Superbowl Hodgepodge

Everyone her in Bowling Green is excited about the Superbowl, 

they are calling it the HarBowl. 

Jack Harbaugh, father of John (Ravens Coach) and Jim (49ers Coach), brought life to a dying WKU Football program in the 90s. As head coach, Jack wound up leading the Hilltoppers to seven consecutive winning seasons, including the Division I-AA national title in 2002. Overall, Jack Harbaugh had a 91-68 record in 14 seasons at Western. Both John and Jim helped with recruiting players to WKU.  So the Harbaughs are well know on the Hill.   

1.      In the USA this coming Sunday millions will be watching as the Baltimore Ravens take on the San Francisco 49's in the Superbowl. What was the last event you attended that could be described as super?

Wow, event.... can't think of any event that I have attended, sports or otherwise. I tend to watch on tv instead on being in attendance. 

My son is the big sports fan in the family and attends sporting events regularly. In December he went to Detroit with 17 other bus loads of fans to support our local football team, WKU Hilltoppers, in their first Bowl Game.  He was even shown on ESPN when they scanned the crowd. 

  

2.      Share something you're a fan of these days?

Ruzzle - word game on IPhone. My daughter challenged me to play and I am hooked. You and your opponent are given the same board of 16 random letters and you have 2 minutes to find as many words as possible.  There are three rounds of play per game. 

3.      How do you feel about wings? In case anyone is confused, I'm talking the edible appetizer kind. What's your preferred seasoning on a wing-hot, mild, teryiaki, sweet and sour, other? Do you make your own or is there a favorite place you like to go for wings?

I love wings! I make them at home sometimes and have tried several different kinds of sauces. I tend to like the hot sauce seasonings. If I eat wings out my favorite places to go are Zaxbys and Mr. B's. 

4.      As long as we're talking sports today...have you followed the Lance Armstrong story? Did you watch his interview with Oprah and if so what was your reaction to his confession and subsequent remarks?

I have not followed the story intently but have seen bits and pieces of the interview on several of the news and talk shows. I just don't understand why after lying all this time that he decided to come clean now.

5.      What's a question you hate to be asked?

What are you doing??? or How are you feeling??? These are two questions that my husband drives me insane asking.  

Every morning the first thing out of my husband's mouth is how are you feeling, as well as several times during the day. First of all, two seconds after an alarm goes off or a couple of minutes after getting up I am not anywhere near ready to analyze how I feel. I have Fibromyalgia and Arthritis, so I am slow moving first thing in the morning. Weather changes effect my mobility as well as certain activities.  I know he means well, but it is soooo annoying.  

The what are you doing usually means I want you to do something for me. 

6.      The coaches in this Sunday's big game happen to be real life brothers. Jim Harbaugh coaches the 49er's and his older brother John Harbaugh coaches the Baltimore Ravens. Were you and your sibling(s) competitive? In what way? Are you still? If you're an only child how did you handle competition growing up? 

I have two brothers and one sister. Board games and card games were always a competition with us. My little brother would cheat like crazy if he was losing. When we played card games, he would make sure that I sat by the window so that he could see my cards through my glasses in the window. 

7.      What's your favorite game involving a ball and when did you last play?

E.A. Diddle Arena - WKU 

I have never been very good at sports. Basketball would be my favorite "ball" sport. I never liked playing a game of basketball, I am usually the cheerleader. I do enjoy playing H-O-R-S-E (follow the link if you don't know about the game). When my kids were younger we played all the time, I could kill them with the Granny shot. 

8.      Insert your own random thought here.

My Saturday morning bank errand was not the usual mundane chore. I was waiting at the light when I noticed a car in the distance off the side of the road. Since the day before we had ice on everything I assumed it had slid off the road the day before and had been left there by the driver.  However, as I got closer I saw that the car was still running and that there was a car with its flashers on just ahead of it. Realizing that the two cars had been involved in an accident I stopped to ask if they needed help or a phone to call for help. I stopped by the car that was off the road, in the ditch to be exact. I asked the man if he was okay and if he needed a phone to call someone or a wrecker. He just sat there, so I got out of my car and stepped closer. As I approached he said I don't know and opened his door attempting to step out. At that moment I realized he was drunk. Seeing that he was clearly stuck, I then walked to the other car to see if the driver was okay. The young girl was clearly shaken and crying and was on the phone with the police.  After she finished her call I tried to calm her down. She told me that she was stopped at the light when the drunk man hit the back of her car. He then started to back up and ended up in the ditch. I looked back towards his car to see that he was trying to get his car out of the ditch. The front passenger side wheel was not touching the ground but was spinning as he attempted to move the car. He was about three or four car lengths behind her car. When the police arrived they quickly realized that the man was drunk and as the policeman lead him to the police car the man fell pulling the policeman down with him. They got him in the back of the squad car and the ambulance came to get the girl. Turns out she is a friend of my daughter's. She spent the better part of the day at the hospital being checked out and only has some pulled muscles in her neck. Thank goodness she wasn't hurt badly. 

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Wednesday Hodgepodge

Ice on Everything and A Little Disney Magic

This ice stuff is becoming a frequent thing. Last week we had icicles on everything but only a few slick spots on the roads. 



Friday morning we had freezing rain and a solid sheet of ice on everything. This old gal stayed off the roads. We worked from home, one good thing about working for your husband. I rather enjoyed working in my pj's. I was also glad that the local college (that my daughter attends) canceled morning classes. Her last class gets out at 11:30 which was the time they choose to start classes, so she got to stay home too. 

My bird feeders were covered with ice. Seeds on the patio wall were covered with ice, the birds kept trying to get the seeds but couldn't.
I thought it was odd how the seeds froze in my sunflower feeder. 





This morning all the ice was gone from the roadways and I was able to get out to do my regular Saturday bank run and errands. The ice was still in all the trees and grassy areas. The sun was shining making all the trees glisten, it was so pretty.  

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The following photos are from the last leg of our vacation. One of my all time favorite places to visit - Disney World. This was my sixth trip and my husband's second. (He went when he was a teen and hated it, I still don't know how anyone could hate WDW). Hubby knows how much I enjoy it and that I had not been there in the winter season nor ever seen the parks decorated for Christmas. So since we were in the area he indulged me. We spent three nights in a Downtown Disney Hotel. We did a little antique shopping on our way to Orlando and then did a little shopping at Downtown Disney our first day. We  visited the Parks two days

I have heard others talk about the Osborne Family display of lights in Hollywood Studios and read about it on the WDW website.

Osborne Family Dancing Lights  Follow this link to read the history of the light display.

 I have to say that it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. My husband was amazed too. 
It is in the part of the park that is called "The Streets of America" which has been one of my favorite photo spots every time I have visited. I have several pictures of my kids sitting on the steps of the houses along the New York City Street.

Disney definitely knows how to decorate for Christmas and there was not a shortage of Christmas Trees, 
they were everywhere....

Magic Kingdom - Entrance

Magic Kingdom 

Contemporary Hotel 

Animal Kingdom - Entrance

Animal Kingdom - Camp Minnie Mickey

Animal Kingdom - Camp Minnie Mickey

Epcot - American Adventure

Hollywood Studios - Entrance

Hollywood Studios Light-post

Everything was decorated in classic Disney style. 

It was great to be able to see it all, 
though the parks were the most crowded I have ever seen them. 

I managed to get some photos early in the morning with few people in the back ground. I also learned how to be very quick and get my shots in between the people. 

This is the biggest wreath I think I have ever seen. 

Magic Kingdom Train Station.

A few people in the park. today....

Magic Kingdom - City Hall 
     and
Italy Pavilion - Epcot.

Even Downtown Disney was decorated. 
The first two days of our trip the temperatures were around 68, a bit cloudy and a little foggy in the mornings. It was fun seeing Christmas decorations while wearing short sleeves, sandals and capris. Our second day in the parks the temperature dropped and was only in the 40s with a fine mist of rain off and on all day. 

The weather didn't stop us. We stayed in the parks all day. I had to see Cinderella's Castle lit up at night. I am in such awe of the castle. It is so beautiful. At night the lights shining on the castle change color making the entire castle take on that color.

The color change is always pretty but with the castle decorated with Christmas lights it was even more magical. 

In the "pink" shot, the rain looks more like snow.






I can't complete this post without sharing a few of the bird shots from Animal Kingdom. 

The Flamingo was casting a lovely reflection in the water.  

And of course I don't know what kind of birds most of what we saw are, I still enjoyed watching them. They are so colorful and different from the little birds I see at home.
Since this post is getting rather lengthy I will stop here and save the remaining photos for my next post.

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The Bird D'Pot

Shadow Shot Sunday

Hodgepodge Time Again

Hodgepodge Time once again. Several questions this week that really get the old wheels a turning. Here are my answers:

1. The popular saying, 'All is fair in love and war' is originally credited to English writer John Lyly. Is he right? 

While war may be more of a "no rules" situation, love should not be. At least in my opinion, love should have boundaries. One should not be deceptive in love.    

2. Are you a cereal eater? What's your favorite kind?

I am not a regular cereal eater. My brothers both loved cereal and most mornings before school that was their breakfast choice. Things like Boo Berry, Frankenberry, Count Chocula, Lucky Charms,etc... 

I was more of a Poptart, Toast or Fruit fan. 

I am lactose intolerant, so I stay away from milk, but occasionally I will have a craving for cereal and if I do, I tend to gravitate to Corn Flakes (with a sliced banana in it), Honey Bunches of Oats (Strawberry), or Captain Crunch.  

3. A five year old in Pennsylvania was recently given a ten day school suspension for talking with a friend about shooting one another with a Hello Kitty Bubble gun (the gun blows bubbles). She did not have the gun with her at school.

A psychological evaluation was also ordered and the incident was recorded on her permanent record. The suspension was later reduced to two days and her parents are suing to have the incident removed from her file. Your thoughts? (If you missed the story click here for details). 

I had not heard about this story. I do think that the incident should be removed from her record. This child is five years old. I understand that the subject of guns is a very sensitive subject right now, especially in our schools. But, this was in no way a harmful act.  

4. Whatever happened to_____________________________?

Oh wow, so many things could fill that blank... Baby Jane, Randolph Scott, The Caped Crusader, Common Courtesy, are but a few that come to mind.

5. January 23rd is National Handwriting Day, billed as a day to reacquaint yourself with a pen and pencil. Do you like your handwriting? Do you prefer to print or write in cursive? This date was chosen because its the birth date of John Hancock. What's the last thing you signed your name to?

I do not like my handwritting. It is legible, but not pretty. My daughter has beautiful handwriting. 

I take a lot of messages at work and usually print them because I can do that much faster than I can write them in cursive.  

I sign my name many times a week. Most of the receipts at the office are signed by me and many documents that we deal with require the signatures to be notarized. I am the one that does that too.

6. Speaking of John Hancock...ever been to Philadelphia? Do you have any desire to visit the city of Brotherly Love? 

I have never been to Philadelphia but think it would be a great place to visit. So much history in that town, would have to be interesting.

7. Share something funny you've heard a child say. 

A few years ago my niece was at my house when my ex-husband came to pick up my daughter for visitation. My niece was a baby when I divorced and is not familiar with my ex. She was confused by the situation. My son and I tried to explain to her that this man was my their Daddy. In her mind, my husband lives in the house so should be the daddy. We tried to explain it to her.  She walked out with my daughter and I and looked at my ex for a moment. When we came back into the house and into the room where my son was she said, "Well he don't take care of you".  We still laugh about that.

There was also the day that my niece was ready to leave and as she was about to walk out the door said, "Bye, I hope you have good problems".  

Gotta Love Kids.....

 
8. Insert your own random thought here.

I spend a lot of my time at work on the phone. Taking messages and screening calls for my husband.  Most of our current clients I am at least somewhat familiar with their case and recognize their name when they call. A few I recognize their voice. 

But, it drives me crazy when someone calls and only says this is (Mark) can I speak to Mr. Bratcher? I ask Mark who, as we have four clients with the first name of Mark. They get upset with me because I ask their name every time that they call. And then there are the ones that call and do not want to tell me even their first name. Do they really think that I am going to give the call to my husband if they can't even tell me who they are?  One guy has called several times in the past week and never wants to tell me who he is or what he is calling about. He usually hangs up on me. Today he called again and proceeded to tell me that he would just call my husband's cell phone. He did just that. What he didn't know was that we forward the calls from the office to my husband's cell phone anytime we are not in the office. So we always receive any call that comes in to the office. (Even when we went to Florida a few weeks ago the calls were forwarded). When he called today we were at lunch and I answered the call from the cell phone. A few moments later he calls the cell phone directly and I answer again. We have the same exact conversation and he hangs up. Later this evening as we were leaving the office he calls once again but this time I recognize the number and my husband answers the phone. The guy was calling about one of our clients and merely needed to know if this case had been filed yet and if we had a case number. ALL information I could have given him a week ago!!   

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Wednesday Hodgepodge

Reliving Vacation

Well it has been a very long week in these parts. The weather has been crazzzyyy, with temperatures in the 60s one day and sleet and freezing rain a few days later. Thank heavens our temperatures held to around 34 degrees, or we would have really had a mess.







The ice on the bird feeders and bush in our back yard was pretty though.






Along with the cold came the illness too. My daughter and husband came down with it last week. They were beginning to feel better by Tuesday and that is when I started feeling ill. I think I slept most of Wednesday and Thursday, which is definitely not normal for me. Antibiotic is kicking in now and I am feeling better, but still have NO energy. Doctor says it is not the flu, but many of the symptoms are the same. Mine has been accompanied by a major sinus infection too. Oh the joy!

So while I have been home sick it has at least given me an opportunity to load all of our vacation pictures on my computer. And remember some of the Florida sunshine and warmth.
These are from Melbourne Beach. A small little town about 20 miles south of Cocoa Beach.
One of my favorite things about the beach is watching the sun rise over the water. Seeing the day come to life is truly amazing and even more so over the water. (At least to me). It was cloudy every morning that we were there, but it was still beautiful.

I, of course, took lots and lots of pictures of the birds. It was fun for me to be able to get so close to them without them flying off. 

I especially liked watching these fly so close to the water. Usually there were several flying together in perfect synchronization. 

I managed to capture them in a video doing just that! 

There were plenty of Gulls.











I thought these were the neatest looking ones. 

Capturing them flying over the water was easy as there were so many of them. 

But the bird that was the most fun to watch was this one. I think it is a Blue Heron. (Please correct me if I am wrong). It was there every day where ever the fishermen were.






Most of the time it would just simply stand there waiting for any bait the fishermen would toss it's way. 

If someone got a little too close it would fly away and return a moment later.












I couldn't resist capturing the beautiful bird and it's shadow. 

I could spend hours walking along the beach just watching the birds and picking up a few shells.....











Drawing in the sand.....

Saying goodbye to 2012.....

and occasionally allowing the water to wash over my feet. (The water was cold, do not know how some were swimming and surfing).

But all good things have to come to an end, plus we had a Mouse to see!!!

(Electric Pole near Celebration).
More on this part of our journey to come.....

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Shadow Shot Sunday 2

The Bird D'Pot