Category: Holidays

Super Bowl!

Yes, it’s Super Bowl Sunday 2013! The Super Bowl here in the USA is almost a holiday. It’s a strange thing, but at the ripe old age of 54 I can remember the very first Super Bowl played.

The Vince Lombardi Trophy is awarded to the Super Bowl winner. Vince Lombardi was the much beloved coach of the Green Bay Packers.

Super Bowl I was played on January 15, 1967, following the 1966 regular season, while Super Bowl XLVII will be played on February 3, 2013, to determine the champion of the current 2012 season.

They only use Roman Numerals to designate the number for the Super Bowl being played.

Game	Date	Winning team	Score	Losing team
I	January 15, 1967	Green Bay Packers‡	35–10	Kansas City Chiefs^
II	January 14, 1968	Green Bay Packers‡	33–14	Oakland Raiders^
III	January 12, 1969	New York Jets^	16–7	Baltimore Colts‡
IV	January 11, 1970	Kansas City Chiefs^	23–7	Minnesota Vikings‡
V	January 17, 1971	Baltimore Colts†	16–13	Dallas Cowboys*
VI	January 16, 1972	Dallas Cowboys*	24–3	Miami Dolphins†
VII	January 14, 1973	Miami Dolphins†	14–7	Washington Redskins*
VIII	January 13, 1974	Miami Dolphins†	24–7	Minnesota Vikings*
IX	January 12, 1975	Pittsburgh Steelers†	16–6	Minnesota Vikings*
X	January 18, 1976	Pittsburgh Steelers†	21–17	Dallas Cowboys*
XI	January 9, 1977	Oakland Raiders†	32–14	Minnesota Vikings*
XII	January 15, 1978	Dallas Cowboys*	27–10	Denver Broncos†
XIII	January 21, 1979	Pittsburgh Steelers†	35–31	Dallas Cowboys*
XIV	January 20, 1980	Pittsburgh Steelers†	31–19	Los Angeles Rams*
XV	January 25, 1981	Oakland Raiders†	27–10	Philadelphia Eagles*
XVI	January 24, 1982	San Francisco 49ers*	26–21	Cincinnati Bengals†
XVII	January 30, 1983	Washington Redskins*	27–17	Miami Dolphins†
XVIII	January 22, 1984	Los Angeles Raiders†	38–9	Washington Redskins*
XIX	January 20, 1985	San Francisco 49ers*	38–16	Miami Dolphins†
XX	January 26, 1986	Chicago Bears*	46–10	New England Patriots†
XXI	January 25, 1987	New York Giants*	39–20	Denver Broncos†
XXII	January 31, 1988	Washington Redskins*	42–10	Denver Broncos†
XXIII	January 22, 1989	San Francisco 49ers*	20–16	Cincinnati Bengals†
XXIV	January 28, 1990	San Francisco 49ers*	55–10	Denver Broncos†
XXV	January 27, 1991	New York Giants*	20–19	Buffalo Bills†
XXVI	January 26, 1992	Washington Redskins*	37–24	Buffalo Bills†
XXVII	January 31, 1993	Dallas Cowboys*	52–17	Buffalo Bills†
XXVIII	January 30, 1994	Dallas Cowboys*	30–13	Buffalo Bills†
XXIX	January 29, 1995	San Francisco 49ers*	49–26	San Diego Chargers†
XXX	January 28, 1996	Dallas Cowboys*	27–17	Pittsburgh Steelers†
XXXI	January 26, 1997	Green Bay Packers*	35–21	New England Patriots†
XXXII	January 25, 1998	Denver Broncos†	31–24	Green Bay Packers*
XXXIII	January 31, 1999	Denver Broncos†	34–19	Atlanta Falcons*
XXXIV	January 30, 2000	St. Louis Rams*	23–16	Tennessee Titans†
XXXV	January 28, 2001	Baltimore Ravens†	34–7	New York Giants*
XXXVI	February 3, 2002	New England Patriots†	20–17	St. Louis Rams*
XXXVII	January 26, 2003	Tampa Bay Buccaneers*	48–21	Oakland Raiders†
XXXVIII	February 1, 2004	New England Patriots†	32–29	Carolina Panthers*
XXXIX	February 6, 2005	New England Patriots†	24–21	Philadelphia Eagles*
XL	February 5, 2006	Pittsburgh Steelers†	21–10	Seattle Seahawks*
XLI	February 4, 2007	Indianapolis Colts†	29–17	Chicago Bears*
XLII	February 3, 2008	New York Giants*	17–14	New England Patriots†
XLIII	February 1, 2009	Pittsburgh Steelers†	27–23	Arizona Cardinals*
XLIV	February 7, 2010	New Orleans Saints*	31–17	Indianapolis Colts†
XLV	February 6, 2011	Green Bay Packers*	31–25	Pittsburgh Steelers†
XLVI	February 5, 2012	New York Giants*	21–17	New England Patriots†
XLVII	February 3, 2013	Baltimore Ravens† San Francisco 49ers	—	To be determined (TBD)
XLVIII	February 2, 2014	2013–14 NFC Champion* at 2013–14 AFC Champion†	—	To be determined (TBD)
XLIX	February 1, 2015	2014–15 AFC Champion† at 2014–15 NFC Champion*	—	To be determined (TBD)

NFL^‡/NFC^* teams (25 wins) AFL^{^}/AFC^† teams (21 wins)

I think I can safely say I have watched almost all of them. Especially the ones where the New England Patriots played. But even when they didn’t, I would go to parties and while others watched the games and enjoyed appetizers, I would enjoy the food and watch the commercials.

So, what do I have on the menu for Hubby and I tomorrow? At noon I will make up a 7 layer Mexican dip and let is chill.

While that is going on, we’ll enjoy some Shrimp Cocktail and bread sticks.

At 3:30 we will enjoy the 7 Layer Dip. I’ll also pop the cork on some champagne, cheap of course! Then at 6:45 I will saute up the onions and peppers and the steak for Steak Fajitas! I haven’t made that in a while, so I’m very excited.

I will be so interested to see who wins this Super Bowl. I’m rooting for the Raven’s. I would like to see Michael Oher and his teammates all win and get Super Bowl rings!

Do you party on Super Bowl Sunday?

When I got up this morning I threw on my clothes and started the arduous process of taking down the tree. Here’s the funny part. It took me three days to put it all up and 4 hours to take it all down!

Hubby was watching TV and reading the newspaper, and I was listening to my MP3 Player. I danced around the tree doing the first of the 5 parts of tree demolition required.

1.) Tinsel removal.

Okay, I know you guys are going to laugh and some will call me cheap (I prefer the term frugal) but when I remove the tinsel, I save it. I’ve had the tinsel I use for over 20 years! Each year I put it on, and then at the end of the season, I take it off and put it in a ziploc bag until next year.

2.) Then the garlands come off. Round, and round, and round, I go. I may actually break down next year and get some new garlands, as the current one(s) are broken all around. So, I sort of piece meal the garland around the tree.

3.) Then it’s time for the ornaments. One by one they come off. Then I wrap them in tissue paper, filling a special box until each and every one  of my beloved ornaments are safely tucked in for yet another year.

I always feel sad about this because I love so many of those little gems. I recall the places I have been and the circumstances around it’s acquisition.

4.) The lights are next. Not just regular lights, but the bubble lights that Hubby loves so much. Those must be carefully re-boxed so they do not break. This year I will need to hunt down some replacement bulbs.

5.) Once the lights are off, Then I start un-making the tree and packing the ‘limbs’ into a box. This is also a row upon row process, but with music in my ears I got that tree down in no time.

Later I will finish closing up boxes and then on Wednesday Hubby will pass these boxes up to me in the attic and I will drag them to their spot for another 11 months.

Another Christmas Come and gone!

You know, when it’s the Christmas season, I am all for getting the decorations out, and putting them up! I love it! Pretty sparkling lights, and tinsel and my little moving village with skaters! The first night that it is all done, I like to sit and turn off the regular lights and just enjoy the glow of the season.

Then Christmas comes, almost overnight, and then New Years, and then it’s time to take all this stuff down, and put it all away.

I started that practice on Saturday. I cleared the shelves, dusted and after wrapping the items I put the decorations in their special box until next year,

However, I couldn’t do it all. I left the village, the Christmas tree, and the mini dackel tree up. Tomorrow I will take two of those items and pack them up, and then do the tree on Monday.

Then, for another year it is over. Gosh it went so fast! I think next year I will put everything up the day after Thanksgiving.

1. How did you ring in the new year?

It started early, with my watching the Sydney, Australia fireworks online. I made special meals. Crab Quiche, and lamb chops. We had a nice bottle of bubbly that we split and as always, I shed a few tears.

2. What is one thing you are looking forward to in 2013?

Watching Miss Savannah grow! The last seven months have been the best! So I expect the next year will be even better!

3. Steven Spielberg is quoted as saying, “All of us every single year, we’re a different person. I don’t think we’re the same person all our lives.” What say you?

I hope that each year, as I grow and change, become a slightly better person. Recently, someone I love told me in a loving way, that I had a very annoying habit, they are right and now I need to work on that!

4. The Pantone color of the year for 2013 is emerald green. Like or dislike? Do you already own something this color? Will you add something in this shade to your home or wardrobe in 2013?

I am not a green person. It makes me look like the wicked witch of the west! My main color is blue. And nope, will not be adding this color to the house.

5. Speaking of emerald…what’s your favorite gemstone?

Black Opals. The ones I like are a dark blue with a shot of green going through them. These are mined in Australia!

Isn’t that beautiful?

6. Share a favorite book or movie from 2012.

The Descendents. Both the movie and the book! All I can say is wow! I am still shocked that George Clooney did not win Best Actor at the Oscars. He was incredible!

7. What is something you want to tell yourself at the start of this brand new year?

To think before I speak. It’s sad to say, but sometimes I speak and my brain is not engaged. Got to stop doing this!!!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

2013 I also plan to get back on the wagon with Weight Watchers. I have 5 months until Savannah’s birthday and so there is no excuse to be eating cake. Actually, I should just cut cake out of my diet, like I’m allergic or something! After all, I eat it and then I break out in fat! Tomorrow is the first Weight Watchers class since well before Christmas. I shudder at the thought of getting up on the scale!

January

We discovered that Mandy was having a girl!

February

We got out skiing

March

I got to swim with the dolphins!

April

The fruit trees blossomed early!

May

My first grandchild was born. Sweet Savannah Rose May 31, 2012!

June

The first few days we all hung out with Mandy and Savannah at the hospital!

July

I just knew, I was head over heels in love! I went down to see Mandy

and Savannah, every other week.

August

And Savannah grew and grew!

September

And so quickly, Savannah became a big girl, with interests!

October

We had an earthquake on October 16th. That blew my mind!

It’s the hardest, longest, jolt that I have ever felt! 4.5!

November

I celebrated my 54th birthday and I was lucky to be surrounded by family and friends!

December

Savannah’s First Christmas!

7 months old!

Happy New Year!!!

My phone rang before 8 o’clock this morning. It was my mother, who wanted to talk and talk and talk. She woke me, before I had a chance to visit the little ladies room or walk the dogs, so the five of us were all squirming around in bed! Finally I could stand it no longer, and I put the phone down and dashed to the bathroom!

Then I explained that the dogs were next and I had to go. By then Hubby was awake and our day started far earlier than any of us had actually wanted it to.

When we pulled up the shades, and glanced outside we found 5-6 inches of snow! And, it was still snowing! And as I write now, it is still snowing.

I love snow, don’t get me wrong, but today I actually needed to do a few things.  I’ve decided to put it off until tomorrow when the weather will be better.

Meanwhile, Monday was laundry day, snuggling dackels day and watching the dachshunds plow through the snow day!

Fritz, Anneliese and Arnie.

Greta

Oh, how much fun it is to watch the dackels in the snow! Especially when it is deep enough so they get buried!

I still need to run some errands and buy the last few gifts for Christmas. Then I am done! Well, sort of. I still need to do cooking for Jack!

I woke on Saturday morning and told Hubby that today we had to go out and do a large shopping. Food, some gifts, and dog food.

So after we had breakfast, off we went to the stores. I’m not a big fan of shopping this time of year. The parking lots were packed, but for some reason, we got spaces close up every time! We also managed to get green arrows for right turns each time we came up to them! Talk about luck!

The day was long, and we got back after dark, to four dogs, who were a bit on the frantic side. We were out 15 minutes after their dinner time!

We put the food away, fed the pooches, chatted with B in Australia, and then I made a quick and easy dinner.

Truly, there are never enough hours in the days during Christmastime are there?

Busy, busy, busy! Which means I am feeling much, much, better!

I woke up today and immediately knew I was feeling better. I got up with gusto, made the coffee and walked the dogs. Yes, my body is getting back to normal.

Since I’d handed Hubby boxes filled with Christmas decorations yesterday, I took Monday nearly all day, to dust the shelves, take down the usual decorations and put up all my Christmas ones!

Nativity scenes

and my mini Christmas tree with it’s dackel ornaments.

I got out the big tree and spent 2 hours wrestling it together. Row upon row, I set it up. The tree is 20 years old and I’m almost ready to retire it to the recycling center. The newer ones are pre-lit and easier to assemble. Oh well, I am too cheap to do that.

Hubby thinks I am a bit mad for setting up all the decorations if we aren’t entertaining anyone for the holidays. I told him I am doing this for us! Period!

Ah, the joy of Christmas!