My feelings on The Wells Report

Once the NFL ends I usually don't blog about sports, which I find odd since I am a sports fan of a variety of different sports.  I have an ESPN app and a Yahoo Sports app on my phone and Ipad, and I receive sports updates daily through them.  Lately, I've been receiving the Olympic coverage that has allowed me have a lot of fun with my husband at night when we watch the delayed coverage.  Friday the NFL Wells Report on the investigation into the Miami Dolphins bullying incident was released.  My app let me know that it was online, and later in the evening when I had some time I read the report.  All 144 pages of it.  It was sickening.  Not only was Johnathan Martin bullied by his Dolphins teammate Richie Incognito, but also by two other teammates and a coach.  And it turns out, he wasn't the only one bullied.  The report also found that these four guys bullied another teammate, who was not named, and a Dolphins employee.

The report is horrific. It doesn't hold anything back and is complete with quotes, text messages, and tweets. The language is brutal.  The bullying disgusting.  The racial and homophobic mentality sickening.  These guys taunted Martin with gestures and words, and used his mother and sister in their cruelty.  I felt ill after reading the report and took a long shower just to try to feel clean.  The fact that there are people in this world out there that are capable of thinking these things, that are capable of doing these things, that are capable of pushing these thoughts and actions on to others is the reason why I vote against party lines.  While there are many political topics and subjects to address and pass through Congress I don't believe we can succeed as a nation, as a whole, until every individual, regardless of race, sex, religion, nationality, and sexual orientation, has the same rights and respect that we all deserve as human beings.  No one, no party, no group, no government, and no person, should have the right to dictate over and interfere into anyone's personal and private life.  Until we can all realize this simple truth we will never be able to work together, to come together, as a nation.

So far not much has happened in the repercussion of this report.  The Dolphins have fired a long time trainer and fired the Offensive Line coach who was named as one of the bullies.  Nothing has happened with the players involved.  Nothing has happened with the Dolphins head coach, Joe Philbin, who the report claimed was unaware of any of the activity. Which is an issue in itself. How, as a head coach, are you unaware of this type of behavior?  He should be fired for that alone.  Shouldn't head coaches know what the hell is happening in their locker rooms?  And maybe he did really know it was happening, which then means he should be fired for not stopping it.  

The NFL has got to stand up and take a hard stance with this report. Several Dolphins players have already pooh poohed the report and dismissed Ted Wells, the attorney who led the investigation. Other players have made remarks and told stories about their first year hazing experiences, shrugging as if to say, "We got through it. No big deal."  I, for one, am tired of the whole "This is sports.  This is football.  It happens" script. Why does it happen? Why has it been allowed? As we have evolved over the years why haven't these players put their foot down and said, "Really? Aren't we a little old for this kind of crap?" I never experienced that behavior when I played sports. It hasn't happened throughout my daughters' sports experiences, including high school athletics.  Don't tell me it is "men being men" because those guys? Those weren't men. Those were nasty, sick individuals that got off on preying on those who they felt were weak. Those guys were bullies, plain and simple, and they went far beyond any "freshman hazing" rituals. The NFL players are always preaching, "It's a business," when they are traded or fighting the organization for better salaries. Well, then they need to remember that as well. The NFL is a business, and in any business in this country that behavior is not allowed, and employees are protected by law. 

All of the players in the NFL should be made to read the report. They should think how it would feel if their own children were in Johnathan Martin's shoes. The report talks about what a kind, caring, open hearted person Martin is. The kind of guy who would walk an old lady across the street and help kids learn to read. He was considered weak because of this trait and because he avoided confrontation off the field. Who in their right mind finds that right? I have a child like that, and I'm damn proud of her. She solves issues in other ways, and I don't find that wrong. The fact that there are people out there that find her way wrong? That would harm her because of that? That is what is so scary. 

I think everyone should read the Wells Report. I keep thinking surely if everyone read it those that feel differently from me would be horrified at what they were reading.  But then I was at my daughter's soccer game wearing my Steelers jacket and a parent made a comment about the team.  I looked over at him, this parent whose daughter plays with my own, and saw that he wore a Miami Dolphins hat, and I mentioned that I had read this report.  His response?  "Oh, you mean, the report about guys playing REAL football? And the wimps that couldn't handle REAL football?" And he scoffed.  I told him to read the report and then tell me he still believed that. But the fact that he read any information about this report and still could have that reaction?  Sickening. 

Later, the father who was sitting between the two of us, leaned over to me and put his hand on my arm.  "I believe we can't have that behavior in any business," he said.  "It isn't right in or out of football." It gave me some hope.

Old pics just for fun

In downloading my Iphone pictures to my computer I found these pictures I took of the girls at Christmas time as we left the mall.  Some of them I have posted before, but they were so cute I thought I would post them all together.  Seriously, we should have done this all over the mall and made it into a book.  Wouldn't that have been cute?

5 Tidbits

1. I am enjoying the Winter Olympics, but the commercials and the lateness is causing problems.  I now record (I'm not suppose to use the word "tape" any more) the Olympics each evening and start watching around 9:30 pm. from the beginning.  This way I can fast forward through the ads that don't interest me - and there are MANY - and through the replays of each athlete.  And is that necessary? Every turn is replayed as if we didn't see if the first time.  Drives me nuts!  But, I have the ability to do something about it and I have.  Now if they would just start them an hour earlier!
2. Madison is playing recreation soccer again this season after missing a couple of years.  She is on an under 19 team that practices twice a week and plays games on Saturdays.  It has given her some exercise and is part of her IB CAS requirements for school.  There are four teams at this age group and we have played each other several times.  For the most part we have tied almost every game. This weekend was the big tournament and based on a point system; six points for a win, one point for a shut-out, and three points for a tie.  You got zilch for losing.  We won all three games with two of them shut outs.  We thought we were the champs until we were informed that the two highest teams play each other again in two weeks.  Jeez.  Just when we thought it was ending.
3. My new shows on Netflix are Leverage and Parks and Recreation.  Kelly has tried to get me to watch Parks and Recreation, but I'm not big on sitcoms.  She was right.  Shhh...  The fact that I actually worked for a Parks and Recreation department apparently never crossed my mine, but when I need a good laugh I tune into Netflix and that show.  If only I had worked with nutballs like that group.  What good times I would have had.  Oh.  Wait.  I did work with people like that and I did have good times.  Leverage (and Person of Interest on CBS) has Kelly, the girls, and I all wishing we were in the spy business.  We know we could be good.  We were recently informed that my nephew and his girlfriend will be in Orlando over spring break and we think this might be a good time to work on spying.  We thought two of us could follow them around Disney while two of us entered their hotel room and short sheeted the bed and/or gathered information like one bed or two for the parents.  We just have to find some ear buds for all of us.
4. 'Tis the time of the year when all companies and organizations vote on issues, budgets, etc. for the coming year.  I attended my homeowner's association, they of the "put in new grass" nasty, threatening letter this month with my neighbors.  The board took it upon themselves to hire a management company that would put out our mailings (not our dues mailings, but "any other mailings"), take the minutes of the monthly meetings, and send out the nasty, threatening letters.  That's it.  That's all the management company would do.  In fact it is the exact job of the secretary and the treasurer, one of those jobs that I use to hold in the same organization.  For these three things we will pay the management company - are you ready? - we will pay the management company $10,000 a year!  I stood up and told them I would do it for $8,000 a year and I would through in mailing the dues.  I mean, really.  It made for an interesting meeting as the majority of the homeowners were down right pissed.  So pissed in fact that 3 of the 4 members up for re-election didn't get voted in.  Now we have to reassemble a board.  Hmmm.. Note to self:  send my resume in to them and my bill for $8,000.
5. The girls are off tomorrow from school.  Darcy has an eye appointment because she says she is having trouble reading the board.  Madison just wants to sleep all day as she played three games of soccer these last two days.  Elliot will be happy that people are around to chase him.  The day will fly by I'm sure.

Things to look for and questions to ask when searching for a skilled nursing care and rehabilitation facility

This list is for people who are looking for a temporary facility and rehabilitation with the plan of returning home.  Medicare pays for 100 days in a nursing facility.  They pay 100% for the first 20 days and then 80% of the remaining days.  Supplemental insurance usually picks up the remaining 20%, but it is a good thing to investigate this prior to checking into a facility.  Fees are anywhere from $135.00 to $150.00 a day.  This should all be discussed with the administration when you visit.

I shall expound on the lists from various websites, using my own experiences in having a mother in a skilled nursing facility.

Basic questions for administrators during the initial visit:

Is this facility Medicare certified?  Is the staff licensed and certified?  Are background checks provided on the staff?

• If you are looking for a Medicare facility, this is the first question to ask.  Not all places take Medicare so it is important to make sure that the facility does accept it otherwise you will be wasting your time. Most of these questions will be answered before you have a chance to even ask them as the owner has access to the Internet just like you and most have trained their administrators to include this in the sales pitch.

What was the rating of the last state certification?  What did the state find that the facility needed to correct?  Are there any lawsuits against the facility?  Are there any filed complaints against the facility?

• Again this is standard in the sales pitch, but if it isn't beware and make sure to ask.  If an administrator is hesitant to answer these questions and/or refuses to give out information, walk away.  This information is public knowledge and can be found on the Medicare website.  You can print this information beforehand and take it with you to the interview.

Is there regular communication between families and administration?  Will there be conferences to discuss the loved one's Care Plan?  How often does this occur?

• Most places have weekly meetings where the rehab therapists and administrators discuss a patient's Care Plan.  This is a nice way to stay in touch with the caregivers who are taking care of your loved one and to voice any concerns you may have.  I would be wary of a facility that did not offer this.

What are the visiting hours?  Is there a code to exit the building after hours?

• Most facilities allow 24 hour visitation.  Be wary of ones that do not.  You want to be able to enter if your loved one calls you in the middle of the night.  Most facilities are locked so that patients can not wander off, but key pads are in place for visitors.  Make sure that the facility offers you the code.

Are the phone calls direct or routed through a switchboard?  Is the switchboard manned twenty four hours?

• In our last facility the phone lines were not direct.  I had to call the main number and ask for my mother's room.  This wasn't a problem until we found out the phones were turned off at seven o'clock every evening when the operator left for the day and were not turned on until seven in the morning. Not only could my mother not receive calls in that twelve hour period, but she could not make calls either.

What is the procedure for checking in?  When will happen once my loved one enters the the facility? Who will we see?  When will she see the doctor first?  How often will she see the doctor?  Is there a pharmacy in house?

• Knowing what the procedure is upon arrival is very important.  You and your loved one should be greeted, taken to your room, and introduced to a variety of people from hospitality to admissions. Paperwork is generally signed at this point and rules and regulations should be explained.  If there are items that your loved one needs that the facility is to provide, make sure that happens then and there. In one of our facility experiences we had to wait quite some time for an oxygen concentrator to be delivered when it was specifically marked that my parent was on oxygen 24 hours.
• In these facilities your loved one usually sees the doctor at check in and then once a week thereafter. Make sure that you see the doctor the very first day!  If you will not see a doctor, look into another facility.  The paperwork that comes with your loved one (usually via a hospitalization) isn't always accurate and a doctor must sign off on EVERYTHING.  If there is a discrepancy, it is best to catch that with the doctor there otherwise getting information to him can take hours and sometimes a day.
• When you see the doctor upon checking in this is a good time to go over the list you have brought of any special requests.  Ask for his business card and a number to reach him if he is willing.  Most doctors visit these facilities before or after seeing their own patients at an office.  If this is the case, ask if the nursing staff can reach him at all times.  Make sure that the nursing staff has his number.
• Go over all your medications with the doctor, including simple or specialized medications you may have brought with you.  Different states have different rules regarding these items.  At one facility we used my mother's A&D ointment and a foot cream were removed from her and placed at the nurses station.  This made it difficult to get to when needed.  This is another reason for the list you provide and have the doctor sign.  Most doctors are willing to allow these types of items in the patient's room.
• Ask the doctor if he is willing to call family members if they are not present at the time of his visit. Again, these doctors pop in and out quickly and without warning.  We had one doctor who made it a point to call me after each visit with my mother to keep me updated and to ask me questions or to hear my concerns.  That is huge!
• If your loved one requires medications, make sure that the pharmacy has been notified and note the time of arrival of medications.  A doctor must sign off on the medications before it can be sent to the pharmacy.  My mother did not receive her night time medications (10 of them) on her first stay at one facility, nor did her roommate five days later upon arriving, and that was after our filed complaints.

What times do you recommend being admitted?  Do you provide transportation from the hospital (or other facility)?  Can we request a time?

• Pay careful attention to these answers.  Timing matters when coming into a facility.  NEVER come into a facility when the nursing staff is changing shifts.  This causes great confusion on both ends and it is usually your loved one that gets the short end of the stick.  Narrow down a time and make sure that the facility adheres to it.  Provided transportation is better too as facilities respond to a vehicle and transporters much in the same way hospitals do to ambulances and paramedics.

Ask for information on the nursing staff's shift hours.  How many different nurses will your parent see in 24 hours.  How many days in a row do they work?  What is the nursing staff to patient ratio?  How many aides are there?  What are their hours?  How many days do they work in a row?

• In our experience the best place is the one in which the nursing staff works several days in a row so there is a consistency.  Most shifts are from 7 am - 3 pm, 3 pm - 11 pm, and 11 pm - 7 am.  If the same nurses work each shift even three days in a row, you will have someone who understands your loved one and his/her needs.  Problems occur, of course, when the nursing staff switches, and no matter what administrators tell you, while information is passed from one nurse to the next, important details do get left out.  
• Come up with a list of things that are important to your loved one and make sure that it is put into their chart.  This is a list that you can go over with the doctor at admitting time and have him sign if necessary.  For example, my mother uses a wheelchair which she likes by her bedside at night.  While she needs assistance in getting to and from the bathroom she is able to transfer herself from the bed to the chair if someone is unable to respond to her call quickly.  Problems arose when a staff member read "needs ambulatory help" and removed the wheelchair from my mother's bedside so that she "would have to call for help".  Had we had a list we could have referred this staff member to that list, signed by the doctor, in her chart.  Always keep copies of the list (with signature) so that the patient has one and so that you have one.

Does the nursing staff have mobile units with computers or does the staff manage from a central location or desk?

• In my experience, and in this day and age, better care is provided if the staff has a mobile unit that has a computer that keeps the patient's chart and medications.  If this is not available, then the staff has to always check in at a desk for answers and this definitely takes away from patient care and time spent with a patient.

How often will a loved one have rehabilitation therapy?  Is it one on one or shared with others?  If shared, with how many other patients?  Do you have a gym or do you work out in a room?  When will the first assessment be done?

• If your main goal is rehabilitation, these are important answers.  A gym, or multiple, gyms are the best as they are larger and offer more equipment and variety.  If rehabilitation is done in a small room it can get quite crowded and overwhelming for some patients.  One on one with a therapist is awesome, but not always a possibility.  Most centers have a ratio of one therapist to three patients which means your loved one is usually left on his own to complete an instructed exercise while the therapist works with one of her other patients.
• Hopefully, the assessments for therapy will happen on the first day of admittance, but that isn't always the case either.  It will depend upon the patient's entrance to the facility.  The later in the day your loved one arrives, the later the assessment; sometimes not until the next day.

Things to look for and questions to ask on the tour of the facility.  Always take a tour.

If it is possible, ask to see the room that your loved one will be in.  Is a private room available?  Will your loved one be sharing a room?  If so, which bed will he be in?  

• Seeing the exact room will help you determine if it is right for your loved one.  If a private room is available and you are interested, make sure that it is assigned to your loved one.  We were told we had a private room in one facility only to find that not the case upon entrance.  The room and bed my mother ended up in was not at all equipped for a wheelchair and she spent several miserable days before we got her moved into a private room.
• When touring a room check the things that are important to your loved one.  Is there a temperature control in the room that residents can manage?  If sharing a room, are there separate thermostats?  Is the bathroom big enough?  Is the bathroom arranged so that your loved one can maneuver in it?  Is there a shower in the bathroom or will your loved one be bathed elsewhere?  The bathroom in one facility my mother was in was not arranged well for a person in a wheelchair and she had great difficulty ending up with a huge hematoma on her arm from bumping up against the toilet paper dispenser jutting out from the wall.  Check for every little thing that will make or break your loved ones comfort level.

Is the facility clean?  Are the hallways well lit?  Is there a distinctive odor?  Do you smell bleach?

• Every facility is going to have some type of scent.  Make sure that it isn't overpowering, nasty, or smelling like bleach as a cover up to something more.  Make sure to look down at the floor and along the baseboards for cleanliness.  A well cleaned facility makes for a healthier one.

Tour the rehabilitation areas.  Are they large?  Do they have a variety of equipment?  Does the place resemble a workout gym?  Are the residents engaged or just sitting waiting for instruction?  

• This goes along with the questions you should ask the administrator in your interview, but seeing for yourself is a plus.  One facility I toured was under construction and not only was it noisy, but the gym was closed due to the construction and the residents were rehabbing in different rooms of various sizes.  We opted not to go with that facility because of the construction despite the rest of it passing our tests because rehabilitation was huge for my mother at the time.  She ended up staying in another facility with a large gym, with wonderful therapists, and where she could interact with other rehabbing patients.

As you tour look at the residents.  Are they up and out of bed?  Are they dressed in clothes or in robes?  Do they appear well cared for?  Do they look happy?  If possible, talk to some of them.

• A facility where the patients get up in the morning and get dressed in their clothes is more like what your loved one does at home.  This is a facility that means business in rehabilitation and not just minimal care.  Not ever resident is going to be smiling or appear happy as you tour, but you can tell if they appear well groomed.  If an opportunity arises and you are able to talk to a resident ask him questions.  I spoke to one woman who was sitting outside a facility enjoying the sunshine.  She was quite happy to tell me about the facility, the positive and the negative, and whether or not she recommended it.  

Is there a dining room for residents to eat in?  How big is the dining room?  Is it a nice room?  Well decorated?  Can residents eat in their rooms?  Is there a choice on meals?  A menu?  How is the food? Ask if the tour guide eats the meals.  Ask to see a meal if available.  Does it look like something you could eat?  If your loved one requires special menus, will that be available?

• Most facilities offer in room and/or a dining room eating.  Residents can do either depending on their mood.  If your loved one has restrictions, make sure that that is discussed at admittance.  My mother came from one facility where "mechanical" meant cutting up her meat for her to another facility where "mechanical" meant pureeing her food so that it looked like something one would feed an infant.  If the food doesn't appear appetizing, it makes it hard to consume and not eating leads to many other problems.  In one facility they offered a menu and choices.  In another facility everyone was given the same meal.  Having choices is much better.

Are their activities outside of rehab?  What sort of activities?  Can residents come and go on their own from their rooms to activities?  

• Most facilities offer various activities.  Ask for a list.  Most facilities have the month's activities on a calendar and will post them in the resident's room and in the hallways.  In one facility my mother stayed in she worked on puzzles with residents in the game area, took exercise classes, and watched movies in the common area while eating popcorn.  If your loved one using oxygen will he be able to switch out to a tank to be mobile?  

It isn't easy picking out a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center.  So far we have not found the perfect facility.  We have found some with great rehab and not such great care.  We have had facilities with little rehab.  We have had places with no problems and places with many problems.  Each of those facilities seemed great when touring them and speaking with the administrators.  Reality was much different.

Remember that the administrators are sales people and that you are the buyer.  Ask questions.  If able, pop in several different times at different hours and take tours.  Check the facility out on Medicare's site.  Ask for recommendations from doctors, nurses, and from people who might have been in a facility.  Also, in the end, ask the administrator if he would put his own loved one in this same facility.  If he hesitates, find a different facility.

My experience with healthcare facilities - part 1

A few years ago, when my mother's charcot foot first began, Medicare chucked her out of the facility she was staying in connected with the hospital.  Her time was up, but because she had a wound vac hooked to her foot and a PICC line in for treatment of MRSA the doctors would not release her to go home.  The next stop would need to be a "skilled nursing facility" with a rehabilitation unit to get her up and moving.  The social worker gave my brother and I a list of facilities in the county and told us to come back with our top three.  With the help of a physical therapist friend of mine and my mother's primary doctor, I got the names of three facilities to tour, and my brother and I set out one morning to do just that.  The experience was demanding, depressing, and very emotional.  I wrote about it on my blog, but then decided not to publish it because I couldn't find an ending to the piece.  Because there is no ending.

Aging parents with health issues is not like it was seventy years ago when they moved in with their children. Today we live in houses built practically on top of one another with smaller rooms and ridiculous layouts. We don't own land to expand and many houses have two working adults.  My brother and I always said we would take care of our parents, but now that reality has hit us we find we are not capable, physically, emotionally, and practically to do what we once promised.  Instead we must find alternatives so that our mother is comfortable and well taken care of, and that is where things get dicey.  There is no magical place.

The facility that my mother stayed in a few years ago was adequate.  She had a private room due to her MRSA diagnosis and because the only private room they had was one that they transferred patients about to be sent home into it simulated a "real" home and came equipped with a refrigerator and microwave.  In skilled facilities a doctor is only obligated to see patients once a week so if a patient is ill the facility has to access and then contact the doctor and follow his instructions.  My mother went through a couple bouts of pneumonia while there and some other mysterious illness that no one really could diagnosis.  The therapy was good, but the caring part was iffy and she lasted almost three weeks before checking herself out and going home.

She has stayed out of a skilled nursing facility since then, instead going from the hospital to acute rehab centers which keep patients for two weeks for intense physical and occupational therapy and where a doctor sees the patients daily.  These places ready you to go home and then send therapists to come into your home to continue the work that you did in their facility.  While these places are the best scenario they aren't always perfect and they aren't always the answer for everyone.

This past month, due to a medication change, my mother was admitted into the hospital for observation for four days.  From there she went into an acute facility where she worked well for almost two weeks, but when the facility opted to keep her another week, she contracted bronchitis, which the doctor did not pick up on.  That facility released her, and because she did not feel ready to go home, she was transferred the skilled nursing facility.  I was once again told to pick three places.  My mother and I discussed places and ended up putting down the one she had been in before, which back then she hated, but which now she calls "adequate", one that my brother and I had visited previously, but had rejected because they were doing loud construction, and one that I then went to visit to make sure.

This facility is three minutes by car from my house.  My friend, Kim, worked there when she was studying to be a nurse over twenty years ago.  I drive by this place daily, but because I remember her stories from there I have never thought to explore it.  Recently a couple of people told me that "friends of theirs" thought it a fine place for their own parents so my mother sent me off to check it out.  And therein lies the difficulty.

Checking out these facilities means meeting with someone in admissions, going over Medicare rules, giving out your parent's situation, and taking a tour.  While you can tell whether they know their stuff and you can see other patients as you walk down hallways and view the rehabilitation center it doesn't tell you what you really want to know.  Will your parent receive good care?  Will they get the rehab they need?  The Internet is, of course, a starting place.  My brother and I armed ourselves with a list of questions to ask from various websites that help the elderly and family members.  But these places and their employees have accessed the Internet too and they answer these questions almost before you can ask them for yourself.  I can see for myself as I take the tour whether the patients are well groomed (90% of them are dressed and sitting up), whether the facility is clean (never have toured one that wasn't), whether it smells of urine or disinfectant (most carry an undefined odor), and whether the residents appear happy (90% of them stare at you like an animal in the zoo).  I've based the majority of my judgement on the rehab portion of the facilities because that has always been the main reason why my mother was coming in the first place.  In the rehab center you see whether patients are being worked with or just sitting in a corner.  You can count the number of therapists and gauge the ratio to patients.  You can view the equipment, the size of the room, and the mood of the staff. Unfortunately, judging that doesn't mean the care outside of the center is what you need.  The only way to know anything for sure is to stay there.

When I visited this place near my house I entered the assisted living portion of the place first and since this might just be an option soon I went ahead and spoke with the director there.  I loved her.  She was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and gave me some some Steelers cups to take home with me.  "You're easy," my brother said when I texted him.  She gave me loads of information and sent me off with a folder stuffed with papers.  I felt good as I drove around the complex to the other end where the skilled facility was located. The admissions girl (she looked about 19) was knowledgeable, the tour the same as always, the staff courteous and friendly, the residents a mixture of ages, the rehab hopping, and the facility had just passed their state certification and had received a 5 our of 5 rating.  I left feeling this place would be fine for the five days or so my mother felt she needed to recover.  I put it number one on our list for the social worker and felt we were good to go, forgetting what I already had learned from our first skilled nursing experience; there is no magical place.

And here I thought he didn't listen

Me (coming into kitchen):  "I just took an IQ test and I'm "smart".  I'm very proud of that.  I scored a 130, whatever that means.  Well, it says I was "smart" so obviously that is what it means."

Tom (thumbing through a book):  "Have you read this?"

Me:  "Yes, well, I am reading it.  I'm reading it now.  I'm not quite halfway through."

Tom:  "Is it any good?  It looks good."

Me:  "Yes, I'm enjoying it.  (Gets a cup out, opens refrigerator to get ice)  I don't quite like the whole death as a narrator, but the rest of it is good.  It was made into a movie."

Tom:  "It was?"

Me:  "That's why I'm reading it.  I found it in a book store and then saw that it was made into a movie." (Notices ice machine is once again clogged)  "Oh, my god!  This thing drives me crazy.  Why is it doing this?"  (Removes ice container)  "And why am I always the one who has to deal with this?  Why can't someone else see that this needs tending to?"

Tom:  "Because you're the one with the high IQ.  You're smart."

Monday Super Bowl recap

Sigh. 

Seattle defense - Got to give them credit. They came out to play and play they did. The Broncos offense didn't know what hit them, and hit them the Seahawks did; hard. Wherever the ball went there was a navy tighted player there to stuff, punch, pop, and kill. They worked the field and the Broncos' offense and they won the game. 

Denver offense - The line had trouble in the first half holding the defense and Peyton couldn't get his rhythmn or his confidence. He was oft kilter and when Manning is in trouble, well, we see what happens. The line did a better job in the second half, but it was a little too late by then. 

Russell Wilson - Didn't get the Rookie of the Year award when he should have last year. Doesn't matter. He has something more important now. He kept cool and steady. Some of his throws in the fourth quarter were so superior it was just poetry in motion. 

John Elway - Think he was having déjà vu?

Weather - It was suppose to be snowing, and raining, and sleeting, and raining ice cubes during the coldest Super Bowl ever, and instead the weather was clear and warmer in Met Life Stadium then in either Denver or Seattle. 

Halftime show - Bruno Mars knows how to keep moving and entertaining. Could have cared less about the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I don't really get the whole hype for halftime entertainment, but I didn't get up and leave the room either. 

Tim Tebow - The Twitter world loved it because everyone could tweet, "Tebow in the Super Bowl" as if it were clever. It might have been if millions of social media addicts didn't all think alike. However, kudos to T-Mobile for coming up with the idea. Best ads of the night in my view. 

Confetti - What happens with the orange and blue confetti that didn't get used? 

Hall of Fame - Again dissing the Bus? Not cool. Snubbing Tony Dungy? Shameful. Mr. Derrick Brooks? Got one right. 

Terry Bradshaw - We will never know if he would have skipped the big game as a player after the death if his father, but Bradshaw opted to skip it as an analyst, spending time with his family in Louisiana. His father died Thursday and Bradshaw missed his second game as a Fox analyst. Michael Strahan, fresh off his HOF title, put his hosting experience to use as Bradshaw's replacement. 

Super Bowl pick

Denver over Seattle - Ok, I want Peyton Manning to win. Hands down. Bottom line. I feel the win for him. I know Seattle has the defense. I know Seattle has Marshawn Lynch. I like Seattle's Russell Wilson. I just want Peyton Manning to win one more. To shut up all those people who use to think a Super Bowl was necessary to prove greatness and who now believe one win isn't enough. I hope for Manning to be able to have some relief and relaxation for a change. He earned it. Now he just has to seal it. Go Broncos! 

This week's weird things

Each week weird things happen in my life.  Odd things.  Things that I can't explain.  I've decided to keep a list.  To share.

1. Tuesday I went to to the voting poll to cast my ballot for the House of Representatives in the Republican primary.  As I drove into the parking space in the church parking lot, I noticed a sign directly in front of me that told me there was to be absolutely no distributing of material or attempts to seek votes at this polling site.  Duly noted, I thought to myself.  I turned to open my door and noticed an elderly man and woman in the car next to me, parked in an area that was not designated for parking.  The man in the passenger seat indicted that he wanted to speak to me and we rolled down our windows.  I thought he was going to tell me that I wasn't allowed to park in this space for some reason, but instead he smiled.  The woman in the driver's seat said, "He wants to give you something." Uh?  Ok?  The man took a flyer from his lap and reached his hand out his window.  I did the same, stretching to reach the flyer.  I thanked him.  He smiled.  I looked at the flyer.  It was advertising a former marine candidate who would Stop Obamacare!  I looked up at the sign that said no distributing of material or attempts to seek votes.  The sign that was directly in front of the elderly couple's car. Uh.  Hello?  I looked back at the couple.  The woman thanked me for voting.  The window went up and they drove away.  The candidate was not on that day's ballot.  Perhaps that is why they gave it to me?  
2. We have in our area a walking/biking trail that goes from one end of our county to the other end.  The trail crosses various streets and I'm quite familiar with the ones that intersect the routes that I travel. Sometimes I come upon a street I'm not use to driving and I'm traveling faster then I should be when I come across the trail.  Traffic on the trail usually is suppose to stop while car traffic is suppose to slow down, but keep going.  Since my mother has been in rehab I have been traveling a road I very rarely use.  The other day I realized the trail crossed the road when I saw out of the corner of my eye two bikers coming down the trail; a man and a woman.  The man I could see was slowing down to perhaps stop as he saw me coming and was obviously a good biker in following the law.  His female companion saw me, didn't give a hoot, and I could see she was going to barrel right through the intersection.  I was traveling probably faster then I should have and had to brake hard to avoid a collision, despite the male biker putting his hand out to stop his companion.  She went right through as if it were her right without a thank you or a wave.  I stopped and allowed him to follow her.  He shook his head at her stupidity, waved at me, and rode after her.  Two days later as I was coming back from the rehab place, slower this time having learned, I saw two bikers coming down the trail and so I slowed even more.  I think it was the same two bikers as the man slowed, but the woman obviously planned on barreling once again through the stop sign.  Unfortunately she was behind him, and so when he stopped she had to slam on her brakes.  She was none to happy about it as she put her legs on the ground, and in the process of sniping at him she suddenly just tipped over and fell splat right on the ground.  It happened in a slow motion for me as I slowly went on over the trail and past them, and then I wondered if I should have stopped to assist as the man was just staring down at her, shaking his head.  By the time I wondered all of that I was too far down the road to lend a hand.  I haven't seen them since, but what are the chances?

Hump day musings

• Just when I think I can maybe have at least respect for Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, he goes and says something that makes me remember why I didn't care for him in the first place. After losing in the playoffs to the Denver Broncos, Brady in an interview the next day said he wouldn't watch the Super Bowl. He didn't have "much of a rooting interest" in watching a football game. Seriously? My second thought after hearing this interview replayed on ESPN's Sports Center? And there lies the difference between you and Peyton Manning. Because I can pretty much guarantee that Manning, had he lost, would have watched that game and dissected every single play and filed it away for next season. 
• At my almost half a century mark, I am finding myself worrying about the rest of what life I have left. I think we have things turned around.  We should be having fun and traveling while we are young and have our health and working when we are older and looking for things to occupy our time.  I'm worried that by the time I'm able to get out and see the things I've missed in life that I won't be able to do so.
• I realized that this year is going to mark my 20th wedding anniversary.  Boy, twenty years sure went by quickly.  What does one exchange for this milestone?  I mentioned this to my husband while we were out walking the dog.  His response (as usual) was to ask if I was sure this was our 20th.  My response, was to shrug and tell him that my brother had mentioned my marriage in 1994 which made me count the years.  "Where we not married in 1994?" I asked him.  He didn't remember either. Obviously, anniversaries are not high on our lists of concerns.
• I need a manual that guides me through the high school years, especially the latter years when students begin looking towards their futures.  Maybe after we navigate Madison's way through it I'll write a book titled What to Expect When Their Old Enough to Expect It or something along those lines. Why did that book end after the toddler years?  Maybe it didn't, and I just never read any further.  Hmmm..  Will have to look into that.

Why I still support Target

Before the holidays really kicked off, and while I was on my extreme determination to use coupons, I set off one day to accomplish quite a bit.  First on my list was ordering bras for the girls online at Victoria Secrets. Let me say that I don't use the company for myself as they don't offer bras in my size, but I took the girls there to be fitted for a bra after spending money on various bras from various other companies.  An elder lady with vast experience measured and fitted both girls with one bra a piece that I purchased to try out. They loved them.  Even Madison, my picky shopper.  So after the one month trial period I sat down at the computer with my new Angel credit card and coupons that came with said card to order new bras for Madison (Darcy having already purchased her on a previous excursion to the mall).  She had picked out the bras she wanted earlier so I added them to the cart and went to check out.  After going through various screens and entering my multiple coupons, my total came out to be way more then it should have because they charged me $30 shipping and handling.  For two bras?  Seriously?  Not in this lifetime Victoria!  I closed that screen, picked up my coupons and decided I would go myself to the store in the mall to get the bras.

But first I would stop off and get the oil changed in my new van, something I despise having to do with my vehicles because I always get scammed into purchasing something or into spending more money then I need to.  Because I haven't a clue about auto mechanics.  But I decided to take the van to Jiffy Lube which is where my friend always took the van when she owned it.  She said it was pricier, but that it was close to her house and they did the job right.

I pulled in and around to the garage at the Jiffy Lube and immediately, before I could enter over the black hole that scares the crap out of me, a woman mechanic appeared at my window.  That right there threw me off as I have never, ever, met a woman auto mechanic.  It thrilled me to death, however, but left me tongue tied.  She opened my door, told me customers did not drive over the hole, and then accompanied me into the office where she told me to have a cup of coffee that someone would be right with me.  Awesome.  I liked this place.  I took a seat.

Then I got back up again because a man entered through another door, stood behind a computer screen, and asked how he could help me.  I said I wanted an oil change.  I looked out the door and saw that my van was over the black hole.  What else do they do here at Jiffy Lube that he has to ask me how he can help? Odd.  He asked me my name and address and phone number.  He asked if I had ever been there before.  I told him no, but that my friend had serviced this very van here for the last three years.  He didn't give a damn. He said he was going by my license plate and it showed I was a new customer.  So much for new customer relations.  Then he took a stance, sort of shifting on to one leg, turning the computer screen toward me, bracing for the big sell.

Did I know that my particular van's company recommended that I use grade XXL 59 PYQ double HH 58 blah, blah, blah oil to maintain proper maintenance on this vehicle?  I admitted I was unaware.  He told me, lucky for me, that Jiffy Lube knew it and offered this special oil for a cost of only $89.99.  I said I wanted just an oil change.  A regular old fashioned no special oil change.  He stared me down.  Did I know that if I didn't want that particular oil that Jiffy Lube offered a second choice of XXII 49 XYZ double KK 48 blah, blah, blah oil that they recommended if I didn't want the special deluxe super-really-should-put-in-my-vehicle oil?  For only $69.99?  I admitted I was unaware.  I said I wanted just an oil change.  How much for an oil change that wasn't super-de-duper? That came with regular non super powered oil, a tire inflation, and a window wash?  He replied snarkly that that would be $39.99 plus tax.  I exclaimed that seemed awfully high for an oil change.  He stared at me and told me he didn't give a damn that that was the cost, take it or leave it.  I took it since they already had my car over the hole.  He stomped out of the office, went outside to the woman auto mechanic, told her I was a bitch and wanted the cheap version, and then returned to ring me up. At least that is the way I viewed it.  He was really annoyed with me.  Annoyed I wasn't following Honda's and Jiffy Lube's advice and forking over $90 for oil.  I handed him my credit card, signed the slip, and my car was ready.  Huh?  I'm not sure they even changed the oil it was so quick.  I was in and out in less then 10 minutes.  I can honestly say that Jiffy Lube will never have my business again.  Ever.

I left the business irritated.  I was two for two in businesses thus far and none too happy.  I went to the mall. I had coupons for Victoria Secrets, JC Penney and Sears.  I made the bra purchases, using the coupons, and felt better. I saved $30 by coming to the mall.  Yippee!  I went into JC Penney.  I had a coupon for $10 off of $25.  Madison needed jeans for school and she likes Joe Fresh jeans which are softer then my denim jeans.  It took me forever to locate the darn jeans as Penney in their re-branding effort have messed up what use to be one of my favorite stores.  When I found the jeans they were marked down, but only had one pair in the size that she needed.  No matter.  I took the jeans, added some shirts that would work for Darcy and would end up free with my coupon, went to the check out and handed the lady my coupon. She handed it back to me.  "This won't work."  She rang up my purchase and gave me the total.  I handed the coupon back.  "You can't use it," she told me.  "It doesn't work.  Do you want this or not?"  There was a line behind me and I needed the jeans no matter what so I paid.  Then I stood off to the side and searched the coupon. The date was still valid.  My purchase had added up to the right amount.  What the hell?  I turned the coupon over, dug out my glasses for the fine print, and read that the following items were not included in the coupon.  The list was endless.  I think the list of what brands were part of the coupon would have been smaller.  Joe Fresh was not one of the brands allowed.  Seriously? And did I deserve the rudeness of that sales clerk?  She couldn't explain to me the issue? I would not have added the shirts to my order had I known the coupon wouldn't work.  Now I was really steamed.  Three for three.

I wandered through the mall, making my way to Sears.  I found some other purchases that made me happy as I strolled along and thus I entered Sears in a decent mood that was not even affected by the construction that the store was undergoing.  I found the shoes for Madison, one pair as needed immediately, another pair, a fun pair, for Christmas.  I went to the checkout and handed over my coupon.  The lady rang it up.  The coupon didn't work.  She tried again.  It didn't work.  She called a manager.  He attempted it.  It didn't work.  They were not rude, and both employees tried desperately to make the coupon work, but alas it didn't.  I took the coupon and read the fine print.  Not valid on shoes.  Seriously?  I paid and left the mall. Four for four.

On the way home I stopped at Target.  Good old Target, before they were hacked into and given a public relations nightmare.  I took my list and spent an hour filling up my cart with necessities and a few gift items. When I got to the check out I realized that I had several little goodies in my coupon caddy.  One was a $5 gift card received for some previous purchase.  One was a coupon for $5 off $50.  Several were various cents off of purchases, and then I found I also had a coupon of $10 off of a purchase of $100.  My total was way over that limit so I gave her the various coupons first.  Off those came.  I gave her the five dollar gift card. Off it came.  I gave her the coupon for the $5 off of $50.  Off it came.  That left my total at $109.  I proudly handed her my last coupon.  She handed it back.  "I can't use that too," she said.  "It won't work."

By this point I was just resigned to the fact that my day sucked.  I paid the money and left the store, thinking I would certainly use that coupon before it expired anyhow it being the holiday season.  As I got to my car I got pissed.  What the hell?  Why couldn't I use that card?  I got into the van and studied the coupon. Nothing on it said I couldn't use it in conjunction with other coupons.  I looked at my receipt.  I clearly had the correct total.  That was it.  I lost it.  I ranted and raved inside my car where no could hear.  I discussed it over the phone with a friend.  I sat and studied it some more.  What the hell?  I got out and marched back into the store.  Enough was enough.  What was wrong with these businesses?  I went up to Target's customer service desk and waited my turn.  When the lady beckoned me to the counter I pulled out my receipt.

Me:   "I just made these purchases.  I gave the check out girl this coupon off of $100 and she told me I couldn't use it.  I want to know why."
Target lady (taking the receipt)  "It wouldn't work?"
Me:  "She didn't even try.  She just told me I couldn't use it and that it wouldn't work.  I used another coupon which worked, but nothing on this coupon says I can't use it with another coupon."
Target lady:  "Well, let's see."

She punched in my receipt.  She put her hand out for my coupon.  I gave it to her.  She punched it in.  She pulled out a ten dollar bill and handed it to me.  She smiled.

Target lady:  "Here you go.  No problem.  Sorry about that.  Have a nice day."

The whole transaction took less than one minute.  I stared at her.  I stared at the ten dollar bill.  Hard cold cash.  IN MY HAND.  No questions asked.  No hassle.  No problem.  I smiled back at her.  And then, and I am not kidding, I danced.  I danced all the way to the door and outside and to my car. Finally!  Finally a store that did what it said it would.  Finally an employee that understood customer satisfaction!  Finally the outcome to what I should have had all day!  Finally happiness in an otherwise shitty consumer day!  Target! None of this, well-listen-here-customer-who-thinks-this-coupon-will-work-but-it-doesn't-get-out-of-our-store nonsense.  Just good customer service.  Sorry this happened to you.  Here is your savings.  IN CASH!

So.  While I read about Target and its mistakes and problems and security breaches I will still stand solidly behind them because of this experience.  Which, when I look back, has always been my experience at Target. Good solid customer satisfaction.  In an industry that is sorely lacking in it.

Monday morning NFL recap

Well, looky, looky.  The two teams I wanted to see in the Super Bowl made it. How exciting!  Now I want Peyton to kick the Seahawks booty. Yee haw!

Offense/defense - The AFC game was offensive and the NFC game was defensive. Should make for an interesting bowl game. 

Omaha - I thought maybe Manning would eliminate the popular call after last week's excitement of it in social media and despite companies in the city offering up money to Manning's charity each time he used the word, but he fooled me. I lost count of how many times he used the word, but it sort of became a superstition for me and certainly calmed me when I heard him yell it.

Aqib Talib - He shouted obscenities at a reporter when asked to speak?  Pfft.  When he was here in Tampa that was daily.  We're just glad he is out of town.

Broncos - Peyton Manning threw for 400 yards to add to his collection and made sure to keep his offense on the field for as long as he could.  Matt Prater kicked four field goals. The receivers jumped and flew through the air to make unbelievable catches with Demaryius Thomas catching seven passes for 134 yards and a touchdown.  It was an offensive delight for Denver fans, but their defense did a good job of covering the Patriots and keeping Brady spooked.  A good enough game to get the job done and get to the Super Bowl.

Craziness - The Seahawks and 49ers game was just brutal.  Hard hits.  Fighting.  Trash talk.  Apparently during the week the exchanges back and forth on social media alerted the officials enough to tell both teams they would put a stop to anything they deemed out of control.  Uh, yeah.  And what would that have been? Because things on the field were crazy.  One of those things looked into this week by the NFL had better be the sideline shenanigans of the 49ers.  On a punt return in the second quarter Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane was taken out by someone on the 49ers sideline when he was forced out of bounds and attempted to return to the field.  When I first saw the play on Fox's replay I thought he had been clotheslined.  Now that I've had the opportunity to review it in slow motion I see the staff member stuck out his foot and tripped him. Naughty, naughty.  Seriously, though?  The NFL has a lot of work this off season to get this game back into some kind of control.

Russell Wilson - He screwed up on the first play of the game, fumbling the ball, and every time I thought he was just off he would come back and make a bad ass play that kept the Seahawks in the game.  He needs to talk to his O line this morning and demand better protection in the Super Bowl, but kudos to him in his second year.

Richard Sherman - After his impromptu on the field interview with Fox's Erin Andrews, the NFL might want to rethink that whole players must talk to the media thing.  Especially directly after the game while emotions are high and players are asked to comment while still on the field.

Media - And continuing on that very subject...the NFL really needs to address this issue.  The media is part of the game, part of the job.  Yes, many reporters ask stupid questions.  Yes, many times being asked to speak after a loss, or in Sherman's case directly after stopping a huge play in the end zone that wins the game for his team, is not high on a player's list of things to do.  But tough.  Fans want to see what the players have to say.  Fans want to feel a part of the excitement.  What needs to happen is the NFL needs to work with these guys on speaking to the media.  Teach these guys how to respond.  Have them watch the greats like Peyton Manning who lines up on the field for the media, win or lose, and who speaks calmly and eloquently. And when players, or coaches, say things that goes out side the lines, when they do speak off the cuff, make stupid remarks, tough.  The media too needs to relax and not make such a huge deal.

Bill Belichick - And I might as well keep on talking...apparently the Patriots coach made comments this morning regarding a hit the Broncos, and former Patriot, receiver Wes Welker made on Patriot defender Aquib Talib that resulted in Talib out of the rest of the game.  Belichick led off his conference with this subject without being asked about it.  He called the hit "a deliberate play" and "one of the worst plays I have seen."  O.K.  Look, I know that everyone thinks Bill Belichick is one of the best.  Terry Bradshaw considers him THE best.  While I agree he is a good coach, I don't consider him one of the best.  One of the best to me means being fair, not cheating, and helping others.  Belichick does not like being crossed.  He has ideas and he has what he expects of others.  Apparently Wes Welker, like his former assistant Eric Mangini, crossed a Belichick line by not sticking with the Patriots and taking a pay cut. Belichick needs to stop ruining his legacy with these types of comments.  He "deliberately" set the NFL on Welker, and on a hit that didn't look dirty to me.

Tom Brady - And then after all of that nonsense we have some calm in the leader of the New England Patriots.  While he is not one of my favorites, he is growing on me.  He is usually respectful and classy and yesterday was no different.  He was outplayed and he said so.  

CBS vs FOX - Such little differences, but...

1. When the game is moving along and passes are flying through the air the announcers sound intelligent and have worthwhile things to contribute, but when the game is a defensive, low scoring game even good announcers like Joe Buck and Troy Aikman end up making inane comments and are just plain boring.
2. Yes, yes, everyone wants their analysts to remain neutral at the desk and when reporting, but I for one love when these guys are true to their teams.  I had no problem with CBS's Shannon Sharpe's enthusiasm for his Denver Broncos, pulling out his helmet at the end of their broadcast.  Made for funny television.  Didn't cross the line in my book, any more then Michael Strahan's excitement for his New York Giants a couple of years back.  These guys played years for teams that they still love.  I respect that.  I love it myself.
3. CBS did a better job of interviews on the field after the game compared to Fox, but I was disappointed that CBS left as early as they did when the game ended.  Kudos to Fox for hanging around and giving fans more.  I'm sure it had to do with rules and regulations, but I'm sure it left Bronco fans feeling empty.-

NFL picks - division playoffs

Let me first say that I would love to see Seattle and Denver in the Super Bowl.  Two new teams for a change!  Plus, I love the two quarterbacks on these teams.  Two good guys for a change!  So I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Seattle over San Francisco - Now that my pick is locked in I feel differently, but maybe the Seahawks really can use the crowd, Russell Wilson really will make some big plays, and it really won't matter that wide receiver Percy Harvin is sitting on the sidelines.

New England over Denver - Now that my pick is locked in I feel differently, but Peyton Manning just seems to have some curse on him in the playoffs.  Or nerves.  Or something off in his head.  Plus, the whole Omaha thing is now so huge with the state of Nebraska offering up money for his foundation every time he says the word in this game.  And Tom Brady loves to beat Manning who overshadows him despite his own personal career and super model wife personal life.

I'm not sure I can take the stress of these games.

The search for a new grocery store

At the end of 2013, the grocery store that I've shopped at for twenty years closed.  It is going to be remodeled into a bigger, two story store with an added pharmacy.  The plan is to be open again in ten months, which we all know means a year or longer.  I am not happy about this as I liked the smaller, neighborhood store.  It was built in 1963 and its layout is vastly different from all of the other stores in its chain.  The employees there have known me since before I had children.  They have watched my kids grow.  They have bantered with me over football.  They have ordered me special requests.  The bakery made my wedding cake and my girls' first birthday cakes (and most hereafter).  The deli people remember my order. The dairy guy looks for me on Mondays to discuss the Steelers.  The produce employees know most everything about my life, and the cashiers each have different topics we discuss as they ring me up.  The closing of this store has disrupted my life and left me feeling discombobulated.

I live within a two mile radius of four grocery stores.  If you drew a square starting at my house, there is a Publix grocery store at each corner.  That is, there use to be.  Now the southwest corner is empty, stripped of its signage, the interior gutted.  I have been to each of the other groceries at one time or another, even when they once belonged to another chain.  The southeast corner grocery was closest to my children's private school and was easy to pop in when dropping off or picking up.  Kelly once worked at that grocery when she first moved here and it was another company.  After that company pulled out of our area, Publix took over the store, remodeled it, and my old branch manager was put in charge of running it.  The first time he saw me in the store he hurried over and thanked me for coming.  I told him not to get use to seeing me here that I was a true and loyal customer to the old store.  The northwest corner grocery is probably the closest to my house, but it is hard to get in and out of and most of us locals sneak in the back way through the Walgreens parking lot.  It sits on the street that leads to the beach and during spring time we locals avoid that area.  It too was once another chain store that was overtaken and remodeled.  I didn't much care for it when it belonged to the other chain.  The last corner is probably the farthest away, which isn't saying much as it is right up the street, but it isn't a grocery I used very often.  It is the one that is next to a Hallmark store that I go into maybe four times a year and is convenient when I need a smoothie from Tropical Smoothie in the next plaza.  The one thing it has going for it in my book is once I left some Hallmark card purchases in the shopping cart after unloading in the parking lot.  Several months later an employee found the cards still in the cart and took them over to the Hallmark store.  The employee there tracked me down by my name on the receipt and the cards were returned to me.  I've never forgotten that.

Now I feel like I'm interviewing Publix stores to see which one will earn my business for the next year.  The employees from my old store are scattered, the brunt of them in any of the other three corner stores, the others in stores closer to home.  On New Year's Eve I stopped in the store that Kelly once worked in because I happened to be driving by it on my way home from somewhere else.  This store has absorbed the customers from our closed store as they both are on the same road.  On New Year's Eve it was packed. The layout of the store is odd and I wandered through it irritated, trying to locate item and annoying my daughters by talking about how much I hated the store.  I ran into three employees from my old store; my buddy from the bakery, a woman from the deli, and my favorite bagger.  The bakery guy was collecting carts from the parking lot and working in unloading.  He was not the same happy go-lucky employee having found a vast difference in work ethic with his new co-workers.  These co-workers were also not as receiving of the new hires or of the new customer,s and tension was definitely in the air.  (At least that is how I saw things when witnessing a few happenings)  My little bagger lady, a handicap women I've known for years, almost burst into tears when she saw me as she readied herself for her first day, waiting to punch in at the time clock. She is the one that told me the remodeling workers had already discovered a hiccup in the old store, something about faulty piping.  She was very unhappy and looked very lost.  I left the store feeling sad.

The next store I tried was the one at the other end of my street.  I use this store for the rare times I need a different pharmacy, for when I'm popping into Walgreens, or for getting sandwiches to take to my buddy's house on football days.  It is set up a lot like the other store, both previously owned by a different grocery chain, and while both are bright, spacious and inviting I find them anything but.  The layout is opposite and twisted from what I am use to.  I think the produce is certainly not up to par and the employees not as helpful.  I decided that this too was not going to be a grocery I wanted to frequent for the next year.

The last grocery I went into was the one that is farther up the street.  It also happens to be the one closest to where my mother is currently in rehab recovering from her latest hospitalization so the first attempt I made was after visiting her.  At the deli counter I asked the girl behind it if the store had seen an increase in population with the closing of my store.  She said they had that they had also acquired some of that store's employees.  She asked if I was from that store and I said yes.  She welcomed me to this store and said she hoped that I would enjoy this store.  I thought that nice.  Later as I went down an aisle looking for black beans, two employees stocking shelves in that aisle asked if I needed help.  I mentioned my store closing and we had a conversation on the construction, missing the employees, and familiarity.  They welcomed me to this store and told me they thought I would find it my liking and if there was anything I needed to order to just let them know.  Hmmm...quite nice.  On I went.  At the check out when the cashier asked if I had found everything I needed I told her I was seeking out a new store.  Ah, she replied, you are from the store that closed recently?  She then introduced herself, welcomed me, asked me my name and told me they were happy to have me as a customer.  Then she called over the manager who repeated the above and then asked me if I needed help taking my groceries to the car.  I left feeling quite happy.  The second attempt at this grocery was almost as nice as the first.  While in the produce section I lamented to Darcy that the cilantro was always so tired looking at this store.  Immediately, an employee in that aisle unboxing produce told me he would look in the back for some more.  He disappeared and than reappeared quickly with a whole new batch of cilantro, apologized to me, and replaced the cilantro.  Looks like I have found a winner!

Holiday Photos #2

I have taken the last week off to recoup from all of the holiday activities and to try to regroup in my mind and body. We had a busy two weeks of family, food, wine, gifts, food, family, and opportunity for more sleep, but got less. This week I am determined to start out my new year by jumping on my resolutions and forging ahead with a life that will open to new ideas and things.

My brother and family arrived via car the second week of break.

My family, who spent the first week with us, departed.  Before departing they decided that purchasing a suitcase to take home their belongings would be cheaper then mailing a big box home.  Two days before they left my husband found a suitcase while walking our dog.  I'm not kidding.  It was a perfect suitcase set out for the next day's trash pick up.  The only thing in the suitcase was this rock and the owner's name; Daniel Jones.  We had a lot of fun with that rock, wondering what it really was (tracking device, voodoo charm), and passing it from person to person.  Thank you Daniel Jones.

Tom's sister and family arrived the second week too.  A big group of us went to the beach after Christmas to put our feet in the sand, and I made us pose for a New Year's card since a Christmas card didn't happen. 

We ate at a favorite local restaurant despite the huge crowds that appeared the week after Christmas (Outback Bowl) and caused quite the traffic jam to and from the beach.  Our favorite restaurant just added tables out back and we ate in close proximity to the dumpster.

 We went back to the putt putt we had discovered at Thanksgiving.  This time the adults all played.

 Despite this guy who apparently waited too long for the group in front of him to putt

My nephew (my brother's son) spent most of his vacation on his phone with his girlfriend.  We have been there, done that, with him before so we mostly ignored it.  

We played a lot of games and cards the rest of the week.  My mother was in poor health from a change in medication and ended up in the hospital.  My husband's sister and family spent an extra two days in Florida due to a cancellation in their flight.  My brother and family and my brother in law made it home by driving before the huge winter storm struck the Midwest. 

We took down the holiday decorations and dumped the tree to the curb and sat in a quiet house wondering how it had all gone by so fast and furious and readied ourselves for the week ahead and our normal routines.  

Ah, the end of one year and the beginning of another.

NFL Monday recap - playoffs

NFC - 

Defense - Both sides in the NFC games played defensive games that we haven't seen much in this season of run and gun passers.  The scores were lower, the tackles fierce, the emotions high, and the trash talking nasty. Will only get worse next week in the NFC Championship next week. 

Marshawn Lynch - Take that $50,000 and shove it. Unbelievable game. He came to play whether he talked about it with the press or not.  He was like a little rocket pushing forward on its way to its target, spinning and crushing through obstacles.  He just couldn't be stopped and racked up 140 yards, leading the Seahawks into the NFC Championship game.

End of game one - Poor Marques Colston. When he sees his stupidity of not stepping out of bounds played over and over on all sports networks this week he isn't going to want to leave his house. Total brain freeze there.

Cam Newton - His post conference was heartbreaking. He took the loss hard and put it on himself. Missed fourth downs. Red zone stops. Quarterback sneak stuffs. Kissing the turf. Welcome to the big game. Take it and learn from it. 

Harbaugh on field - Coach Harbaugh is fiercely competitive and when he feels his team has been wronged he has no problem letting people know it. After one missed call that was eventually overturned and ruled a touchdown, Harbaugh came out on the field to set the referee straight. Only problem is stepping on the field is a no no resulting in a fifteen yard penalty. Hey, Harbaugh, at least it isn't a draft pick takeaway. 

AFC -

Andrew Luck - Gotta give it to the guy; he can throw the long pass.  He made some great throws on Saturday.  Unfortunately, he made some bad ones too getting intercepted four times.  The difference in this game compared to last week's game was that the Patriots made sure to score on those turnovers.

T.Y. Hilton - He was mentioned early on by the cute-we-only-allow-women-on-the-field-and-not-in-the-booth sideline reporter.  He wasn't happy with his lack of receptions and then next thing we saw was him making an unbelievable catch from a Luck power pass.  He is a dangerous receiver and the Patriots actually did a fairly decent job of keeping him contained.  He only had four catches, but his 103 yards on those receptions was a main reason the Colts were still in the game.

LaGarrette Blount - 166 yards rushing and four touchdowns.  Four.  The Patriots running back took the heat off of Tom Brady and kept Marshawn Lynch from being the talk of the weekend.

Tom Brady - For years I have not liked him and his attitude, but then sometime last year he started to grow on me.  I've read about how he and Peyton Manning talk, and I liked that he agreed to be interviewed for Manning's Sports Illustrated article.  No doubt about it, the guy can play football and he is definitely one of the good guys when it comes to conducting himself.  He is so focused on the sidelines during a game.  I never doubted him yesterday when the Colts were matching touchdowns.  He is just that good.

Luck's beard - I am so glad the Colts lost so that I don't have to see that thing again on high definition television.  Please, Andrew, shave that hairy growth before it overtakes your face anymore.

Denver's slippery fingers - Can't blame Manning this playoff game for the dropped passes and missed catches. Too many to count in this game and that has to be a main concern this week in practice. I felt like Gisele yelling at the television. Receivers:  You have one main job. Catch and hold on to the damn ball. Manning can't do that too.  

Omaha - It got to be funny as Manning shouted out the word that caused the Chargers to bolt, earning penalties and extra time for the Broncos. It worked once, then twice, and then it became a drinking game. Something tells me the Chargers aren't going to be ordering steaks or heading to Nebraska any time soon. 

Tension - I want Peyton Manning (and Russell Wilson) in the big game so much that this AFC game was like watching the Steelers. I was a nervous wreck and completely worn out at the end. Whew. Talk about the monkey off of Manning's back. I just hope he can put it away next week earlier, but something tells me I'm in for another hard evening. 

Julius Thomas - Huge catches in the end, one at third and seventeen in the last three minutes and one at third and six in the last two minutes that gave the Broncos the chance to sit on the ball until the clock ran out. 

John Fox - How cool is he on the sideline? Like nothing worries him. I wonder if that is due to his recent health scare or the fact that he has Peyton Manning as his quarterback? Or maybe he is trying to channel Bill Bellichick. 

NFL Picks Playoffs #2

Seattle over New Orleans - I've got to go with my man Russell Wilson who is looking for further entry into the playoffs after losing last year to the Falcons in round one. The Saints haven't been as consistence as the Seahawks, and while I believe the season doesn't much matter once in the playoffs, I'm hoping Wilson and company play like they did all year.

New England over Indianapolis - Experience over Luck? That's what I'm counting on. 

Denver over San Diego - I hear that Phillip Ruvera is clutch, and while I don't see this team play much, I wouldn't list him in my top five quarterbacks. Peyton Manning, on the other hand? I want to see him win the whole enchilada because I want to see the good guy come out

In top for once. 

San Francisco over Carolina - While I will root for Cam Newton and team I still have that streak worry. At some point most undefeated streaks end. 

Monday morning football recap

Well now, all four of my picks lost. 0-4. WTH? By the time the Packers took the field I didn't even watch much of it because I knew then they were doomed. Sigh. 

AFC -

NBC announcers - I didn't care for the team of  Dan Hicks and Mike Mayock who called the Chiefs/Colts game. Not only had I never heard of them, but they had absolutely no pop and sizzle. They were as different from the second team of Cris Collinsworth and Al Michaels as the Chiefs were from the Colts in that second half of their game. Makes a difference too for those of us sitting at home. 

First Game - You couldn't ask for a better playoff game. The Chiefs came to play....for the first half. They exploded out of the tunnel and the Colts didn't know what was happening. Then halftime ended and the two teams changed positions. It went down to the wire and kept fans and football lovers on the edge of our seats. 

Chiefs defense - What happened here? What happened in that locker room that made these guys come out and play the way they did? That loss is on the defense no doubt about it; missed tackles, 

lazy coverage, half assed attempts.  They gave up 536 yards, allowing Colts T. W. Hilton to put up 224 yards in receptions. Pitiful. 

Colts offense - Which isn't to say that the Colts didn't work their tails off in this comeback. They did. The play calls were spot on, the players determined, and Andrew Luck solid in the pocket and in confidence, despite throwing three previous interceptions. Kudos to them. 

Luck's beard - I griped a week or so ago about all these guys growing beards (holy Brett Favre's beard...ugh) but the Colts quarterback's beard is just plain mountain man-ish. Then I got a glimpse of the top of his head and realized he must have made his beard using what use to be there. 

Concussions - One by one they dropped. In the first game. In the second game. In the third game. So much for that number one concern being taken care of this season. 

Andy Dalton - Was he even aware of where he was?  He threw interceptions. He fumbled. I know players have bad games, but I'm not sure Dalton even came out to play. Not that his teammates were any better. This was the same team the Steelers beat twice this year. 

Third game - As exciting as the first two games were, the first game of day two was as boring. I went to sleep during halftime and missed the third quarter. Turned out I didn't miss a thing. 

NFC - 

Nick Foles -  He was the real breakout star of quarterbacks this year with Luck, Griffin III, and Wilson being old hat, and while he played respectfully in his first playoff game, he wasn't explosive as he had been during the year. Unfortunately, in the playoffs you need to be just that. 

Saints - There is something to be said for experience. Drew Bree's kept his team in the thick of it. I've always said that the playoffs are like starting the season over again with all teams at 0-0. Doesn't matter what you did previously to get there. Obviously, you did enough. Wipe the slate and every team has a shot. Bree's knew that, remained calm despite an interception and some bad reads, and got his team the win. 

Colin Kaepernick - Despite missing his arm band with the plays and forced to take a timeout to retrieve it, the 49ers quarterback was everything Andy Dalton wasn't. His big rushing numbers, as well as his passing ones, won that game. 

Cold weather - Green Bay won the trophy for coldest venue at 3 degrees, but the hype of storms and freezing temperatures almost overtook all the games themselves. Even Indianapolis was included in the hype and Lucas Stadium is indoors. 

Jim Harbaugh - Always easy to be funny in the post season conference when you pull off the win, eh, Jim?  He sure was a lot more relaxed then he was at the end of last year's Super Bowl. 

Marshawn Lynch - It's been rumored that he was fined by the NFL a whopping $50,000 for never speaking to the media all season long. What? They just now want to hear what he has to say? 

Trent Dilfer - I keep saying this, but he is the MAN when it comes to analyzing the game. I look forward to his ESPN coverage every Monday. The man is spot on and isn't afraid to tell it. After the Bengals loss, the media is now wanting to throw Andy Dalton under the bus. Dilfer, who has been there and done that having quarterbacked five different teams, disagreed. He argued that teams have got to build around the quarterbacks they have because, "...you're not going to go to the Hall of Fame quarterback tree and just pluck one off and go to the Super Bowl." Point being not everyone can have a Tom Brady, Drew Brees, or Peyton Manning. Boo Ya!

Wild card playoff picks

Kansas City over Indianapolis - Ever since Colts' owner Jim Irsay messed with my boy Peyton Manning I dislike Irsay winning thus I don't root for the Colts to win. The Chiefs are hot right now, but the Colts are the comeback kids. I went with who I wanted to win. 

Philadelphia over New Orleans - The little quarterback that could is playing the big quarterback that can, but I just had a feeling. 

Cincinnati over San Diego - Both teams can be wishy washy, but I saw how the Chargers beat the Chiefs' reserves. Thus I'm going with the Bengals. 

Green Bay over San Francisco - I'm going with the Packers because they are at home and that place is magical when the weather is cold and snowy.