The Detroit Lions started the season with their first loss. Today, they beat the Bears 52-21. They had a fantastic season last year and fans like me hope to have another one.
I enjoy watching football and I have always been a Lions fan. However, I suppose I would be in the minority in a recent study.
The study from Wetten Online showed that more single Lions fans would give up true love to see their team win the big game than fans of any other team. A whopping 74% of Lions fans said they would prefer the Super Bowl win and 78% of football fans living in Michigan agreed.
I would love to see the Lions win the big game, but give up my true love? I don’t think so. I have to wonder how many significant others were present when this question was asked
To say that I have been waiting my entire life for this is an understatement! Like many Detroit Lions fans, I wondered if we’d ever get to see a winning season. This season was the best in the history of the team!
My nerves were shot as I waited for the kickoff. So much was riding on this game. The winner would take the #1 seed, while the loser seed #5. I have never really understood how that seeding thing works.
There was plenty of nail biting going on throughout the game, but it ended in a Lions victory! They beat the Vikings 31-9 and ended the season with a 15-2 record. Not to mention that the win gave us back-to-back NFC North Championships.
I saw a piece on the internet that said, “If I am dreaming, please don’t wake me!”
I was on the edge of my seat for much of the game. There were a few times where the Vikings were in position to score, but our defense held them off. Three field goals. That was all that the Vikings got. That lead to one of the funniest memes I’ve seen –
The entire state of Michigan is Honolulu Blue! The excitement and support surrounding this team is electrifying! Sounds of “Another One Bites the Dust” and “Don’t Stop Believing” are all over the radio. Detroit Lions Flags are being flown at homes and on cars and trucks. Detroit Lions shirts, jackets, and hats are all over the place. When a person wearing a Lions hat passes a person wearing a Lions jersey or jacket, there are smiles exchanged between them. We’re all in this together and we’re rooting for our team!
One local bakery really outdid themselves with their Lions support. This weekend in the front window at Home Bakery in Rochester, Michigan, there was quite a site. They displayed a life-size cake made in the image of Detroit Lions’ wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown standing on his head. People were lined up along the sidewalk to take photos.
It is truly a work of art!! Kudos to the creators!
Just two more wins gets us to the Super Bowl. Three wins total to win it all! I’m not a betting man, but I liked to see this headline:
The Lions are off this week and will play the winner of the Vikings/Rams game this weekend. It is entirely possible that we will play the Vikings again. We’ll know soon enough. For now, let me say, “If I am dreaming, please don’t wake me!”
It is Groundhog Day. The above critter is not a groundhog, I realize. Perhaps, I should have posted an appropriate groundhog picture? Hold on a sec ….
…. Ok, I’m back. I have one.
You’re welcome.
The kids each got to enjoy a special day today. Andrew got to spend the day at Nana’s house and Ella got to go shopping with mommy. They both had lots to tell me about their day when they called me tonight. Both Sam and her mom said that each kid is very different when they are alone. They obviously missed each other. Tonight at bedtime, Sam sent me this:
I don’t know what is funnier – the sunglasses, the fact that Ella is reading my Columbo book, or that Andrew is staring at a blank page! LOL
Our pup is growing so much. She is like a Moose! I turned on the TV the other day and was laying on the couch. She was laying on the floor next to me. I was scrolling my phone when all of a sudden she jumped up on the couch and on me. She obviously needed attention.
I am not a tattoo guy. I’ve never really felt the need to get one. I have heard that once you get one, you tend to get more. There are plenty of tattoo horror stories. People get one with a name of a lover and then they break up and stuff like that. I saw something online the other day that just made me shake my head.
I have posted about the excitement I had over the Detroit Lions season this year. I had hoped that they would win the Championship game and go on to the Super Bowl. Some people chose them to win it all. I really can’t imagine being so confident that I would go and get the following tattoo:
One can only hope that they can change that year to 2025!
Coming Soon:
I’m excited for the next round of Turntable Talk, which is going to be about great movie soundtracks. Which movie soundtrack would you pick as your favorite?
I’m also taking part in the 10th Annual Favorite TV Show Episode in March. It is hosted again by Terry of A Shroud of Thoughts. I’m going with one from a show I have written about before, but worth being featured again.
I’m finally getting back into a normal routine again. Last week I had a couple nights off work for Ella’s birthday and all the days have been running together. Here are a few things I neglected to post about over the past couple days.
PAP for the Little Man
Last Wednesday, Andrew was back at the sleep lab. He has apnea and he was back to try CPAP. I can tell you it is difficult to get some adults to use CPAP, let alone a 15 month old child. My wife and I expected a night of hell! At first, it looked like that was going to be the way it was going to go. There aren’t many pediatric CPAP masks, and the one he started with seemed to really be bugging him. We collectively decided to try the only other mask we knew of, and it worked like a charm. He went right to sleep with the new mask and slept through the night.
We got the call today that his machine and mask will be ready on Friday. The doctors hope that he will only have to wear it for a few months. Fingers crossed.
Fruity Call
My best friend Jeff came over the other day. Sam and Andrew were both sleeping. Ella gets excited whenever folks come over. So she’s running around, hopping and hollering. Sam woke up for work and comes out and joins the conversation.
As we are talking, Ella grabs this toy banana, puts it to her ear and begins yelling, “Hello!? Hello?! I can’t hear you! I’ve got a banana in my ear!”
She repeats this over and over and each time she laughs harder at her joke!
No idea whether she heard this somewhere or she made it up, but it made us all chuckle!! She’s my little comedian!!
What Football Game!?
It’s funny. For years I always had a Super Bowl party to go to. Over the past couple years, I just watched it from home. Over the past few days, anyone I have talked to asked if I watched the game on Sunday. “No.” I had to reply. You see, when you have a three year old, you basically watch what she wants or you suffer with a melt down.
No. I did not see the game. However, I did get a couple hours getting to know Gabby and her dollhouse!
I didn’t watch the Super Bowl this year. I didn’t even look online for a link to all the Super Bowl ads. I had read that Jim Carrey was going to reprise his role as The Cable Guy for a Verizon ad, and only recently watched it. It wasn’t until a week or so ago that I have been forced into the position of ditching cable. Here’s that story.
If I am being honest with you, there are very few shows that I watch on TV. As a matter of fact, when the TV is on, it is usually playing PBS shows, Nick Jr. or Disney Jr. for Ella. We have a DVR that Sam records Grey’s Anatomy, This is Us, and her shows, but it is mostly filled with Ella’s shows.
For Christmas, my dad got Ella her own tablet. When connected to the internet, she can play Alphabet games, watch PBS shows, and listen to kid songs. Without the net, her choices become limited.
Sam and I connect to the Wi-Fi when we are at home so we don’t use all of our data on our cell plan. We can watch videos, listen to music, make phone or video calls, and search Facebook all while connected.
Recently, we started to notice the internet would go out for a few minutes. Then we started to notice that the DVR would stop midway through a show we were watching saying the internet was out. Our Amazon Alexa started to tell us, “I’m having trouble connecting to the internet. There may be a problem with your router.”
It got to the point where the internet was out more than it was working. I finally gave the cable company a call. I explained what was going on and they ran some diagnostic tests while I was on the phone. “We show you currently have three devices connected to your internet.” I laughed out loud and said, “They may be connected, but the internet isn’t working.” Then, almost on cue, Alexa once again spouted off that she was having trouble connecting to the internet. Thank you, Alexa.
The woman on the phone stated that she could probably get me a new Wi-Fi gateway in about 14 days. I told her that was not acceptable. I finally got her to get one out within 5 days. When it finally arrived, I had to download the app on my phone and log in. Once logged in, it searched for the router after I scanned that little square “Q” code thingy and found it. It then said it would finish the set up, which would take “10 minutes.”
After about 18 minutes, the app flashed a message that said, “We cannot complete your set up at this time. Please try again.” I tried a few more times to no avail. I had to break down and call the cable company again. I spent about 35 minutes on the phone and the set up was eventually complete.
A day after the new equipment arrived, my wife got the monthly bill from the cable company. It had suddenly jumped up about $60! That was all it took. I was furious! There was no indication that there was a charge for the new equipment. Hell, it was their equipment that we were renting. If it broke, they should have sent us a new one at no charge, right?! So why is it all of a sudden that much higher? It’s anybody’s guess.
When we first signed up with the company, all we really wanted was internet. We were talked into getting the “bundle” with a home phone (which we never use), the internet, and cable. In all honesty, all we need is internet. We stream half of the shows we watch anyway.
I have yet to call them to cancel our service because I am hoping that I can nab something through Verizon (where we already have our cell phones). It would be nice to combine internet and cell phones into one bill, which would probably bring the cost down a lot. I’m working on that.
One final funny story involving the cable company. They told me to make sure that I returned the old equipment when the new piece arrived. I could send it back in the box it came in or drop it at a local store. If I did not do this within 7 days, we would be charged for said piece of equipment.
I threw the broken one in the new box and took it back to the store over the weekend. Sam had told me to make sure I got a receipt in case they tried to charge us for it. I walk into the store and a gal barely looks up and me and says I can place the box on the counter next to her. I do and ask her for a receipt. She hands me what I think is a receipt and tells me to stand in line to talk to someone.
URGH! All I wanted to to was drop this thing off and go. Now I am waiting in line to be called over just to get a receipt. When I arrive at the front of the line a big overly smiley guy calls me over. I hand him the paper I was given and he asks what my “business” was with them. I told him I was bring a router back and all I needed was a receipt to prove I brought it back.
Guy Smiley asks a few questions about our address and such and then begins the sales pitch. “How are you fixed for cell service?” “What about your cable package?” “We can put your cell phones, tablets, cable package, home phone, internet, and blah blah blah ….” It takes all I can muster to not tell this guy to stop. “The more stuff you add to the package the less it costs you a month…” Brilliant.
By now he has had my receipt in his hand for who knows how long. I want to just grab it and go! “No, thanks” “No, I’m good.” “No, we don’t need that.” “I’m really not interested in that…” He will not get the hint. I finally tell him that I don’t make any kind of decisions without my wife. With that, he finally gives me the last ditch “I can get you this deal … BUT ONLY UNTIL MONDAY.” Yeah, I’m sure.
He handed me his card. I think he put his cell phone, the store phone, his home phone, and the number to his third cousin once removed on the card so that would be able to reach him. It was only then, that he finally handed me my receipt! I was exhausted by the time I walked out of there.
It will bring me no greater joy that to make the phone call to cancel my cable service.
Thanksgiving 2020 is now a memory. It was very different from Thanksgivings of the past, to be sure. It was, however, a very wonderful day!
Thursday – Turkey Day
Ella was up bright and early! I had to put the turkey in water to finish thawing it. We got her dressed and ready for her “First Thanksgiving” pictures, which came out great!
Once the turkey was thawed, prepped and in the oven, I realized our meat thermometer was broken. The last thing I wanted to do was head to the store. I didn’t even know if there were stores open! I lucked out and the little grocery store down the road was open. I walked over to the aisle with the kitchen stuff, only to find that all the meat thermometers were gone. Someone had even stolen some from the packaging and left the open package on the hook.
I went to the deli and asked if there would be any other place in the store that there might be a meat thermometer. She said no. I began to walk out of the store when a guy tapped me on the shoulder. He asked if I was looking for a meat thermometer, and I said yes! He had one in his hand and told me to follow him. He explained that they had just moved to the area and they actually had one, but they couldn’t find it because it was still packed in a box. He said it was his only reason for being in the store! He took me over to the candy aisle, where there was a small rotating rack with a few kitchen utensils on it – and two meat thermometers! I was so grateful! He wished me a happy Thanksgiving and we parted ways.
While I let the turkey cool, Sam finished up the mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. Ella sat in her high chair and anxiously awaited her first feast!
By the time she finished, she was wearing her meal! She had mashed potatoes in her ears, her nose, and her eyes!! She really enjoyed her dinner!!
Thanksgiving was typical in that the Detroit Lions lost miserably! This led to the GM and head coach being fired. One can only hope that someone will finally hire the right people. I would love to see them reach the Super Bowl (and hopefully win one) in my lifetime!
Friday – Black Friday
I am not a Black Friday shopper! However, I was this year – not by choice! I needed to get tires for our car. I shopped around getting prices and found that Belle Tire had some Black Friday rebates, and had the best deal. I used to go to this mom and pop tire place who did great work, and had great prices, but sadly, the Covid-19 pandemic has put them permanently out of business.
I was shocked at the line of people waiting to get in at 7am! I was lucky to be fourth in line and I was in and out in just over an hour! Kudo to those folks!
When I returned home Friday, I checked off another project I had on my list. We bought some canvas pictures to hang in the baby’s room months ago. They have been sitting in the box, awaiting me to hang them. Before I went to pick up my son, I measured it all out and got them hung up on the wall. I just love these pictures!
We spent the evening last night watching Christmas movies. My son and my wife had both mentioned that the sequel to The Christmas Chronicles was now on Netflix. We had all enjoyed the first one (Kurt Russell stars in it) and we decided to watch the first one again before watching the second. I found that I still enjoyed the first one very much. I can see it easily becoming a Christmas tradition.
Recurring Dream With a Twist
I am closing in on test time for my Bible classes. I have a week’s worth of classes to finish and then four tests to take! I mentioned this to my wife, so it must have been on my mind when I went to bed. At any rate, I often have a recurring dream where I am at school and I sit down to take a test and my mind goes completely blank! I panic! I freak! I usually wake up with my heart racing.
So I had a dream last night that was similar. Sure enough, I am sitting in a classroom (which is odd because my classes are on DVD and I take them at home) and the teacher passes out the tests. The first thing I notice is that the tests are about 45 pages stapled together! I open the test and I can’t even read the thing. I turn the page and there are some words I can make out, but nothing makes sense. With each page turn, I feel more and more scared. I have no idea what I am looking at! I begin to pull my notes out and try to cheat!! The teacher comes over and obviously has caught me . Needless to say, I wake up at this point with heart racing and glad it was just a dream!
Now I’m wondering how hard these tests are going to be!!
I hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday!!
“Show me a gambler and I’ll show you a loser” – Mario Puzo
This is the first year I didn’t have any “squares” for the Super Bowl. I am sure I could have purchased some. Some friends on Facebook posted that they had some available, the issue was getting them the money (let alone the fact that money is pretty tight right now anyway!). I usually get a square or two from a few people every year. Since I began working on Sundays, I rarely go to Super Bowl parties, and the opportunity to get squares seems to be more difficult.
I was first introduced to foot ball squares when I bowled on a Sunday morning league. I bowled at a small place called Pastime Lanes. It was a cool place because the owners were awesome and everybody pretty much knew everybody. I watched my buddy Joe bowl a 300 game there! We were usually done bowling by 1 in the afternoon, and during football season, many of us went into the bar afterward to eat and watch the game. It didn’t matter if it was the home team (Detroit Lions) playing or not.
The above picture is what a typical “board” would look like. Each square cost $5 or $10 and you’d buy however many you wanted. After all the squares were filled, numbers were drawn and filled in on the top and side. Each side of the board was also assigned a team. The numbers would correspond with the score at the end of each quarter. For example if the Lions were on the left and the Patriots were on the top, and the score at the end of the first quarter was Patriots 14 – Lions 0, you would find the 4 on the top and the 0 on the left and the winner is …Chaz Mee. I never got rich off the squares, but hitting for $50 every so often was nice. A buddy of mine on Facebook hit a square for $2000 during the Super Bowl (that’s a lot of diapers!)!
I wouldn’t consider myself a big gambler. I will buy an occasional “instant” scratch off ticket when I pump gas. I will also play the daily 3 digit every so often. When I play the 3 digit, it is often the birthdays of my boys and my wife, my anniversary, and my old license plate number – 596. Sometimes, I win, but most often I lose.
Gambling is something many take seriously! You can literally bet on anything! The morning show on one of the stations I work at was talking about the list of “prop bets” people were making on the Super Bowl. It was crazy stuff! I had never heard the term “prop bet” before. For those who don’t know what it is it is defined this way on Wikipedia: in gambling, a “proposition bet” (prop bet, prop, novelty, or a side bet) is a bet made regarding the occurrence or non-occurrence during a game (usually a gambling game) of an event not directly affecting the game’s final outcome.
Prop bets can be:
Who will win the coin toss?
How long the national anthem will be?
Who will score first?
Will a quarterback score a touchdown?
Will there be more than 50 points in the game
They can also be on silly things like:
What color microphone will be used by the singer of the national anthem?
Will Betty White appear in a Snickers ad?
Will a player use a “prop” during a TD celebration?
Who will show cleavage during the halftime show?
Who will win the Puppy Bowl?
What color liquid will be poured on the winning coach?
I’m sure that there are crazier things than the above that people bet on during the game. I’ll stick to squares…
Baby Bets
We didn’t wager for any money on this one, but I did go to my Facebook family and friends and ask when they thought our baby would be due.
I didn’t make a cute chart like the above picture, but I do have all the guesses on a spreadsheet. As each day passes, we get closer to the due date (2/16). My wife guessed 2/20. She liked the idea of her birthday being 2/20/20. I liked the idea of 2’s, as well, so my pick was 2/2/20 (without really thinking about the palindrome thing). Needless to say, I am officially out of the running now. It would have been cool to tell her “Daddy, knew what day you were going to be born!” With each passing day, I cross of the day and the people who guessed it. Only two of my friends actually picked the actual due date.
Despite the fact that she picked the 20th, my wife is MORE than ready for the baby to be here. I am sure she will not mind at all being wrong about the arrival date! We are Week 38 today and if she waits until the due date, it is going to be a LONG and MISERABLE two weeks!
The wait continues … maybe I can come up with some prop bets??
Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian 