Tennessee You got slammed in Nashville - UNC style

Butch Davis and North Carolina Tar Heels not only bent the rules on campus this season for their football team they also did so during the 2010 Music City Bowl game. That was unbelievable! North Carolina gets a break to be able to run plays to the final second. And then some!!!

North Carolina has players running on the field. Too many men on the field! Throw the flag. They have to many people in motion! And then they then snap the ball. The penalty is on the offense so, oops! Game over.

Oh! Wait not so fast! Let's review! We need to help out Butch and the boys. They only get one five yard penalty?

So now they get to kick a field goal to take Tennessee to OVERTIME?

I wonder what temporary service the Music City Bowl went to for the referees? What conference did these folks come from?

I'm not a Tennessee fan. But, I feel bad for Coach Dooley and his band of Orange. Hope 2011 turns out better!

My future movie maker

This is what appeared on my new iPhone. It appears that the seven year old, director, producer and actress is practicing. I love when I find these things on my phone. This is a kid at play!!!!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas - Wow! Does that feel good to say! Yes, it is the festive time of year. It is cold outside, the kids are in the kitchen making peanut butter balls and getting ready to bake cookies. I've just finished chomping on a candy cane and there is Christmas music playing from the IPhone. Christmas cards are arriving daily, I've see 12 different version of wish lists from the kids, and we have been connecting with friends and family about holiday plans. It doesn't get any better than that!

And yes, nothing says Christmas like a stop at Chick-Fil-A. After 4 hours of wrapping presents at Walmart for the participants in "Shop with a Cop". We decided to have brunch. And there was Santa Cow. Couldn't resist the photo op.

Ladies and gentlemen,
It's Friday. Yea. Glad this one is here. It has been a long week.

Happy Anniversary, Honey!

Yep, she said yes. Or, it was; " I do". Nineteen years ago. And, it is our Anniversary.

I still remember it like it was yesterday.

Weeks leading up to the main event we discussed vows, readings, who would stand where, you know, all the important stuff.

My father-in-law to be was the most fun. We would stand around at all the "required" social events and watch the "loot". I mean all of the thoughtful gifts that our friends, relatives, co-workers and neighbors gave us. We would chuckle about the stuff. Don't get me wrong. Jennifer married me for love, not money, so the gifts helped us to get started.

Anyway, the wedding day was very unique. First, it snowed in Huntsville, Alabama on that Saturday morning. Someone in the wedding party said that snow on the wedding day meant a fertile marriage. Oh! boy, if I understood what that snow indicated I would have followed my brother and been married in Hawaii. Kids, if you are reading this I wouldn't trade any of you in....

So, we are in the ceremony. We have reviewed everything in advance. As I am standing at the front of the church with this beautiful lady standing next to me the priest gets to the vows. I am now beginning the out of body and mind experience. The priest says, repeat after me. I heard the first six words, each and everyone of them. Then the realization that I, the groom, am suppose to be looking into my soon to betrothed eyes, when I realize that I am behind in the monologue. (So, flashing back to the rehearsal the night before, this isn't right! There was just I do! It is then I realize that my future Mother-in-law and spouse to be , had a change of plans! Hum, could this be a sign?) Okay, snap out of it. Repeat what he is saying! I had a big grin cause I was caught flat footed. But, I made it through the ceremony! Glad it I followed along. I've been trying to catch up with her ever since.

Today, I laugh about it. Nineteen years! WOW!

Please get out and vote tnday.

It was on this day 17 years ago that one of my favorite people and my hero left this world. Gan, i think of you often.

Roll Tide roll

Having a wonderful Sunday evening with family and friends.

Had a wonderful day kicking off a new project at work in the Kansas City area

Looking forward to seeing the Alabama Crimson Tide roll over the Hogs. Live!

Heading home after a long week today!. Yea Friday

JACKSONVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY just beat Old MIss in overtime!. Go Gamecocks

How many more Monday nights til dun dun dun da?

Happy 7th birthday Abigale

Freedom

I'm waiting at Firestone to get my tire fixed 120 minutes after the appointment and my car hasn't been touched. that is service.

Sitting by the pool at a friends house. playing lifeguard for the kids.

Having a great time at Scout camp. It was 106 degrees. Just a bit warm.

Happy 4th of July to one and all. Celebrate our Independence!

Enjoyed a wonderful day with the Vermont and New Hampshire family. GREAT DAY!

Had a great time walking the Relay for life sun down 2 sun up. off 2 boy scout car wash

World Cup Soccer Begins in just a few Hours

Let's get the game on. In just over 10 hours the world will begin watching the World Cup of soccer. This is a serious event all over the world. The games can bring an entire country to a stand still.

The viewing audience for the games is equal to over 50 Super Bowls. This all happens from June 11 to the middle of July. That is billions of people. They will follow thier team as they begin the process of playing through the brackets. First they must survive the play within the group of four countries. Then they will begin to play down to the final match. You lose you go home. You win and the stage to the rest of the world becomes open to you.

If you are interested ESPNsoccernet. com. Under games and schedule. You can find the tab for brackets. Choose your favorite players, your favorite country, or you can pick based on some other factor. But, do choose.


Who is your pick to be the World Cup Champion? Will the US move up to the finals. Will this be Brazil's year? What about the Brits?

Let's hear who you think.

Walt with Mr. Rollback, Darrell Owens

Had the chance to have my picture taken with a celebrity. He is a great guy. Really nice and down to earth.

He is helping to invent a new type of advertising. Some of his upcoming commercials are excellent.

Had a great time meeting him.

Walt with Mr. Rollback, Darrell Owens

We had some interesting weather. Rain, lightening, hail the size of peas, then marbles and the wind, wow! Jen's brand new patio awning took flight. it didn't stick the landing. Sorry honey!

Saying some prayers we are having a significant weather event

Saying some prayers we are having a significant weather event

Had a great time at the Tim McGraw and Zac Brown concert last night. Great music and great fun!

FRIDAY is here. And we have a three day weekend

Yea last day of school. My 6 year old daughter wants to know when I get out 4 the summer. Suggestion box here i come!

Countdown to No Fly Zone

The space shuttle program is winding down.

Having grown up in the time that flying in space was the coolest thing known to mankind makes me a little sad hearing that it will all be over soon. I had all of the mission pictures up in my room and, oh how I would dream about taking that flight. Just never took the necessary steps to get the ticket. Like learning to fly! But, it was dreaming not planning!

Having the space program out there did help me with homework. "if you don't do your math and science, you will not be able to fly!" Okay so spending billions to get me to do my homework has had little return on investment for the whole country, yet! I'm still working on it.

Anyway, let's honor the crew of the existing mission that have spent time preparing to go into space to advance the International Space Station. This mission alone is a big change for the days when I was a kid. Today, the US Shuttle, is delivering a Russian made component to the space station. So, some doors have been opened!

I am looking forward to the day that we are able to go out get on the shuttle and head to the moon for a month or two.




Have a great ride and come home safely.

You can follow the progress of the mission on Nasa.gov.

Waiting in line with Abigale to get our books signed by Laura Bush

Yea it is Friday evening! Let the weekend begin

Saying some prayers. The is lots of severe weather in the area. Doing family time in the basement.

When will the mess be fixed? Hello, Washington?

Huh, the party in power in our Government was very good at Monday morning quarterbacking what should have happened with Hurricane Katerine. Now, they have been extremely quiet as the largest environmental crisis in the history of the United States is washing up against the shores of the Gulf Coast.

Once Americans figure out that the vacation spots along the Gulf Coast will be ruined within days. The trivial issues that are being debated in Washington will be moved to the side. Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida beaches will be devastated. Oh! that's right these states didn't really vote for the party in charge. So, the lag in responses will not add votes.....

I did find it interesting that an announcement was made that there sound be no more new drilling in American waters. This is a reversal from a couple of months ago when it was the greatest idea since sliced bread. But in the election two years ago it was treated like the plague.

Where is Al Gore, where is Joe Biden, the President, Reid, Pelosi? They sent 3 officials from Washington to help. That's like trying to bale the Titanic with a Dixie cup.

I couldn't believe when I heard on the radio that it could take 3 months to get a response out to plug the 275,000 gallons of oil gushing into the Gulf per day. At that rate, 27,225,000 gallons of oil will be floating in the Gulf. What is BP going to do? It shouldn't be the Coast Guard taking the lead on this. The leader in the White House should use one of his many press conferences to get this fixed.

Who will need healthcare when they lose their jobs from this? There are whole industries, food supplies, vacation spots, sensitive environmental areas that will be destroyed. All the while the federal officials and BP are arguing about the volume of oil leaking into the ocean. Nice.

I'd like to see a plan. Now!

Have had a wonderful weekend with family and friends

Going to the Sweet Sixteen!!!!

Congrats to the St. Mary's of College of Maryland Seahawks. Two free throws, by sophomore guard James Davenport, with seconds remaining on the clock lifted the Hawks over Virginia Wesleyan 72 - 69 to take another step forward in the Division III Men's Basketball Tournament.

This will be St. Mary's second trip to the Sweet Sixteen in three years. Franklin & Marshall College (F&M) will be next week's opponent. The Diplomats, from Lancaster, PA, were winners over U.S. Merchant Marine, 73 to 64. The site of next week's games have yet to be determined. It should be ironed out by Sunday evening.

The Hawks win advances their record to 26 and 3 on the season. This will be the second meeting between St. Mary's and F&M this season.

Way to go Associate Head Coach Nick Wilson and the Seahawks!

To follow the Seahawks you can use d3hoops.com with live stats, sometimes the games are on video feed, or you can use the school's web page

St. Mary's College of Maryland Heading to the Next Round

Then there were 32!

Congrats to Associate Head Coach Nick Wilson and the St. Mary's College of Maryland Seahawks for their win on Friday evening over Purchase College of New York. The 88 to 59 win has allowed the Seahawks to advance in the tournament.

The second round of the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball will be on Saturday evening, March 6. The game will be against Virginia Wesleyan, winners over Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. In a close one the Wesleyan team won by 3.

If you want to follow the action live or via the brackets check out D3Hoops.com. A great site to follow the news from all the teams.

Go Seahawks. Let's Celebrate the Madness! It's March

Basketball Time Ends

H and I have been going to MSSU Basketball Games together since the start of the season. It was a chance for some guy time. About midway through the season A joined us, cause, if H enjoys it, it must be fun. We had a great time. Today was the last home game.

As the season progressed H became close with the players. He would be next to the court when the team ran out of the locker room. He would be smacking hands with the guys when they headed in at half time and as the clock would wind down he would be there to congratulate his large friends.

During the game a favorite event would be just after half time. The pep squad would toss a number of t-shirts into the crowd. The volume would be based on the points scored by the home team in the first half. The fun part was watching the crowd jump up and down screaming, waving, and doing what they could to get the attention of the young throwers. Each week there would be some challenged catchers who would try to the grab a shirt. There were also some that should be replayed on a jumbo tron. A caught one shirt at a game. Which almost put H into orbit. H did end the season with a grab of Frisbee.

H was able to go to the locker room with the team. He would hang with a friend who is a freshmen guard on the team. Lots of fun to see your buddy playing college basketball.

There is a conference tournament in Kansas City then a chance at the MIAA tournament. Maybe we can follow the guys on the road.

It was great fun and I hope to spend some more basketball time with my little man.

Time for the Superbowl

In rainy Miami there is a football game about to be played. Will it be the. we could have tried to win every game, but decided not to, Colts or the wow, I can' t believe we lost three straight and are here, Saints. Either way there is a Super Bowl Sunday.

Not sure who I am pulling for. I live around the corner from the biggest psycho fan of the great Payton Manning and the Colts, right Ann? My father in law adopted the Saints, back when they were horrible, because the fans when they came to Gulf Shores, threw a heck of a parteee! I guaranteee.

There are lots of questions. Will a rookie head coach get the win? Can Payton win his second Superbowl ring? Will Payton and brother, Eli, be shown enough times on their stuuuuupid Double Stuff Oreo's commercials? Will the ads this year be any good?

What ever happens it is Superbowl Sunday!!!

I wonder how many burgers, dogs, chips, sodas, frosty adult beverages, and salsa will be consumed tomorrow? This should be a huge food day for those who support the national pastime of football. It is truly the last game of the year.

McDonald's was offering a special of no less than 50, count them 50 chicken nuggets, two large fries and two large sodas for $15.00. Now that is sum bunch of nuggets. My son, who is a chicken, fan attic, noticed the deal. Only challenge is that is enough nuggets to last him until the middle of this decade. He is a growing boy but not that growing.

Back to the game. Who ever you are pulling for in this game let's hope it is close. I'm not a big fan of the 30 point blow out by half-time. It isn't fun. Last years last second heroics by the Steelers was a really good game. It was the first Superbowl that I had watched the full game. Most of the time I lose interest since some team is usually mailing in the game around midway through. Don't think we are going to see that. But, one, Never knows.

How about dropping comments on who you think will win and by how much. This is just for fun. There are no prizes awarded except you will get the chance to have a post dedicated to the fact that you are correct if you participate, prior to the beginning of the game. Once the kickoff takes place please only submit who you think will win!

Hope everyone has a safe and happy football game. Then the bragging can begin.

On the Move! International Style

This was a fun Saturday. Starting early this morning it was finally time to move a good friend to her new place. This was started a couple of weeks ago but delayed due to snow and ice. In this case the second time was a charm.

H and K went with me to assist. They got up early on a Saturday morning, with minor grumbling, to ride along to help.

Upon arrival the fun started. With lots of boxes, a 24 foot truck and a house full of stuff; the moving was on!

There were some great people there. It was a like a United Nations of volunteer movers. As I describe it, I promise, it will sound like a set up to a joke. There was a Greek farmer, a Panamanian Industrial Engineer, a Global Security expert, an Alabama football fan and a lady from Wisconsin. Please add your punch line here.

We took furniture apart, loaded and unloaded boxes, and made multiple trips to and from the truck. And along the way, we had a great time.

My buddy Tammy proved that she is a truck driving woman! She backed that truck up a seriously angled drive. She also made a couple of trips.

Powered by Chick fil a nuggets and sandwiches, Chinese food, Green Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate, and soda this motley band worked hard to get the stuff moved. There were times that we didn't speak the same language or approach the challenge in front us with the same way. But, it continued throughout the day.

I was impressed with the motivation of my son and daughter. They played like kids would but they put forth an effort that was beyond what was expected. And, the impressive part, they moved at a pretty high rate of speed throughout the 10 hour day.

As the day progressed we learned Greek words for boss, thank you, please, and fun. We practiced Spanish, joked about not understanding each other then solved issues with hand signals and some good ole' fashion let me show you how!

The day grew to a close with the temperatures dropping and the muscles of the participants getting a little sore and tight. As I left the unloading the last five items were in view on the second trip of the truck. The garage at the new place was full of plants, boxes, furniture, yard furniture, cushions, towels, and tools. It was in a stage to be wrapped up.

When we headed home there was a great discussion about the fun we had tackling a challenge and meeting some neat folks.

Greek: Ποια διασκέδαση, σας ευχαριστεί

Spanish: Qué diversión, le agradece

English: What fun, thank you.

Wow! The Yankees get it right Blue No More!

I'm not talking baseball. I'm talking politics. It appears that the electorate in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have decided to elect a Republican to the United States Senate. It appears they are tired of being blue!


On the eve of President Obama's first anniversary in the White House it appears that his party and that of Senator Harry Reid and Representative Nancy Pelosi are receiving a set back. They are seeing red! Not since 1972 have the residents of Massachusetts sent a Republican to the United States Senate.

Not claiming that the Red folks have it right. It just makes the blue folks stop the back room deals. This makes Mr. Nelson's deal in Nebraska a mute point.

Quoting someone last January, " the ground is shifting beneath the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long," well, at least the last year.

I do applaud the work in concept to make change. I just don't agree with the reduced access, the gaming of the answers, and the deals to shut out those with different opinions.

My thanks to the citizens of Massachusetts. Maybe there is something to the Red Sox after all. My thanks because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents.

There maybe something to the Massachusetts Miracle.

Help us to Prevent - Milk Voice

We have discovered a new ailment that will require a telethon, a ribbon, and a national marketing campaign. It is an ailment called milk voice. I know, your thinking that Louis Pasteur handled everything that deals with Milk.


This occurs only after you have consumed a glass of milk or drained an ice cold milkshake. There is a something that happens that produces weird sounds in your voice. Something happens to your throat.


Our family discovered this ailment after enjoying, on a Thursday evening, some frosted goodies from Sonic. By the way the concept of the Happy Hour at Sonic, is a wonderful money saving event in the middle afternoon. All kinds of cool flavors!

Okay, back to the topic at hand. My lovely spouse decided to talk to the rest of the family after enjoying her chocolate milkshake. The strangest noise, that use to be her voice, was emitting, from her mouth. It sounded like her voice but it wasn't the full volume. It also had a strange wobble in it. At first there was concern. Then the first chuckle and then the full scaled laugh. It is unfortunate but yes, we did, laugh at the expense of one of our own. Family life is a tough place.

Once the source of the strange sound was discovered the group immediately worked to name the ailment. So there in the car, Milk Voice was discovered.

I wonder if a whole family can receive the Nobel Prize in Medicine for a ground breaking discovery. We aren't doctors, but, we have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.

Kiffin Set a PACing for the West Coast

One and done. Young Mr. Lane Kiffin, former head coach of the University of Tennessee, decided that it is easier to exist in a football conference that doesn't have a Championship Game. After barely a year he packed his bags and ran from Rocky Top, it appears that the mighty mouth of the SEC has unvolunteered.


After Pete Carroll, Coach of the USC Trojans, decided that he was on the move to Seattle. Kiffin made the move to a place where you can shoot off your mouth and no one cares.

Can you say scared? After under performing in the Southeastern Conference Kiffin decided that Hollywood was more to his style. All flash and no substance.

Kiffin, your entertaining comments will be missed. You should have stayed with the conference that has won the last four national championships in football. The Ducks and Cardinal are waiting for you.

Celebrating a National Championship at Bama!

Congratulations to the Alabama Crimson Tide. After the last three years finishing every play, playing the defense of a stone wall, and rebuilding, the University of Alabama Football team has arrived at the pinnacle of the sport. A National Championship! Winners of the BCS National Championship Game in Pasadena, California.

How wonderful that the game was played in the Rose Bowl. Many years ago when the Alabama fight song was written the Rose Bowl was mentioned specifically in the song. See lyrics below.

So, here is yours truly celebrating the win! My thanks to my sister Liz for the giant foam number one.

Thanks to Coach Saban for bringing us back! Roll Tide! 14 and 0!

Lyrics:

Yea, Alabama!Drown ‘em Tide!Every ‘Bama man’s behind you;Hit your stride!Go teach the Bulldogs to behave,Send the Yellow Jackets to a watery grave!And if a man starts to weaken,That’s his shame!For ‘Bama’s pluck and grit Has writ her name in crimson flame!Fight on, fight on, fight on, men!Remember the Rose Bowl we’ll win then!So! Go, roll to victory,Hit your stride,You’re Dixie’s football pride, Crimson Tide!

It's Snowing, and snowing, and snowing!

I'm not going to get into the whole global warming discussion right now, especially, since the temperature outside is currently 12 degrees Fahrenheit. With the wind it feels like 6 degrees. Nope, not going to talk about warmth. (BRRRRR!) Since I can't feel my fingers and toes from just stepping outside for a few minutes. Nope, not going to talk about warming.

For the last three weeks we have seen a bunch of snow. We received another 4 plus inches last night that landed on the 6 inches we received on Christmas Eve. And that piled on the 10 inches we already had on the ground. As of this writing it is continuing to snow.

This is the snow on the back deck of the house. The young lady is standing with snow almost to her waist.

The kids are all watching the school and business closing list with mild interest. The ante was upped by a couple of school systems that pulled the trigger on not having class on Monday already. This is causing a number of discussions about the need to lay out clothes, some mild challenges about bed times and my favorite; From my youngest, she would like to know if I get snow days at work so we could have some more vacation together.

All of this snow has allowed for outdoor activities; some snowballs, a snow person, sledding, and icicle eating.

Here is the start to the snow person. Along with some team participation to put the next layer on the base.

Then celebration when the person was completed.

Just looking at the pictures of the winter events makes me cold. Having a great time with the snow. But, I am beginning to think about Spring.