Weekend Update

First let me talk about a little thing called STEELERS FOOTBALL!!! Batch came out on Sunday and got the job done! His numbers: 12/17 for 186 yards, 3 TD's, 2 INT's and 5 rushes for 26 yards...too old...can't move in the pocket...can't rush...can't throw the ball...I think not!

As for the rest of the team everyone stepped up their play and once again the defence was on fire. I think this is some of the best defensive play I have seen in years from the Steelers and I love it. Give me the down and dirty, hard hitting football any day!

I can't wait to see what Batch does against the Ravens on Sunday. I think we are heading to Hooters for that one.

Ok...on to the fun weekend...

I think we may have started an annual camping tradition. We meaning Mark & I, Bob & Michelle, Candy & Paul, and Mike and Kris have had a Leavenworth camping trip planned since last spring. We have been talking and planning and looking forward to it all summer. We were excited that Bob and Michelle had babysitting for the kiddos so it could be an adult weekend and that our friend Kaleena was able to go with us as well. She is a great addition to the group! Little did we know that it was also the Fall Leaf Festival in Leavenworth this last weekend. We decided to head into town to catch some of the parade and do what one does to celebrate in Leavenworth...drink a lot of alcohol!!!

First stop was the beer garden and brats.

Mr. popular in camp with the makings for mimosas!

All of us around the campfire after rolling in Friday night.

Kaleena and I cuddling.

The gang watching the parade go by.

So there is this thing called the Sauerkraut Band made up of mostly older people and they were a ton of fun. They showed up at the bar we were watching football at and the ladies literally took over the tables and were dancing on them. They had a whole conversation about which tables were the most sturdy. Let me just say the best bar to hang out in is the Post Office, just off the main street. Tons of local flavor and fun!! Oh and they had really good mini tacos!

Highlights: Old Fashioned Hot Dogs for dinner the first night, the apps on Kaleena's phone, breakfast burritos and mimosas in the morning, beer and brats, the cheese shop, Chocolate Cherry wine (don't even get me started on how good that was), The Post Office Bar, the sun, and most important the Peeps!!!

And I just have to give a shout out to my Sister and her family. They all ran the Susan G Komen Race for A Cure on Sunday. I am still in awe that Beth and Brian run marathons and train like they do...especially since I hate running with a passion! But I'm even more in awe that my nieces and nephew love it as well.

I couldn't resist snagging a couple of her photos to share...

Beth with the kids...love the pink knee highs!

I love, love, love this photo! They are so into it!!!

Good job guys!!! I was thinking of you!

Steelers Football

This weekend I will find out if I am right in being so vocal about starting Batch over Dixon. With Dixon's knee surgery Batch is the ONLY health QB we have and is getting the start.

How often do fan's get to see if their opinion is right or not? I know this is not totally scientific as Batch would have to play the same teams under the exact same conditions to accurately determine if he would have done better than Dixon. But, I will settle for Dixon playing two games and Batch playing this one and I hope the next.

I'm sure it will be a primarily running game, which is why I dropped Heath Miller in one of my leagues. (Who knows how much of a throwing game they will have the next two games and then the bye week is here so I picked up a different TE.)

I have said it before and will say it again...Batch knows the system inside out, he is smart and safe with the ball, and the guys on the team respect him. While I didn't want Dixon to get hurt I am glad Batch is in.

Safe ball handling on the offensive side and the defense being on fire...I hope that equals a win!

Speaking of the defense being on fire...Steelers are #2 in the power rankings, and I honestly think that is too high at this point. Yes we have managed to get two wins without our starting QB, largely due to our defense. The Steelers D is playing some of the best ball I have seen them play! But, I do not think that warrants a #2 ranking. A team should to be balanced on offense and defense in order to be ranked so high and lets face it the offense is not up to par without Ben. (Still not a Ben fan, but he is the starting QB and the best QB of the 4 on the roster.)

I'm a Steelers fan and I would not have them ranked that high, but what do I know...I'm not an expert.

Here we go Steelers, here we go!!!

It's Time For Some Dodgeball!!!

It is time for some Dodgeball! Dodgie Style is back with some veterans from last season and few new rookies thrown in this season. We have our first practice tomorrow night and I can’t wait! We have a plan for practice tomorrow night: rules review, skill drills, and playing a few games against another team that is joining us.

I’m excited to see if we get off to a better start this season since we have some experience. The games we did lose last year were all pretty close and I feel like we can win those close games this year with a little hard work and solid strategy.

Thankfully I have been cleared to play post concussion. I went to my Dr. last week, and while she would prefer I sit out a whole year from sports with potential for getting hit in the head, she said I could go ahead and play! I was thankful the softball team let me keep stats so I could still feel like part of the team, but I really hated sitting on the bench watching week after week. I’m a player not a spectator!

Our first game is 10/6 and I can’t wait!


On a fantasy football note: 2nd week in a row of losing in all three leagues. My record is 0-6 L. I was not fit to be around last night with all the yelling I did at the TV…Mark actually had to verify that I said some of the things he thought I was saying…it was not pretty.

I have to remind myself that when it comes to football ultimately the only thing I really care about is the Steelers winning. The only reason I started playing ff was to distract myself when the Steelers had a down year. My new ff plan…try and spend less time obsessing about it (and constantly checking my stats) and just enjoy watching football. Whatever happens in the leagues will happen even if I’m not yelling like a crazy woman at the TV!

Strong Man!!!

I got the coolest call from my Dad today! He is the number one power lifter in the nation for his age and weight! Number 1 in the NATION!!! And, he did it with a torn pectoral muscle.

He has been a weight lifter for as long as I can remember and the last 7'ish years he has been a competitive body builder, but this was his first time in a power lifting competition.

I think it is pretty amazing he took 1st place and did it with a major injury. I can't imagine that bench pressing 350lbs with a torn peck can feel good, but he did it!

Good job Dad...I'm so proud of you!!

Football Through the Eyes of a 4 Year Old

Grace watched the 2nd half of the Cincinnati/NC State game with me last night...

Grace - Who is on D.
Me - The red team.
Grace - What is the white team doing?
Me - Scoring a TD.
Grace - I love football Sundays.
Me - It is not Sunday.
Grace - But there was a TD!

Later after the game was over on the way to bed...

Grace - Did the red team win?
Me - Yes they did.
Grace - Woo Hoo...I love it with the D wins.

Nothing like watching football with a 4 year old! I sort of figured trying to explain the whole defense/offense thing was a bit much for her at this point.

Babysitting Morning 1

There is nothing like the tears of a one year old to break a person’s heart. My first morning with the girls started out great. I got up early, got myself totally ready for work…had a few minutes to chill before either of the girls woke up. I was able to get them dressed and ready to go so ahead of schedule that we played for a bit and had a glass of milk before heading off to daycare. (Don’t worry that I didn’t mention breakfast…they eat at daycare).

I will admit I was feeling pretty proud of myself for being so organized and handling a 4 year old and 1 year old all by myself! Then I get to daycare. Grace was fine she runs in takes her jacket and shoes off and didn’t even say good-bye before running to play with friends. Kiera is another story. She was fine until she saw me take a step to the door, then she looks up at me, puts her arms out to be held and start crying big huge tears and trembling bottom lip. I kissed her and had to force myself to walk out that door. Leaving that beautiful crying little girl was one of the hardest things I have ever done, and I don’t say that lightly.

Now I don’t feel so proud of myself…I feel more like I just let the most precious little person down and she doesn’t even understand why.

By the time I got to my car I was in tears because all I could think about is how much harder it is going to be once the adoption happens and it is my own child I’m dropping off. I really don’t know how I’m going to do it!