Friday Funny via Marshall Ramsey

Let me first say...I do not care that much about all of this.  The guy is amazing and we wish we had him at MSU.  BUT, I am shocked by the NCAA ruling.  Someone at AU has got some serious pull.  Maybe it's Santa...

Halloween Rewind

I. LOVE. HALLOWEEN.

Sipping my pumpkin spice latte on the way to work this morning, I reminisced about my 2009 Halloween party.  Hence, this post was born.

Yes, I did paint cups like we were in college.

Halloween presents a gazillion options to be creative. From parties to costumes, carving pumpkins to decor, and making fun treats for everyone to enjoy.  It is the only celebration of the year where you can be anyone, or anything, but yourself.  And how fun is that!  So here's to Halloween weekend.

Let the reminiscing continue...

We enjoyed witch's brew, evil apples, boo-scotti, booger fingers, spider cupcakes, ghost brownies, and trick-or-tinis!

And I invited a monster.  

Happy Halloween everyone!  Get your scary on. 

Halloween Fun!

I searched high and low for the best Halloween craft project for my nieces, Mary Morgan, 10, and Amelia, 7. Not too easy, not too complicated, fun, and with the potential for originality. Beyond construction paper and markers, I decided on an easy theme - decorate a pumpkin, and a harder task - use your imagination. I raided Michael's aisles for the best crafty options, the majority fall and halloween colors and themes.

My list of crafts had no rhyme or reason and would be fun for kids to choose themselves. After carefully evaluating every craft on the table and shouting ideas, they both decided to make pumpkin faces. Amelia created a “motorcycle dude”, sporting sunglasses made by cutting black glitter foam paper. Mary Morgan created a girl holding lipstick and a flower. She curled pipe cleaner as hair and glued fuzzy craft balls for earrings. This project had no barriers and no instructions, only a table full of possibilities with a pumpkin as a canvas. We had a blast! 

Next, we made ghost cookies. Quick and easy to make. Perfect for a Halloween party. The girls had fun icing the cookies, or should I say licking the icing?! We all had tummy aches after the ghosts were completed!

Ghost Cookies

Ingredients

2 bags white chocolate bark or morsels

3 packages Nutter Butter peanut butter cookies

1 bag miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

In a microwave-safe bowl, or using a stove top, melt candy coating. Use 1 tablespoon oil to prevent burning and sticking.  Dip cookies into coating, covering completely. You may also use a utensil to spread the coating. Place iced cookies on waxed paper.  While coating is still warm, place two chips on each cookie for eyes. Let stand until set.

Goal Setting with God

"May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed."

Psalm 20:4

Successful people are willing to make sacrifices and put in the time of preparation that unsuccessful people aren't willing to do.  Below are 6 steps to designing purpose for your life. 

Step 1 -- Determine your present position
Step 2 -- Be specific about what you want
Step 3 -- Look for God's promise
Step 4 -- Ask God to help you
Step 5 -- Identify the barriers
Step 6 -- Create a step-by-step plan

Now you may be thinking, "This is a lot of work. It's going to take time." You're right, it will take time. That's why 95 percent of Americans have no written goals. A recent Harvard study showed that only 5 percent of Americans have written goals and many of them are among the highest earning people in the nation. You can either drift through life or you can be directed through life by taking the time to think through where God wants you to be.  Ah, the key -- where God wants you to be. -- Rick Warren
 
I have forever been a goal setter.  It is how I survive.  Graduate with honors - did it.  Run a half marathon - check.  Create a blog - done!  But rarely do I write my goals down.  A sticky note here - follow up with so-and-so, and a journal entry there - Dear God, I would like to...Some have been fulfilled, and some remain, meandering in my head of daydreams.    
 
I sat down last night with a clear head, blank paper and pen, and made a list of what I want to accomplish.  They range from short-term to long-term desires.  I posted this plan on my bathroom mirror as my "big picture" strategy.  Having my goals staring at me each morning will be a great reminder of where I'm headed, what it will take to get there, and how grateful I will be when each desire is met.

Get in the Game!

Whether you are an avid college football fan or simply enjoy the football experience, this Top 10 list reviews basic football concepts, and not-so-obvious terminology that will help you Get in the Game (and even impress those silly boys).

I assume you understand the basic downs and yardage of scoring in football.  We will use Mississippi State vs. Ole Miss as our example when needed.  In no particular order, here we go!

1)  Home and Visitor.  The first team listed on TV and in the newspaper is the visiting team.

2)  Eligible players.  There are 11 players on the field for each team at all times.  Not 13, Coach Dooley.

3)  Play clock.  The play clock is set at 25 seconds before each play. It denotes the time given to the offense to begin the play. A Delay of Game penalty is called when the center does not snap the ball before 25 seconds runs off the clock.

4)  Football field basics.  Most are self explanatory, except for the hash marks which are two rows of lines near the center of the field and near the sidelines, marking one-yard increments. All plays start with the ball on or between the hash marks. 

What are those bright orange things on each corner of the end zone?  These are pylons. A pylon is a short orange (or red) foam marker that marks all four corners of each end zone. A player must get any part of the football over the goal line or touch the pylon to score.  See Bulldog Anthony Dixon...
 

 
5)  Field goal attempt.  You must add 17 yards to the line of scrimmage for the actual field goal yardage. For example, if the ball is downed on the 20 yard line, the ball will be spotted 7 yards from the line of scrimmage.  You must also add the 10 yards that make up the end zone (20 + 7 +10 = 37).  The field goal attempt is 37 yards.

6)  Territory.  Let's say the Rebels have the ball on the Bulldog's 20 yard line.  Are they close to scoring?  Yes, you could say that.  They are 20 yards from the end zone in Bulldog territory.  If the Rebels are on their own 20 yard line, then they are 80 yards from the end zone. 

7)  Point after touchdwon.  Also known as a PAT, it is only worth 1 point, whereas kicking a field goal can put 3 points on the scoreboard.

8)  A catch.  A college receiver is only required to have one foot in bounds to make a catch.  Rule 2, Section 2, Article 7 of the NCAA 2009-2010 Football Rules and Interpretations:  To catch a ball means that a player:  Leaves his feet and firmly grasps a live ball in flight, the ball first touching the ground inbounds while still in his firm grasp.  

9)  Holding and Pass Interference penalties.  Holding is an offensive penalty called when an offensive player literally "holds" a defensive player's jersey.  Pass interference is a defensive penalty.  This occurs when the defensive player makes contact with the receiver before the ball arrives, interfering with his opportunity to catch the ball.  See the chart below for common referee signals.

10)  The BCS.  I'm sure you've heard someone refer to the BCS. The BCS is the Bowl Championship Series that creates 5 bowl games each year for the top 10 ranked teams, including the National Championship game.

You may be familiar with the Top 10, or you may not care about football beyond your cute outfit.  Whatever the case, happy game day!

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