The Thought Put Into Giving

Sometimes I don’t think people completely understand the amount of thought and time that go into giving Christmas presents. I always think I have a good idea and then I see something else that is five times better. Only to realize I can’t return the other gift. So now I’m giving someone two gifts of great value, meanwhile they will feel bad that they haven’t spent nearly that much. People will deny that that is true, but it is. We always put price tags on things and when we receive a gift, we try and guess how much it costs.

                Lots of people have barcode scanners on their phones, they scan the bar code and the price pops up. People are missing the point of Christmas. Christmas is supposed to be a time of giving as we celebrate Jesus’ birth. However, many people, me included, get sidetracked from that. Each year we want more and more stuff. If we end up not getting what we wanted we end up disappointed. This year I have spent, and am giving more than I ever have, simply because I don’t know what to get! I have lists of items that I’m looking for, but sometimes I can’t find them and have to resort to getting other things. Now for each gift I’m giving, I have to think of a creative saying to go with it. I’m not that creative, so I have resorted to the creative minds in my classes to help me out. Each gift has to do with either an inside joke between I and the recipient, or something that describes who they are.

                For my dad, he wants a baseball stadium calendar. Well, it just so happens the store I always get it at doesn’t sell them anymore. So I resorted to a Cubs calendar. Right as I bought that, I get an email saying that store just got some in. Now, I have two calendars for him, and no one needs or wants two. And who likes the Cubs anymore? So what I did was cut out the pictures from the Cubs magazine and made a cubs collage. Actually I just had the idea, my sister did the work.  Christmas shopping when you aren’t creative gets very difficult, so for me, it really does take lots of thought. I will stand in an aisle for minutes on end trying to decide whether or not to buy something. Yesterday I was in the freaking hallmark store for 45 minutes. That just about exceeded my limit. Cards plus candles plus books plus ornaments plus candy plus songs plus women who ask me if I need help every 5 minutes simple don’t appeal to me. On the bright side, I left with two gifts that I am very excited to give. (WC 470)

Slow Start, Great Finish

The Packers started out extremely slow on Sunday night. They found themselves in a 14 point deficit midway through the second quarter. Finally with 10 minutes left in the half, struggling Packer kicker, Mason Crosby made a 48 yard field goal. Then shortly the Lions quarterback, Matthew Stafford fumbled and Packer lineman, Mike Daniels recovered it and ran for a 30 yard touchdown. The tide had been turned as the Packers went into the locker room at halftime only down by four.

Coming out at halftime the Packers defense stepped it up only allowing three points. Our offense scored another touchdown and the Packers were rolling. As the fourth quarter approached the Packers needed another score to break the tie. On a 30 yard run, Alex Green scored another Packer touchdown. With the Packers up by one score, it still wasn’t a comfortable lead, then from 42 yards out, Mason Crosby drilled another long kick! The Packers were now up by ten which made the game a two possession affair. The Packer defense definitely stepped it up and was able to force the Lions into some three and outs. Overall, a great second half by the Packers.

With a 27-17 win over the Detroit Lions, and a Bears loss to the Vikings, the Packers take a one game lead in the NFC North with only three games remaining in the regular season. This is huge as the Packers go into Chicago to play the Bears. Even if Green Bay Losses next week, they still would lead the NFC North due to the tie breaking rules. However, if the Packers want to be the second seed in the playoffs instead of the third, they must win out. If they do that, and the 489ers lose another game the Packers would be the second seed and have a first round playoff bye.

It is very settling knowing the Packers control their own destiny. The way they have played in six of the last seven games, I would say it is safe to say they will make quite a run in the playoffs. Super Bowl? Who knows, but they have a lot of work to do, and a lot of players need to heal in order for that to happen. There are a lot of really tough teams that the Pack could very easily lose too early in the playoffs. They must remain focused, remain a team, and remain healthy and we may see them in the championship game. (WC 417)

Dogs Have It Made

I would just about do anything to be a dog, especially our dog. The biggest stress in his life is worrying about who will knock on the door next. Other than that he lies around ALL day, eats once or twice, and goes for a walk. Wouldn’t you just kill for that schedule?  Every time I come home from school he is always lying on a bed, and rarely does he come great me. If I could just lay at home all day oh what a wonderful life I’d be livin’.

                Although laying around and not having to do anything would be super fantastic, I think I would get bored. I would probably be that dog that rips everything apart just so my owners get mad. But knowing my luck they would think it was cute, so then I’d go around ripping more stuff up, and eventually get put in my kennel all day. Now I don’t think that would be too bad. As long as I had lots of blankets, a pillow, a bone, and a tv, I would be set! No homework, no sports, no anything to get stressed out about. Well, except for the vet that is.

                I feel like going to the vet is the equivalent of final exams. A dog has to go to a place that it is not familiar with, get poked with needles, and be examined by an unfamiliar face. This is a big stress for a dog, and they always come home and go right to sleep, at least mine does. Now comparing that to finals, we get stressed out, our grades might suffer, and we come home and sleep. The only difference is we take finals on top of everything else we do; dogs go to the vet once every couple months and do nothing in between.

                Every time I see my dog, I envy his life. He gets unconditional love about 8 hours a day, gets cuddled with, pet, and is always comfy. I’d much rather do that than curl up and do homework. I mean, wouldn’t you? Most importantly dogs don’t have to put up with the sibling rivalries that take place. They just lie down and watch everything unfold as they try and get some more rest. Pretty much dogs, cats, or another house hold pet have it made. I really wish I could be like a dog and get away with it, but that won’t be happening ever. (WC 412)

 

 

Let It Snow

When is the last time you walked outside in a t-shirt in December, and weren’t cold? Well for most of us, we can say we did last week. With temperatures nearing 70 degrees Fahrenheit in some parts of the state, it was a record braking day for sure. As we look at the forecast for December, it looks like these crazy warm trends will be coming to an end, and winter weather will be on its way!

                It is currently December 6, 2012 and we have yet to see snowfall. We have yet to see even a flurry, or even just one single snowflake. For some, this weather is perfect because it eliminates the driving hazards that come with snow, and with winter. For others, like me, this weather comes as a disappointment. I enjoy heavy snowfalls and the activities that come with them, such as skiing. Skiing isn’t the same when there isn’t any real snow on the ground. Skiing on fake snow when there is no resemblance of snow anywhere else around you is a bit eerie. I also like the challenge that comes with winter driving. Some days it will wake us up a bit more quickly, and allow us to be more alert. It always can present a challenge, one that I am excited for.

                The only thing I don’t appreciate about heavy snowfall is having to shovel. I can’t stand shoveling. It seems to take twice as long as it should, it hurts my back, and once you get done, the driveway is covered again. So instead of shoveling I resort to the snow blower. For the best 8 years we have had one of the world’s crummiest snow blowers; however my dad never understood because I was the one using it. One day last year I told him to snow blow for me because I was “studying.” He came in after completing the task and headed right to Menards to purchase a new one. He had finally understood where I was coming from. So now that we have a nice, big, powerful snow blower, I don’t mind going out and removing the snow. I just put my headphones in, and get ‘er done.  

                I’m hoping for snow in the near future (next week) but we will see. If nothing else I hope we have snow by Christmas. There is not much worse than looking out on Christmas and seeing dead grass. And there isn’t much better than looking out on Christmas morning and seeing new layer of snow. One can only hope. (WC 429)

A Sigh of Relief

The Pack is back. After a horrifying game for Packer fans last Sunday night, the Packers redeemed themselves with a win today against the arch rival Minnesota Vikings. The Packers are now tied for first in their division and ultimately beat out the Bears in the tie breaker. It is reassuring, as a Packer fan to know that we control our own destiny to the playoffs, hoping we get there.

                The biggest positive out of today’s game was to see Packer wide receiver Gregg Jennings back on the field. Jennings has missed the last 7 games with an abdominal tear that he later had surgery on. He is now back to full health and boy was it nice to see him out there. The Packers have suffered some huge injuries throughout the whole year so every player we get back is a step in the right direction. Wide receiver Jordy Nelson has been injured recently and left the game due to a hamstring injury. Clay Matthews is still out after missing three games, but I would expect to see him on the field next Sunday night. Right tackle Bryan Bulaga is out for the season as well as running back Cedric Benson. At one point in time this season had a total of ten starters on the sideline due to injury. The packers are slowly, but surely getting their guys back one touchdown at a time.

                The Packer offense was slower than usual today but they still got the job done, so no complaints there. The defense stepped up their level of play coming away with two crucial interceptions, one being in the red zone while the Vikings were pressing. However, there is one aspect of the game that might have been a turning point of the season. Mason Crosby. Crosby is the Packers kicker, and has done a horrendous job the past six games making 50% of his field goals. Today, after a 52 yard miss he went three for three! For the first time in weeks we saw a smile on his face.

                With the season coming to a close it is important for the Pack to take this momentum into the closing weeks. With three more divisional games, we need to come away with wins. I think the Packers still have a lot of potential that hasn’t been shown yet and I would expect to see that next week. Next Sunday Green Bay plays Detroit. It is a big game on Sunday night, and you can count on Aaron Rodgers having a break out game, mark my words. Go Pack go. (WC 434)

"The Sacred Acre" Review

Last year I read the book titled, “The Sacred Acre”. This book remains as my favorite book of all time. The book is a story of Ed Thomas’ life. Most of his life is spent on the football field coaching the Aplington-Parkersburg Football team. Aside from that, the book explains just how Coach Thomas became a hero and a legend in Parkersburg.  From rebuilding the city of Parkersburg after and EF5 tornado ripped through, to painting a picture of how Coach reached out to everyone in the community, the book goes in depth on all of those topics. The book also ends in tragedy and explains how the community had to rebuild from yet another devastating loss.

This book was by far the best book I have read in the past year. I liked it so much because of multiple reasons. One being because it relates sports into each chapter, therefore it is easier for me to relate. However another thing I found shocking about this book is how much it incorporates God and The Bible. I am very deeply rooted in my faith so to read about “God Moments” that happened throughout the book was really uplifting. Towards the end of the book, a lot of Bible verses are stated and Coach Thomas’ son gives a very impactful speech evolving around God’s word.

           One thing I wasn’t too fond of throughout the book was some of the repetitiveness. Sometimes I would see the same information appear multiple times only in different ways. It got somewhat irritating reading the same thing over and over but I guess it helped me retain the information. Another thing I found was that some of the views of people mentioned throughout the book were, at times, contradicting. After some thinking, I was able to find away to link both of the People’s views together.  All in all however, it was a fantastic book and would recommend it to anyone.

 The reason I was prompted to write about “The Sacred Acre” is due to the amount of violence we see in the schools, and surrounding community.. No one was expecting any such thing to happen in small town Parkersburg but it did. This murder devastated many, and over 5000 people attended the Visitation. It talks about the timeline of the murderer, and how he should have still been in the hospital, or if not the hospital, he should have been in jail. This just goes to show how important communication is. The police were thinking the hospital would notify them once Mr. Mark Becker was released from the Psych ward, but the hospital did no such thing. Instead he Becker was released, and killed the man who ultimately got Parkersburg on the Map. (WC 458)

Disappointed? Or Hopeful For the Future?

The Hawkeyes ended their season in disappointment, or did they? Finishing the season with a four win and eight loss season, many fans were beyond irritated with both the players and coaches. After beating Minnesota and Michigan State, some people thought Iowa would come through after all! That notion was proved wrong in the following weeks with losses to Indiana, Purdue, and a beat down by Michigan. At this point in the season it was clear Iowa would not, and should not be in a bowl, but that didn’t quite make the season a lost cause…yet.

                Iowa Hawkeye football regulars had a mindset that if we could just upset Nebraska, the season would be a success. This thought was way out there considering many people thought Iowa would lose by upwards of 20 points. Iowa “fans” sold their tickets right and left, and Kinnick Stadium was filled with red; Husker red that is. Completely expecting Iowa to come out flat, the Black and Gold exceeded expectations.

                The Hawkeyes entered the locker room at halftime feeling pretty confident as they held a 7-3 lead. Hawkeye fans were now glued to the television set hoping for an upset. The Hawks came out of halftime fired up, but not fired up enough to top the Huskers. Nebraska scored 10 points in the third quarter and both teams were scoreless in the fourth. Iowa had lost their last game of the season to number 14 ranked Nebraska by only six points. Although many fans were upset, I believe each one was eating their words from earlier. “Iowa is going to get smashed” “They will get clobbered.” “pssht who’s going to watch that game? Iowa will lose by 50.” Those were all things I was hearing. Iowa had put up a good fight, and after the season we had, I think a large amount of Hawk fans were pleased.

                After a very disappointing season, I feel like Iowa ended on a high note. They beat all odds, and made a game out of it. I understand that there are no moral victories, but when very few believe you will even show up to play, and you only lose by 6 to a top 25 team, that speaks volumes. With the regular season over and no post season play ahead, Iowa coaches can focus more on recruitment, which is something Iowa needs drastically; a good recruiting class. Also, our senior quarterback with less than desirable stats is gone, and we have a bright future in Mark Weisman at full back.  So although the season was a joke, it might have brought more positives for the future than people think. (WC 443)