Big Doins' at the 'Tute

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is being held this weekend in Indianapolis. As part of the festivities, there was a contest called Paint the Town Pink in which companies and businesses were encouraged to decorate their offices/establisments with breast cancer awareness themes. A few of the Institute employees put together a really clever display: Treasure Your Chest, Unlock the Cure, Unlocking the Key to Awareness. In fact, it was so great that we won 1st place! Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis Colts center, and his wife are honorary race chairs this year, so he paid us a visit today to present our award. Very exciting.

Real men DO wear pink. 

Hey, look - it's me and #63!

Jill has no shame.  

She actually shook the man down for a donation to our Race for the Cure team.

Jeff took a look behind Sylvia's desk to see all her Colts paraphernalia, and was a little disappointed to discover that Bob Sanders is her favorite player.

Of course, no Institute gathering is complete without cake.

Jeff was pretty chill, hanging out and talking with everyone.

Our talented group of ladies receiving their award.

Oh, look.  Here I am again.

Some of our award-winning decorations.

A few final autographs before heading out.

Our award!

I can't wait to see what they come up with next year!

So Long, Coach

Colts 17, Chargers 23

Trying to look on the bright side...

At least this frees up the rest of the month for shopping!

Colts 23, Titans 0

In anticipation of a game played mostly by second and third string players, we did not attend Sunday's game at Lucas, but instead watched from home. It turned out to be pretty entertaining, even into the last few minutes. Records were broken: Peyton, Marvin, Dallas, Tony. Having said that, records are nice and all, but really won't mean a whole lot without a Super Bowl XLIV victory. But first, we'll (ha! like I'm on the team) have to get past the Chargers in San Diego.

It was fun to watch the game with Robin, Lily and their friend Jordan. Robin, however, needs to get a grip on herself. She thinks Anthony Gonzalez is cute. Uh...not really. Jordan said he looks like a "buffoon." That's a little harsh, but my main problem is his baldness. I just don't like bald guys, but then and again, I'm not sure he'd be my cup of tea even with hair.* To test that theory, I went to Instyle and whipped up a few examples. What do you think?




*For the record, I'm quite certain Gonzo has no shortage of female admirers, and that he couldn't care less what some slightly overweight, middleaged blogger thinks.

Colts 31, Jaguars 24

That was a good game - unless you're a Jacksonville fan.  I'm sure they were licking their collective chops at the half.  Peyton was actually putting up some good numbers the first half, they just weren't getting anywhere.  It's amazing how much difference it makes when the defense decides to play.  Oh, and John says he doesn't think Vinatieri will be back next year. With that victory, the Colts became the first team in NFL history to win three games on the road in one season after trailing by at least 14 points.  Probably a record we'd rather not have to even deal with, but there it is.  By the way, I hate Jack Del Rio.  I don't know why, really; I just do. It was nice to see Reggie Wayne get a lot of airtime with the Fox announcers after the game, except that stoopid "Neon" Deion Sanders told him the Colts will be "one and done in the playoffs." Here's the Christmas card* I'm sending Deion:

*Courtesy of List of the Day

By the way, I was more than a little sad this a.m.  The Hoosier Dome (it will always be the Hoosier Dome to me, not the RCA Dome) was put to rest today.  Back in September they deflated the dome, and today the rest of it was demolished.  I have a lot of fond memories of that place.

Farewell, old friend!

Colts 31, Lions 21

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Okay, that's seven in a row. Let's beat Jacksonville on Thursday to avenge our 23-21 loss from back in September and secure a playoff berth.

By the way, Pro Bowl selections were announced. Peyton Manning is the starting quarterback for the AFC...yawn. Freeney is also a starter, and I was happy to see Robert Mathis selected as a back-up. Don't forget Reggie Wayne, also a back-up.  Eli Manning will be the back-up quarterback for the NFC, which is kinda cool.  Kudos to Kurt Warner; didn't see that coming.

Speaking of the Pro Bowl, I heard something rather disturbing the other day.  There's talk of moving the Pro Bowl to the weekend before the Superbowl.  WHAT??  Are they crazy?  That, to me, is just a recipe for injury disaster.  Not to mention, they want to hold it in the Superbowl host city.   I'm as happy as the next guy that Indy has the 2012 Superbowl, but c'mon...  If we're rewarding these guys for a job well done, I can't really say this is where I'd send them.

Colts 35, Bengals 3

I told John this morning the Colts needed to win AND win decisively, and that's what they did. Peyton threw three TDs, Dominic Rhodes ran one in, and Kelvin Hayden returned a Ryan Fitzpatrick interception for a touchdown. Hayden had another interception, and the defense had four sacks.  Granted, this was against the Bengals, but have you already forgotten last week's game versus the Browns?  

We won't mention Dallas Clark's fumble on the goal line, or the fact that for the first time since 2002, the Colts will not be the AFC South Division Champions.  Tennessee sealed that deal today by beating the Cleveland Browns.

Next week: the 0-13 Lions. Nothing in the NFL is a given, but you have to think our chances are good for a seven-game win streak. Oh, by the way...I will not be at the game next week. In my quest for Mother of the Year, I will be attending the BHS Holiday Choir Concert. In my quest for Stepmother of the Year, I gave Tom my ticket.

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Colts 10, Browns 6

Raise your hand if you thought the final score would be a little different than this...me, too. Kudos to the defense for winning this game. For those of you keeping track, that's five in a row.

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Now, on to something REALLY important...guess who's awesome?


ME, that's who!!


I won the Hank FM Pigskin Playoff last week! That's $250 just for being my usual football genius self.

Colts 23, Chargers 20

To quote the great John McClane, "Yippee ky yay, ______ ______!" You can fill in the blanks.

To quote the great Hunter Smith, "It was a good snap, a good kick, and I'm ready for an In-N-Out Burger."

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Now, on to Cleveland!

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Colts 33, Texans 27

This week's Colts recap will be a little different than usual. Robin was able to attend the game courtesy of her friend, Janaye (Happy Birthday, Shanaye-naye!). Since their seats were field level, Robin graciously agreed to be my guest photographer. Anyone who knows Robin won't be surprised to see that my camera was returned to me with at least 100 different photos of Dallas Clark. I'll spare you every single one, but here are the highlights:








....and anyone who knows me knows I am exaggerating a little. She did have a few good action shots, I just like to tease her! Most importantly, she did get a picture of the scoreboard at the end of the game!



So, that's three wins in a row for the Colts; Pey-Pey's QB rating and passing yards are up; Addai finally broke 100 yards rushing, and it looks like they found a real-live return specialist in Chad Simpson.

Oh, yeh....John and I celebrated our anniversary, but that story will have to wait for another time.

Colts 24, Steelers 20

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WOOOOT!!!!

The Colts have not won a game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh since 1968 - until today. It was a close game and very exciting up until (literally) the very last second of play.

Next Sunday, Houston at home, which just so happens to be our 23rd wedding anniversary. You know...the Colts are indirectly responsible for John and I meeting in the first place. Let's get in the Way Back Machine (otherwise known as a 1983 Le Car) and travel to July 16, 1984. Yes, the day before my 21st birthday. We were both playing on the IU Hospital Softball League. I was playing for the Radiation Oncology Team, and John was playing for the Radiology Team. The umpire didn't show up for the game, so a guy from each team was taking turns umpiring when their team was at bat. I was the catcher, and John was umping. As he and a teammate were waiting to start, they were talking about the Colts coming to Indy, blah, blah, blah. Me, thinking the other dude was cute, butted in on the conversation. My flirting was misinterpreted (John has a tendency to think everything is about him), which is just as well since the other guy was married. John, suitably impressed with my stellar athleticism and red short-shorts asked me out after the game. Our first date was the Old Timer's Baseball game at the newly built Hoosier Dome; and the rest is, as they say, history.

Twenty-four years later....this is the result of that fateful day.

Photo by The Camera Room

Colts 18, Patriots 15

Looks like my pre-game, good luck margarita did the trick!

Actually, I figured out the real reason the Colts are not playing so well. It’s because I haven’t been wearing my lucky game day underwear. I found the royal blue good luck charm in my top drawer, all but forgotten. Wore them to the game, we won. Coincidence? I don’t think so.



Regardless, Anthony Gonzalez finally got in the end zone for the first time this season, and he managed to do it twice.






That Dallas is so doggone helpful. He's getting the ball back from a fan so Gonzo can celebrate.



I am not complaining about a win, especially one over the Pats, but it's really not the same without Tom Brady, the sexiest man to ever pose with a goat. At least it was fun to see Beli-cheat looking pissed on the sidelines. Hey, Bill...you tired of getting beat by the Manning boys yet???

Colts 21, Titans 31

I am so despondent over this loss, I can't even come up with a post.

Colts 14, Packers 34

I don't know what else to say.

Colts 31, Ravens 3

Yippee ki ya!! Colts first victory in Lucas Oil Stadium!!

I bought one of the thimble-sized, $8 stadium margaritas before the game. Being fairly superstitious when it comes to the Colts, that will be my new pre-game ritual.

It was nice to see everyone operating on all cylinders. Of course, we couldn't get through a game without injury: Addai and Hart. Wonder what will happen there???

Have I mentioned I like our seats???

Marvin, coming out onto the field

Reggie always comes down to our end zone to fire up the crowd!

Kick off!

Flacco gets sacco-d by Robert Mathis.

Very nice of Marvin to score a TD in front of us!

Dallas is always the first one down to offer Congratulations!

Nice to see Pey Pey get his mojo back.

hmmmm...

Never saw this from inside the Dome....

Gotta give props to the defense.

LOVE it!

Now...on to Green Bay!