Sad in the "D"

Yesterday, my entire family attended the last home game of the Detroit Tigers' baseball season. The tickets were a 35th anniversary present to my parents and it also was my sister, Erin's, birthday. And, after being in first place since May, all the Tigers needed to do was win and we, along with all of Motown, were ready to celebrate. The game started out great, with the Tigers taking a 6-0 lead, and we all were just waiting to explode. But, as has happened over the last month or so, it all started to slowly fall apart. Starter Jeremy Bonderman, who has been known to blow leads (especially 6-0 leads) blew another one and it was 6-4 before we knew it. He was pulled and reliever after reliever came in and it just kept getting worse and worse. In the end, after 12 innings and over five hours of baseball, the Tigers' lost. They lost the American League Central Division crown, they lost home field advantage in the first round and they probably lost their way right out of the playoffs as they now have to play the Yankees – the best team in baseball – in New York.

This was a gut-wrenching loss to me. The kind of loss that makes you wonder why you're a sports fan at all and why you set yourself up for this in the first place. The kind of loss that makes you cry like a 10-year old (like the little boy two rows in front of us who was crying when the Tigers lost the lead for good). I cried on the way home from the game and I cried later in the evening. It reminded me of how I used to cry after a Michigan football loss until I got used to them and just started getting mad instead. I cried because I was disappointed, because I was mad, because I was sad and because I let my guard down and believed and then it was all just taken away.

I've talked about my "history" with the Tigers before. In addition to being the only pro sports team in Detroit that I really care about, I love the Tigers because of my Dad and because when Kevin dumped me back in 1998, it was working for the Tigers and immersing myself in baseball that got me through it all. To see them do well this year and to finally get smiles instead of weird looks when I wore my Tigers' gear was so nice and so different. All they did this year was unbelievable to me but instead of focusing on that, all I can think about is what was lost yesterday. I never expected a year like this, no one in Detroit did. I never expected a meaningful baseball game to be played in August, much less September AND October. I never expected to be anywhere near first place in the very competitive and probably best division in baseball, the AL Central. But, when the Tigers roared out to that great start and took over first place in May and held on ALMOST to the end, expectations changed. No longer was an improvement good enough, no longer was just being in the playoffs good enough. No longer was going from the worst team in baseball three years ago to one of the best in baseball now good enough. Maybe it's the whole having it and losing it versus never having it at all thing. And, maybe I'm just afraid that we didn't take advantage of what we had and you never know when you're going to get that chance again. It's been 19 years since our last playoff appearance – what if it's another 19? Won't this hurt even more?

I know it's just sports and I know the sun still rose today and the earth still is spinning. But, it's rainy and grey here in Detroit today, and I'm sure the 40,000 plus fans at Comerica Park and the countless fans that watched the game on TV yesterday feel the way the weather is. I don't have much hope for a five game series against the Yankees but, then again, I didn't have much hope for the season and the Tigers proved me wrong. I hope they can do it again.

If not, though, 2006 has been a memorable summer for baseball and that's something Detroit hasn't seen in a long, long time.

All this time

12 years ago today, Kevin and I met. Sometimes, I can’t believe it’s been that long, mostly because we knew each other for six years before we got married. Take your time.

Anyway, we met when Kevin came to the U-M Athletic Media Relations Department for a job interview. He already had met with his co-workers and was waiting to meet with our director, Bruce Madej. Of course, Bruce was BS-ing someone on the phone so Kevin was waiting outside his office. I was a senior and in my third year of work in media relations and was working in the office right next door (on football bios, what else) when Kevin came in to say “hello!” I thought he was so cute but didn’t think much more as this was just an interview and there was no guarantee he would get the job. About a month later, though, he joined the staff, leaving behind his gig at Southern Illinois University (the Saluki Stompwagon).

Over the next few months, my friends and I CONSTANTLY asked Kevin to do things with us but he always declined. Finally, he relented and decided to watch some Monday Night Football with us one night. I’m sure his decision had more to do with the Vikings playing than with me but … Anyway, that was one of the first nights we hung out and we had a great time. On Valentine’s Day, he got me flowers – the first time anyone ever sent me flowers – and things just kind of took off from there. For the next year or so, he worked at U-M and I moved home and attended grad school at UDM. We were together on weekends and it was amazing. In the summer of 1996, though, my perfect little world was shaken up a bit when Kevin took a job at Washington University in St. Louis. He would work there for the next four years and we would do the dreaded long-distance thing for three of those years.

In March of 2000, he finally moved back to Michigan and, in April, he proposed. We then spent the next eight months furiously planning our wedding. We were married in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Dec. 2 and the rest, as they say, is history. While it’s hard for me to digest that we’ve known each other 12 years, it’s even harder to believe we’ve been married almost six years. It seems like just yesterday, even after all this time!

OK, this is no fun without some old-school pictures.

This is the first picture I ever had of Kevin. He is sitting at the desk I was sitting at when we first met.

HOLY CRAP, look at all that damn hair! What was I thinking back then? ANYWAY, this is at my graduation from U-M in April of 1995. Me, Kevin and my best friend, Betsie (Simon) Feldman.

Taken on the photo deck at Michigan Stadium in November 1995. Check that scoreboard, U-M - 31, Ohio State - 23! We had to take a picture of it because beating Ohio State doesn't happen that much anymore. I miss John Cooper.

Outside the cathedral in St. Louis. When I would visit, we would go to mass here all the time - it was beautiful! We usually would follow this up with a trip to the Galleria and then dinner on "The Hill." God, I miss St. Louis SO much!

Here we're standing in the hallway outside the Michigan Union Ballroom just before entering our wedding reception. I'm so glad we met and I'm so glad you sent me flowers and I'm so glad we're married. As I always tell Kevin, he is my prince and I'm so lucky to have met him all those years ago.

Under that special dome

We play at Minnesota this weekend, in one of the greatest atmospheres in all of college football (according to a "publication" – I use that word loosely – that Kevin and I encountered a few years ago when we were in Minneapolis for a wedding). How one of the greatest atmospheres can be attained IN A DOME I don't know, but I digress.

Last year, the Gophers finally broke through and beat the maize and blue for the first time in 100 years (well, 18 years, really) and got a glimpse of what the Little Brown Jug, the nation's oldest football trophy, actually looks like. As Kevin said recently, they (the Minnesota players) stormed across the field to get that effer (the jug) like they just won the freakin' national championship! Since winning back the jug last year, they've had it in a glass display case for all Minnesotans to see which is in stark contrast to where we kept it – in some old equipment case somewhere in the bowels of Schembechler Hall. What can I say, when you've had it forever, there's really no excitement in getting your photo taken with it at fan day. So, needless to say, they've enjoyed their time with it but, as our good friend Schneids (who is the PR guy for "M" football) out it, if we win it back Saturday, they won't even have had it a full year (last year's game was Oct. 8).

The Minnesota cornbread is just a bit annoying, mostly because they always think they're better than they are and they think playing in a dome is such an advantage. But, really, how can you argue with these numbers ..

… this is the 95th meeting, with Michigan leading the all-time series 67-24-3 …

... the Wolverines have a 30-12-2 record against the Gophers in Minneapolis and a 10-0 record against them in the Metrodome …

… Michigan has won 24 of the last 27 games and 33 of the last 36 contests in the "Little Brown Jug" series …

… um, yeah, so …

I am cautiously optimistic about Saturday but we've been known to have a rough time in Big 10 road openers and in night games. At any rate, it would be nice to get the jug back where it belongs!

In related college football news, did you see this? After "M" removed ND from any and all relevant college football conversations with a 47-21 spanking, Charlie Weis (at left) HAD to come up with some way to keep ND "in the news" and get the media to feel bad for his poor (and overrated) Irish. This is crap and he's an ass – for this and for so many other things. I wish MSU could have held on to that damn game because the ONLY team worth a damn left on ND's schedule is USC. So, if they keep winning (beating powerhouses like the service academies and North Carolina), God help us all!

By the way, do you notice any similarities between good ole' Charlie and the creature in the photo below?

GD, Sparty!

Well, Sparty, thanks for nothing. You could have put a fork in GD Notre Dame last night but, as is typical for Michigan State, you blew it. You had them down 17 points at one point during last night's game and you looked unstoppable on offense. Drew Stanton, you were picking them apart, with your arm and with your feet. I had total faith that you could get the job done. Hell, you do almost every other year - you OWN ND. BUT, you couldn't finish. It was almost like watching the Michigan team from last season.

I had no selfish reason to cheer for you but I got burned anyway. It always comes back to bite you in the ass when you cheer for Sparty. You could have put an end to all this Notre Dame hype but you let them up off the mat. Now, we all have to hear about their heart and their guts and how they had the greatest comeback win in the history of college football - all in monsoon-like rains on the road in tough Spartan Stadium. Now, we have to hear all about how Brady Quinn ALLEGEDLY earned his way back into Heisman contention and all about how Charlie Weis ALLEGEDLY is a genius. All that crap that thankfully we didn't have to hear for a week after we (Michigan) gave ND the beating of their Irish lives is all back again this week after you let that game get away. Why, Sparty, why? Why can't you ever win the big game? Drew Stanton, you're a SENIOR, why can't you make the big play? I can't imagine what it must be like to be a Spartan fan!

Michigan won on Saturday, in much less dramatic fashion. We beat a decent Wisconsin team at home 27-13. The highlight of the day, for me, was seeing the Wisconsin fans that traveled to Michigan Stadium do "Jump Around" between the third and fourth quarters. Kevin and I were able to attend the game together yesterday, which was a first for this season. My parents came to our house and watched Harmon while we enjoyed a few hours of fun. And, we even sat in OUR OWN seats after trading them last year so the fat, pregnant lady could be near the exit and near the bathroom.

OK, I don't want to make a big deal about this because last time I wrote about them on this blog, they went into a MASSIVE slump but ... my Detroit Tigers clinched their first playoff berth in 19 years today. There was some celebrating being done in the locker room in Kansas City but I was happy to hear each and every player interrviewed say that they still had a lot of work today. They are only 1 1/2 games up on those pesky Twins with six games to go so here's hoping the Motor City kitties will be doing some more celebrating this coming week. As an aside, it was so nice to see both Jim Leyland and Todd Jones damn near tears when talking about this team!

One more thing, just because Sparty couldn't get the job done doesn't mean our win over ND should be forgotten. We beat them butt good, 47-21!

Give me shell-ter

Earlier this week, a co-worker sent around an e-mail saying that he had found a turtle in his yard, but could not keep it and wondered if someone wanted to give it a home. Of course, I immediately jumped from my chair to find out more. He/she is an adorable baby snapping turtle, only slightly larger than a quarter. I started spewing a bunch of turtle-speak as a member of the TE (Turtle Elite), and found myself genuinely excited about the immediate future of this adorable creature.

I knew I could not take him/her, with a beautiful baby boy and adorable rabbit already on my watch at home. So, I was ecstatic when I found out my boss would take her, even if just for a while while she gets strong and, like an injured fawn, can be released back into the wild (like Old School). Well, "Paca" (its original name) has now become the Communications pet. He/she resides in my boss' office, and we all go in to check on him/her every few hours. This morning, he/she ate a small worm, so I was relieved to find out it still has a good appetite. That is the key.

So today, "Paca" was officially made the office mascot. I commented on the irony of having a turtle for a mascot, as they are slow by nature. My boss added that they also go into a shell and hide when approached. So, maybe, "Paca" is perfect, after all.

So, when can I put up my Halloween decorations?

The month of September is a little tough for me. It's back to school time and fall arrives but usually it's one million degrees. I feel like I should hold on to those last few summer nights but I'm also excited for the cool breeze and colored leaves of fall. Typically, here in Michigan, we'll have a few very hot days in September that will keep those longings for fall at bay. But, that hasn't happened this year. It's been pretty chilly and our nightly walks have that fall feel to them.

All of this has me ready to decorate for Halloween even though fall doesn't technically arrive until Saturday. We don't do a ton, like my Uncle Max or this guy (who lives in our neighborhood) but we do more than most people who live on our block. So, here's my plan. I have a string of orange lights to run along the top of our front porch and another string to run along the top of our garage. I also have pumpkin lights to decorate our sun porch. I have pumpkin stake lights to run the entire length of our front yard landscaping and I also have leaf and acorn cling on decals for my picture window. We still need to get some cornstalks for the three "pillars" on our front porch and possibly some orange or burgundy mums to either hang from our front porch or be placed at the entrance to our porch. I have a 10-foot spider web that Kevin has agreed to let me know hang on the garage door. Now, I just need to figure out how to affix it.

Since it's our first Halloween with Harmon, I'm hoping he likes it. If he does, it will give me an excuse to keep adding to my Halloween decoration collection each and every year. It's like an addiction.

Oh, in case I forgot to mention it, we kicked the crap out of Notre Dame last Saturday. This thrashing must be cherished and enjoyed each and every day! So, in order to do that, check out this and this! Too funny!

TDJ just can't look …



… at this …



… or this!



Can you blame him? TOO BAD, ND!

It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine!

47-21

Like all good Michigan people, we try to be humble in victory (unlike our fellow Golden Domers)! And, we have to set a good example for Harmon so he knows how to behave when he grows up. Plus, all the talking was done on the field yesterday to the tune of a 47-21 ass kicking of mighty, mighty Notre Dame. Looks like, for now, the national championship victory parade and the Charlie Weiss coronation will have to wait. After all, they only dropped to #12 in the polls after allowing Big Blue to score the most points on them at home in 46 years, so it’s entirely possible they can work their way back up and play in the national championship game. Hell, THEY ARE ND so they can play in the national championship with FOUR LOSSES! Enough of all this talk, let’s let the photos tell the story.

The scoreboard!

This happened not once …

... not twice …

... but three times (ALL DAY LONG, BABY)!

Now for some Mike Hart …

… and some Chad Henne.

And, don’t forget that Michigan “D!”

This is not a good look for the pretty boy (maybe he needs to get back in front of the fan on the sidelines and let it blow his hair some more). And, sorry about the Heisman, Brady! If it makes you feel any better, though, Jimmy Clausen is supposed to win four (just like Ron Powlus did).

Can’t remember the last time Lloyd got the cooler!

Time to celebrate!

Hail to the victors valiant, hail to the conquering heroes, hail, hail, to Michigan, the leaders and best. Hail to the victors valiant, hail to the conquering heroes, hail, hail, to Michigan, the champions of the west.

Ah, that felt good! Sorry for the delay in the post as I just was enjoying this so much. It’s been a long time since we’ve had such a satisfying victory.

A funny side note about yesterday. It was the biggest recruiting weekend of the year for the Irish. I wonder how that went over with the youngins …

OK, one last funny thing about yesterday. Kevin mentioned how sad it is that NBC (or the Notre Dame Broadcasting Channel) didn’t get to share with us all its footage of Samardzija playing minor league baseball and Zbikowski boxing. Boo hoo!

I probably will regret this but GO GREEN, GO WHITE this weekend. ND has to go on the road and play Sparty in East Lansing in what looks to be a great night game (should be a good one). Sparty has their number and I'm sure Drew Stanton is salivating at the sight of the Notre Dame defense. Um, yeah, take the over!

OK, enough. Let’s Go Blue (and let’s TRY to keep it going – one game at a time)!

And, here's some stuff, just for fun. Super Mario and good stuff from the game.

Good night now!

This and that

Now that it's cooled down a bit, Harmon is able to wear some of his new fall clothes. My sister, Stacey, got him this cute sweat suit (at left) from Roots and he looks adorable in it.

When he wears it, though, he reminds me way too much of Ari and Uzi Tenenbaum (below) from that fantastic movie, the Royal Tenenbaums!

In addition to looking cute in his new get-up, he also has learned to wave. He's been working on the opening and closing of the hand and, just yesterday, when he was with my Mom, he got the hand motion and the arm motion going at the same time. It's so cute.

Another thing he has learned to do, maybe in the last month, is give hugs and kisses. If you ask for kisses, he leans in with his big, open mouth and kisses your cheek. It's usually all wet and slobbery but yet so sweet! And, the hugs, my God, the hugs! A hug from Harmon is the best thing in the whole world! He just wraps his little arms real tight around your neck and it's the most awesome feeling. I try to get hundreds of hugs each day but, when he gets tired of giving them, he just bites my shoulder so I'll lay off. We need to put a stop to that!

Since he's approaching his first birthday, we thought we better get moving on those obligatory one-year photos. So, we finally booked a date (Oct. 15) with one of our good friends, who also happens to be the top photographer at U-M. We're doing the photos a bit early in hopes of catching some beautiful fall colors before they're gone. We're going to do some individual shots and some family shots at some spots on campus so we're very excited. We're also going with a brown and orange theme so I hope they'll turn out nice.

In non-Harmon news, all the new fall shows are starting and Kevin and I really need to decide what we have time for. Of course, there will be the usual shows (Survivor, ER, Supernanny, Wife Swap, etc.) but there are several new shows that look very interesting. It's all about pacing ourselves! Last night, we finished up 15 weeks of Rock Star: Supernova, which was quite a commitment. Although it started out as just an excuse for me to drool over Tommy Lee, it ended up being a pretty good show.

This weekend is going to be a little odd as Kevin is traveling to South Bend on Saturday to attend the U-M @ ND game with his two best friends. I hope he brings some good luck to U-M as I have a feeling they're going to need it. The last time we went to South Bend, it wasn't pretty!

On Sunday, I think we're going to take Harmon shopping to get him some fall/winter clothes. He only has a few things so we need to change that – so spoiled!

Weeeeeeeeee!

Back in the Spring, I got Harmon this toy (also at left) from our local Once Upon a Child store. It looked similar to his beloved hammer and only cost $1 so I figured I couldn't go wrong. Um ... yeah!

Once I got it home and cleaned it all up, it started cracking out. It would go off with one of its crazy noises, like "weeeeeeeeee," without any prompting from Harmon or us. So, it didn't take long for this toy to get banished where it still would go off ALL THE TIME. Early this past Monday morning, I finally reached the end of my rope with this damn thing. At 2:45 a.m., I heard a chorus of "weeeeeeeeees" from the living room. After getting over my initial fright (what the hell was that?), I marched into the living room, retrieved the toy from its cold, dark corner and removed – with more precision that I thought I could muster in the wee (ha, ha) hours – the screws that held the battery compartment. I kept the batteries (Harmon has other more battery-worthy toys), threw the toy in the trash and then lumbered back down the hall and crawled under the covers. Kevin says I will hear ghost "weeeeeeeeees" forever since I sent the toy to an early death.

On a lighter note, Harmon is freakin' 10 MONTHS' OLD today. Can you believe it? I might have to get him a new toy to replace the one I killed. He REALLY liked this one yesterday when we saw it at Kohl's. I sat him on the floor and played it for him and he was grooving to it. It was so cute.

September 11: Where were you?

Today is September 11 and, five years ago, the meaning of this day changed forever. There have been books and movies and countless other forms of media recounting this day. And, no matter how you feel about the actual events of this day or the events that have followed, it's hard to deny how that bright, sunny morning changed so many things in this world. As with so many historical events, you remember exactly where you were when the attacks happened. Here is where Kevin and I were on that day:

Aimee: I was working at OnStar (yuck) and had an unusual 8 a.m. marketing meeting that day. When we all got back to our cubicles, word started to spread about what was happening. Immediately, I tried to contact the few friends I had in NYC without even thinking that everyone else in the world was doing the exact same thing. Later in the afternoon, I had been in touch with each of them via e-mail and they all were fine - thank God. Of course, no work was getting done as people either were e-mailing and calling loved ones or watching the carnage on TV in our cafeteria. After a few hours of this, we all were told we could go home, which I did. And, I stayed home the next day too. Not because anyone I love had been involved but just because everything was too hard to digest and it was nearly impossible to concentrate. When I did return to work on Thursday, I remember my bitch of a boss commenting that she had been able to get so much work done that last couple of days because no one was around. Maybe it was just the way I felt at the time but this comment still sticks with me as one of the coldest things I've ever heard. Anyway ...

Kevin: I was on my way up to Lansing for a meeting at a TV station to discuss a television commercial for my then-employer, the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. I was listening to Drew and Mike on the radio, and just like most TV and radio outlets that a.m., they were reporting that a small plane had hit the World Trade Center. And, like many who heard that, I figured it was just a small aviation accident. Soon after I arrived at the station, I learned that a second plane had hit and it was no longer a coincidence. I don't really even remember what business I accomplished there that day in what was one of my final outreach duties at the foundation. But, I do remember one person in the newsroom saying over and over that he was sure the towers would fall. Sure enough, moments later, the first tower crumbled and we all stood there in silence. Our apartment in New Hudson was between Lansing and Ann Arbor, so I think I stopped there for an hour or so to watch the TV coverage. I really don't remember driving there, just stunned by the news that not only were the towers hit, but also the Pentagon (allegedly) and another plane down in Pa. I knew history was happening, but I don't recall an event like that in my life since the first space shuttle explosion when I was in high school. It was one of those events that you just sit and watch the footage over and over again in disbelief. Like Aimee, I had a feeling work would still be important, so I drove back to Ann Arbor for the second part of the day. What a mistake. A few people mentioned it, but like OnStar, it was just business as usual. I watched TV well into the night that night. Even though most of the TV stations have vowed to not show much of the footage anymore, a few of the documentaries aired this week have shown that first incredible video. CNN is documenting its first three hours or so of coverage on two links on its Web site. Blame who you want for this happening, but I agree with many that we (the U.S.) got caught with our pants down. Too bad thousands of people paid with their lives.

Halloween preview

Kevin told me the other day, "you can't wait until fall!" And, he's right, for the most part. It's no secret I love fall and winter SO MUCH MORE than spring and summer. But, now that we have Harmon, I don't look forward to the next season so much as that means he's getting older. Time goes fast enough now without me longing for falling leaves and fleece!

Anyway, there are some things I can't resist looking forward to and one is Harmon's last "first" holiday – Halloween. For the last month or so, we’ve been looking at different costumes and, yesterday, we finally made a decision and ordered one. I can't wait to see him as this little blue octopus!

Of course, he will be cute in any costume (I'm biased, OK) but, as most of you know (and can tell by his name), we like to be a bit different. Even our second choice was this cool shark! We just didn't want to go with a pumpkin or a black cat or anything basic like that, although we did consider a tiger and a mouse. We also thought about making him a pirate (since he has a pirate name – Harrrrrrrmon), but the baby pirate costume wasn't so cute.

Sooooo, expect some cute blue octopus pictures to be posted as Harmon ventures out for his first Halloween next month. We're looking forward not only to seeing him react to all this Halloween craziness but also to eating his candy! Hey, he can't have it, at least not yet!

Long weekend

Our holiday weekend ended up being a day longer than anticipated, mostly because Harmon came down with a bit of a cold Thursday morning. It freaked us out at first as he woke up at 3:30 a.m. with his little body on fire but, after some Tylenol, some fluids and some rest, he felt a bit better. The little guy handles colds so well! We didn't get much done on Thursday outside of naps and a walk so we technically started our holiday weekend on Friday, as Kevin used a vacation day that day. We went to lunch/dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant, El Taco Loco, and spent a lot of time at 12 Oaks Mall trying to put together a cute outfit for Harmon's one-year photos. I have some pieces but am not done with the whole ensemble just yet. We're hoping to get said photos taken in mid-to-late October.

On Saturday, I went to the first half of the Vanderbilt at Michigan football game, which was the same old thing, and we spent the rest of Saturday lounging in front of the TV and watching college football until we couldn't take it anymore. I LOVE those days!

Sunday was our day to celebrate the holiday and we went to my parents' house to do that. It was a Labor Day/Kevin's birthday celebration and we hung out and ate some good food. Of course, Harmon was the life of the party eating like a champ for my Mom all the while looking at Kevin and me like – ha, ha, if YOU TWO were feeding me, it would be all over me and the floor. He has trouble focusing on eating when he's in a different environment! We also may have figured out what all this "na-na" business is all about. My sisters and I were playing with Harmon back in the family room and, when my Mom walked in, he reached for her and said, "na, na!" Mystery solved? Who knows!

On Monday, we went to the Dexter Cider Mill for the first time. It was the first time I had even been to Dexter, which is such a cute, little town, and the cider mill did not disappoint. We got our cider and donuts to go and then settled in at Bandemer Park on the Huron River for a while and took even more pictures of Harmon. All in all, a very relaxing and restful weekend.

A theme of the weekend was "The Hunt for a New Rocker/Recliner." We cleaned and polished our hardwood floors recently and Kevin commented that he would be happy if he never had to move our current recliner back into the living room again. This chair is one that Kevin got when he was in college a thousand years ago. Although still functional (which is the ONLY reason it's still in the house), it's a god-awful green/blue color and has about 10 years' worth of Kevin's hair gel residue on the headrest. I bought a slip cover for it when we moved but gave up on it as it came off all the time and was a huge pain in the ass to get on in the first place. So, we finally figured it was about time to get something new. We looked at chairs at four or five places and saw a few we liked so we'll keep the process going. It ONLY took us SIX MONTHS to buy a video camera so I can't imagine how long the rocker/recliner purchase will take. UGH!

Lastly, my quote of the weekend. As we were driving to my parents' house, a neighborhood cat (a damn black one) sauntered halfway across the street right in front of our car before slowly doing an about face. As we encountered this, I matter-of-factly said, "Take your time, asshole" and Kevin died. Of course, the cat scurried back to the side of the road and then turned back to give me the usual bitchy cat look. I hate cats!

And, yes, I realize (as does Kevin) that our language will have to change soon lest Harmon pick up a choice word or two!

OK, on to some fun stuff. Another reason I love Jim Leyland. An unbelievable 9-1-1 phone call. This oldie but goodie. And, this new commercial for Monday Night Football (we ALWAYS do this)!

Back to school, back to school …

Tomorrow, fall classes begin at U-M. For the first time in 15 years (minus 1997, I think), my sisters and I are not involved in any back-to-school activities. I’m not sure if this is harder on us or on my parents. My Mom and Dad moved me into U-M for the first time in September of 1991 and did so again in 1992, 1993 and 1994. In 1995 and 1996, I attended the University of Detroit Mercy in pursuit of my MBA. In 1998, my sister, Stacey, started her time at U-M and, this past year, my sister, Erin, graduated from U-M.

So, after all this, it’s kind of weird not to be involved in back-to-school shopping this year. No moving stuff into dorms, apartments or campus houses. No trips to Target for TVs, bookshelves, etc. No trips to Meijer to stock up on food. No trips to Michigan Book and Supply or Ulrich’s to pay WAY TOO MUCH money for books (money that you NEVER get back when it comes time to sell them back at the end of the semester)! Ah, the memories!

Looks like there won’t be any back-to-school activities for this family until Harmon starts kindergarten in September 2011 – perish the thought!

Fooball!

No, I didn't misspell, it's fooball! This is the opening weekend of the college football season and, for the 16th year in a row, I was in the Big House to watch Meeechigan! While we didn't have a great showing like this, at least we didn't do this. It's been said that the biggest improvement comes between weeks one and two and, if you're a Michigan fan, you better hope this is true. If not, we're going to get smoked at ND (you know, because they're so great)!

Anyway, for the first time since the final game of the 1999 season, Kevin and I did not attend the game together today. You see, things get more complicated when you have a baby! Kevin had a great idea to ask our old friends at Sports Info for a press pass for this game so we could TRY to sell our tickets (turns out there wasn't much demand for Vandy @ U-M). So, I spent the first half of the game watching from the photo deck. It was just like old times - what a view! It just wasn't the same, however, without Kevin so I left at the half, we got good food and headed home to watch the rest of the game.

While I was at the game, Kevin and Harmon hung out on campus. They ran some errands and Harmon had his first lunch on the Diag. Kevin said he was getting a lot of looks from the college girls, Harmon I mean! He was a good boy being out for his first game day in Ann Arbor.

Normally, we'd be riveted by the ND @ Georgia Tech game right now but, for the first time in 13 years, baseball in Detroit in SEPTEMBER means something. Kevin keeps asking me if I had to choose between Michigan football and Tigers baseball this year, what would I do. Easy answer - go Tigers! And, just in case you think I'm jumping on the bandwagon, I just ordered this t-shirt!

Through the years

Today is my friend Tim Frank's birthday. Even though he's a Notre Dame grad, he's one of my favorite people in the whole world. I met him in 1993 when he came straight from ND to work in the U-M Sports Information department (how he made that transition, I'll never know). Since I never had a brother, he was the closest thing to it. After only being at U-M for a year, he moved to Houston to work in public relations for the Rockets. After several years with the Rockets, he went big time and took a position as the Vice President of Communications and Spokesman for the NBA. Even though he's now Mr. Big Stuff, we still stay in touch, he still calls when he's in town and, much to my surprise, he remembers so many things from back in the day. So, in honor of Tim's birthday, here's a photo trip through the years.

This photo was taken at the Johnson sisters' apartment during the 1993-94 school year. I was a junior and Tim just a couple year's older. We look so young!

This photo was taken at the United Center during the 1994-95 NBA season. My best friend, Betsie Simon, and I drove to Chicago to visit Tim and his soon-to-be fiance, Sarah, when the Rockets were in town to play the Bulls.

Kevin and I got married in December (2000), right during the heart of the NBA season, so Tim was not able to attend our wedding. But, since we went through Seattle en route to our honeymoon in Vancouver, we were able to see him as the Rockets were in town to play the Sonics.

During the Pistons playoff run in 2004 (which eventually ended with a title), Tim came to town and got us tickets for several different games, including the championship-clinching game. This photo was taken outside his hotel in Pontiac in May 2004.

This last photo was taken just a few months ago. Again, Tim was in town for the Pistons playoff run and took some time away from his busy schedule to meet us for dinner at Buddy's Pizza in Farmington Hills. This was the first time Tim met Harmon and he didn't even hold his name against him!

So, there you have it. One more thing I should mention. When he left Michigan for his job in Houston, I was devastated. It was like losing a best friend. But, the person who took Tim's place made it all better. It was Kevin! I tell Tim "thanks" all the time!

Happy Birthday!

Today is Kevin's birthday. He is 36 years old. I can't believe I met him shortly after his 24th birthday, back when he basically was just a kid. When it comes to other people's birthdays, Kevin is the best! He never forgets them and always makes sure they are memorable. When it comes to Kevin's birthday, however, it's a little different. He hates when people get him presents and he never wants or asks for ANYTHING. This makes it tough to celebrate his birthday. He also is nearly impossible to surprise, which makes it even tougher. So, we all do what we can do. I guess I should appreciate this behavior as it offsets my constant wanting and asking for everything under the sun. It's a good balance.

Although the birthday behavior frustrates me at times, it doesn't surprise me as Kevin always has been selfless. As long as the people he cares about are happy, he's happy – bottom line. This is one of the one hundred billion reasons I love him so much and one of the reasons he's such a wonderful husband and father.

We don't have much planned for today, maybe take-out dinner from one of Kevin's favorite places. And, we'll probably do a few small things over the weekend (I'm sure there will be cake involved as Kevin loves cake). But, maybe this is just fine because if we had to celebrate him for who he is and all he does, we would be celebrating all year long! I love you so much, Kevin, and so does Harmon and all our family and friends!

Happy Birthday!

Big boys and other things

Harmon had his nine-month appointment on Friday. He weighed in at a whopping 25 lbs. and 3 oz. and measured 30 ½ inches long. He is in the 96th percentile in both categories, which means only one thing – he's going to be a BIG BOY! He is doing very well (aside from the crawling thing) and we feel very blessed. Ah, yes, the crawling. Um, yeah, he's not a fan. He gets what he needs by rolling and, if we MAKE him stay on his belly, he'll either scooch himself backwards or move forward via this funky swimming motion. So, we're close. And, the doctor wasn't worried so I guess I can TRY not to be worried, although it's SO against my nature. The doctor was very pleased with his verbal and social progression, especially after Harmon did patty cake and shook his head "no" for him. And, the doctor noted what a crazy reacher he is – he was all over everything in the exam room. He now can have meat and we can start transitioning him to finger foods. We also need to get busy (b-i-z-z-y, busy) with the sippy cup and also can start transitioning him to eating three meals a day. Looks like our days of eating whatever, whenever are numbered. All in all, a great check-up (no shots, either). We'll see the doctor again, for his one-year appointment, on Wednesday, Nov. 15.

After the trip to the doctor's office, we visited Schneids at Schembechler Hall. We thought we should get one last visit in before football season starts because, after that, we probably won't see him until January (after we lose another bowl game). It was a busy day at the football building as everyone was prepping for the U-M Football Fan Day. There were some bonus visits from some old Sports Info friends and they got to meet Harmon for the first time. There were even thoughts of Harmon providing a buffer in a dreaded meeting with Coach Carr – how can you be angry with a face like that looking at you! As we waiting for that meeting to end, Harmon and I took a look around the recruiting lounge (maybe he'll end up there one day – he's built like a tight end) at all the history – lots of good stuff!

Prior to Harmon's big day on Friday, he was spared from watching some crappy baseball on Thursday as he stayed with Grandma Laura while Kevin and I went to the White Sox-Tigers game. The Tigers lost 10-0 and it was awful. One theory is that the Sports Illustrated cover jinx in full effect. Another is that it's my fault – they've sucked since my Aug. 8 journal entry. Either way, it needs to get better with no more 5-7-3 putouts written in the scorebook! They won yesterday, though, so maybe that's a start and I just need to calm down!

In other news, we finally broke down and bought Harmon one of those little kiddie pools. Only problem is that ever since we bought it, it hasn't been warmer than 80 degrees. Ah, never fear, though, as college football starts this weekend and it's guaranteed to be 100 freakin' degrees as 108,000 people ROAST in the Big House. Speaking of college football, Kevin and I haven't quite figured out yet what's going on for this season. My Mom is available to watch Harmon for most of Michigan's home games but there are a couple of games that are in doubt, especially this week's home opener against Vanderbilt. I might go by myself (I have no in-state girlfriends that are crazy about football like I am) or we may just sell the tickets and watch it at home. We need to decide quickly, though. Kevin will make up for missing the season opener by joining his two best friends in South Bend for the U-M @ ND game on Sept. 16. I'm not hopeful for this game (we haven't won there since 1994 – I was at that game and it was awesome) but you never know. Hopefully, Kevin will be one of the few happy people in maize and blue after the game.

OK, more updates to come this week, I promise. Two weeks between updates is simply UNACCEPTABLE. In the meantime, I'll make up for it with these gems:

Mr. T cartoon (from Saturday Night Live) - Mr. T needs work!

Awesome video of a heat-seeking trash can during a recent storm at the new Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Some tunes from good ole' Wesley Willis. The "Cut the Mullet" song HAD to be found after seeing those classic mullet shots of alleged (yeah, right) murderer John Mark Karr! His hair looks like a rat's nest!

Lastly, some Mr. T sound bytes for you, here and here. Don't know what the obsession is with Mr. T lately but it's hilarious. I love this line from Rocky III!

Nine months old

Harmon turned nine months old on Saturday. At this point, he's been on the outside longer than he was on the inside! I can't believe he's nine months old. I cannot stress enough how fast time flies by. It just seems that days, weeks and months are going by in the blink of an eye. Although he's officially nine months old, our nine-month appointment won't be until Friday, Aug. 25 (who told the doctor he could take a summer vacation?) so we won't have all the important data until then. However, I can tell you a few of the cool, new things he's doing.

First of all, the boy LOVES to drink water. If you have a bottle of water and you're in a one-mile radius of him, he will find you! A full water bottle even is proving effective in getting him to crawl, although I think he would prefer to skip that whole thing. The whole water thing started earlier in the summer when he and my Mom would go for walks. She would give him a few cap fulls when they were out and about. But, when we were at the Ann Arbor Art Fair about a month ago, he really started to obsess about it. He drank a ton that day and has been drinking a lot every since. And, it's funny, he PREFERS to drink out of the actual bottle – not from his bottle or a sippy cup.

Lately, he's been having some separation anxiety. If Kevin or I leave the room, he cries and cries. Sometimes, he's OK after a bit but, other times, he'll just cry. It's very sad.

He's also a pro at the whole reaching thing. If he wants you to get him or wants to go to you, he makes it well known! All day yesterday, my parents and sisters had fun watching him reach for and go to each other.

And, his vocabulary is coming along nicely. In addition to da-da, he now says ma-ma a ton, in addition to ba-ba and na-na. He'll also throw in a wa-wa once in a while and, over the weekend, he was working on some three-syllable things. This morning, it even sounded like a va-va.

Every day, it's something new and I love it!

Words I hate

On the way into work yesterday morning, I heard a radio ad which included the word "morsel." I turned to Kevin and told him I didn’t like that word and he gave me an exasperated look. He then said, "there are SO many words you hate that you should just make a list and post it somewhere." So, I thought, what better place than our blog. Here is a partial list of words or phrases I hate. I'm POSITIVE there are more but here's what I've got so far (in no particular order):

Morsel; moist; fresh; succulent; veggies; robust; fragrance; luscious; panties; creamy; fixins' (or any other word that is supposed to end with "-ing" but people end with "-in" instead); comfort food; buttery; slacks; ciao; fabulous; medley (like vegetable medley); soft drink, soda or soda pop (it's POP, damn it); brunch (hate the word and hate the whole idea); Italian (with a long stress on the "I" – said like EYE-talian); asparagus tips (can't it just be asparagus?); to die for; hoity toity; narthex; malk (it's MILK); tasty; vehicle (with the heavy stress on the "h"); meal; and scrumptious.

In addition to the words I hate, here is a partial list of other things I hate:
People who chew ice or hard candy; people who talk with their mouths full (like the resident of the White House – as if I could hate him more); people who make mouth noises (sucking, loud gum chewing/popping, sloshing, gulping, sipping, etc.); people who hold their cup of coffee with two hands like it's a damn hand warmer; people who enjoy their food way too much (and make grunting, moaning, "What about Bob" noises while they eat it); people who "want a bite" of other people's food; people who put an "s" on the end of any store, restaurant, etc. (like Krogers, Meijers, Farmer Jacks, Ruby Tuesdays, JC Penneys, etc.); Walmart; Pepsi; and Ann Coulter, Bill O'Reilly and other clowns like them.

And, while we're at it, he's a list of obnoxious mispronounced words:
Chimley (chimney); irregardless (regardless); breafas (breakfast); nucular (nuclear); orientate (orient); lacksadaisical (lackadaisical); athaletic (athletic); expecially (especially); realitor (realtor); supposably (supposedly); expresso (espresso); terrists (terrorists); and strategery (strategy).

Lastly, here are a few words or phrases I DO like:
Cat's pajamas; go bananas; scurvy; jobbie nooner; broad; whore; youngster; choco (for chocolate); poppie (for pop); fool; clown; apeshit; lollygag; shenanigans; antics; creep; Internets/interwebs; and jibber jabber.

OK ... so ... enough of that. If you haven't watched this yet, you should. And, check out this and this, just for old time's sake!

Yes, NCAA 2007 is very realistic

Last week on the mlive.com chat, someone posted this video of a simulated video game for Michigan's first game of the year Sept. 2 vs. Vanderbilt. I remarked how realistic looking it was, from the stadium to the uniforms to the speed of the game. Aimee agreed how realistic it was, especially the part where Chad Henne gets sacked for a 20-yard loss (see :45 mark). I almost burst a blood vessel laughing.