Euphoria

That's the best word to describe the feeling at Cleveland Browns' Stadium after the 34-14 win over the New England Patriots.

You all know I am a big sports fan. Baseball clearly my true passion, but all in all, I'm a Cleveland sports fan.

I must admit, last year, I hit only one Browns' game due to everything happening with Mom.

Another confession--when it gets really super cold and snowy, I tend to watch the games where it's warm, cozy, and I have have people waiting on my supplying my food and drink!

I've been lucky. This year, the weather has been superb whether they were home or away.

More importantly, win or lose, the games have been exciting until the very last play. The fans do not leave. They stay until the final tick on the clock.

This particular game had everyone jumping out of their skin with anticipation, jubilation, and a euphoric pleasure that seemed to last for over 3 hours.

If it were a Viagra commercial, the doctor would have sent the entire stadium to the emergency room.

Every play had action to cheer for....screaming until the voices were all gone.....and a natural high that would last for days to come.

At the end of the game, a feeling descended on Cleveland Browns' Stadium that has been absent since the Browns came back to Cleveland.

Fans could not stop smiling and were high-fiving everyone and their brother the entire walk up the hill or to wherever their destination lead them.

And what's more important. The Monday after the game was not a normal 'Monday.' It was not 'the Monday after the Browns lost a heart breaker.' It was the Monday after the Browns beat the bejeebers out of the New England Patriots, and before that, creamed the New Orleans Saints!

Our saviors seem to be young Colt McCoy, the Beast Peyton Hillis, and you name it, it's always been a team effort between Cribbs, Massaquoi, Robiskie, Stuckey, awesome Dawson, Steinbach, Thomas, Womack, Haden, Adams...I'm not gonna mention the whole team but it HAS been an entire team effort banding together to make the magic happen.

Ahhh, life is good. There's no place like home!

Apple cider makin' time again!

God has really given me a tremendous life surrounded by family, friends, and the ability to see his miracles in my daily existence.

My weekends are usually jam-packed and entertaining. This one did not disappoint and I was actually quite excited in the days leading up to the festivities.

I did have a full plate but back-timed everything perfectly.

The first main event was attending Jamie and Lori's 5th annual Cider Press Party! Jamie and I go back almost 30 years to our college days. I knew we'd always stay friends. There's just that initial connection which you know will last.

Lori's cooking prowess rules the kingdom. Holy cow. Not only do they make the delicious apple cider with their cider press contraption but Lori makes home made pumpkin soup and was cranking out the fresh apple fritters, which were to die for....

There's never a shortage of tantalizing food and beverage.

I enjoy seeing these two because they are two of the nicest people you could ever meet....and there are usually a handful of other folks from college or that I've met and seen at this bash in years past.

On a more serious note, Jamie and Lori are one of only a few married couple friends who continuously include me and welcome me with open arms. Most of my married friends exclude me. My single friends have boyfriends, girlfriends, or always have to travel in pairs, as Noah advised. My married male friends can't seem to grasp that they really are allowed to have female friends. And many married female friends have moved on. I seem to be odd girl out, and though that's awkward for me at times, it really makes so many others even more uncomfortable.

I thank them from the bottom of my heart. I am so blessed and humbled that God allowed our paths to crisscross and continue meeting up at strategic points, it seems, just when I need that boost and encouragement as do they.

Next stop--meeting my few single friends for an OSU party. Though the outcome was not what we all wanted, it was quite exciting. I really had not been out with these friends for a while...we just hung out, caught up, drank beer (I never drink beer anymore), laughed, and let off some steam.

There had to be hundreds of folks, dozens of big screen tvs, not a parking spot in sight so we all needed to valet. No matter who you were, what you did, where you came from, there was a bond and everyone was there for the very same reason --to watch OSU. It was very cool and you made new friends along the way!

There were a few bittersweet moments. I saw someone I knew and really wanted to chat with....but circumstances did not permit and steered us otherwise. I have to be totally honest. It really sucks when you want to spend more time with someone you adore and it's virtually impossible. It's like being handcuffed, held back, helpless, frustrating to no end.

Fortunately, the folks I had just been with pulled me through, as did my Tampa buddy.

Unfortunately, when nights, days, or moments like this occur, my only outlet is either getting on the treadmill and going miles and miles or blasting the music and sobbing myself to sleep, which is the option I chose this night.

Fortunately, a new day is usually around the corner, and though the sadness is still there sometimes, you gotta press on...I did have something else to look forward to on Sunday. Yes, I was excited to see Colt McCoy QB for the Browns, win or lose. But I was gonna see my niece's dogs and get to play with them all night long! Ah, that's just what we did. We all ordered out for Chinese and played with Zoey and Izzy. Thankfully, they were just what the doctor ordered, for a quick fix at least, after my previous late night emotional distress breakdown.

Steel drum, hot dogs, apple pie, and ......

Ok, so I stray from the normal saying of 'baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet.'

Never a dull day in our lives. Never a free day. Oh, what I would give to have 24 hours of absolutely nothing to do. Unfortunately, it does not usually work out that way.

Today was fun, however.

Special celebration at Mass where we sang a few songs in Swahili....then onto the Annual Parish Picnic!

Today's theme: The Caribbean.

Jam packed. So many people showed up, it was wonderful to see.

As parishioners entered the grounds, they were serenaded by a Steel Drum Player....and the sweet smells of hot dogs & hamburgers grilling, beans and rice, and too much food for any one person to ingest in a sitting.

It was a family affair with many members gathering for lunch....and finally giving my niece her long overdue birthday gifts!

Then off to the Notre Dame Cathedral Latin Chicken Dinner!

So soon after lunch?

Well, we'll get takeout and savor the fresh barbecue in the confines of our own home!

An absolutely beautiful, sweltering summer day --one of the waning days of summer.

A relaxing drive....a spin around the grounds to see if there are any crafts to buy.....pick our fresh apples, maple sugar candies, apple pie and then our fresh barbecued ribs and chicken dinners!

Home just in time to watch the Indians and the Browns......and then eventually delve into another amazing meal which we did not have to cook!

Ah, the life!

Brett Favre Day at Cleveland Browns' Stadium

An absolutely beautiful day!

You could not ask for anything more.

The Cleveland Browns home opener--against Brett Favre!

It's a win-win situation.

The Browns win or they don't but I've seen a legend, a future hall of famer, the master!

I trek to my front row dawg pound seat!

Sit in the open air, under the sun for 3 hours getting a nice tan.

And snap shots of the one and only Brett Favre all day long.

To me, the game was secondary.

Apparently, it was secondary to the entire Cleveland Browns team as well!

It's still baseball season to me

Drama.

Major drama all week long with our health ailments. We're all walking wounded!

And for me, I'm in baseball season mode until the final game of the World Series.

But, it's been the longest time since I've been able to use my Cleveland Browns ticket so here goes.

I made my way to the Browns' Game, though in writhing pain.

It was fun walking down with a co-worker and her sister, brother-in-law, and nephew. He was so excited but did not want to show it! Being the tough guy!

Thank God the weather was bearable.

And better still, I thank you God that they WON!

It was a good time. Seeing folks I've not seen in a while....perfect seats! And seeing a win, which is something I have not seen in months, maybe even years (in person!!).

I'm always amazed as I exit the stadium to make the trek back up the hill to my parking spot how so many people have to light up a cigarette the second they vacate the building. It's like walking into a smoking lounge. I've learned to hold my breath until I get back into the wide, open air. Holy smokes!

I must admit, my heart belongs to the Indians thru the end of October, but I'll have one eye on these guys wearing the Brown pants!

The road most traveled

I should have known better.

I did know better.

I've experienced this Sunday after Sunday.

I've dealt with this day in, day out after Cleveland Indians' Games.

I've lived through it during Cleveland's worst snow storms.

However, I just figured 'it would be ok.'

And though it took me over an hour to get home from work, it was ok.

I tried leaving work to downtown traffic gridlock. I waited. And waited.

Why did not I stay late for unfinished business like I've done so many times before?

I tried going 'the other' way in order to maneuver around the town. Bad move.

Though I was not at this game, I was in the midst of the flavor of the game.

That was kinda cool.

I saw downtown spots I have not been able to see in a while.

And for whatever reason, the long commute home was bearable. It did not fluster me.

I cranked my car radio, took some cell phone pics of the scene, and enjoyed the moment!

Sports bliss

I've been a sports fan forever but I'm not quite sure where or how I attained my interest in this particular fascination! I am sure glad I did!

For me, sports encompasses a very fulfilling past time, enjoyment, and relaxation in the midst of my crazy days & nights.

For all of you sports fans out there, this is a HEAVENLY time!

The 2008 Beijing Olympics around the clock. Sure fire recipe for sleep deprivation!

Tonight alone, we have Volleyball--women and men--pumped up teams to say the least, Michael Phelps, and Gymnastics....each night gets better and better and better!

But wait, there's more!

We also have the Cleveland Indians vs the Baltimore Orioles!

But wait, there's even more!

We have a FOX Football Game of the week between Carolina and Philadelphia, which is in a weather delay, but should get going again...


Factor in Cleveland Browns Training Camp and pre-season football and it's just a crazy, wacky world out there!

Pinch me!