, and since this ain't your 70's football any more, he was ruled inactive and in went the back-up. A man who hadn't thrown a pass in a game since 2010. No way Terry Bradshaw would have sat on the sidelines during a playoff game due to an inflamed elbow. But in this new football era players are worth more, more medical knowledge is known, like getting head butted over and over isn't good long term, and thus players are removed from the game. Or not.
Joe Webb - The back up quarterback thrown in at the last moment started out looking like he might accomplish something, but alas, no. He could run and trading off with Adrian Peterson worked the first two times, but the Packers defense wasn't about to let anyone do what Peterson had done to them the week before. Poor Joe Webb hadn't a chance.
Tony Dungy - Before the game, after viewers had just watched Vikings coach Leslie Frazier smile secretly while talking about Webb, Dungy had me believing this kid would actually pull off a miracle.
Venue - One indoor, one outdoor. Football should be played in the elements. What's the matter with these Texas teams? I watched Friday Night Lights. What's going on with the indoor stadiums?
Cincinnati/Texans - Neither quarterbacks, Matt Schaub nor Andy Dalton, looked like playoff quarterbacks, especially in the first half. Fortunately for Schaub the Texans had a better defense.
Sunday
Colts/Ravens - Let's see...the Colts head coach Chuck Pagano was the Ravens offensive coordinator last year. The Ravens defensive coordinator this year, Jim Caldwell, was the Colts head coach last year. The media was all over that as if it would prove to somehow impact the game. It didn't.
Bruce Arians - The Colts offensive coordinator, who also stepped in as the Colts head coach while Pagano was treated for his cancer, was taken to the hospital several hours before the game for flu like symptoms and never made it back. Instead the quarterback coach called the plays.
Andrew Luck - He had a good run for his first year, but losing Arians and playing against a top notch defense in the playoffs were too much for the rookie.
Ray Lewis - The retiring 17 year linebacker came out of the tunnel on to his home field for the last time roaring, dancing, and motivating his teammates to kick ass, and by god it might just work all the way to the big game.
Redskins - The drama with this team started during the week with replays of coach Mike Shanahan answering questions about a game RGIII was injured in. In explaining why his quarterback came back into the game when he probably shouldn't have, Shanahan inadvertently (?) put the blame on the team's head doctor. The doctor, Dr. James Andrews, took offense to it and this week came out with his own statement refuting Shanahan and saying he never saw the kid. My opinion? RGIII put himself back into the game. Either way Dr. Andrews didn't look so comfortable out on the field. When RGIII was taken into the mysterious, little shed near the bench on Sunday Andrews went inside and immediately came back out. Thrown out? When RGIII went down for the last time on the field Andrews was out there, but he was on the outer circle and not down on his knees examining the injury. I wonder how good his contract is with the team.
RGIII - Unlike Ponder, the Redskins quarterback played with his injured knee wrapped in a brace. The big question that everyone is now asking, after the fact, is who made this decision? Because in the final minutes of the game on Sunday the center snapped the ball low and RGIII twisted his knee in trying to pick up the ball. Before that he hadn't played up to par, but he looked the same to me as the last time I watched him play; in a game he lost to Pittsburgh. Sometimes you're hot and sometimes you're not and perhaps the injury was a factor, but... So now we have an injured quarterback who chose to play hurt, who ended up more damaged then when he started, and the questions are swirling. Why was he even in the game? Why did Shanahan let him play? Uh, because this is football and Shanahan is old school and RGIII himself told the coach he could play. I understand it, but unlike the situation with Ponder, the Redskins had a decent back-up quarterback who had already proved his worth earlier this year. Why not try him first and have RGIII as the backup just in case? As it is now the Redskins are done and RGIII is hobbling with an undisclosed injury.
Russell Wilson - Meanwhile, my pick for Rookie of the Year (several weeks back), is the only one still standing. Wilson came in, took charge, stayed cool in and out of the pocket, and even helped Marshawn Lynch score a touchdown by tackling a defender. He showed poise, determination, and confidence on the field. And he gets to play another week.
Seattle - They are the little team that could just make it all the way up the hill to New Orleans. They have to get through Atlanta first, but this team is riding a high with this win, and as crazy as Pete Carroll is about winning he is infectious and certainly motivating.
Saturday's games -
Christian Ponder - The Vikings Quarterback, he who stayed strong in the pocket against the Packers the week before, was ruled inactive less than an hour before the game against the Packers this week due to elbow bursitis. What? He was going to miraculously recover from this injury acquired in that previously mentioned game overnight? I suppose the Vikings were hoping. Ponder tried. He got out on the field and threw some passes, but it was "evident" he wouldn't be able to play, and since this ain't your 70's football any more, he was ruled inactive and in went the back-up. A man who hadn't thrown a pass in a game since 2010. No way Terry Bradshaw would have sat on the sidelines during a playoff game due to an inflamed elbow. But in this new football era players are worth more, more medical knowledge is known, like getting head butted over and over isn't good long term, and thus players are removed from the game. Or not.
Joe Webb - The back up quarterback thrown in at the last moment started out looking like he might accomplish something, but alas, no. He could run and trading off with Adrian Peterson worked the first two times, but the Packers defense wasn't about to let anyone do what Peterson had done to them the week before. Poor Joe Webb hadn't a chance.
Tony Dungy - Before the game, after viewers had just watched Vikings coach Leslie Frazier smile secretly while talking about Webb, Dungy had me believing this kid would actually pull off a miracle.
Venue - One indoor, one outdoor. Football should be played in the elements. What's the matter with these Texas teams? I watched Friday Night Lights. What's going on with the indoor stadiums?
Cincinnati/Texans - Neither quarterbacks, Matt Schaub nor Andy Dalton, looked like playoff quarterbacks, especially in the first half. Fortunately for Schaub the Texans had a better defense.
Sunday
Colts/Ravens - Let's see...the Colts head coach Chuck Pagano was the Ravens offensive coordinator last year. The Ravens defensive coordinator this year, Jim Caldwell, was the Colts head coach last year. The media was all over that as if it would prove to somehow impact the game. It didn't.
Bruce Arians - The Colts offensive coordinator, who also stepped in as the Colts head coach while Pagano was treated for his cancer, was taken to the hospital several hours before the game for flu like symptoms and never made it back. Instead the quarterback coach called the plays.
Andrew Luck - He had a good run for his first year, but losing Arians and playing against a top notch defense in the playoffs were too much for the rookie.
Ray Lewis - The retiring 17 year linebacker came out of the tunnel on to his home field for the last time roaring, dancing, and motivating his teammates to kick ass, and by god it might just work all the way to the big game.
Redskins - The drama with this team started during the week with replays of coach Mike Shanahan answering questions about a game RGIII was injured in. In explaining why his quarterback came back into the game when he probably shouldn't have, Shanahan inadvertently (?) put the blame on the team's head doctor. The doctor, Dr. James Andrews, took offense to it and this week came out with his own statement refuting Shanahan and saying he never saw the kid. My opinion? RGIII put himself back into the game. Either way Dr. Andrews didn't look so comfortable out on the field. When RGIII was taken into the mysterious, little shed near the bench on Sunday Andrews went inside and immediately came back out. Thrown out? When RGIII went down for the last time on the field Andrews was out there, but he was on the outer circle and not down on his knees examining the injury. I wonder how good his contract is with the team.
RGIII - Unlike Ponder, the Redskins quarterback played with his injured knee wrapped in a brace. The big question that everyone is now asking, after the fact, is who made this decision? Because in the final minutes of the game on Sunday the center snapped the ball low and RGIII twisted his knee in trying to pick up the ball. Before that he hadn't played up to par, but he looked the same to me as the last time I watched him play; in a game he lost to Pittsburgh. Sometimes you're hot and sometimes you're not and perhaps the injury was a factor, but... So now we have an injured quarterback who chose to play hurt, who ended up more damaged then when he started, and the questions are swirling. Why was he even in the game? Why did Shanahan let him play? Uh, because this is football and Shanahan is old school and RGIII himself told the coach he could play. I understand it, but unlike the situation with Ponder, the Redskins had a decent back-up quarterback who had already proved his worth earlier this year. Why not try him first and have RGIII as the backup just in case? As it is now the Redskins are done and RGIII is hobbling with an undisclosed injury.
Russell Wilson - Meanwhile, my pick for Rookie of the Year (several weeks back), is the only one still standing. Wilson came in, took charge, stayed cool in and out of the pocket, and even helped Marshawn Lynch score a touchdown by tackling a defender. He showed poise, determination, and confidence on the field. And he gets to play another week.
Seattle - They are the little team that could just make it all the way up the hill to New Orleans. They have to get through Atlanta first, but this team is riding a high with this win, and as crazy as Pete Carroll is about winning he is infectious and certainly motivating.
Saturday, January 05, 2013
Playoff picks and more - week #1
The playoffs start this afternoon and I'm ready. I have my teams to root for and I've gone back and forth on these picks. I think these games can go in any direction and we should see some great football this weekend.
Houston over Cincinnati - One of the games I was sure about and then second guessed up to the time I had to make my decision. Cincinnati is just so up or down depending on who shows up to play. This is a repeat of last season's game and Houston dominated. That means Cincinnati should be up for the win with quarterback Andy Dalton returning home to his native Texas. But the Texans are the media's "will they or won't they" team and they have a lot to prove. I think in the end the Texans will prevail.
Green Bay over Minnesota - As much as I'd like to see the Vikings take this game, I just don't believe they can beat the Packers on sacred Lambeau Field, not after that game last week. The Packers will be out for blood and Aaron Rogers will be totally in charge. Look for the Packers to do a better job of shutting down Adrian Peterson this week. Unfortunately, for the Vikings they don't have much else to go to when that happens. If Christian Ponder can stay cool and pretend he is as good as Aaron Rogers, this could turn out to be another great game.
Baltimore over Indianapolis - I didn't have any love for Indy back in the old days, but then they acquired our homeboy Tony Dungy, and they always had Peyton Manning. Who doesn't love Peyton Manning? Turns out quite a few people, but I wasn't one of those. When Dungy left and then Manning was turned out I was prepared to throw Indy back into the piles of "who cares about those teams". Well, turns out I did. Despite my preparing to dislike newbie Andrew Luck, I did like him. I got caught up in the coach-beating-cancer thing like the whole football world did and pulled for the team to continue churning out those wins.
Now they play against my arch rival and I will be yelling loudly for them. Unfortunately, I'm not feeling a win for them. Not against Baltimore. Not against a team that now has more of a reason to want to win. Seventeen year veteran Ray Lewis, in true Lewis fashion, announced a few days ago to the team and the world that this year would be his last. He ripped his triceps in October and sat out until the playoffs. Turns out he enjoyed that time off watching his sons play football, and he plans to do that now for the time being. Smart of Lewis to use this to boast his teams hunger. The Ravens will want to put a trophy in Lewis' hands just because he is the heart and soul of this team. It will be their Jerome Bettis moment if they pull it off. I'm not sure they can go that far, but I'm pretty sure they can take down the Colts. Andrew Luck will have to play his heart out today against a stellar defense, and the Colts defense will have to play their heart out against Joe Flacco who is trying hard to earn some respect in this league. I sure hope the little rookie and the team that could will win.
Seattle over Washington - This is my other back and forth game. Now I'm wishing I had taken the Redskins, but my picks are turned in. It's two rookies against one another. Russell Wilson vs. RGIII. My pick for Rookie of the Year goes to Russell Wilson as I've stated and a win here would make believers of others. Seattle is a team that is scrappy, is sneaking in under the radar, and has a great defense. Washington has a good quarterback. While I'm pulling for the 'Skins, I think Seattle wants it more.
Notre Dame vs. Alabama - Is anyone besides a Fighting Irish fan picking Notre Dame to upset the reigning champs? I've watched them several times this year and I wouldn't count them out quite yet. Doesn't mean I'm picking them either, but I'll pull for them.
Peyton scores another award - Manning took home his sixth Offensive Player of the Month Award, his second this year. Won't mean a thing to him if he doesn't also have a ring to go along with it.
Ray Lewis retiring - Smart move to announce it now. I like hearing that he wants to see his kids play. Supposedly has an ESPN job lined up. Great defender, but not one of my favorite people. He did a lot for the city of Baltimore and he certainly knew how to fire up his team, but his legal battles turned me off of him...that and he played for the Ravens.
Coaches shuffle - Two more coaches were fired on Black Friday; Ken Whisenhunt of the Arizona Cardinals and Norv Turner of the San Diego Chargers. Now comes the recycling and musical chairs and teams trade off. Old Eagles coach, Andy Reid, against my advice, did not take the year off like I suggested, but instead signed a five year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Not a smart move in my opinion, but he is a man in a man's league and heaven's no he doesn't need time off to take care of personal issues.
Many offensive coordinators are looking good to several different teams; Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who didn't do much this year for the Steelers, old Pittsburgh offensive coordinator now with the Colts, Bruce Arians, and Denver Bronco's offensive coordinator Mike McCoy. While many Steelers fans, and perhaps Big Ben, won't be sorry to see Haley take another job, I wonder what is up with the Cardinals who are pursuing him. First they took Ken Whisenhunt and now they want Haley? Are they wishing they were the Steelers? Bruce Arians proved himself in the head coaching job this year while taking over the team this year while current coach Chuck Pagano fought cancer, but I'm not sure Arians wants to be in front or to leave the Colts. As for McCoy? We are thinking this guy is the one who turned around the Broncos? Uh, hello, that reason is a man named Peyton Manning.
Also being interviewed is Oregon's Chip Kelly, who if he is smart, will take a look at the record of great college coaches who moved into the NFL, hello Nick Saban and Steve Spurrier, and kindly decline any offer. Coaching these big egos in the NFL isn't the same as coaching at the college level. Why give up a good thing with the Ducks?
Lance Armstrong weighing admitting drug use - Jeez, here we go again. Is competing again really that important? If I were him, I would have just shut the hell up. Hearsay, hearsay, hearsay from guys that didn't win seven Tours. No blood proof. His own denials. Someone shut this guy up already!
Tennis - Starts in a few weeks and already the favorites are looking to be Serena Williams and Andy Murray.
Basketball - Didn't that use to be important in my life?
Houston over Cincinnati - One of the games I was sure about and then second guessed up to the time I had to make my decision. Cincinnati is just so up or down depending on who shows up to play. This is a repeat of last season's game and Houston dominated. That means Cincinnati should be up for the win with quarterback Andy Dalton returning home to his native Texas. But the Texans are the media's "will they or won't they" team and they have a lot to prove. I think in the end the Texans will prevail.
Green Bay over Minnesota - As much as I'd like to see the Vikings take this game, I just don't believe they can beat the Packers on sacred Lambeau Field, not after that game last week. The Packers will be out for blood and Aaron Rogers will be totally in charge. Look for the Packers to do a better job of shutting down Adrian Peterson this week. Unfortunately, for the Vikings they don't have much else to go to when that happens. If Christian Ponder can stay cool and pretend he is as good as Aaron Rogers, this could turn out to be another great game.
Baltimore over Indianapolis - I didn't have any love for Indy back in the old days, but then they acquired our homeboy Tony Dungy, and they always had Peyton Manning. Who doesn't love Peyton Manning? Turns out quite a few people, but I wasn't one of those. When Dungy left and then Manning was turned out I was prepared to throw Indy back into the piles of "who cares about those teams". Well, turns out I did. Despite my preparing to dislike newbie Andrew Luck, I did like him. I got caught up in the coach-beating-cancer thing like the whole football world did and pulled for the team to continue churning out those wins.
Now they play against my arch rival and I will be yelling loudly for them. Unfortunately, I'm not feeling a win for them. Not against Baltimore. Not against a team that now has more of a reason to want to win. Seventeen year veteran Ray Lewis, in true Lewis fashion, announced a few days ago to the team and the world that this year would be his last. He ripped his triceps in October and sat out until the playoffs. Turns out he enjoyed that time off watching his sons play football, and he plans to do that now for the time being. Smart of Lewis to use this to boast his teams hunger. The Ravens will want to put a trophy in Lewis' hands just because he is the heart and soul of this team. It will be their Jerome Bettis moment if they pull it off. I'm not sure they can go that far, but I'm pretty sure they can take down the Colts. Andrew Luck will have to play his heart out today against a stellar defense, and the Colts defense will have to play their heart out against Joe Flacco who is trying hard to earn some respect in this league. I sure hope the little rookie and the team that could will win.
Seattle over Washington - This is my other back and forth game. Now I'm wishing I had taken the Redskins, but my picks are turned in. It's two rookies against one another. Russell Wilson vs. RGIII. My pick for Rookie of the Year goes to Russell Wilson as I've stated and a win here would make believers of others. Seattle is a team that is scrappy, is sneaking in under the radar, and has a great defense. Washington has a good quarterback. While I'm pulling for the 'Skins, I think Seattle wants it more.
Notre Dame vs. Alabama - Is anyone besides a Fighting Irish fan picking Notre Dame to upset the reigning champs? I've watched them several times this year and I wouldn't count them out quite yet. Doesn't mean I'm picking them either, but I'll pull for them.
Peyton scores another award - Manning took home his sixth Offensive Player of the Month Award, his second this year. Won't mean a thing to him if he doesn't also have a ring to go along with it.
Ray Lewis retiring - Smart move to announce it now. I like hearing that he wants to see his kids play. Supposedly has an ESPN job lined up. Great defender, but not one of my favorite people. He did a lot for the city of Baltimore and he certainly knew how to fire up his team, but his legal battles turned me off of him...that and he played for the Ravens.
Coaches shuffle - Two more coaches were fired on Black Friday; Ken Whisenhunt of the Arizona Cardinals and Norv Turner of the San Diego Chargers. Now comes the recycling and musical chairs and teams trade off. Old Eagles coach, Andy Reid, against my advice, did not take the year off like I suggested, but instead signed a five year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Not a smart move in my opinion, but he is a man in a man's league and heaven's no he doesn't need time off to take care of personal issues.
Many offensive coordinators are looking good to several different teams; Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who didn't do much this year for the Steelers, old Pittsburgh offensive coordinator now with the Colts, Bruce Arians, and Denver Bronco's offensive coordinator Mike McCoy. While many Steelers fans, and perhaps Big Ben, won't be sorry to see Haley take another job, I wonder what is up with the Cardinals who are pursuing him. First they took Ken Whisenhunt and now they want Haley? Are they wishing they were the Steelers? Bruce Arians proved himself in the head coaching job this year while taking over the team this year while current coach Chuck Pagano fought cancer, but I'm not sure Arians wants to be in front or to leave the Colts. As for McCoy? We are thinking this guy is the one who turned around the Broncos? Uh, hello, that reason is a man named Peyton Manning.
Also being interviewed is Oregon's Chip Kelly, who if he is smart, will take a look at the record of great college coaches who moved into the NFL, hello Nick Saban and Steve Spurrier, and kindly decline any offer. Coaching these big egos in the NFL isn't the same as coaching at the college level. Why give up a good thing with the Ducks?
Lance Armstrong weighing admitting drug use - Jeez, here we go again. Is competing again really that important? If I were him, I would have just shut the hell up. Hearsay, hearsay, hearsay from guys that didn't win seven Tours. No blood proof. His own denials. Someone shut this guy up already!
Tennis - Starts in a few weeks and already the favorites are looking to be Serena Williams and Andy Murray.
Basketball - Didn't that use to be important in my life?
Thursday, January 03, 2013
There was no 2012 Christmas card
I received this email in my box yesterday from my friend Sharon C. I answered her and then got to thinking that everyone might be wondering the same thing so here is my response.
Email from Sharon:
Okay... Where is my Christmas card?
1) I am assuming it got lost in the mail.
2) Someone stole it from my mail box.
3) You let someone else mail it and it is sitting in their car.
4) You don't have time to mail a card to your friend, Sharon.
5) You forgot to send me one.
6) Darcy set it down while walking through the house.
7) You could not get any one to sit still.
8) You sent one from your Mom instead.
9) Your computer is broken.
10) You don't care this year.
JUST WHAT IS IT? WHERE IS MY CARD?
Email response from me (with some embellishments added that I didn't send her)
1) You assume wrong. There was never a card.
2) No one stole my card from your mailbox because a card never was in your mailbox. There was never a card.
3) I did not put anyone else in charge of mailing my card because I never made a card.
4) If there had been a card I would have mailed yours first. There was never a card.
5) I have a very good Christmas card list on my computer. Your name is in it. Had there been a card I would not have forgotten because my list is iron clad.
6) Darcy sets down quite a few things while walking through our house, but mostly they all belong to her. There was no card for her to set down.
7) Now this is closest to the truth. First, I did not have, in all my millions of 2012 photos, one of Madison and Darcy together to make a card. Second, Tom always complains that I don't make cards with us on it. Third, no one would ever pose together whenever Kelly was around to take a photo. Thus...there was never a card.
8) Yes, this is true. I took the picture of my Mom Connie, made the card, addressed and mailed half the cards. The rest she addressed and had her neighbor mail. I consider this an accomplishment because I never made my own card.
9) Heavens no! Have you forgotten that I married a computer man? Not only does he program those things, but he can take them apart and rebuild them. There was no card.
10) Well, now I feel sort of guilty. I guess I didn't care enough to force a picture. I did think I would send out a New Year's card instead. Do I still have time for that?
THERE WAS NO DAMN CARD! GET OVER IT!
Love you! Happy New Year!
Cara
Email from Sharon:
Okay... Where is my Christmas card?
1) I am assuming it got lost in the mail.
2) Someone stole it from my mail box.
3) You let someone else mail it and it is sitting in their car.
4) You don't have time to mail a card to your friend, Sharon.
5) You forgot to send me one.
6) Darcy set it down while walking through the house.
7) You could not get any one to sit still.
8) You sent one from your Mom instead.
9) Your computer is broken.
10) You don't care this year.
JUST WHAT IS IT? WHERE IS MY CARD?
Email response from me (with some embellishments added that I didn't send her)
1) You assume wrong. There was never a card.
2) No one stole my card from your mailbox because a card never was in your mailbox. There was never a card.
3) I did not put anyone else in charge of mailing my card because I never made a card.
4) If there had been a card I would have mailed yours first. There was never a card.
5) I have a very good Christmas card list on my computer. Your name is in it. Had there been a card I would not have forgotten because my list is iron clad.
6) Darcy sets down quite a few things while walking through our house, but mostly they all belong to her. There was no card for her to set down.
7) Now this is closest to the truth. First, I did not have, in all my millions of 2012 photos, one of Madison and Darcy together to make a card. Second, Tom always complains that I don't make cards with us on it. Third, no one would ever pose together whenever Kelly was around to take a photo. Thus...there was never a card.
8) Yes, this is true. I took the picture of my Mom Connie, made the card, addressed and mailed half the cards. The rest she addressed and had her neighbor mail. I consider this an accomplishment because I never made my own card.
9) Heavens no! Have you forgotten that I married a computer man? Not only does he program those things, but he can take them apart and rebuild them. There was no card.
10) Well, now I feel sort of guilty. I guess I didn't care enough to force a picture. I did think I would send out a New Year's card instead. Do I still have time for that?
THERE WAS NO DAMN CARD! GET OVER IT!
Love you! Happy New Year!
Cara
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
Following Darcy
I have been noticing as I walk through my house that everywhere Darcy goes she leaves traces. I also notice that when I bring it to her attention she has an answer for each trace. Reasoning: "I like to leave a little bit of myself so you always think of me." or "I'm leaving a trail so that I know how to get out." I decided it would make a good blog entry and started taking photos of her path. She didn't much care for that and now all I have to say is, "Oh, look Darcy was here. Let me get my camera."
Glass of unknown substance on piano making rings.
Reasoning: "I exercise the dog and need to hydrate when I come back inside."
Hairbrush in the foyer.
Reasoning: "I must brush my hair before I go outside to get into the car for school."
Pajamas by her desk in Steelers room.
Reasoning: "This is also known as my changing room."
Phone and homework on living room couch.
Reasoning: "This way I can find it in the morning."
Ring on my desk in front of my computer.
Reasoning: "That ring is cheerful and I thought you could use some cheer."
Wrapping paraphernalia on toy box when we have a wrapping station set up across from this.
Reasoning: "That's my personal wrapping area."
Jacket on the baker's rack in the kitchen.
Reasoning: "Notice that it is by the door so that I can grab it on my way out."
Reasoning: "That's my personal wrapping area."
Reasoning: "Notice that it is by the door so that I can grab it on my way out."
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
2013 Resoultions
2012 Resolution Recap & Check
- To "work on" not chewing my nails - . I started the year out well with this resolution, but before I got halfway through the year (where did the year go?) I dropped the ball on this one. I have to honestly say that I tried to "work on" this one, but failed. I feel unless I have fake nails I am doomed to always chew. Score: 1
- To lower my cholesterol - I only had my cholesterol checked once this year and it was lower! Circumstances prevented another check so I can safely give my self a perfect on this one. New check will happen this month, but the year is already over. Score: 10
- To find time and do things only for myself - Hmmm...I did do some of this, but really not enough to say I conquered this resolution. I'm not even sure I could say I did this half the time. Score: 3
- To do a better job of keeping on top of my SAHMly chores - Nope. I had visions of vacuuming every other day and swishing and swiping the flylady way, but again circumstances. Who wanted to vacuum that crappy pee stained carpet I use to have? Now that the carpet and vacuum cleaner have been replaced I think I'll make this my resolution for next year just to see if I can do it. Score: 1
- To say something nice to every person I come into contact with daily - Again, I started off well with this one, but then I just plain forgot about it. It was hard to remember. Score: 5
2013 Resolutions
- To get down to a certain weight (which will not be mentioned here for all to see) by eating healthy and exercising. - I have got to get my weight down to see if that will help my physical issues, and I have got to get back into a exercise routine. I'm not happy with the way I feel or look. A friend of mine is also going to make this her resolution so perhaps having someone working alongside me will help.
- To organize my schedule, my desk, my home, and to finish the scanning/organizing of photos. That means getting rid of stuff and boxing up and storing other stuff. - Okay, I'm not really sure what I mean with this one. I just want my house and desk and life to be more balanced and organized.
- To work on my patience and try to not be so uptight. To channel my inner Sharon Gardner and Sharon Royer, two people who I think handle life calmly. - I want to enjoy my life and not be so uptight. I have plenty to be thankful for, but little things emerge in my life and I get so stressed and I don't feel I handle it well. I want to handle it better.
- To get into couponing to save money. - Darcy did this this summer and I helped her. I try to do it now, but usually forget the coupons when shopping. I will conquer it this year!
- To contribute more articles to Yahoo and Google and try to earn some cash. - Hey, this is easy. I can write. I need to just do it.
Happy New Year Everyone! Thanks for reading!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)