PACKERS BLOW IT, REDSKINS WIN BIG

The Green Bay Packers looked good in the 1st half last night but somebody forgot to tell them they had to play 2nd half because they sure didn't show up for it and blew a good opportunity to build on there division lead and fell to the Bears 27-20. Next week the Washington Redskins will visit Green Bay. Speaking of the Redskins they put at hurting on the Lions beating them 34-3, it was close at the half but the Skins what good teams to do in the 2nd half put there opponents away. In baseball the Red Sox completed a 3 game sweep of the Angels and the Yankees stayed alive by knocking off the Indians, don't count the Yankees out just yet. At Talladega yesterday Jeff Gordon came out of nowhere to win the race on the last lap yesterday beating his teammate Jimmy Johnson, Gordon ran at the back of the field most of the race before making his move at the end of the race. Also by winning the race Gordon now leads the point standings by 9 points over Jimmy Johnson and 63 points over Clint Bowyer. The are suppose to put the carpet in the new room today and I think the blinds also, it shouldn't be much longer before that room is finished. MICKEY

Anticipate the difficult by managing the easy.
Lao Tzu

A better you
Don't concern yourself with being better than everyone else. That will mainly get you resentment, disappointment, or both. Focus instead on being better today than you were yesterday, on being even better tomorrow than you are today.

When you compare yourself to others, you'll either end up being disappointed or you'll end up being arrogant. Instead, compare yourself to yourself. The important thing is to make progress in your own life. Upstaging someone else simply won't bring you any true gain. Improving yourself will.

We all share certain things in common, and yet no two people are the same. There is no one who is better than you. And at the same time, you are better than no one else. You are unique. You are beyond compare. Make the most of it. Make it better and better each day. Stop worrying about everyone else and you'll free up enormous energy to be the best you can be.


Entertainment reporter Rona Barrett is 71
Actor Paul Hogan is 68
Reverend Jesse Jackson is 66
Comedian Chevy Chase is 64
Country singer Susan Raye is 63
TV personality Sarah Purcell is 59
Actress Sigourney Weaver is 58
Rhythm-and-blues singer Robert "Kool" Bell (Kool & the Gang) is 57
Country singer-musician Ricky Lee Phelps is 54
Comedian Darrell Hammond is 52
Actor Ian Hart is 43
Gospel/rhythm-and-blues singer CeCe Winans is 43
Actress Emily Procter is 39
Actor-screenwriter Matt Damon is 37
Actress Kristanna Loken is 28
Actor Nick Cannon is 27
Actor Max Crumm (TV: "You're The One That I Want") is 22

VIRGINIA SURVIVES TO WIN 5TH IN A ROW, EAST CAROLINA STUNS CENTRAL FLORIDA

The Virginia Cavaliers kicked a field goal in the final seconds of the game to beat Middle Tennessee 23-21 and win there 5th straight game since there opening day loss to Wyoming. The Cavs will go for there 6th straight win next Saturday when the undefeated Connecticut Huskies visit Charlottesville. I went down to East Carolina game last night and I have to say it didn't look good at the half for the Pirates trailing Central Florida 28-17 and the fans were getting a bit frustrated with the play calling. However it was like a different team came out for the 2nd half as the Pirates scored 28 points in the 3rd quarter en route to 52-38 over Central Florida and all the Pirate fans went home happy. Next ECU will travel to Texas to play UTEP. The Georgia Bulldogs had a tough afternoon falling to Tennessee 35-14. Also yesterday two more top 10 teams lost, Stanford beat USC & Illinois beat Wisconsin. In the NFL today the Green Bay Packers will be going for there 5th straight win today win they play host to the Chicago Bears tonight, the Redskin play host to the Lions this afternoon. In the MLB playoffs yesterday both the Rockies and the Diamondbacks completed 1st round sweeps in the NL both winning there series 3-0, today the Indians and the Red Sox can do the same in the AL. Michael Waltrip will start from the pole today at Talladega, since Mikey has had such a bad year I think the Nascar fix was in on this pole, he needed something good to happen for his teams. Since we switched to Direct TV I will be able to watch all the NFL games today and the race at the same time, the remote will be busy. MICKEY

It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.
Aristotle Onassis

Singer Al Martino is 80
Former National Security Council aide Oliver North is 64
Country singer Kieran Kane is 58
Singer John Mellencamp is 56
Actress Mary Badham is 55
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma is 52
Gospel singer Michael W. Smith is 50
Recording executive and TV personality Simon Cowell ("American Idol") is 48
Country singer Dale Watson is 45
Actress Nicole Ari Parker is 37
Singer Taylor Hicks ("American Idol") is 31
Football player Charles Woodson is 31

Leo Durocher, Hall of Fame baseball manager with the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants, and other teams died at the age of 86

UVA ON THE ROAD TONIGHT, COLONIALS & EAGLES FALL

The Virginia Cavaliers are back on the road tonight when they travel to Middle Tennessee State to play the Blue Raiders, the Cavs will be going for there 5th straight win tonight since losing the 1st game of the season to Wyoming. I am going to the East Carolina game tonight, the Pirates will be playing host to Central Florida. Also today the Georgia Bulldogs will be at Tennessee to play the Volunteers this afternoon, I have posted some other college football game of interest below. It was tough night on the football field last night for both the Colonials and the Crawford County Eagles, the Colonials fell to Dinwiddie 54-0 while Crawford County Eagles lost a heart breaker 14-7 and from what I understand there were some very questionable calls in this game. I have posted all the high school scores of interest in the top right hand corner of the blog. The Boston Red Sox & the Cleveland Indians both a 2-0 lead in there AL playoff series, it doesn't look like we are going see the Yankees & Red Sox play for the AL championship. They will qualify at Talladega today for Sundays race. My AIP index has fallen some more and would be even lower but there are several mosquitoes that are flying around the house that are making my life miserable and my right hamstring is very sore also. MICKEY

TODAYS GAMES
VIRGINIA AT MIDDLE TENN STATE
NORTH CAROLINA AT MIAMI
VIRGINIA TECH AT CLEMSON
GEORGIA TECH AT MARYLAND
WAKE FOREST AT DUKE
BOWLING GREEN AT BOSTON COLLEGE
NC STATE AT FLORIDA STATE
CENTRAL FLORIDA AT EAST CAROLINA
FLORIDA AT LSU
GEORGIA AT TENNESSEE

The abundant life does not come to those who have had a lot of obstacles removed from their path by others. It develops from within and is rooted in strong mental and moral fiber.
William Mather Lewis

Enjoy
Let yourself enjoy being you today. Allow the anger, the anxiety, the frustration and the stress to fall away. Stop assuming that you must be negative just because of your circumstances. Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, just let yourself enjoy.

Let yourself enjoy being alive and involved in this day. There are challenges, there is beauty, there is pain, there is joy. Immerse yourself in it all and enjoy the intensity of your living experience.

The harsh words directed your way keep you focused. The kindnesses build your faith. The disappointments give you wisdom and perspective. The triumphs make it all worthwhile.

In every moment there is every possibility. Could anything be more sublime? Live those moments with an unassailable sense of enjoyment. They're yours to live, to experience, to mold and to elevate. Don't fall down into the world. Bring it up to you, and enjoy.

Pro wrestler Bruno Sammartino is 72
Actress Britt Ekland is 65
Impressionist Fred Travalena is 65
Singer-musician Thomas McClary is 57
Rock singer-musician David Hidalgo (Los Lobos) is 53
Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy is 52
Actress Elisabeth Shue is 44
Actress Jacqueline Obradors is 41
Country singer Tim Rushlow is 41
Actress Emily Mortimer is 36
Actor Ioan Gruffudd is 34

RIDDLE

Melanie got the Brain Bruiser question right but no one got the riddle right. Come on everyone put on your thinking caps. Maybe for the weekend.

Brain Bruiser Answer
What common question can you never answer "yes" to

Are you asleep


RIDDLE ANSWER

What kind of tea is best to avoid?

calamity

Food Trivia Question

LOLB. Fingers in N.Y. The planet. Long square stick.

Land of LAKE Butter

WEEKEND QUESTIONS

WEEKEND RIDDLE:

What is the longest word?

Brain Bruisers Question

What do you throw out when you want to use it but take in when you don't want to use it? It has Six letters.


Food Trivia Question

Fermented by lactic acid bacteria. 10 letters...hard to spell. Can easily upset the stomach. Finely chopped and tan.

DIRECT TV UP AND RUNNING, COLONIALS AT DINWIDDIE

Well the Direct TV is up and running now and picture looks pretty so far, the only problem I have now is that I don't what channel everything is on. I have posted a few photos of what they did here at the house yesterday, it looks pretty good from the outside now. They are suppose to finish everything up on the inside early next week. The Colonial Heights Colonials have a very tough task tonight when they travel down to Dinwiddie top play the Generals and there high powered offense. Down in Georgia Crawford County will travel to Heard County, the Eagles will be trying to get back on there winning ways. I have posted some other games of interest below. In MLB playoffs both Arizona & Colorado both have 2-0 leads in there NL series while the Yankees got drubbed by Cleveland last nigh and trial that series 1-0. The Nascar Nextel Cup Series is at Talladega this weekend while the NHRA visits Dinwiddie, VA at the Virginia Motor Sports Park. I am sure glad that it is Friday, I have been beaten and battered this week and I am very sore. I am still having to run outside because we don't have any power in the shed yet. MICKEY

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
COLONIAL HEIGHTS AT DINWIDDIE
MATOACA AT THOMAS DALE
PRINCE GEORGE AT HOPEWELL
PETERSBURG AT MAEDOWBROOK
CRAWFORD COUNTY AT HEARD COUNTY
PASTQUAOTANK AT FIRST FLIGHT
ROANOKE AT MANTEO

Little minds have little worries, big minds have no time for worries.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Getting a Flu Vaccine
An annual flu vaccine can help protect you from the nasty effects of the flu virus.

Here's some background information about the flu vaccine, courtesy of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

* The injected vaccination contains a killed virus. It is approved for people over the age of 6 months.
* The nasal form of the vaccine is made with a weakened virus, and is approved for people ages 2-49 years. It's not recommended for pregnant women.
* Approximately two weeks after the vaccination, your body develops the antibodies needed to protect itself from specific strains of the flu virus.
* Flu season generally runs from October through May. The best months to be vaccinated are October and November, but you can still be vaccinated later.
* You cannot get the flu from a flu shot, but minor side effects may include swelling, low-grade fever, and aches and pains.
* Similarly, you cannot develop full-blown flu from the nasal spray vaccine, but minor side effects may include runny nose, headache, and sore throat.


Actress Glynis Johns is 84
Comedian Bill Dana is 83
Actress Diane Cilento is 74
Football coach Barry Switzer is 70
Rhythm-and-blues singer Arlene Smith (The Chantels) is 66
Actor Jeff Conaway is 57
Actress Karen Allen is 56
Comedian Bernie Mac is 50
Singer-actress Heather Headley is 33
Actress Parminder Nagra is 32
Actor Scott Weinger is 32
Actress Kate Winslet is 32
TV personality Nicky Hilton is 24
Rhythm-and-blues singer Brooke Valentine is 22

RIDDLE

Mel got the Brain Bruiser right but on one got the riddle.

ANSWER:

Why can't Smokey go to the movies?

Because no one with bear feet allowed.

Brain Bruisers Answer

Must be broken before used. Fish one is expensive. A yearly painting party. Only two letters.

egg

TODAY'S RIDDLE

What kind of tea is best to avoid?

Brain Bruisers Question

What common question can you never answer "yes" to?

Bonus Food

Trivia Question

LOLB. Fingers in N.Y. The planet. Long square stick.

DIRECT TV GOING IN, SOME VISITORS COME BY

Well they are suppose to come by and install the Direct TV today, they put the new tv up out in the new room so all the tv's are ready for the switch form cable to Direct TV. We did have some visitors come by and check out the progress of the new room, Les, Donna & Al stopped to check it out for themselves. We were charging $3 fee at the front door last night in which Les paid but Donna & Al slipped through the side door eluding the $3 entry fee. My injuries are feeling slightly better this morning but I am still a bit sore but my AIP did go down a little bit. The Red Sox, Rockies and Diamondbacks all picked up game 1 victories yesterday in MLB playoff action. I think I have put on about 4 pounds this week since the shed is off limits because they are wiring it, they haven't finished it yet though because they haven't finished everything in the house yet. I sure will be happy when I have some power in the shed. MICKEY

Physical courage, which despises all danger, will make a man brave in one way; and moral courage, which despises all opinion, will make a man brave in another.
Charles Caleb Colton

1854 - Honest Abe Lincoln made his first great political speech while attending the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.
1931 - “Extra! Extra! Read all about it!” Gumshoe Dick Tracy debuted in The Detroit Mirror. A week later, The New York Daily News and hundreds of others picked up the Chester Gould comic strip.
1933 - Esquire magazine was published for the first time. Considered racy for its time, it pales in comparison to today’s choices of reading material. Esquire can now be described as sophisticated.
1948 - Gordon MacRae hosted the premiere of a radio classic. The Railroad Hour debuted on ABC radio. The theme song was I’ve Been Working on the Railroad and the show was sponsored by -- get ready -- America’s Railroads.
1954 - Comedienne Spring Byington began the successful network TV series, December Bride -- on CBS. The show had started on radio in 1952 before making the switch to black and white TV.
1957 - Leave It to Beaver premiered on CBS-TV. “...And starring Jerry Mathers as the Beaver,” Hugh Beaumont (Ward Cleaver), Tony Dow (Wally), and Barbara Billingsley as Mrs. June Cleaver. The Cleavers lived a surreal-American life. June even did the housework in three strands of pearls, fashion plate dresses, makeup and high heels. Life was so grand!
1970 - Janis Joplin died from a drug overdose. She was 27. Joplin, known for her passionate, bluesy, vocal style, was the lead singer of Big Brother and the Holding Company. She became a superstar with hits like, Down on Me, Pearl (her nickname) and Every Little Piece of My Heart; but Me and Bobby McGee was her only certified top 40 hit. The Bette Midler movie, The Rose, was based on Joplin’s life.

Reaching it
To achieve anything, you must truly want it. And that means more than simply desiring the end result. It means you must also want to go through the process of creating that achievement.

To have anything of value, be willing to build that value within yourself. Short circuiting the process, skipping across the effort and going directly to the end result, will not work, because what you obtain that way is not truly yours. You'll always be looking over your shoulder, worried that you'll lose it just as easily as you got it.

To travel from one place to another, you must find a way to traverse the distance in between. Every effort which stands between you and your goal serves to increase the value of reaching that goal.

The value of reaching your goal depends on what you put into reaching it. Make the achievement yours, give it true value, by making it the result of your efforts.


Actor Charlton Heston is 84
Country singer Leroy Van Dyke is 78
Hall of Fame NFL football player Sam Huff is 73
Actor Eddie Applegate is 72
Actress Lori Saunders ("Petticoat Junction") is 66
Baseball manager Tony La Russa is 63
Actress Susan Sarandon is 61
Actor Alan Rosenberg is 57
Country musician Gregg "Hobie" Hubbard (Sawyer Brown) is 47
Singer Jon Secada is 46
TV personality John Melendez ("The Tonight Show") is 42
Actor Liev Schreiber is 40
Country singer-musician Heidi Newfield is 37
Actress Alicia Silverstone is 31
Actress Rachael Leigh Cook is 28
Actor Jimmy Workman is 27

ALLOT DONE TODAY

We now have electricity in the new room and we running water in the bathroom as well. The also started putting the siding on as well. MICKEY