As many of you might know I am a big football NFL fan.  I participate in a few fantasy football leagues throughout the season.  I try to schedule a little as possible on Sunday afternoons so I can watch football (I have been very unsuccessful at this recently).

Anyway, tonight one of my favorite games of the year is taking place, The New England Patriots vs The Indianapolis Colts.

As a Patriots fan I can’t help but root for my beloved Patriots — the key of this matchup is the QB of each team….Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

Many sports greats had their all time rival —  Larry Bird had Magic Johnson, Muhammad Ali had Joe Frazier, Jimmy Connors had John McEnroe. In the NFL we now have Brady and Manning.

Brady and Manning, will always be linked with one another because of the high level on intensity they share  on the field and the success both clubs have had over the last 5- 10 years.

This weekend, the Patriots and Colts will face off for the 10th time since 2003. It’s the seventh straight year the clubs have met in the regular season and  I think I read somewhere that 5 out of the last 7 seasons one of the teams is undefeated going into the game.  That is true again this year as the Colts are 8-0.

Manning is playing at an all time high right now and Brady has gotten most if not all the rust shaken out since missing least year with a knee injury, so I have high expectations for this game.

One of the things that I really enjoy about this rival is that both Brady and Manning have a deep respect for one another and they bring everything to the field.  Unlike some sports starts who trash talk all week before the game (cough)Joey Porter (cough) – Manning and Brady have nothing but good things to say about each other and they let their play do the talking.

Recently this game has more hype and high level of play than the Superbowl – I can’t wait.

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Last week I went 10-5 which brings my total to 21-10…..There were a few surprises and with Peyton Manning bringing back the Colts from a 15 point deficit I was saved.

This week is interesting – most of the home teams are favored to win – I don’t know if that has ever happened in the NFL.  But with things are going in the NFL this year I would not be surprised if that happened.

Here are some of my thoughts on the upcoming games this weekend.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Atlanta Falcons
With the QB situation in Kansas City I don’t know how they can win.  Like any successful NFL team you need consistency.  Matt Ryan is doing a good job in Atlanta so I think they will go 2-1. Pick: Falcons

Oakland Raiders @ Buffalo Bills
Darren McFadden did pretty well for the Raiders last week.  However the Bills have jumped out to be one of the top teams in the AFC (is it too early to say that?)  The Raiders are a few years from being very competitive again.  Once their QB and RB have a few years to mature they will be hard to beat.  Pick: Bills

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Chicago Bears
I can see this game go either way.  But the Buccaneers have not lived up to their hype.  The Bears have a decent running game which should keep them in it and even give them a slight edge.  Pick: Bears

Carolina Panthers @ Minnesota Vikings
Steve Smith should be back for this game.  However the Vikings now have a QB in Gus Frerotte who might actually get the ball to their talented group of receivers.  Pick: Vikings

Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots
Joey Porter has given the Patriots another reason to kick the living you know what out of them.  It doesn’t matter if it is Cassel or Brady running the ship, the Patriots will win.  Pick: Patriots

Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Giants
What happened to the Bengals who were starting to look like another version of the Colts?  Carlson Palmer is too talented to be losing this much.  But it is not going to get any better anytime soon for them.  Pick:Giants

Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans
Kerry Collins can handle this team and many others who might come their way.  The Texans are coming off of a  rough week.  Pick: Titans

Arizona Cardinals @ Washington Redskins

The Cardinals have done well against the 49ers and the Dolphins. Let’s see what they can do against a team that might present some challenge.  Pick: Cardinals

New Orleans Saints @ Denver Broncos
The Saints let me down last week.  Jay Cutler is doing well in Denver – I think he has another win in him. Pick: Broncos

Detroit Lions @ San Francisco 49ers
The Lions are this years version last years Dolphins. Pick: 49ers

St. Louis Rams @ Seattle Seahawks
This is a tough game to call.  Neither team has done anything that warrants them to be the clear cut winner this week.  I must say that I think the Rams might actually pull out a win. Pick: Rams

Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens
The Browns need to step it up fast, but they can’t compete with Ray Lewis and the Ravens defense.  Pick: Ravens

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts
Bob Sanders is done for the next four to six weeks which is not good news for the Colts.  He holds the defense together.   This means that  Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew should have a great game.  But Manning will find some way to win, he is too good not too.  Pick: Colts

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Philadelphia Eagles
This one should be a good game. The Steelers’ defense versus the Eagles’ offense will be one of the best match-ups all week. Look for the Steelers to take this one as the Eagles shake off a bit of a Monday Night hangover from their disappointing loss to the Cowboys.

Dallas Cowboys @ Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rogers is better than many people have given him credit for.  He will beat the Cowboys this week – but it might be a different story if they meet in the playoffs.  Pick: Packers

New York Jets @ San Diego Chargers
I can’t see the Jets and Bret Farve losing two in a row – but the Chargers are beginning to find their stride.  I have to go with the home team on this one.  Pick: Chargers

SYRACUSE FOOTBALL

Syracuse will play the fourth non-conference game of the season and the third in a four-game home game.  They will be facing Northeastern at 3:30 p.m. The Orange and the Huskies square off for the first time in history.  This is an important game for the Orange since they are 0-3 this year.  This is also homecoming weekend — let’s pray for a win.

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I for one would LOVE to extend the NFL season – after all the injuries from week one I be many players are second guessing that ides even if it interested them to begin with.

I went 11-5 last week (sorry I did not post last week).  So I hope to do just as good if not better this week.  If you would like to see my picks from last week just leave a comment and I will post them.

Chiefs at home vs. Raiders
Coming off a loss against the Patriots the Chiefs will be going against the Raiders.  I did not bother staying up late Monday Night to watch one of the worst teams in the NFL lose again.  Pick: Chiefs

Bengals at home vs Titans
Even with the emotional struggle of their injured QB Vince Young the Titans should go home with a win.  The Bengals and Ocho Cinco have enough problems of their own.  But I hope Ocho has a good game because he is on my fantasy team. Pick: Titans

Vikings at home vs Colts
Hopefully Peyton Manning has made time to practice football (instead of making more commercials) to get their first win of the season.  I think they will — Pick: Colts

Redskins at home vs Saints
The Saints have alot of weapons — but one of their big ones Marques Colston is now out…..On the bright side Reggie Bush looked has looked pretty good.  The Redskins have just looked awful and could not get anything going against the G-men.  Pick: Saints

Lions at home vs Packers
The Lions allowed 34 points and 474 yards to the Falcons last week. The Packers are looking pretty good- even without Brett Farve.   I think that will continue. Pick: Packers

Panthers at home vs Bears
I can’t believe that both of these teams won last week and are looking pretty good.  This goes to show you that every year there are surprises in the NFL.  In this case I can’t go against the home team. Pick: Panthers

Rams at home vs Giants
As much as I would love to see the Giants go 0-16 this year I can’t pick against them when they are playing against the Rams especially when the Giants are on the road.  I can only hope that the Rams play better this week than they did against Philadelphia.  But they still don’t get the win.  Pick: Giants

Jaguars at home vs Bills
There are some people in upstate NY who think that the Bills might be playoff bound.  But they have to get past the Jets and the Patriots — I think that the Patriots still have the talent without Tom Brady to win the division.  I think this is an important game for the Bills because some people think that the Jaguars have a chance for the super bowl.  But the Jags are at home so I have to go with them. Pick: Jaguars

Buccaneers at home vs Falcons
With the way that Matt Ryan played last week I think they do have a shot at winning this game.  Especially since Jeff Garcia is out with an injury.  Pick: Falcons

Seahawks at home vs the 49ers
The 49ers are in the bottom third of the league.  They are far removed from the glory days in the 80’s.  They have a long road to go before they become a very competitive team.  But being in the NFC West they could get in the playoffs as long as they are above .500.  That being said I don’t think they will win this week. Pick: Seahawks

Cardinals at home vs Dolphins
Could Kurt Warner be back in his MVP form?  Most likely not – but I think he has win number 2 in him.  Pick: Cardinals

Jet at home vs Patriots
The Patriots have extra motivation this week with everyone discounting them because Tom Brady went down.  Just because Tom Brady’s starting streak is broken I do not think that the Patriots winning streak will be broken.  Pick: Patriots

Texans at home vs Ravens
Hurricane Ike has moved this game to Monday night.  But that does not matter for the Texans.  They are going to show everyone what Texas spirit really is… Pick: Texans

Broncos at home vs Chargers
Enough talk about how good the Chargers are — they really are not that good.  They may have short stints of greatness but if LT wants a Super Bowl ring he might need to play for a different team.  To be great in the NFL you need consistency and the Chargers do not have it.  Pick: Broncos

Browns at home vs Steelers
This may be a long year for the Browns.  Good thing Derek Anderson got his money when he had his chance.  Pick: Steelers

Cowboys at home vs Eagles
You gotta love this match-up every time.  Like most great Rivals you can throw out what has happened in the past and just sit back and enjoy the game.  As long as Jessica Simpson says away it should be a Cowboy win.  Pick: Cowboys

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The NFL Schedule is out, I wish it was the sole thing that plans my fall but it doesn’t.  However, it certainly gets me excited about the fall and the possibilities of another perfect regular season.

Overall, I think the schedule looks pretty good. I like the match-ups that we have.  However, the Pats are on the road alot to the west coast.  A few times it might make more sense for them to stay out west during the week!

Week One: September 7th – vs Kansas City Chiefs 1:00pm (CBS)
Opening Day at home.  This is not the flashiest match-up for a team who played in the Super bowl last year. But the great mind of Herm Edwards (former Jets coach) vs. the genius of Billicheck

Week Two: September 14th – @ New York Jets 4:15pm (CBS)
Always a good game. Perhaps there may be more Jets fans where I am going than Pats fans (But I think Buffalo will be overwhelming) But Mangini and Company are coming to play and wanting to win.

Week Three: September 21st – vs Miami Dolphins 1:00pm (CBS)
This will be the first of two meetings between Bill Parcells new look Dolphins.  We will see if Bill can get them to win more than one game this year.  Not this one I can tell you that.

Week Four: September 28th – BYE WEEK
I don’t think I have seen this early of a Bye week in a long time. Too bad it was not between their travels out west.

Week Five: October 5th – @ San Francisco 49ers 4:15pm (CBS)
First of the four trips to the west coast.   The 49ers might get a look at what could of been if they kept their 7th pick.

Week Six: October 12th @ San Diego Chargers 8:15pm (Sunday Night NBC Game)
I would of thought this might of been the opening weekend game.  A rematch of the AFC Championship game. Should be a good game but this brings back to back West coast games. Will the Patriots just stay out West all week?

Week Seven: October 20th vs. Denver Broncos 8:30pm (Monday Night ESPN Game)
Should be a good game. Denver gives us a run for our money when we play them. After the two trips to the West the Pats I am sure will be happy to be home.  Plus it is a MONDAY NIGHT GAME!!

Week Eight: October 26th vs St Louis Rams 1:00pm (FOX)
Back to back home games– the Rams are doing good things in the off-season. Should be a good game.

Week Nine: November 2nd @ Indianapolis Colts 8:15pm (Sunday Night NBC Game)
The Super Bowl of the regular season every year.  We will see who comes out on top this year.  Just to note: The Colts will also be coming off a prime time game with the Titans the week before.

Week Ten: November 9th vs Buffalo Bills 1:00pm
I hope my church does not kick me out if the Pats beat the Bills- which I think they will.

Week Eleven: November 13 vs New York Jets 8:15pm (Thursday night NFLN Game)
Short week for the Pats.  They will be facing their old foes on a Thursday night.

Week Twelve: November 23 @ Miami Dolphins 1:00pm (CBS)
Going to see the stadium that Parcells build. Well maybe not but we will see how the Dolphins are doing at this point.

Week Thirteen: November 30 vs Pittsburgh Steelers 4:15pm (CBS)
I wonder if this will be a flex game.  It all depends on how Ben’s arm is doing. I am sure it will be tired when they come to our house.

Week Fourteen: December 7 @ Seattle Seahawks 8:15pm (Sunday Night NBC Game)
Sunday night – Prime Time out West — Glad it is not me :

Week Fifteen: December 12 @ Oakland Raiders 4:15pm (CBS)
Once again, do the Patriots stay out West somewhere in between the Seahawks game and this one?  We will see how Russell holds up against our D

Week Sixteen: December 21 vs Arizona Cardinals 1:00pm (FOX)
Back home for another 1:00pm game.

Week Seventeen: December 28 @ Buffalo Bills 1:00pm (CBS)
Closing out the schedule at Buffalo, the Bill showed improvement last year, could they be vying for a playoff spot here?  Will I be able to see them? Who knows?

I am excited for the season.  I think it will be good. Now we will see how things pan out in the draft.  I am looking forward too it.

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Tomorrow is — for me one of my favorite days of the year.  Bigger thank Christmas, Easter, and even my birthday. It is Superbowl Sunday.  My friend over at Here I Stand – as I am sure many people out there do not appreciate the expense that goes into Super week as well as the commercial aspect of the event.  I say that I must agree to a certain extent. I think the commercials do draw people together and bring more people to the game than otherwise would watch it.  I hear over and over again that people watch the Super Bowl for the commercials.

I am extra excited about the game this Sunday because “my team” the New England Patriots are playing in the game.  Before the comments about the patriots being “cheaters” and the patriots “running up the score” start.  Make sure that you are well informed about the situation.

First I have listened to many NFL commentators say that they do not believe that video taping the first half of the first game of the year make any difference this season.  So before you attack the 2007-2008 season there is no evidence of them having any edge over anyone else for this season.  Now past seasons there is a chance that they have videos — however, with that being said, I am sure 75% of the NFL teams have some sort of “illegal video hiding around their media rooms.  There is as much evidence of that as there is any other patriot “cheating video.”

The other point that I would like to make about this it does not matter if you have the entire game plan in your back pocket.  What you need is the talent to execute.  You need the personal to carryout the game plan.  With Tom Brady, Randy Moss, and Wes Welker leading the way there is no one that can stop them.  Not even the New York Giants.

This will be the game of the top NFC and AFC teams playing head to head for a winner take all game.  Aside from all the hype when you look at the pure football aspect of the game there is nothing else that is better.

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I think all the writing I did from the end of December until January 2nd really took a toll on my ability to sit and actually blog.  Between assignments due for school and stuff for my approval interview next week I was actually constantly writing over my whole vacation.  Don’t worry I did have some fun

We had a great vacation.  The first part was tricky with where we were going to stay and who we were going to see when, I guess that’s the trouble when you are dealing with divorced parents.  I did get some time to have fun and some time to relax.

Now we are home and the reality of my class coming up hasn’t fully hit me yet. I have a class starting on the 21st. Now I was thinking that these next few weeks are going to be great. I am not going to have to do anything school wise and I can work some and play some and start actually cleaning out some rooms for our move (God only knows where) in May/June. However, I look up the class yesterday and I see that I need to read four books and write 2/ 600-word essays about two of the books that I read.

This class is a VERY intensive course.  We meet for four days — three blocks a day for three hours each block.  I don’t think it will be very exciting.  Then by the middle of February we need to have a 15-page paper written.  I do not want that paper to carry over into the next semester.

Today is Logan and Daddy day– this tradition started while I was on internship.  To make sure I had quality time with my son I would keep him home from Day Care on my Days off.  We would go swimming at the YMCA and then have pizza for lunch and then just hang out.  Today we are playing video games, going to the library at the seminary and perhaps getting some pizza somewhere.

There is so much I want to talk about – Roger Clemens, the voting in Iowa, and maybe even a little NFL playoffs but Logan wants a new race car to play with on Need for Speed.

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I should be happy, I really should. I feel like I should be out celebrating because a huge load has come off my back. I FINALLY sent in my assignment papers for the ELCA assignment process next February. However, I was nervous sending out my papers. What if I could of said something differently? Was three times enough to go through the spell check? Did I leave a very important piece out of my profile that might turn a church around? Too many questions for me to worry about. I need to lift everything up in God’s hands because that’s where it is now.

Admist the craziness of life I am having a pretty good week. The end of last week I had a lockin at church- followed by the Souderton Christmas Parade, I was kinda disappointed by Santa Clause. There are more and more Santa’s around that have real long white beards and my son knew that this was a fake and he is only three. He just asked what was on Santa’s face, I just said that Santa was cold and he seemed okay with that.
This followed with lunch and the much needed nap.

Sunday was church and then a trip to the King of Prussa mall to the Apple Store. Currently on my labtop (where I am typing from) I am missing the F2 and F5 key, the space bar, the left and down arrows. This is caused by the aforementioned son. When he was smaller he would sneak onto the computer and pull off keys. They told me it would be $150.00 to get it fixed. The computer is functional and I have adapted this long it would not matter for alittle while longer. Like our cars I am hoping this computer will make it through the rest of seminary.

I don’t think I would ever go after a PhD. I was intimitated enough by coming to seminary for my masters degree. Plus the language would keep me out of most programs. However if I do get my Dmin down the road. I would love to get into the idea of Theodicy and Psychology. I just had to write a paper along those lines and I think it is very interesting. How does evil come into the world? When we talk about evil and an individual – what is the psychological make up of those individuals? And how does God fit into all of this. I would consider doing a Dmin down the road with perhaps a focus on becoming a CPE supervisor. I think I could tie those two things in together and that would be something that interests me. But right now I am thinking that would happen 5-10 years from now.

For the current time I am goign to be in the draft and I have indicated on my forms that I am in conversation with Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission. Basically I was told by my advisor that I should consider being a mission developer or a Church Planter. I would not mind doing something like this, acutally I think it could be fun and that I could do a good job at it. This Friday I have a prescreening for the position.

Well I should get back and watch my Patriots. Right now they are not doing so good. GO PATS!!!!!

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For the last few weeks I have had a major pain in my lower back. It happens every six months or so. The last time it happened was last november. I remember because it was during the Luther Bowl. I played anyway but I was useless because I was in a lot of pain. I went all out with Physical therapy and basically I was told that I had to wait it out before it got better.

Now it has been two weeks and my back really hurts. I got up this morning and I could barely walk. I finally broke down and I called the doctor and I am going to see them in a little bit. I don’t know what will happen. I will most likely go to the hospital and get xrays. It just makes me fusterated becuase I have plans for the day. I have things that I need to get done but I can’t because I have to go to the doctors now and then perhaps the hospital.

I guess this is a good lesson on self care. I don’t know if it would of made a difference or not if I did this whole thing earlier or if I should not worry about class and choir and all the other things that I need to do today and I should worry about myself.

In other news the Patriots once again beat the Bills yesterday hands down. It was a great game (from what I hear) and I am excited that they are doing so well. They have scored 38 points in their first three games. Brady and Moss have connected on over 100 yards a game. If they keep this up they both will be running for MVP for this season. I know it is too early to tell but I can see it going that way.

An international sting operation broke this weekend called Raw Deal. It has to do with steroids. I guess there are ten countries involved with this operation and it was an undercover operation from the DEA. The main drugs taken in this operation were
Anabolic steroids
• Human growth hormone
• Human chorionic gonadotropin: used to stimulate natural production of testosterone
• Insulin growth factor 1: A protein that enhances muscle growth

There are going to be a lot of names named from this scandel. If I was a professional athlete I would come clean before I was a name on a list. It is better to do this now then to feel the wrath of what will happen once this comes down. The amount of drugs they took was crazy and I am sure this is just the start of it. I guess we will find out later today what happened and who was a part of it.

Keep me in your prayers today for my back. I just pray that it is nothing serious.

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I can’t keep my silence any longer. Given that football is my favorite sport and that the Patriots are my favorite team I can’t keep my silence about the events that happened the past week.
For those of you who do not follow sports – A week ago Sunday when the Patriots were playing the New York Jets, one of the security officers caught an employee for the New England Patriots video taping on of the defensive coaches giving hand signals to the players. His goal was to capture this video for further review so in future competitions between the two teams the Patriots would know the hand signals and know what the defense would be. This would give them a competitive advantage.

Roger Goodel reviewed the tape and a fine was given to Bill Belichick ($500,000.00) the New England Patriots ($250,000.00) and they lose a first round draft pick.

Given all of this for a tape that is pretty harsh and there have been mixed reviews about it. I don’t know about you but all this for a tape? Now this would be considered cheating, and that is wrong, so I am not saying they should not be punished but in this case I believe the punishment deserves the crime.

Now, after this came out there have been “reports” that the Packers and the Lions caught the Patriots doing this last year and they did not do anything about it. There are people saying that the Patriots have done this and have done that and that there should be an * next to the Super Bowl wins!!! That is CRAZY!!!! Now I have lost some faith in the team because of all of this. I have seen the Patriots the last few years at the best team in the league no matter what their record. They have been able to take “troubled” players and they have been able to “rehab” their careers. They have had more wins in the last 5 or 6 years than any other team. They use their salary cap wisely so they can have a big year getting all these high-class free agents. But now this kind of changes everything. There is a little doubt deep within side me that maybe they have won a few games here and there because of the taping, but nothing I would admit in person.

I think though if they had the number on different teams, why would they be up more than 20 points in last years AFC championship game and then lose it? I believe you can have all the right calls and you can make the right predictions but you need the players to pull it off. That’s what I believe separates the Patriots from other teams. I am 100% positive that the players had no idea this was going on, so why punish them? It is their coach who screwed up and he is getting punished from it. Why punish the whole team by suspending him or making the team lose the game?

This trickles down for me to my own life and what I am teaching my son. He is just starting to learn how to play games. There is a part of me who wants to sick by the rules so he learns what is fair and what is not fair. But when we play goldfish he does not care if we keep going until we run out of card because then “WE BOTH WIN” Am I teaching him wrong? Should I stick by the rules? Or is it better at this point to just play the game and have fun with him? In the long run will one damage him and the other make him shine? I really don’t know to be honest.

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The best way I can explain the last week is that it has been a zoo. First and foremost there has been this whole Circus around Michael Vick being indicted on charges that he backed a vicious dog-fighting ring at a home he owned in Virginia. The charges allege that the operation, which the feds say began in 2001, often left dogs dead in the ring or killed later by hanging or electrocution.
If convicted Vick could be paying a heavy fine as well as doing some jail time. It is a huge step back for the NFL. We are hearing of all the terrible things NFL players are doing. It is crazy how guys who have so much money are making such terrible decisions. I don’t know if they are so bored that they have to go out and cause trouble, or if they just don’t care. PETA was outside of the NFL offices on Friday protesting because Vick has not been suspended as of yet. I honestly don’t know if they are going to do anything or not before he season starts. The best suggestion I have heard is to suspend him from playing with pay. To give him a chance to clear things up (or get convicted) and then get back to business. I doubt that will happen– but at this point who knows?
Life continues to be a zoo with Logan and Addyson. They surprise me everyday, with the things they say and do. Addyson is starting to roll over and I would say within the next two months she will be crawling. She has been a fast learner and I think that is common with #2 children. She seems so aware and alert. Tonight when I was holding her to fall asleep (and playing Madden 2007) she had one of her hands on my hand and the other was grabbing onto my shirt. She had a pretty tight grip. I don’t know if it is an unconscious thing for her at this point to want to cling to Katie or I but that’s what she was doing. It is a great feeling (and scary sometimes) for something so small and precious like that to have complete and total trust in me. For someone who cares and loves me so much. Like the other day when Logan told me that I was his best friend. I don’t know if he fully understood what he was saying but it was a really cool thing.
My dad was in the hospital, my sister-in-law might be pretty sick and my brother started a new job so all those things make life the more of a zoo. Please keep them all in your prayers as they need it right now.
Why this metaphor is on my mind right now is because we went to the zoo today. We went to Elmwood Zoo in Norristown. It was a nice small zoo and Logan really enjoyed it. He is getting to the point where he really soaks things in and appreciates it more. It makes our little excursions that more fun.
I hope things get figured our and calmed down more next week. One can handle only so much in a certain amount of time.

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