Simply Me

He's a YELLOW Belt now :)

We are thrilled for Casey for the work he's done to earn his 2nd belt this year since starting Tae Kwon Do. Last night he tested and passed to earn his yellow belt. Here's a quick collage of him in action.

 I want to show this one larger because I love his face:

 

Journal Jar Entry #2

I thought I'd have another go at the "journal jar" today:

 

How's that for coincidence? I used random.org's number generator and ended up with a question about Sunday on a Sunday!

My answer?  Depends on the season! From September through the Superbowl...it's football baby! I am a rabid Baltimore Ravens fan. I developed my love of football as a teenager when I had a boyfriend who loved the game. Our time spent together happened mostly on Sundays so football watching was a big part of our activities. 

When we parted ways, I still loved the game. When I was 20 though, I met my future husband. He did NOT like watching televised sports. After a time, I watched less and less ball. It wasn't too hard. I didn't have my "own team" to root for and hadn't really ever picked a favorite.

Then in 1996, the Cleveland Brown owners made the decision to move out of Cleveland and chose Baltimore as their destination. For those of you who may be "hatrers" because of this...I'll tell you what Indiannapolis Colts fans have told us for 20+ years...get over it already. Why? #1 is because it's a GAME! and not worth that kind of emotion.

Anyway, in the last couple of years, this Sunday activity has become even more enjoyable because my lovely daughter has also become a huge fan. She picked the *Giants* to go all the way in 2007...and they did! She declared Flacco should be our starting quarterback in '08 when he was drafted in April. Through a set of bizarre, unexpected circumstances, he was! And has done more than an admirable job! 

Being given little options as a result, my husband is now watching most games with us and even cheering on the Ravens. Well most of the time.

It's been a tough season but we made the playoffs and even beat the Patriots today which was pretty unexpected. We face the Colts next week and the experts will tell you we have little chance of beating them. But who knows? The Al Pacino movie says it best "Who knows what can happen any given Sunday?"

 

 

 

I love this time of year

The cool breezes are delightful. The beautiful colors will soon be spectacular. 

And FOOTBALL!!!!

I started making my own weekly game count siggie a couple of years ago. I finally got one made for this year. Even during those seasons when we weren't playing great football, I still love this time of year more than any other. To non-football fans, I just can't explain what I enjoy so much about it. And now, my daughter is finally as rabid about it all as I am. Makes for watching games and talking about it that much more fun. Hubby is even watching with us most weeks. 

For the record, yes I do schedule my time during the season around games. If I have to, I will listen to a game instead, but not if I can help it!

Wooohoo!!!

She made it!  My daughter made the JV softball squad her first year in high school! 

I can breathe again :)

That was a mistake

Yesterday, I sequestered myself inside the house because of the bitter cold outside. It's nothing compared to what the midwest has been dealing with, but a low of 2 degrees is enough for me to stay put.

Unfortunately, I ended up spending the morning laying on the couch watching TV.  I kept telling myself: "After this show, I'm getting up."  It was after 11:00am before I finally did.  And only because I was getting really hungry. 

This stupid move led to two things: nothing getting done around here AND a headache. It's bad enough when I get a headache out of the blue but when I basically GIVE myself one? Not smart.

So, today I'm up. I've had coffee. I've written out the week's menu and the associated grocery list. I've read my email and poked around on 2Peas. Now, it's time for some laundry, some breakfast and a shower. Afterwards...chaueffer service for my daughter and a trip to the grocery store. 

And this table is a sty...gotta get that cleaned off too.  I'll work on that while I make the sausage for breakfast. 

Wish me luck.

AND GO RAVENS!!!

Have a good game guys! We're all back here rooting and cheering and screaming for ya!

(all images from the Baltimore Ravens Official website and their downloadable wallpaper section)

Obsession

I've had a hard time this week maintaining any continuous focus. I am a Ravens football fan and I am obsessed about this week's game. This week's game is bigger than the Superbowl to me. 

Please don't tell the team I said that! Seriously, Coach Harbaugh, Ray Lewis and Derek Mason would not be happy with me. And they need to focus on the task at hand. Not some silly girly fan whose stomach is in knots.

I am so glad it's less than 48 hours away from kickoff. 

I wonder if my nails will survive the ordeal? I hope so...I pay good money for them.

Awww....Ravens, you shouldn't have!

But oh am I glad you did!  41-13 against the Houston OIlers.  

There was a lot of consternation in week 2 when this game was post-poned due to Hurricane Gustav. I was secretly rubbing my hands together with glee as this meant I wouldn't spend my birthday with no Ravens football to watch.

It was another on the road win.  4 straight games of scoring 27 or more points. No turn overs!  Domination in the 2nd half.  My boy...Todd Heap finally arrives this season.  And a new guy...another new YOUNG guy kicking a long-ball field goal.  Nobody will take the place of Stover in my heart, but it's nice to know that we might have somebody in the wings.

Some say "yeah, but they haven't won against a winning team."  True.  And still you have to give them credit for some great playing.  Each week they grow and excel. Each week they are fun to watch.  

I'll take it! 

(photo courtesy of ESPN - AP Photo/David J. Phillip)