Now For The World's Ugliest Cat....drum roll, please...

Kids, please don't get me one of these either...I may have nightmares!

The World's Ugliest Dog

I told my kids I was kinda wanting a dog this Christmas, and they said they were going to get me this one...Yikes!

Football is A Little Like Marriage

Okay, I'll be the first to admit its rather unusual for a married gal to like football and know quite a bit about it. For me, I've always played football because of my outdoorsy brother (please see earlier post about the Crocodile Hunter not being dead).

Why, when I was still quite young, I had to throw every afternoon to my brother (who was a talented wide receiver), and if I didn't, there would be "heck to pay." For years I hated spending my afternoons throwing to him, but it served me well when I later joined a sorority, and everyone was astonished by my throwing arm at flag football games.

...Not to mention the numerous times he chased me in my childhood, but I went on to become a good runner and won the mile run at college, too.

All this to set up my knowledge of the game, you see, and how in my later life I have come to realize football and marriage are quite similar.
For example, both football and marriage are plenty full of drama, penalties, dirty laundry, bad and good sportsmanship, bonding, tackles, long passes, short sweeps, drills, second teams, kicking, punting, blocks, up and down years and "touchdowns!"
Not only that, marriage and football have deep loyalty in common. I mean, watch the passion and loyalty in college and NFL football (well okay, maybe sometimes there is less of the passion in marriage).

But, hey, once you've chosen a team to follow, don't you put your passion and focus on that team whenever they play? If you're doubting what I am saying, watch a Gator game or Noles game!
And, sometimes, doesn't it feel like football is a little like marriage? Time out!

Black Friday

In all my years of watching college football, I've never heard many mascots talk. I've seen the Gator chomp, the Hurricane Ibis dance, the Georgia Bulldog sneeze, and Renegade neigh. I've even seen mascots that occasionally make a not-so-nice gesture towards opposing fans. But at today's game, I could have sworn I heard the Maryland Terrapin talk and do a little taunting.
It came after Maryland took the lead late in the 4th quarter on a Manuel interception. The Terrapin mascot (note, by the way, the Seminole fans were being nice to) turned and gave a touchdown signal, and then said something about the go ahead touchdown.
Moments later, though, the mascot had to eat his turtle talk because the Noles took back the lead and held onto it for the win.
Sorry, Tubby Turtle, not this time...what the Noles don't always have in talent, they make up for with heart.

Sqwaki Says Hi

Now That's How You Play Football

Here was the scouting report on Nole's QB E.J. Manuel during his recruiting period:

"If you're looking for an all-around, world-class quarterback, look no further. Manuel combines size, athletic ability, and a tremendous arm. He reads defenses well, and is fluid in his progressive reads. With notable quarterbacks Mike Vick, Aaron Brooks and Ronald Curry hailing from his region, Manuel has a chance to be a superstar on the next level."

And superstar he was in Saturday's 41-28 defeat at Wake Forest! Manuel went 15 0f 20 for 220 yards and ran 10 times for 45 yards. He showed his patience, he showed his strong arm, he showed his ability to run, but most of all, he helped his Noles win with teamwork.

To be sure, this win was a complete team effort, with Manuel leading the charge. Greg Reid continues to dazzle, the offensive line worked hard to protect Manuel, the running game was smoking, and the receivers were making plays. The kicking team and special teams played with brilliance. Best of all, just when it looked like this game would be another "shootout," the defense came through with an Ochucko Jenije interception...in fact, the defense played pretty darn well the whole game!

Still, you have to hand it to Manuel. He was highly recruited out of Virgina, with offers from just about every school you can name, and he has patiently waited his turn to have a chance at quarterbacking the Noles.... We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did, E.J! Thanks for quite a show. You can bet we'll be in our seats and awaiting the next game.

And that's not to take anything away from Ponder. ....Hey, aren't we fortunate to have two talented QBs representing our university?

Harry Gilmer, Frank Thomas, Vaughn Mancha

Harry Gilmer, Frank Thomas, Vaughn Mancha

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I miss you, Vaughn!...I always looked forward to the Quarterback Club Meetings and seeing Vaughn Mancha, a football legend. He would always sing the ladies a song and had something upbeat to say....and for a kiss, you could get your picture with him.
Here's my picture with Vaughn! I hope you get to come to a meeting sometime soon, Vaughn.
Here are some stats on Vaughn:
Vaughn Mancha was UWA's Head Football Coach from 1949-51, departing with an overall record of 18-10-2 and leading the Tigers to a historic 13-6 win over Florida State University. Following his tenure at UWA, Mancha served as Florida State's Defensive Coordinator before taking over as the school's athletic director in 1959. As a player, Mancha was a two-time All-American at Alabama under Coach Frank Thomas and a member of Alabama's Team of the Century selected in 1992. He is also an Alabama Sports Hall of Fame inductee, a member of the National Football Hall of Fame, the NFL Hall of Fame, the Florida State Athletic Hall of Fame and the Blue-Gray All-Star Game Hall of Fame.

Let's Eat Healthy With Richard Simmons...Watch This!

Richard Simmons' Exploding Steamer - The best home videos are here

Jim Carrie's Workout Video..Hilarious!

This Is Gonna Be Us Someday....

Michael Jackson and Me

Michael Jackson was alive and well at the FSU game today! Yes, I was sitting near him for awhile, but he was mobbed by fans and media. When pressed for an answer about which team would be a thriller at Doak Campbell, Jackson gave a peace sign and then went into the Seminole chop!

Brad Johnson, FSU, Tampa Bay and Football

Shadow The Hedgehog

Sqwaki Up Close and Personal

Sqwaki Has A Date On The Town

         That's Sqwaki heading out on the town with Barbie and Flat Stanley.  Everyone knows Barbie, and Flat Stanley came all the way from Texas for a visit. They were just about to take off in Barbie's jeep for a few suds down at Clydes, and I noticed they weren't wearing their seat belts...but now they are buckled up! Have fun, Sqwaki! (Be in before 11:00, please).                                    

Free Coupons....Save Money!

Check out this link to save hundreds of dollars on your grocery and personal items! We use them everyday....
www.coupons.com

Also, after you've checked out our blog here, please check out our blog and views on www.tallahassee.com  
where you can also see our latest posts on health, losing weight, relationships, animals, great buys, etc., anything and everything a gal can get into! Have a good day!

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The Bigger Picture....

Being a big football and Seminole fan, I've been attending the Tallahassee Quarterback Club dinners for several years now.  I've seen some really great speakers such as Bobby Bowden,  Larry Coker, Brad Johnson, Mark Richt, Gene Stallings, etc...  But tonight's speaker, Corey Simon, really touched my heart. Corey was an All American defensive lineman for the Seminoles from 1996-1999 and was a major force in FSU's unbeaten season.  Simon went on to play 8 seasons in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles, Colts and Titans and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2003.
Thus, it would have been easy for Corey to speak about his success in football and life, but, no, he chose to talk about something else.  He talked about Bobby Bowden, and you could have heard a pin drop as he spoke.  I tried to capture the most important parts. Read on...

Simon began by telling how he grew up in the projects, having no father in his life.  He spoke about coming to Florida State (he could have gone anywhere) about being scared and about losing his grandfather, the only father figure he had ever known.  In stepped Bobby Bowden.  Simon told about how low he felt sometimes (especially when he was injured) and how Bobby talked to him and told Corey that his office door was always open and welcomed Simon to come in whenever he needed to talk.  Corey also said that Bowden told the team that there was a Heavenly Father watching over and guiding each young man.  Corey went on to say that Bowden wasn't just a coach to the young men...he was a father that loved them no matter what, when many had no father figure to look up to.
The crowd was respectfully quiet at this point, and Corey went on to say that the Seminoles needed to cherish our time with our coach, Bobby Bowden.  He said that Bowden was still an incredible force when it came to recruiting, too, and that a shiver still went down a recruit's spine when Bowden walks through the front door. "He is a "closer" when he gets in a recruit's home," said Corey.
Simon went on to say that even now, some ten years later, he still feels the embrace of Bowden as a father as he walks through the FSU locker room doors..Not only that, Corey said that Bowden had a huge part in shaping the way he was a father, a husband, and a man.

"Cherish the time with Coach Bowden," Corey reiterated, "Wins and losses will come and go, but Bobby Bowden is a part of The Bigger Picture."
Check out the Tallahassee QB Club link at www.TallahasseeQBClub.com, and GO NOLES!

The Crocodile Hunter Is Not Dead!

Yes, you read that title correctly....The CH (Crocodile Hunter) is not dead, rather, he is alive and well in Central Florida! At this time, I won't reveal his name or whereabouts, but I will tell you a little bit about him.
This CH (my brother) was jumping on alligators, bringing home rattle snakes and coral snakes way before the real CH was even a blimp in his mother's womb....let me explain.
As a young girl, my family lived in Miami, near The Miami Serpentarium, long gone now because a hapless child fell in the crocodile/snake pit and was eaten whole in front of a bunch of horrified spectators. But the guy who owned the place lived across the street from us and always had venomous snakes and other exotic animals staying at his house. My brother was often over there and quite frequently brought some of these creatures to our house, so you can imagine what kind of a childhood I endured. Before going to bed at night, I would always check under my sheets to make sure there were no deadly animals already night-night.
And, yes, I have known my brother to jump on and subdue a gator to transport to a safer place. I have known him to stop and rescue a mother duck and her ducklings on a major thoroughfare at no thought to his own safety, with cars whizzing by at 70 mph, and the mother duck looking frantic.
Yes, my brother is the Crocodile Hunter and Captain Ahab rolled into one.... Since our family also lived in the Keys many years ago, he has maintained a boat and is always deep sea fishing. I have seen him catch monstrous fish, one being close to a world record black marlin. (He is always careful to return anything he isn't going to eat back into the water). But fisherman beware! It doesn't matter how rough or bitter the winds on the water, once my brother is in his element, he does not turn around. Thus, I had to quit going with him years ago when I got sick as a dog on the rough seas.... and as I turned my green face to look at him behind the wheel of the boat, I could have sworn he looked just like Captain Ahab, laughing and enjoying the swelling seas.
And there have been shark encounters with my brother, too.
For a long time now, I have been declaring the Crocodile Hunter is Not Dead. He is alive and well in Central Florida...he's my brother!
For more about The Miami Serpentarium, check out www.pbase.com/donboyd/image/64581068

Childhood Obesity-You Can Help Make A Difference

Recently, while walking at a nearby park, I noticed several overweight children sitting for hours on park benches, playing their various hand-held games and devices.  Although they were obviously having a great time, I wanted to ask them why they weren't enjoying the multitude of workout stations and walking areas designated for the public.
According to the Institute of Medicine, 16.3% of children between the ages of 2 and 19 are overweight.  And ever since that day at the park, on my own, I have been noticing about one out of every four children I see are overweight.  It saddened me to think of the health future for these children.  Not only that, if they are overweight at this young age, how are they going to "take off those unwanted pounds" in the future?  I have never been particularly heavy, and I walk three miles each night, as well as watching what I eat; however, I have noticed as the years pass by, it becomes harder and harder for me to keep the pounds off.
Honestly, there are many days I worry about what I have modeled to my children as a parent.  In our day to day living, we don't always realize that our children are watching and modeling us in many ways.  Thankfully, I don't watch television, I exercise, and I do try to eat well (although that doesn't always happen).  Yet on the flip side, I can be high strung, and I like (or used to like) a very clean house.  One of my worst indulgences  I enjoy is eating out.  Thus, my kids do, too, and sometimes we love eating fast food.
Then, as a young adult, one of my children found out they had high cholesterol, and it was suggested they go on medication.  Imagine that...a health issue you normally hear about for older people was now becoming a reality for a young person.  And, try as I might, I could not recall many younger people I knew from years ago that had battled high cholesterol before the U.S. really began taking on poorer health habits.  And yet in the past few years, more and more young people are becoming candidates for diabetes, heart attacks, high cholesterol and cancer.  Fortunately, my child began a fitness campaign of better eating and exercising, and it paid off.  Six months after the original high cholesterol scare, my child's cholesterol is now within normal limits.
So parents, please don't wait to model good eating and exercising habits to your children.  Start when they are young, or start now to make a difference in their lives.  Its never too late to work on being healthy!
I have enclosed a link to a fitness company that focuses on children (click on the Learnercise), and they also have great fitness programs for "children of all ages." 
https://www.geomotiongroup.com/

What's Your Favorite Animal?

While Lollita is blogging about eating and being healthy, I am going to write about two of my passions: college football and animals.  Today, it's about my animals. 
My favorite?  A blue crown conure named Sqwaki! I've had Sqwaki about 16 years, and his life span should be about 30 (although he loves Zaxby's fries).  Sqwaki has quite an interesting vocabulary which includes, "I gotta go bye-bye, cracker, Sqwaki, what are you doing?, and my personal favorite "Here, Kitty, Kitty," which isn't too smart since I've had as many as 13 cats at one time.
Most Unusual Pet I Own:  Shadow the Hedgehog (see blog pic).  Shadow is kind of like a small porcupine. He curls up in a ball when threatened, and he also makes hissing noises that sound more like a rattle snake.  Shadow only comes out at night, and he mostly likes to eat meal worms but also opts for fruit, cat food and hedgehog food.  I hope to have a video of him on this site soon.
Runner-Up Most Unusual:  My Hemmingway Cat, Bengal.  Bengal looked like a small orange tiger, and what made him unique was he had extra toes on his front paws.  The legend goes that these cats came from Ernest Hemmingway's house in the Florida Keys.  How I got Bengal was even more interesting....when I was living in Key Largo, some boys were throwing a kitten off the bridge to see the sharks get it.  My brother (who is like living with the Crocodile Hunter) jumped off the bridge to rescue this kitten. He gave it to me (maybe the only nice thing he ever did for me) and I had Bengal 21 years.
2nd Runner Up Most Unusual:  My manx cat.  A manx cat has no tail.  I've had this cat for 17 years. She is gray and is named "Kitten."
Most Beloved:  Sugar Bear. He was my mom's little poodle, and he lived to be about 18. Wonderful dog.
Sugar Bear, Shadow the Hedgehog, and Sqwaki the Parrot are in the picture above.
Animals are grand!

Skinny Bitch

I picked up the book Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin this weekend.  Wow what an informative book about the food industry and our health.  The title of the book is deceiving.. but once you get beyond it, you will find a ton of useful facts about healthy food choices. It is unbelievable how americans are kept in the dark about the way our food is handled and processed.  It is so disgusting the way animals are housed in filth and poisoned before they make it to the grocery/restaurant for our next meal.  The list of chemicals that are used in preparing the foods that line our grocery ailse will blow ur mind.  Beware of vegetables and fruit too, they are not safe either, from chemicals [to make them grow year round and larger than life]  and pesticides [to make them less appealing to bugs - but ok for us to eat and to feed our children].  Organically grown vegetables and fruit are the answer.  The old saying goes you r what u eat, and our food supply is disgracefully contaminated w/ drugs, hormones, and unpronouncable chemical compounds that have been approved by our gov.  I can see now why american's health is in the pits.  The book actually is promoting a vegan lifestyle which excludes all animal meat and by products. 

If your interesed.. there is a documentary out called Food Inc. that is pretty interesting too.  It gives you a visual of what is described in the book regarding the way the animals are handled and slaughtered.  Also has interesting facts about genetically altered crops. 

Today I tried to be aware of what I was putting in my mouth.  I had fruit for breakfast and some green tea sweetended with honey.  For lunch I stopped by our local health food store and had a cup of vegetarian chili and a chocolate/coconut Larabar.  For a snack I had a hand ful of mixed nuts/seeds [my own mixture from what was in the house - almonds, flax seeds, and pumpkin seeds].  For dinner steamed spinach and a chic patty [made by the Boca Burger people - fake chicken].  I probably didnt have enough water...... but a much better attempt then days gone by.

I will continue to read the book and share.  Nite!

Coming Soon! Don't Miss Out!

Hi, there, and welcome to our new blog, currently under massive construction!  There are 3 of us gals collaborating on these events, and we will strive to bring you some very interesting thoughts and materials....want to know all about hedgehogs, parrots, and other kinds of creatures?  Check back here soon, and we'll be posting pics and videos of our newest little friends.
Interested in cooking without having to read from a cookbook?  No problem, we'll have a section about "free cooking" (cooking without books).
Use coupons?  Hey, we've got an expert coupon saver and clipper. She'll be showing you the latest with links to tie in.
Wanting to lose a few pounds without being the "Biggest Loser?"  Check back in soon, and we'll guide you through our journey to lose those dreaded few pounds, complete with tips on nutrition and exercise.
...And there's more, like college football and recruiting from a woman's point of view, favorite restaurants, critiques of the show Southpark, etc...

So join us in our fun and check back often! You'll be glad you did!
And by the way, if you have any ideas for a unique blog name with a Tallahassee flair to it, we would love to hear your ideas!