Week 2 and Week 8 respectively

I am in week 2 of couch to 5K or C25K as I will refer to it for sake of laziness!:) So far, so good. It was blowing and snowing, then melting, so I had to use our stationary bike inside for day 2. With our gravel/mud roads, it's really hard to run outside, honestly. It's been a pretty easy program to follow. Week 2 is alternating 90 seconds of running and 2 minutes of walking for 20 minutes, with good warm up and cool down. I couldn't do it without my MP3 player. There's something about turning on some good tunes and breaking a sweat that makes me feel really good.

It is week 8 in the NFL this weekend. I'm posting now, as I want to try and post some Halloween related stuff later. No Sunday evening game this week, so what to do, what to do?

Broncos @ Ravens: Broncos are still undefeated and coming off a bye week. Ravens are good, but I am doubting how good lately. Have to give the Broncos head coach, Josh McDaniels lots of credit trading Jay Cutler for Kyle Orton. Orton and the Broncos are really clicking. Not so much for Cutler. However, the Broncos are traveling to Baltimore and all good things must come to an end. Ravens by 6.

Rams @ Lions: Battle of the losers. Sort of. Are the Rams trying to match the Lions record from last year? Or is it the Titans. I think the Lions, shockingly, have the edge. Lions 14, Rams 10.

Giants @ Eagles: Both these teams have much to prove in this game. Giants have been on a downhill slope, while the Eagles have been all over the place. I think the Giants will have regrouped and should win this by 10.

Dolphins @ Jets: I am officially adding the Dolphins to my Brett Favre and Cowboys list. Any team who is partially owned by has-been (Marc Anthony), crusty (Fergie)celebrities deserves this honor. I truly believe this is a free country and anyone can own/partially own a team, but a little know-how should be a requirement. Just like previous military experience of any kind should be a requirement for the President. I'm just sayin'. Jets by 12.

Vikings @ Packers: Ooohhh! Can you feel the tension? Smell the revenge? See the anti-Brett posters? This hopefully will make for a great game! I've read some articles how Brett is destined to lose this, how the Vikings are statistically shown to win this... who knows? I know what I want... to see the Packers pound Brett every defensive play they have. Of course I want every defense Brett plays to do that! Perhaps we witnessed the beginning of the end for Brett last week? Packers by a game winning field goal (sweet revenge for my '9ers!).

Falcons @ Saints: It's the Saints game to lose. If they win, no questions asked. If they lose, they join the growing crowd of teams in the are-they-for-real-or-not club. Saints by 9.

I hope we don't as many blowouts this week like we did last week. Close games are good for the game and more exciting to watch. Plus, it's nice to see players earn their millions of dollars when they can actually catch or throw or defend the ball.

I was WWAAAAYYY off, but I don't care!!

So I was off on just about every game but one yesterday. It's the only game where I cared about the outcome, really.
Giants lost, meh.
Falcons lost, disappointing, but...
Raiders lost, am I really surprised?!
Bears lost, *shrugging*.
Vikings lost... WOO-HOOO!!! I saw a picture that was just, well, great. Picture of the Week?


Pittsburgh Steelers' Keyaron Fox (57) returns an interception 82-yards for a touchdown as Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre (4) watches in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. The Steelers won 27-17. Actual caption from picutre.
Brett wonders what he'd look like in a Steelers jersey. My own caption.

Great job Steelers!!!

Another interesting stat about yesterday: 1st time since Dec. 20, 1970, that 6 teams have won by 28+ points. Are teams that lop-sided? Are offenses that more dominating? Beings how week 7 is over, the fog should be clearing a bit on who is dominate and who is a flop. Some of that is pretty clear, but there are still a lot of teams out there that are, to me, up for grabs. It's been an interesting year and that is one reason why I love the NFL... not very predictable!

Procrastination is how I roll

Yeah... my intentions of posting my Week 7 pix for the last 3 or 4 days has led to this: posting about 1 1/2 hours before the first kick off of the day! Due to limited time, I'm only gonna post who is playing who and who I think/want to win... so no or very limited details today. Sorry (I am not complete when my hubby has to take the laptop to work!).

Vikings @ Steelers: Good match up. Week 7 game of the week. PLEASE Steelers... grant my wish for a win! Wait Polamalu is playing?! *sigh of relief* Steelers by 3.

Falcons @ Dallas: Another loss for Cowgirls in their failure of a new stadium. Falcons by 7.

Bears @ Bengals: Big game. Looking for Bears to win by 6.

Patriots vs. Bucs @ London: Only commenting on this as it is overseas (why?). Leave the NFL where it is loved and appreciated, in the USA! Anywho, won't be a very fun game for the Brits as the Pats should trounce the Bucs by at least 17.

Jets @ Raiders: Considering last weeks games, this one may turn out to be good. Raiders continue to "roll" for now and win by 9.

Cardinals @ Giants: Ouch! Giants are reeling from last week's shocker. Should handle this game well tho, by 12.

Eagles @ Redskins: Usually would pick Eagles, no questions, but after last week's loss to the Raiders *snort*, who knows. However, seems the go-to lose team other than the Titans this year is the Redskins. Zorn has lost some coaching privileges throughout the week and this spells trouble. Eagles by 14.

So much to talk about.. but so little time. Oh man!

Will give this a try...

So after some consulting with my health promotion minded sister-in-law, Heidi, we decided to participate in the Ice Breaker run held in the spring in Great Falls, MT. Better start now to get in shape by the end of April (which is when it's held, I think). I used to pride myself on how in shape I used to be. I have quite a few awards from high school, including one MVP trophy, to prove how committed I was. However, time and laziness crept up on me. I am using a website called coolrunning.com and they have this program called couch to 5K (3 miles) in two months! It so far has been kinda fun. I love how I feel after a good workout. So on top of posting stuff on the NFL, I will now post my progress, mostly to keep myself accountable. Bear with me as I am sure times will be tough these first few weeks. I really want to do this, tho, and it'll be even more fun cuz Heidi will be suffering right with me!:) I started Monday, by the way... here we go!

Week 6 follow up

Another 50-50 week. But it was close! The Vikings won just by a missed field goal with 2 seconds left in the game. Had that gone differently, I would definitely be a happy camper today. I had an interesting discussion with someone over the weekend, and I'd like to put it down for the record. He told me if Brett were on my team, I would be all for it, cuz my team would be winning with Brett behind the wheel. I had so many problems with this statement, but didn't have time to get into it, but I pretty much told him I would have a new favorite team if Brett were to join the 49ers. It could happen as I'm pretty sure he'll retire and then flirt with another team till last minute and join the roster as starting quarterback with weeks to spare before opening kickoff. I've said before for Brett to stay away from my '9ers and I mean it! I'd probably adopt the Colts till Brett was out of the picture. Hand to God I would. Brett is not a one man show. That was evident on Sunday. You win with a team, not a quarterback, or running back or wide receiver. Brett didn't save this team. The Vikes have slowly been building a solid team for the last several years. The addition of Brett, I think, gives them false confidence that they are complete and invincible. Brett is old and past his prime. He is riding an adrenaline high and pure coincidence. One of these weekends, the shine will wear off, and we'll have alot of disappointed Vikings fans. I don't want this to happen to my team. I am a loyal 49ers fan, but Brett brings false hope and over sized ego to any team he joins. I'm not saying he'll join the 49ers, this is all hypothetical, but I will not support ANY team Brett Farve dooms. It's on the record now! I'll move on...

I was shocked at Giants/Saints score. I was unable to view this game, so can't really say what happened, but I'm sure Eli wasn't %100, and I know they have some key injuries. That and I think the Saints are seriously a good team again. The Texans and Bengals are so all over the place, I don't know if the most knowledgeable (not me) person in football can figure out week to week what these 2 teams are all about. Considering my history with the Broncos (see my last post), I surprised some that I was pulling for the Broncos to remain undefeated this week. I put Philip Rivers in the same category with Jay Cutler and Brett. Heads too big to fit in their respective helmets. It's fun and satisfying to see this trio lose.

To end on a positive note, the 49ers had a bye week, but still managed to go up 2 points in the FoxSports NFL power rankings!! Thanks to several teams poor performances in week 6, so thanks guys!

Funny

Just had to laugh at this headline while browsing scores this evening: Titans drop to 0-6 with snowy stinker off of the fanhouse.com website. What happened there?! Scores like that is why I am no longer a Broncos fan. They lost in humiliating fashion like that in the SUPER BOWL when I was in 4th (or was it 3rd) grade. I think they played the Redskins (remember when they were good?). I vowed that whoever won the next Super Bowl would become my favorite team... 20 years later, I am still a 49ers fan. The '9ers had a bye this week, so whew, but don't get me started on Favre and the Vikes.. or the Giants (What the...?!) I need to process this to a point of understanding (a little clip from Home Movies there for ya!).

Week 6

Week 6 already! Here's my pix for week six:

Texans @ Bengals: Bengals have won their last 4. Texans have not. Bengals are hot, Texans are not. Bengals to win by 13.

Ravens @ Vikings: Ugh. Do I hafta talk about Brett? Ok... *huge sigh*. Ravens lost a by a hair last weekend and are smarting somewhat from it. Their defense against Peterson will be fun to watch. Brett will throw out his shoulder or something too. Here's hoping! Ravens will end Brett's 6-0 dreams. Ravens by 6.

Giants @ Saints: My week 6 game of the week. These 2 teams are of the last 5 teams left in the league who are undefeated. Obviously, there will be 4 (well, 3 when the Vikes lose) left after today. I think these teams are a good match for each other. I like the Giants experience more, so I pick them by 9.

Cardinals @ Seahawks: This is a division game (that my 49ers are currently leading) that are important to get a "W" esp. towards playoffs. It could mean home field advantage or not. Both teams are weaker than in the past, but I think the Cards have more depth. Cards should win this by 14.

Bears @ Falcons: Both teams are 3-1, both have just come off a win. Both are undefeated at home, so I give Atlanta the green light to win by 3.

Broncos @ Chargers: Another division game that the Broncos clearly are dominating. They should clean up nicely by 12.

So at the end of all of this there will be 3 teams left undefeated still: Colts, Giants and Broncos. I am not going to start talking about Super Bowl, but wouldn't it be fun to see Manning vs. Manning? I hope to see some games this weekend, but it will be a busy one: Tony and his family are playing for a wedding reception this Saturday, our friends from Billings are visiting and I am helping with a baby shower on Sunday. I am usually not this busy! But it will be really fun... and fast! BTW~ I hope you like my additions to the right side of this page. Just something else to look at for funzies.

Week 5 follow up

I haven't been keeping as close tally as to how my predictions have been faring, but I was 3-6 this week. The surprise to me was how close most of these games were. The Bengals have won 4 of their last 5 games... were did that come from? Denver is 5-0??? That game was a great game to watch. I loved all the plays the Jets and Dolphins threw at each other. It was also fun to watch. That wildcat offense kept things pretty interesting a few times. Why don't teams do stuff like that more often? It is good for the game and so fun to watch!

I am distressed by all the unnecessary and unbelievable coverage regarding Rush Limbaugh and his bidding on the Rams. Details at this point, to me, are pointless. The smearing of his name and frank out and out lies about what he said are insane. These so called quotes were posted on his Wikipedia page from a single, unsourced blogger. The media, who really don't even know what true journalism is, took it as gospel truth and ran with it. But beyond all that, Limbaugh is a private citizen who has any right as anyone to bid and potentially own a NFL team. My blood really started to boil when I start reading "black NFL players against Limbaugh" articles who throw quotes that are out of context or not even true. Jason Whitlock, who is really is a whiner more than a reporter, wrote an embarrassing column for FoxSports about how Limbaugh is doing this for a publicity stunt. Most of these people don't listen to Limbaugh cuz he's *gasp* conservative and therefore don't get what he's saying nor do they care. As long as they can report their ugly, scathing "news", who cares who the source is, right? In the mean time, we won't bring up President Obama's skeletons, Pelosi's skeletons... cuz they're on "our" side. The frank media bias is sickening and when they drag it into the sports arena, I start to get worried. Let Limbaugh's peers decide if he is able to go into partnership of owning a NFL team. If these so called journalists would look at this objectively, they'd see he is a brilliant businessman, and most of the people who started working for him in the late '80s, are still with him... and many of them are black. WEIRD!

Week 5

Here are the picks for week 5:

Bengals@Ravens: Ravens should win this, even tho the Bengals have a little more pep in their step lately. Ravens by 12.

Redskins@Panthers: What a disappointment the Redskins are this year! I think the Panthers will dominate the whole game, tho just barely, winning by 7.

Texans@Cardinals: Cardinals by 13.

Patriots@Broncos: My game of the week. Some history between head coaches here. That's why I give the edge to the Pats. Belichick, love him or hate him, is a football genius, and the Pats are starting to get their mojo back. New England by 10.

Colts@Titans: Usually this would be my game of the week, but something has happened at Tennessee that makes me doubt their ability to stump Manning and the Colts this year. Colts by 21.

Jets@Miami: Rex Ryan has proven me wrong, so I won't go against him again! Jets by 12.

This week will be my official first weekend home on our new couches to watch the games!! Yah! Also having some of Dustin's gourmet pizza (it's really good, folks!), so it will be a good day!

The Scarlet Letter

I hate this time of year: flu season. And not for reasons you think. I am in a small minority of health care people who doesn't agree with the whole flu shot for whoever can get their hands on it frenzy. I just received an email from my daycare provider encouraging all parents to get not only the flu vaccination, but the H1N1 vaccine as well. Every year, the infection control nurse has a list and "you don't want to be on it" she threatens every year. Yeah, basically threatening people if you don't get immunized. Ridiculous. If you believe you need the vaccine to protect you or your kids, fine! Don't tell me I am a lesser person cuz I don't get it. I believe there is something to be said about natural immunity. If a person has a medical condition/disease, I completely agree with vaccinating that person. But it isn't necessary for a healthy person in my opinion. We could immunize ourselves to the point where a little head cold could become deadly if we keep this nonsense up. Frankly flu's are viruses and nothing works against them but good old fashion R & R. And DO NOT tell me by vaccinating myself I am protecting others. If this is the pathetic theory we're going with, why not vaccinate against staph infections, pink eye, stomach viruses? We are walking petri dishes, carrying millions of different bacterias and viruses on us all the time. Anyone is susceptible to contracting something at some point. I also go by personal experience. I worked at the Billings Deaconess Hospital for a few years. One fall/winter I think every room we had was filled up with people who had influenza. I had not gotten a vaccination that year and never did get sick. I was in and out of these rooms all night. Obviously, we had precautions in place and they worked! I did get the vaccination awhile back and I got sick! Doctors and public health nurses tell you this is not the case, but in my experience it is. I think, for me, natural immunity was better than the "dead virus" inside of me. It's a personal decision, and it should be left at that. You won't start a holocaust if you don't get the flu shot! Everyone will get sick and everyone responds differently to the same strain. In fact, I have a bit of the sniffles right now. This H1N1 thing has sent people into a frenzy, OVER THE SNIFFLES. I don't think it's a government conspiracy, but I do question the amount of attention to this particular disease and how quickly a vaccine for it has come out. Pushing a brand new vaccine on worried parents is almost criminal. What are the long term effects of this vaccine? I have had a few parents just worried sick over this and what to do. Was there a similar situation with the bird flu? Not that I can recall. It's the FLU, people, the FLU. Let's worry about bigger issues, like cancer and genetic disorders. Sorry to rant, but enough already. Anyway, now if you see me wearing a scarlet letter, now you'll know what it's for... *hint,hint*

Aria's 1st day of Preschool!

I will continue to say it... time flies by! I really struggled with whether or not to start Aria in preschool at age 3. After lots of good advice, I decided it couldn't hurt anything. Today was an abbreviated day; us parents stayed to see how a regular day would be for them. All the kids really seemed to enjoy it. There will be 14 total in the 3-4 year old class, which is Mondays and Wednesdays from 930-1130, October - April. The hardest part is getting my schedule worked out with babysitters and my mother in law. I have to say that without Debbie, I don't think I could do this! She is such a blessing!

Aria was so excited to go. She picked out her backpack over the weekend and couldn't wait to fill it up! Of course, we had to take out all of her toys and keep it mostly empty for potential papers from school. The teacher, Mrs. Tempel made it pretty clear that learning would be a side effect from the class. No pressure parents!! I had to laugh at the beginning when everyone was settled in and Mrs. Tempel was giving instructions, Aria blurted out "What time is it?". This is her favorite question to ask anyone within earshot. I am sure that Mrs. Tempel will hear this question more than once.

Surprisingly, I didn't get emotional AT ALL! Maybe it was cuz we were there with them or there was so much activity to really focus on how momentous this was, but it wasn't till we were taking off our coats at home when it hit me: Aria is in preschool????!!!! She has 2 years of this, but man, it's hard to believe.


BTW~ I didn't do my week 4 predictions as I was visiting family in Billings over the weekend. I really didn't have time to put anything down. I would like for everyone to note the 49ers-Rams score... oh yeah! I was at a 49ers game a few years back and saw them lose horribly to the Rams. If only I could've seen them shut out the Rams this time! I also think tonight's game, Vikings vs. Packers is going to be fun to watch. Brett is really trying to poo-poo the significance of this game. We all know the history, so don't think you're fooling anyone, Brent. I can't wait to see his replacement, Aaron Rodgers, out-perform his un-mentor, Brett Favre, and all Brett will be able to wonder after the game is "huh... maybe if I had actually tried to help this guy out, maybe we could've won tonight!"