IT'S A MAD, MAD WORLD (ANY GIVEN SUNDAY)

"If we learned anything from Week 15, it's that anything can happen on any given Sunday or Thursday, or Monday", was the comment that was spoken by almost all the football analysts or the wannabe sport commentators like me. It was a mad, mad world in football last weekend and I will tell you what happened. The Colts (1-13) beat the Titans (7-7); the Eagles (6-8) ran the Jets (8-6) off the field with the final score 45-19 but the biggest surprise of all was the Chiefs (6-8) made history by handing the Packers (13-1) their first lost. Up until Sunday night, the Packers were undefeated, almost perfect season!

On Monday night (December 19th), the Steelers (10-4) lost badly 3-20 against the 49ers (11-3). Big Ben threw two interceptions in the 1st quarter and could not overcome his ankle injury. Of course, my beloved New England Patriots (11-3) won big (41-23) against the Broncos (8-6). I was torn between Brady and Tebow because I liked them both. I would not feel bad if the Broncos won - that would shut up all the anti-Tebow crowds!

On Thursday night (December 22nd), the IN Colts will face the Houston Texans. I don't know why they even bother playing since the Colts (1-13) definitely will miss the playoffs. (This entire season, they only won one game against the Titans). The Texans (10-4) already clinched the AFC South Division, so why take the risk that guys might be hurt. I am happy that the Lions (9-5), much improved this season, still have a chance getting into the playoffs being a Wild Card. Don't even get me started on the St. Louis Rams (2-12)!

(The photos above were taken at the October 30th game when the Rams got a surprise win against the Saints. The half time performance was from a local school band. The kids played well but I don't remember from which school.)

2011 THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

Taking advantage of the sunny, warmer than expected weather, my husband worked on the Nativity display. After Ma passed away in 2006 (Pa passed away in 2000), the family went thru items in the house and getting it ready to sell, we mentioned that we would like to have the Nativity. We have been carrying on the tradition of displaying the Nativity in front of our house since then, just like the way Ma and Pa used to do during Christmas season.

For football fans, Thanksgiving is also a special time since we could eat and be merry watching the games all day. Traditionally, the Detroit Lions and now the Dallas Cowboys would schedule gameday on Thanksgiving. Nothing against Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay but I thought it would be funny if the Lions won the game and broke the Packers' winning streak. (Only serious football fans would understand why I thought it would be funny if that ever happened.)

My husband once again did a great job with cooking the turkey. He also made pumpkin and apple pies and my favorite side dish, green bean casserole. I reminded my husband of our "insider" funny story what happened in 2009 after we found the wishbone in the turkey. We silently made our wishes - my husband got the larger piece of the wishbone and I got the shorter part. CP then told me that his wish was that the exact model of the 2010 Mustang he ordered would be delivered sooner than scheduled. Well, he did get the Pony a few months earlier. What was my wish? I wish for peace in the world and for God's blessings for America. Talk about priority - if only I got the larger piece of the wishbone, the world would have been a peaceful place! (This year, we both wished for peace. Hopefully our wishes will come true!)

I AM SO HAPPY I COULD CRY!

I am so happy I could cry because hockey season started, no NFL (football) lock-out and the Cardinals not only made the playoffs as a wildcard but advanced to the National Leage Series. (Ok, I was sadden that my American hometown team the New York Yankees were eliminated by the Detroit Tigers, my 2nd American hometown.) Above critter is not the famous squirrel that ran onto the field and then dashed across the home plate at Busch Stadium when the Cardinals v. Phillies game on Wednesday, October 5th. The Cardinals won the game and the squirrel became fans' favorite. (Some of you might remember the above was the squirrel that made holes on our plastic patio furniture a few years ago. We finally got a set of iron table and chairs. I would love to know what that squirrel told his dentist as to what happened to his front teeth after trying to take a bit out of our iron furniture.)

Not being much of a baseball person, I am glad that St. Louis Cardinals made the playoffs. It is good for the town. I am sure businesses in downtown St. Louis are grateful for the additional income. It would be interesting if the Cardinals and the Tigers meet again for another World Series. The Cardinals won the Championship over the Tigers in 2006.

I love the commercial with Christmas music playing in the background and the people are smiling, looking so excited while they are decorating their homes before the games. A voice came on, "It is like Christmas for football fans", that is so true! I was so happy when the lockout did not take place and the 2011-2012 NFL season started. A very nice friend who has season tickets is so kind to sell us tickets for the Rams v. Saints game on October 30th. How about them Detroit Lions, eh? After all the years being the joke of NFL, on the currently standing, the Lions are 5-0 being one of the two teams that are undefeated. Greenbay Packers is the other team also 5-0. The Rams are again struggling but I look forward to seeing Drew Brees when the Saints marching in to St. Louis on October 30th.

Of course, the most wonderful time of the year is when my beloved Detroit Red Wings come into town. Because the Red Wings always draw big crowd so the Blues v. Wings games are usually scheduled on weekdays and not weekends. Normally the weekends would have better attendance. NHL schedulers know that fans will attend the game if they schedule top teams on weekdays. October will be a busy month with baseball playoffs, football on the weekends and hockey games every other day - I am so happy I could cry!

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

Good thing nobody depends on me to bring them the latest news of what is happening around the country and around the world. Even when it comes to football and hockey, my favorite sports, I usually write about games or events that already took place a long time ago.The St. Louis Rams made history on August 13th with a win 33-10 over the Indianapolis Colts. It is the Rams' first home game. (Ok, I might be a bit sarcastic here - it was pre-season and Peyton Manning "blended into the crowd on the sideline" allowing the Rams a chance to shine!)

That was a good day of "hard work" for Peyton who just got a $90 millions = 5 years contract. The Colts will pay Peyton $1,125.000 per game, $281,250 per quarter (that is 15 minutes), $18,740 per minute but only $312.50 per second :). If you were a 35 years old Peyton Manning, would you turn out this kind of offer? As of me, I am very happy that the NFL 2011-2012 season started. Life is good and everything seems to make sense again!!!!

AFTER CHRISTMAS

On Sunday, December 26th, the day after Christmas, instead of being at the mall trying to find all the bargains, we were at the Rams v. the 49ers game. We went to 8:30 a.m. Mass but had to stay until 10:15 a.m. Mass to help with selling scripts. It was my husband's turn as part of his service with the Council (Knights of Columbus).

We got to the game just in time for the National Anthem. Parking spaces were at premium because everyone was willing to pay extra to park at the lots closest to the stadium since it was freezing and the wind chill was unbearable.

It was a good game. The Rams won 25-17. It was also Fans Appreciation Day but we did not win any prizes. Nice items such as autographed jerseys, $200 gift cards, 32" and 46" TV with sound bar were given away by random drawings of seats. The iPad was a hot item and there were at least three iPads were given away like it was cotton candy!

That is #8 Sam Bradford, the rookie quarterback who has been the talk of the town. Rams' fans started to attend the games with their heads held high and once again began to have hopes for a playoffs spot.