Dave's new blog

Dave has a new blog, called Fanning the Flames. I think you will really enjoy this new blog. Put it in your links if you can and check back often.

weekend

Well, I had a quiet weekend, the first one in a long time. Saturday I actually was able to read a book and take a nap. But then I paid for the nap with not being able to sleep. In fact, the insomnia is back. Not sure what I am doing different to make it come back, except that I am not taking Zyrtec right now. It is too expensive. I am taking over the counter claritin when I feel I need the allergy medicine.

Some of the other things that we did were: Work on setting up Dave's website for freelance writing, make homemade pizza (I am trying to find the best recipe), do laundry, exercise a little, and generally be lazy.

It was a good weekend. Dave's parents had gone to Florida for the week and they got back today (Sunday). They had a good trip. I am looking forward to Mindy's baby shower because I haven't seen her or Kari for a while. Little Charly is walking now and I haven't even seen her do that.

We are suppose to get an ice storm, but I bet it misses us. Probably will hit the Hartford/Holland, Kalamazoo, and Lansing areas though. Hope everyone is safe and sound.

life is crazy

You know, sometimes you have to have faith that what you are doing is the right thing. I fluctuate back and forth between being adventurous and doing the safe thing. Sometimes I think; "Life is about trying new things, expanding your horizons, trying to fulfill your dreams." Other times, I think; "Who am I to think I can do this? I am no better than anyone else. Why do I think I deserve more or something better?"

Sometimes I feel like Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde. Maybe I am crazy. But no, I know I am not, because if I was, I wouldn't think I was crazy. Right?

So, right now I am in the pessimistic mood and want to get out of it and get back in the optimistic mood. I know that I need to sleep more so I feel better. I also need to lose weight. Dave and I have been putting on the pounds during the winter. Like hibernating bears, we need to lumber out into the sunshine and start walking and exploring our world again. Today is a perfect day for that.

4th day at the Q - final game - Akron vs Miami

The game will be televised on ESPN2. I know it is too late to tell anyone. But we did get seats in the front row at press row, across from the Miami bench.

I am not sure who I want to win. Guess it doesn't matter who I want to win. One of these years, a Michigan team should be in the final game.

A controversial foul was called on Akron. Not sure if they will overturn it. Nope....after the time out, they came back as if nothing happened.

5:50 left in the first half. 15-16 Miami. Pretty good game so far. Timeout right now. Fan cam is running. Crowd booing for the other team.

At this time iw ould like to take a moment to talk about the names of the players. They are so cool. Cedrick, Dru, Romeo, Nick, Jeremiah, Nathan, and Monty.

At the half, the score is 28-21 Akron. It really is too hard to predict who will win. Both teams are good and both want to win.

10 minutes left in the second half. 44-35 Akron. For some reason more of the Akron players stand out than the Miami players.

4:45 left. 47-42 Akron still. Close game.
48-48 tied at 2 minutes
50-48 Akron - 1:38
50-50 1:16 - Pollitz- Miami
1:11 - Timeout - crowd going wild.
30.8 sec - Akron at freethrow line, made both attempts. 52-50
All Miami needs a three to win. Akron was at the freethrow line and missed the basket.
6.6 seconds. Miami's Penno hit a three pointer. They put 0.6 sec back on the clock and Akron attempted to make a 2-pointer, but the game was over.

3rd day at the Q - second game - Kent vs Akron

The Q is packed, at least the lower levels. Dave pointed out that the upper tier is curtained off. The score is 15-19 Kent State at 6:45 in the game.

Because Akron and Kent State are so close to Cleveland, this game is well attended.

17-31 Kent State. 1:51 in the first half. I now am pulling for Akron. Gotta help the underdog.

Half-time 19-33, Kent State. Will be an interesting second half.

9:31 left in the second half. 42-40 Akron. Akron leading for the first time in the game. The crowd is going nuts. Gotta love it.

49-42, very exciting. Kent State was having a hard time making a basket. Tried and tried and finally hit one, but Akron is ahead by 7.

54-46, 1:43 left. The security people have started to surround the floor so that whoever wins, the fans won't come onto the floor. Is it really necessary? Maybe practice for tomorrow night.

54-48, Akron. 1:01 - The crowd is getting feverish.
56-50, Akron. 35.1 seconds.
57-52, 23 seconds.

61-54 final. Akron wins.

3rd day at the Q - first game - Miami vs Toledo

12 minutes before the first game. Only two games today. The final game will be tomorrow. This first game will be noisy, but not as noisy as the rivalry between Akron and Kent which is the second game tonight.

Of note, while I like being on press row, the fans behind me are a constant irritant. Right now I have some little girls and some very vocal Miami fans. The little girls are making a lot of noise and one of the Miami fans (a woman) keeps trying to tell the refs to call the hand checks. Well, in my ignorance (or not), I think that is ridiculous. One, everyone does that. Is it really a rule? Two, does she think the refs are really going to listen to her? I think I will look up the rule, since if I try to ask Dave, he looks at me like I am crazy. (lol) Actually, I shouldn't be bothering him when he is watching the game, right?

Okay, not sure I can find the rule she is talking about, but it seems that both teams do that, so if the refs were to listen to her, then it would affect her team also.

Half-time: 23-33 Miami.

Found the rule. It has more to do with the impeding the progress of a player. I am assuming that the players can put their hands on the opponent to try to keep track of where that player is.

29-36 Miami - not very far in the second half... nothing exciting happening. One of the key players for Toledo may have reinjured his foot, but we shall see. He injured it in the last game and played the first half of this game, but in the first few minutes of the second half fell during fouling someone. He has three fouls now.

A ref just tripped over a camera man who is sitting on the floor at center court.

Toledo is catching back up - 41-43 Miami.

Not sure who I want to win this game, but am leaning for Toledo. They are almost a Michigan team and the Miami fans behind me are annoying.

As soon as I said that Miami pulled ahead, no 42-47 Miami.

Now 48-49 Miami. Toledo's defense is pretty tight.
Miami ahead 53-56, 3.5 seconds.
Miami wins 53-58.

2nd day at the Q - fourth game - WMU vs Kent State

Well, the last game of the day was suppose to start at 9:00 it is now 9:32. It probably won't start until 9:45 or so. They still have to announce the players of each time. Lots of Kent State fans, like the Zip fans on the previous game. 12:09 in the game, 18-15 Kent State. But Western is doing pretty good keeping up.

At first WMU had kept pace with KSU, but it is now 3:37 left in the game and the score is 37-26, KSU.

It is almost the end of the first half and WMU has come to within 5 points of KSU. But KSU is at the freethrow line. 28.4 seconds left. KSU didn't make the freethrow and WMU was able to make another basket in the final seconds of the first half.

The second half has started and there is 17:26 left - score is 38-40 WMU. Cool.

during the last game

Well, during the last game, we had a small mishap. I only tell about it because I am bored and the people who caused it are gone for a bit.

Fans sit right behind us. The Q staff put a large piece of material over the rail to make it look nicer, but it doesn't stay put. Well the fans behind us decided to put a full glass of beer on the rail. Of course, the material fell off with the beer on to the floor between Dave and I. I was able to get someone to clean it up and nothing was ruined, although there is a big power pack by our feet and was concerned that would short out, but it is pretty secure.

Anyway, come to find out, there is a shelf that the fans could have put their beer on and not have it on top of the rail. Idiots.

2nd day at the Q - third game - CMU vs Akron

Wow, it is crazy here. The game is just getting ready to start. There are many, many Akron Zips fans. CMU didn't travel too badly. It is really noisy here. There are still two more days of games, and it will just be getting louder and louder each game.

So far it is a close game. 17-14 Zips.

29-21 Zips, it has been this score for a long time. Oops, spoke too soon. Zips scored another 2-pointer.

33-25....losing interest. It isn't a bad game, but I think I am getting burned out. Tomorrow there will be two women's games and then in the evening, two men's games.

39-28 Akron Zips at the half.

Been showing pictures of granddaughter and Riley to anyone that would look at them. Now, I will watch the dance teams perform.

Four minutes into the second half and it is 47-30 Zips. It is hard to keep my mind on the game. At the half, some of the fans were asking who is going to win the tournament. I am ashamed to say that I don't even know that much about it. I just watch and enjoy the games.

Well, I predict that the Zips will win. Think I will publish this.

2nd day at the Q - second game - Ohio vs Miami

Not sure if I will have as much to talk about in this game. One, I am not as concerned who wins this one and two, it is six minutes into the game and the score is 8-5 (Miami), so it looks like it will be a slow game.

The end of the first half with the score is 39 (Miami)-21(Ohio U), the game is kind of a blow out right now. Ohio's lead scorer, Bubba Walther only has three points.

Well, I was right, this has been a disinteresting game. I actually had some photos to upload to our website. www.macreportonline.com/gallery So I have been doing that.

But the score is now 57-38 Miami and there are 7:19 minutes left in the game.
66-45 Miami - 3:17 left. Guess I shouldn't have worn red and white today.

Miami will win this......I am going to publish this, as I have to run to the restroom. (lol)

2nd day at the Q - first game - EMU vs Toledo

Well, I started this blog, but it seems to be lost. It is now the 2nd half. 49-42 Toledo. Both teams are playing very hard.

Lots of fans from both teams are here, besides the fans for the next game (Ohio and Miami).

52-42 Toledo. I am not suppose to be biased and want one of the teams to win, but I would like to see the underdog Eastern to win. I goofed earlier and was a little vocal, Dave had to give me the "look" to remind me that I was a press row and to not react to the game.

54-45 Toledo. Wonder if Eastern can come back.
56-49 Toledo. 4:40 minutes left
62-52 Toledo 1:06 minutes left, looks like the Eagles will lose.
62-54 Toledo 8 seconds.
Game over, 62-54 Toledo. The Eagles were so close. I feel bad, but the good thing is that they are a young team and next year will be an even better year.

3rd game of the MAC Tournament

Buffalo versus CMU.

Four minutes before the half. This looks like this might be a blow out. The score is CMU 35 and Buffalo is 17.

Three minutes into the second half and it is already 46 to 23 CMU. Yikes.

There is another game to go. It was suppose to start at 7, but it is only the start of the second half of this game and the it is already 7:20. Then after the fourth game, there is a meeting at the Winking Lizard for the MAC News Media Association. It is going to be a late night.

Dave just told me that we will probably go to the bar before the last game. He is the president of the association and needs to be there for any media that shows up.

Only five minutes of the game has passed, but it seems like a long time. The score is now 57-30, yep CMU. Buffalo fans are irate at the calls the referees are making.

More than 11 minutes and it is dragging. 59-34.
64-43 - struggling to stay awake.
71-52 - been checking other blogs. (Note, that Kari doesn't have me listed in her list of blogs she enjoys. Hope it is just a mistake. lol)
73-59 - 2:32 left. Oh, please, refs don't call the ticky-tac foul calls.

Of special interest: Mindy, I am sitting next to a "Luke". He said thanks for naming the baby after him.

74-64 - 1:45 left. Buffalo coming back, but only because CMU has been playing their bench players. I really don't think they can come back.

But wait: It looks like CMU has their starters back in. 74-67
75-67 - Buffalo at the freethrow line, missed one, made the second. 75-68
Now CMU at the freethrow line....missed one, made the second 76-68
30 seconds left. Can Buffalo win or tie? Buffalo at the freethrow line again..missed the first, made the second.
Geesh another foul. CMU at the line, made the first, made the second.
With 18.6 seconds, 78-71, not sure how Buffalo got 69, but then they made two more freethrows.
Two more CMU freethrows, 80-71, and then a Buffalo 3-pointer, but the final score is 80-74.

Well, I won't be posting about the games until tomorrow. Hope this is entertaining. It is keeping me occupied.

2nd game at MAC BB tournament

Well, the second game is in the second half. Bowling Green versus Ohio U. It is a close game. OU 47 BGSU 43.

Pretty exciting. The crowd is bigger, so there is more noise and excitement.

Less than 10 minutes - OU 52, BGSU 43 - still exciting. Lots of 3-pointers by one OU player.

Less than 7 minutes - OU 56, BGSU 45 - now I find my mind wandering. I will probably pay attention to the last 1 minute of play.

Some of the fans are obnoxious, of course, that is to be expected. This isn't high school sports.

3:54 left. OU 60, BGSU 49...OU is pulling ahead.
1:55 left OU 64, BGSU 54

Final score - OU 69, BGSU 59. Now I get to sit for a bit while Dave goes to the coaches interviews and writes up the story. It is 5:32, but the next game is suppose to start at 5:00, so I don't know when it will start.

first bb game at the Q

Well, I am at press row and watching the EMU/Ball State BB game. Six minutes left and EMU is ahead. They played BSU twice before and beat them. I hope they beat them again. EMU hasn't gotten past this point in many years.

But now BSU is catching back up. It is now a 7 point game.

Now 2 minutes to go, only a 4-point game. Dang, EMU might lose this game. BSU looked apathetic until the last few minutes.

1:27 minutes - still 4- point game, EMU ahead

21.6 seconds - 50/48 EMU......if they can just do good defense.

13 seconds - 50/48 EMU ....Eastern at the freethrow line. Bowdry, who is 2 for 2 for freethrows.

Yeah! EMU 51, BSU 48. That is so cool.

My mother

Yesterday was the anniversary of my mother's death, 11 years ago. It doesn't seem that long ago, and I still miss her. I don't feel like she and I were very close, but she was there whenever I had an emergency and needed her. She had a lovely smile and seemed to genuinely like people. I don't think there was a mean bone in her body.

Xmas at the Ruthenbergs

Here are some pictures from Xmas Eve at Dave's parents.

Dave and his lovely mother, Joanie
Grandma Helen
Aunt Emily
Diana, Dave's sister
Good ole' dad, Les.

Xmas 2006

Well, the first real family Xmas with all my children together in a long time turned out to be a lot of fun. I have been lucky to be able to see all my kids a lot this year. Here are some of the pictures that didn't turn out too bad.

Charly pondering why cameras are always stuck in her face.

Mindy and Kari just hanging out.

Mark pondering why Charly is pondering.

Mike - chilling.

Mindy - chilling

Brett and Charly checking things out.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Oh, boy....the last holidays of the year.

The year has been eventful. Dave and I moved to a house. Yes, we are now homeowners.

My youngest daughter gave birth to a lovely baby girl in May and my other daughter is pregnant and due in May next year.

Brett started a new job and I am excited for him, as I think there will be more room for advancement at this job, besides all the opportunities to increase his knowledge.

This will be the first year that all my children are in my home at the same time since......since, hmm, it has been a while. I think that all three were at my apartment when my dad and his girlfriend, Inky, came up from Florida to visit. Not sure what year that was. I enjoy my sons-in-law and look forward to continuing the tradition of having everyone over for Xmas each year. As time goes on, the group will become larger and that will be exciting.

Dave's parents will also be there. They had a little taste of how my family interacts with each other in August, so hopefully they will not be too overwhelmed.

The menu is a little crazy, macaroni and cheese, italian meatballs and sauce, ham and mustard sauce, vegetable, salad, and desserts. I will be using the best dinner ware that the dollar store had to offer. (time washing dishes will be reduced - always a plus).

The whole affair is meant to be relaxing and fun, not a showcase for fancy things.

Well, have to go clean the toilet and vacuum the floor. (don't want the baby crawling all over a dirty floor) Then later I will be starting the appetizers and get the mac and cheese ready to put in the oven tomorrow.

sleepless in dearborn heights

Yep, I am sleepless again. Not sure what causes it. Too much sugar, caffeine, not enough exercise, too many thoughts? Could be any of those things, but I am not willing to make any changes, so I have to put up with the sleeplessness.

Watched The Office. Michael the office manager creeps me out. The Validity Committee was a riot, the marking the girlfriend was funny, and the CIA running gag was priceless.

>>You have been compromised>>Abort mission>>Destroy phone - Dwight is a dork.

Looking forward to 12/23. All the family coming to the house. It will be a "real" Christmas as a family in a long time. What movie should we watch and tear apart? Maybe we should watch Princess Bride and give Grandma Joannie and Grandpa Les a taste of the McMillan/Selleck sense of humor.

what did he say?

Last night Dave got out of bed to relieve himself. He woke me up as he got back into bed. I was still half dreaming, half awake. He was messing with the pillows, trying to get comfortable and I thought I heard him say, "I got a quarter". I thought it was odd that he would have found a quarter in bed, but who am I to question. But I did question. I asked, "Did the tooth fairy leave it?"


PS: Actually he was saying "I got a corner." Still not sure what he was talking about.