Girlie Football Garble

Yes I do have an opinion about the firing of coach Mike Shanahan, thanks Paige for caring and for asking. Because many don't know, I will start by explaining my devotion to the Denver Broncos. Most assume that I got into football because of my sports-loving husband, but you know what they say about assuming, it makes an a$$ out of you & me. I don't think I'm the arse in this case but that may be up for debate after my editorial.
My love for the blue and orange began in childhood. My Grandpa grew up in Colorado so liking the Broncos is somewhat of a family tradition. My Mom took the following to the next level and brought us up properly, taking us to games at Mile High and buying us various Broncos treasures like my first Raider Hater shirt. Mom also taught us sound football etiquette while at the stadium. During the pre-game above, she in her Steve Watson jersey and I in my Hater shirt, Mom yelled to the wide receiver, "Hey number 81, I got your number!" That was classic. Every year she got more daring. At the next Raider game, we sat on the 2nd row about the 10 yard line and Howie Long was standing approximately 8 feet in front of us when she decided to tell him, in a loud yet substantial tone, what a nice keister he had. Howie then turned around and gave us a chin up. My father was in a different section for that one. He is a Raider fan, believe it or not, so we sometimes tried to keep a good distance from him.
This is Mom with our season ticket holding cousins, Cid & Johnny, who insisted on trading us their 2nd row seats for our nosebleeds this game. They said the view was better up there, lol. It was a Monday night game vs. the Raiders, we have exceptional cousins!! Below is a heavenly Mile High kiss from 1o years ago.

Now for my take on the decision to fire Shanahan earlier today. I appreciate the two super bowl wins and all that Mike has done for the Broncos, but it was time for him to go. I have been saying that for two years now. Only Steve agreed with me at first and there are still alot of fans who aren't happy, but the team is in desperate need for change. Mike's belief in a small but fast defense was not working. The D was the biggest cause of frustration in most games. The second theory of Mike's that I came to dislike was that he could make any mediocre runningback into a superstar. It worked perfectly with the great Terrell Davis. Mike Anderson and Portis were decent, but nothing remarkable. To give credit though, the trade for Champ Bailey was significant. I think Payton Hillis has potential, but not establishing a solid running game has also been suicidal to the team. Sure the Rb's were injured most of this season, but whatever the OC and Shanahan had been trying to create with the run, didn't strike me as outstanding anyway. I've also been extremely disapproving of many late drive play-calling like the last 2 minutes of the game against the Bills where it was 3rd then 4th & 5 and they decide to go for the touchdown instead of the 1st down! What the crap? There was plenty of time to try for a touchdown if they would've tried for more downs.

Above is a picture I took of the crowd last year when they inducted Terrell into the ring of fame. It was awesome. Lyn & I shed tears through parts of the presentation. Davis was probably the best of Mike's coaching moves. And I don't know who made the ultimate decision to draft Ryan Clady, but he played a crucial role in the offensive line this year. Cutler's pass protection was the best I've seen in years. Don't even get me started on the Elam matter. I haven't read alot about Elam's salary issues or everything that happened there, but I was extremely disappointed when they let him go. I think Denver would've won at least 2 more games this year had he stayed.

Mike was a superb coach and will thrive for another team, but I completely agree that the Broncos should try a different direction. I haven't listened to much commentary about terming Shanahan, but I did see that Cutler wasn't happy. I hope he gets over it soon because I think Jay can take Denver to the superbowl if he stays on his game. For those of you who think he should put up or shut up, you should read about the how the reporter misinterpreted his words. First of all, the reporter is the one who asked Cut if he thought his arm was stronger than Elway's and Jay said his answer was taken out of context because his name doesn't even deserve to be used in the same breath as Elway's. He didn't say he was a better QB, he just gave his own opinion about arm strength. I think I sing better than Steven, doesn't mean I do, but is there anything wrong with believing in myself? Personally, I'm glad that Cutler has confidence. I will probably defend him forever because remember, Cutler has type I diabetes. He is a positive role model for Brooks. The extraordinary Elway was all I knew growing up and it was hard for me to even watch the Broncos for a couple or so years after he retired. Steve used to say that I was just an Elway fan, not a Denver fan, but I always loved the team and eventually overcame missing John and that gun. And man he could scramble. There will never be another Elway in my world, but we cannot live in the past and I loved his reply to Jay's confidence:

Elway on Cutler’s arm vs. those of some NFL greats: “Joe Montana, Steve Young, Brett Favre — they all could get outside and make big plays. Cutler is either more athletic or has better arm strength than each of them. His arm is pretty special, might even be as good as mine when I was his age. Certainly, it’s better than mine was at the end.”

To Emma, From Mom with Love :) She asked for it without any promptings, I swear!

Thanks Mom for creating this legacy. It hasn't always been easy on the blood pressure, but it sure is fun. Thanks Dad for the many taxi rides to Denver and back, and for giving us something to rival about. I wish Shanahan would've went out differently and I hope he doesn't leave a chip on his back for long. So who would I like to see as the new skipper? Bill Cowher, but I'm just a girl after all, what do I know about football?

Reasons Why I'm Not Blogging

1.

2. I used to loathe video games, so how is it that my rump is sore, my fingers are cramped, and I cannot pull myself away? I am only posting to give the kids a turn. Finally, Santa brought something for Santa!

Merry for who?

I used to be the type of Christmas nut that drove everybody crazy cuz I'd pull out the holiday music before Halloween. My favorite song of all time was We Need a Little Christmas by Johnny Mathis. My children would decorate the tree, and as soon as they went to bed, I'd rearrange the ornaments so they hung in a neat and patterned fashion. I didn't do that this year. The unbalanced bulbs didn't make me mental like usual. Its hard to believe that I have been known to throw Christmas in July parties a time or two. Yep, I'd get the tree out and everything.

So in comes yule 2008 and I can't get Hard Candy Christmas out of my head. Ol' Dolly is a lyrical genius as far as I'm concerned. I no longer see what's fun about running from store to store or baking for this, that, and the other. I finally slapped myself across the face and realized that my kids will survive if they don't get Mario Kart and it's no big deal if I get nothing original for my dad. I mean really, there's no rule that says he can't have a different nascar shirt for every day of the year.

It hasn't helped that I'm holding onto a virus that I'm convinced has to be somewhat of a sister to the bird flu. I coughed so hard that I pulled a muscle around my middle ribcage. It hurt to even breathe. I can't remember the last time I called in sick to work because I was the one who was sick, but I've called in two different days in three weeks time. At least the Halls and Ricola assembly line workers don't have to worry about losing their jobs now. I've bought enough throat drops to keep them working for several more years.

On Thursday, I made a big mistake by presuming I could be amongst others without inadvertently hawking my left lung at them. I went to Walmart to catch up on shopping and in true Sam Walton tradition, they still had one checker running the show. Honestly??? It's Christmas for bells sake. Would it be so difficult to teach the floor waxer/wannabe zamboni driver to jump on a register once the line hits neverending?

Lucky for me, we're also getting a white Christmas, meaning that my kitchen floor needs constant wiping (which I neglect) and I am once again regretting not going into debt for a garage addition. No need to fear as my children are keeping things jolly around here despite my grinchitis. Brooksie just couldn't wait to give me this gingerbread necklace he made me at school. I've been wearing it nonstop because it reminds what the season is all about.

Albeit improving, I can't help but wonder if a little Edward wouldn't help me shake this :)

How to NOT harm a child

1. Breathe
2. Close your eyes
3. Say one Hail Mary in your head or if you didn't grow up Catholic, sing I am a child of God
4. Ask his reasoning for twining the gum about his hair and neck
5. Listen without judgement
6. Remind yourself that it was you who gave him the pack of gum
7. Ask him whose side he's on today. Smile when, as usual, he'll say Mommy's and not Daddy's
8. Remember the day he was born
9. DON'T remember waking up at 3am this morning with his feet in your forehead and wondering when he managed to sneak in
10. Tell yourself that it will be easy to snipp off the gum-entangled hair behind the ear
11. Think of the time when you cut off one of your neighbor's long braids while playing salon
12. Ask him who your sweet boy is
13. Don't think about how difficult it is to remove the gum as he whips his neck from side to side while simultaneously kicking the hell out of your legs
14. Reflect back a few weeks when you asked him if Daddy had already helped him brush his teeth and he said, "Yes, but don't ask him ok?"
15. Convince yourself that he wouldn't do these sort of things if his bloodsugar weren't fluctuant
16. Don't think about preschool starting in 3 minutes
17. Think about how he calls his blood "sugarblood", can he really know how sweet that is?
18. Hug him and tell him how much you love him because you know life would be boring without him
19. Praise yourself for subtlety answering any questions others may have about last year's Christmas card (refer to former post)
20. Blog

Self Explanatory Christmas Card

Last year's Christmas card. This one seems to be everyone else's favorite. Happy Christmas to all!

Battle Post for "T"

To T: If you ever think you can't take anymore, think of the brotherly battles in raquetball, b-ball, and ping pong when it looked like there was no way you could come back, but YOU DID anyway!
Think of all the schooling you and the brutha have put your wives through. I think you guys got masters degrees just so it was official that you were smarter than us. It's just a piece paper.

You'll think of your kids and Mandy first, but then think about T buddy. Who knew you would both have to be so tough? He needs your example of strength for the next 30 years or more.

Think of your hexing. Okay, I honestly have no idea what you're doing here and though I find it a bit creepy, it just may work.

Think of your brother whom you like to call Ste'en. Only you could talk him into Zorrodales, unfortunate for all of us as it is.

Think of the many more new years we all want to ring in with you, but especially me and Carrie cuz sometimes you join in and act stupid with us.

In all serious now, remember that WE LOVE YOU! You have stepped up to the plate more than most, and once again, you have all sorts of pitches coming at you. You battle T like we know you can, like we've seen you do a thousand times. We don't plan on having any fun without you!

Memoirs of a Christmas Card

My precious babies in 2004. Off all the cards we've sent, this is my absolute favorite. Merry Christmas everyone!