Magic Game #3

YAY!!!   Finally a win!!!!!

The Milwaukee Bucks came to town splitting our family in two.  C.J., Zack, and I cheered for the Magic while Chris and Jon were cheering for the Bucks ---well, as much as Jon cheers at any sporting event.  More accurately, he was anxious to see Giannis Antetokounmpo (had to look up that spelling) have a spectacular game.  But that did not happen.  He was just average on this night.  

The Magic were off for the first few minutes of the game and quickly found themselves down by 10.  I wasn't too concerned though because I had been to enough games where the Magic blew double digit leads, I thought maybe if they were down by double digits, they might play better.  And they did.  Most of the game was back and forth with the Magic pulling ahead and then the Bucks catching up to pull within 4 or 6 but, eventually, the Magic used the 4th quarter to create separation.  

Uh Huh...his hair

Still close at halftime

Note:  BIG LEAD

NOTE:  BIG LEAD GONE

BIG LEAD BACK...it was that kind of game

Close to the final score

Penny Hardaway being honored

Looking forward to the next three..

Magic Game Number 2

This year, again, we had the opportunity to get the 6 Orlando Magic games for $50.00.

The first game was Wednesday night but I did not bring my camera to that game.  The second game was last night.  Both games they lost- no big surprise there.  But, whatever, it's spending time with my boys that matters to me! 

Our seats weren't too bad this time... 

James Harden put on a dramatic pre-show,strutting around and  drawing attention to himself.

The game itself was close for the most part.  The number of 3 pointers put up by Houston was obnoxious...final total was 49.

But thankfully with only shooting 31%, the Magic were able to hang in there for most of the game.  

Wisconsin home boy Sam Dekker. 

Yeah...that half time did not last long... three straight three point plays from Houston in four minutes  and the Magic called time out 

Looking forward to the next one. Maybe we will see a win - eventually.  One can always hope.  

Goodbye 2016

I thought about doing a month by month recap of 2016 like I did last year ---but then I thought, "why?"  

2016 can be summed up in one word - terrible!   

I don't believe one month went by this year that did not provide me with some kind of challenge and, truthfully, most months presented 2, 3, or even 4 challenges that I was forced to face.  I hardly even blog anymore because most of what happens in my life lately is so frustrating and depressing that it would just turn people off.

And I suppose it's just fitting that 2016 could not end without providing yet one more challenge!  This one came in the mail today...a $160.00 ticket for "failure to comply with a steady red signal."  

Now...I don't think myself above the law and if I do something that deserves a ticket --- I accept that.  But, believe me when I say that I DID NOTHING WRONG HERE!!!!  

Since they are kind enough to provide a website with the pictures that were produced from the wonderful, lovely traffic camera, I have photo proof of what I am saying...

I know this intersection well because it is just a few hundred feet from where I work.  

Here I am STOPPED at the intersection WAITING to make a right turn.

Pay close attention to two things...1). I am BEHIND the solid right line as I am stopped, and 2).  where the white van is as I am stopped.  

Now, here I am proceeding with my right turn

Again, notice where that white van is as I start to make my turn?   I had been stopped for plenty of time.  Also, note that there is no oncoming traffic so clearly I am not cutting anyone off or making a rolling stop to beat oncoming traffic.  

I have sent these to a friend who is a police officer and he feels I would be successful if I fought the ticket - and I will fight it - but it just adds one more thing to my list of frustrations.   

So farewell 2016. 

 I am glad to see you go.     

Our Christmas

"For unto you a child is born. A Savior which is Christ the Lord."  

This year, more than any other, we all tried to focus on the gift of being together.  We were all under financial constraints this year and made an agreement to forego gifts for each other.  I did make a trash bag wreath for my mom and sister...

And, of course, my parents ignored the agreement and gave us a few things anyway!  My boys, who I love so much and am so proud of, did not even bat an eye over the fact that there were no presents from me this year.  Naturally, I would give them the world if I could.  

Our Christmas in pictures...missing is the annual football game due to illnesses/rain.  

And the doll "cousins"

This is How it Rolls For Me

I was sick last week.

Yep...that's right...sick.

I never get sick - but when I do it's gotta be the busiest week in the year!  

If you were to ask any teacher what is the worst week to be sick, my guess is most of them would say the week before Christmas Break.  There are just soooo many things going on that week!  

So, I found myself trying to juggle all the necessary balls on Monday and Tuesday (feeling just awful) before waving the white flag of defeat Wednesday afternoon and Thursday.  

The necessary balls being juggled were the Christmas concert for school, making sure the kid's parent presents were finished, organizing a class holiday party, Secret Santa shopping for the employee party, preparing for company, and C.J's graduation.  

FYI - not all those things got accomplished.

Anyway, Wednesday afternoon I came home, climbed in bed, and took a nap.  C.J. came over that night to watch some Breaking Bad and I was lying on the couch feverish and coughing and complaining about the timing. I mean, why could this not happen in the middle of January when the prospect of lounging around on the couch for days at a time is much more appealing?

By Friday, the fever was gone and I was able to make it to C.J.'s graduation (like I would have missed that - NOT) but the cough and running nose (like blowing it every 10 minutes) continues to this day - 11 days and counting!   

Unfortunately, I managed to contaminate C.J., who right now just has a cold, and my dad who went to the doctor and was given antibiotics for a sinus and respiratory infection.  

Hopefully we will all recover by Christmas Day.