I'm back....

Has it really been that long? The last time I spoke to you was June 12, 2009. Time flies when you're having fun.

Or not having fun! It's just been a hot and busy summer. I moved my Dad to a nearby nursing home around two months ago. Sadly, his Alzheimer's has progressed to the point where very little that he says makes sense...that is when he speaks at all. Dad was a salesman and a politician so he was always good with the gift of gab, but no longer. Visiting him is difficult. Most of the time he just stares at me. And he has recurring urinary track infections which cause him to be even more confused and at times combative. Last week he became non-responsive and his blood pressure went up and his pulse rate went down. It didn't last too long and he came out of it on his own. Actually, this has happened around 3 or 4 times in the last two years. So, it's always something keeping me hopping. I told my husband that it's official...I'm old and tired.

Actually, if you saw my Dad you'd think he looks pretty good. On days when he's alert and well rested he looks fine. Here's a picture of him in his room at the nursing home.

He does enjoy the milk shakes I bring him. In fact, if I ate as much as him I'd weigh 200 pounds. One thing he has is a very good appetite.

My sister came a couple of weeks ago and Dad recognized her immediately. I just don't think he remembers any more that she was here.

We attended the Texan's game and saw them humiliated by the NY Jets.

I'm afraid my enthusiasm for NFL football has waned considerably since the commissioner decided to allow Michael Vick back into the NFL and Philadelphia decided to offer him a job. Yes, I believe in forgiveness, but playing in the NFL is a privilege and with that privilege goes responsibility. There should be no place in the NFL for an ex-con. Unfortunately, we had already paid for our season tickets when the announcement was made. We won't have tickets next year. I know the NFL could care less and obviously they won't go under because of my lack of support, but I just have to do what is morally right for me. I'm the one that wanted the season tickets each year. My husband would just as soon watch on TV. Now he'll get his wish.

I've been sewing today, so I'd better get back to work. I'll try and get back over to my blog more often and maybe even participate in Pink Saturday every so often.

Are you ready for some football?

I love football! I've been a Houston Texans fan since their inception in 2002. We're season ticket holders only because I insist. If it was up to my husband we'd watch on TV every week, but I love being there. I'd even love to tailgate, but that's where he draws the line. It's not his idea of a good time. (I still hope to talk him into it sometime.)

I had been a Houston Oilers fan in the past, but I never really understood the game. I just yelled when everyone else yelled. Then the Houston Texans offered Football 101 For Women classes. They had them for a number of years and I thoroughly enjoyed them. I'm sorry they're not offered anymore. They would bring in players, officials, and coaches to speak and it was very interesting and informative. Those classes spurred my interest to learn more and I purchased The Complete Idiots Guide To Football by Joe Theismann. (Joe was born and grew up in NJ just like me, so how could I go wrong?)

I wish you could see my copy of this book. I've got it all marked up with notes in the margins, sentences underlined, diagrams drawn, etc. I take my football very seriously. I reread it prior to the beginning of each football season. I'm one of those people that watch the away games on TV with the volume turned down and listen on the radio. I also bring my radio to every game. Radio is descriptive and a very good learning aid. It still seems as if I miss approximately 50% of what 610 Sports Radio's Marc Vandermeer and Andre Ware see. (Marc handles the play by play and Andre does the commentary.) Everything happens very quickly and they're able to size up the situation almost immediately. I'd like to be half as good as them some day.

Anyway, even though my Houston Texans aren't playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday I'll still be enjoying the game. I'd kind of like Arizona to win since they've never been there before, but I've always admired Pittsburgh since the Steel Curtain days. I'm just hoping it's a good game and there are no serious injuries (that's the mother in me coming out).

So, we'll be getting out our books and having a little review in the next couple of days.

Then after the game we'll mourn the end of football until next season. Go Texans!