Satisfying day off

I had a couple of doctor's appointments to start Thursday, which sucked. But then I went home and sat in my recliner, first catching up on my Sports Illustrated and Rolling Stone magazines.

Topped the day off with a little football. The Cowboys got the better of the Brett Favre-less Packers. Not really a fair fight (especially considering that bogus pass interference penalty on the Packers late). But Dallas will take it if it means avoiding a trip to the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field come January.

11-1 does not suck.

Took Thursday off...

...to watch the Cowboys. The game vs. the Packers is on the NFL Network, which we don't have at work.

Much to give thanks for...

...even if I am at work on Thanksgiving.

* The Cowboys won and are 10-1 for the first time in team history.
* The Lions lost and it doesn't look like we are going to have to worry about the postseason.
* The Tigers look like they will sign Kenny Rogers to firm up the rotation -- he did, after all, boot his agent Scott Boras.
* The Wings lead the Western Conference in points.
* The Hawkeyes aren't likely to embarrass themselves in bowl after losing to Western Michigan.
* I have new stove and good food to eat on Thanksgiving.

And the No. 1 reason to be thankful...

* Bella was released from the hospital and got to spend Thanksgiving with her family.

Bella update

Last I heard Bella was still in PICU but the doctors were talking about moving her to the nuero floor to continue monitoring her. They want to see if she has more seizures. The CT was clear, so that means no surgery. They will probably just change her seizure medicine dosage.

All of this is, of course, what I have been able to ascertain from my sisters and in no way means I have any clue whatsoever what I am talking about.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy fricking Thanksgiving

My sister called tonight and my neice Bella is back in the hospital. She seems to enjoy spending this particular holiday there. Of the four Thanksgivings she has been around, three have been spent at Children's.

Anyway, Bella had seizures last night and they took her to the ER. Meg said they were loading her up on medication and preparing for a CT scan. There is probably another surgery, her 13th or 14th, in the near future. I sometimes wonder how much more she can handle.

Please keep Miss Bella in you thoughts and prayers.

Carr calls it quits

Lloyd Carr retired after 13 seasons as head coach at Michigan.

Whatever you might think of Michigan or Carr personally, it's hard not to envy the level of success they have enjoyed over the years. The Wolverines have gone to 33 straight bowl games. That streak is unprecedented.

I hate Michigan. Maybe because I am jealous.

The rumor is Kirk Ferentz, Iowa's coach, is on the short list of those who could replace Carr.

After the loss to Western Michigan, I say have at him.

And so I wait...

The sad news from Beer Day was that our stove decided all that cookin' was just about enough. It died.

And so here I sit on a Saturday afternoon, waiting for them to deliver a new stove. They were supposed to show up between 11-2. It is 2:05. Shockingly I have not received a phone call to let me know they are running late.

I am sort of at the mercy of the stove people. Because if they don't deliver it today there will be no turkey on Thanksgiving.

But I need to go to work.

So here I sit, waiting.

Now, the hangover

Beer Day was big success.

We ate, we drank, we talked about Bella and the miracle of her life, which continues to be challenge.

Thanks to everyone who participated.

party favor

We have shirts for this year's festivities that include the poster for Beer Day in Poland.

A preview:

Beer Day 2007

Which celebrates my niece Bella, now three years old, and the greatest beverage in the world.

It happens this Saturday and thanks to our family in Europe -- Brian, Agata and Marta -- this year's party will have a Polish theme.

Hey Brian, what does this sign say anyway? Besides Beer Day?

Still here

Sorry for my recent absence. It's just that something big is in the making and I have been preoccupied.

Went to Ohio over the weekend to watch the Buckeyes destroy the Badgers. Ohio State is still No. 1, even if the Big Ten sucks this year, they look pretty good. Glad Iowa doesn't have to play them this year.

Stayed home yesterday with some 48-hour stomach virus, not fun. But I did watch lots of TV and movies. Saw the end of "Dazed and Confused". I had forgotten how hilarious that movie is. Lots of famous folks in it too -- Matthew McConaughey, Jason London, Ben Affleck.

Also, Anthony Rapp..who after playing a stoner in this flick is best known for originating the role of Mark in Rent on Broadway, he also played it in the movie.

I love Rent.