... And twins!

Somehow we made it through one of our most painful traveling experiences (ever!) in Atlanta last week, and we are now safely back in our home after a most successful holiday trip home to beautiful (and unseasonably warm) Montana. We certainly learned our lesson with Atlanta – always allow for extra, extra time while driving in I-75/85 traffic. On our way home, we thankfully were delayed out of Minneapolis to Atlanta. Thankfully because we arrived home just after the violent storms hit our area. Tornadoes in December?

So, now, it’s time to sit back, watch some bowl games, and enjoy our twins … our twin slippers, that is. Dale has had his slippers courtesy of Santa (Mom) dating a few year’s back now, but this year, Santa Mom delivered to me my own pair now that I have officially jumped on the Notre Dame bandwagon (and to keep my toes warm in that cold Georgia weather). Hopefully the rest of the bowl season is as exciting as last night’s Michigan vs. Nebraska wild (and controversial) finish.

Back to listening to the brilliant ... er, annoying Keith Jackson and Dan Fouts covering tonight’s Oregon vs. Oklahoma. Go OU.

Renae out …

Merry Christmas to All

Can't believe it is that time of year already. Nevertheless, hope everyone out there has a Merry Christmas and an awesome 2006. Getting ready to eat a great meal with friends and family here.

Renae out ...

Chillin'

The drive into work this morning was 35º and pouring rain. Fortunately, we were spared the ice storm that hit Atlanta and northeast Georgia. (Although what a sweet picture.) It could be much worse for New Yorkers tomorrow morning. Not only will they wake up to lousy weather, but they could wake up to no mass transit system – the contract expires at midnight. As of right now, no agreement has been reached. Pretty scary thought considering NYC transmit moves 7 million people a day (according to Fox and Friends this morning anyway). And I thought I was feeling a little road-ragish driving home today. Like with everything else though, New Yorkers will overcome and get the job done. I am sure of that.

Renae out …

Another coaching shakeup

So the Barnett excitement is over, and today, it was onto another coaching change … this time the Miami Heat (don’t really care too much about the NBA at this point of the season although this storyline provides some decent drama) has Pat Riley replacing Stan Van Gundy, who has resigned for “family reasons.” Sure thing, Van Gundy. We didn't see this one coming at all. The Heat are a dismal 11-10 with new star players (Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, and Gary Payton – it’s no wonder they are losing) but have been without Shaq, who is just about set to return. It is as if Van Gundy got out of there before Shaq returned. It’ll be interesting to see how this drama plays out since the story in Los Angeles is turning out to be less exciting than anticipated. This is because, according to Dale, Phil Jackson can’t do the same thing with a team (win championships) when it only has one star. He’s probably right.

All I have to say is bring back Michael. And Bird too. Those were the days.

Renae out …

"And not only was she a girl, she was terrible."

The poor dude just can’t stay out of trouble. (But I do 100% agree that Miss Katie Hnida should have stayed away from football. I am all about being "rah rah" for women in sports ... obviously ... but there is a time and place for everything. She was asking for trouble. Still, Barnett needed to choose his words more carefully. He knows that now though.

Of course he had to deal with other CU football "scandals" and most recently, the 70-3 lost to the Longhorns.) So not only is it freakin’ cold in Boulder tonight, it just might be a very frigid and lonely night for this man. The Denver Post apparently first broke the news today on the likely firing of Coach Barnett, who fired back on a radio show that it was “news to him.” It’s getting late on the east coast, so I will have to hear how this drama unfolds tomorrow.

Can’t wait to catch up first thing in the a.m. on Barnett’s liveblog (this is one of the funniest things ever … had me in tears earlier tonight).

Renae out …

See?

America (even rural America) is much better place when ND is winning. Even the sheep want in on some of the the trash talking.

Renae out ...

Weekend Notes

Unfortunately, this was the last weekend of the 2005 college football regular season but you would have never guessed it was December around this part of the nation. With no ND football on Saturday, I talked Dale into driving to Panama City with me for some basketball games. My team played down in PC today and yesterday – we won both games (despite my less than stellar play). Dale always provides great morale support and superb coaching tips – I am so lucky. Anyway, walking straight out of the gym this morning into 70-plus-degree weather, palm trees, and the Gulf about a quarter mile away off in the distance, made it extremely difficult to want to drive home. The food was pretty good there too … ate grouper both Friday and Saturday nights. It was wonderful. Safe trip back though and now here we are … back at home and settling back in for work tomorrow.

On to more notable news … we made the drive back just in time to catch the start of the college gameday show on ESPN – the bowl game preview. Caught Charlie’s interview with Reese Davis and all. I asked Dale what was the one difference between Charlie and the rest of the coaches (whose teams were selected for bowl games … Spurrier, Paterno, Poodle, etc.) that were interviewed throughout the night. He guessed it exactly right: Charlie was the only coach in a suit and tie. What a first-class guy … and oh yeah, runs a pretty first-class program too. ND is going to the Fiesta Bowl, baby. ND is back. Just like Jerome Bettis said on ESPN radio the other day, “The world is better place when ND is winning.” Amen.

Renae out …