In The Bible

A little boy opened the big family bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible. He picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages. "Mama, look what I found", the boy called out. "What have you got there, dear?" With astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered, "I think it's Adam's underwear."

New Michigan State Football Coach

Here is your new Michigan State Football Coach Mark Dantonio..... He would have not been personally my first pick. I seriously thought there were alot better candidates out there. So for all you Spartan fans out there look for another losing season. You would have been better off sticking with John L. Smith...LOL Below are some facts about Mark Dantonio. Good Luck ! !

MARK DANTONIO
Cincinnati head coach

Dantonio is in his third year as head coach of the Bearcats. Cincinnati finished 7-5 in 2004 and 4-7 in 2005 (the team's first year in the Big East). The team is 5-5 this season.


MSU ties: Dantonio coached the Spartans' defensive backs from 1995-00. During that period, MSU appeared in the Independence, Sun, Aloha and Florida Citrus bowls. The Citrus Bowl-winning team from 1999 boasted the No. 12 defense in the nation and finished with a 10-2 record.


Analysis: Like Todd Grantham, Dantonio has history with MSU, but he lacks the "winning" quality displayed by some of the other candidates. That may improve with time. Cincinnati has never been a football power.

Heavenly Humor

A man dies and goes to heaven. Of course, St. Peter meets him at the pearly gates. St. Peter says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in."

"Okay," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart." "That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!" "Three points?" he says.

"Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithe and service." "Terrific!" says St. Peter, "that's certainly worth a point." "One point? Goodness.

How about this: I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans." "Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says. "TWO POINTS!!" the man cries.

"At this rate the only way I get into heaven is by the grace of God!"

"Come on in!"

1 CROSS + 3 NAILS = 4 GIVEN

Tom Izzo + Michigan State Football = ???

Izzo recently has been the subject of Internet and media speculation involving the replacement for fired football coach John L. Smith. Izzo was asked at his weekly news conference if he might become a candidate.
"I think it was far-fetched when it started," Izzo said of the speculation about his possible candidacy.
Izzo acknowledged he has always had an interest in football.

Happy Thanksgiving

"HAPPY THANKSGIVING"

WHY NOTRE DAME???

Well it looks like Michigan Wolverines only hope for a shot at the National Title and a rematch against Ohio St. is for Notre Dame to defeat USC and Florida St to defeat Florida Gators. So this week I am going to become a fan of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and Florida St. Seminoles. Let me tell you honestly these are two teams I really hate with a passion but, if it takes me to be a fan to get Michigan a rematch and a chance at the title........then I will do what it takes. Also on a plus side it would make my wife happy because, Wisconsin would then get to play in the Rose Bowl. So Yes..... you read this right..... GO IRISH BEAT THE USC TROJANS ! !

Close But No Cigar ! ! ! !

Well today's game didn't turn out exactly how I wanted it too. It was a very good game and both teams really showed off their offense and very little defense. The final score was Ohio St. 42 and Michigan 39. There is still some light that these two teams could meet again for the national title. My congratulations goes out to the Ohio St. Buckeyes for playing a well hard fought game and winning the Big Ten Title outright. Now lets just keep our fingers crossed and with a little luck we will meet again in about 5 weeks. None the less we are guaranteed to play in the Rose Bowl if we do not keep the #2 BCS ranking. Go Blue ! ! !

#1OHIO ST. BUCKEYES - vs- #2. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

The 103-year rivalry between Michigan and Ohio State might be the richest in college sports. Today at 3:30 EST I am gearing up to probably watch one of the biggest games in college football history of my life time. I am hoping this will be a close game with Michigan coming out on top with a "V"ictory. This is a tough day with the recent loss of a Michigan Legend Bo Schembechler. So lets get ready and go out and win one for "BO".

Bo Schembechler 1929-2006

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Legendary coach Bo Schembechler, the winningest head coach in University of Michigan football history, passed away Friday morning (Nov. 17) due to heart failure at Detroit Providence Hospital. He was 77 years old.
Bo Schembechler photo
Schembechler

Schembechler's teams won or tied for an impressive 13 Big Ten championships during his 21-year tenure. Under Schembechler's guidance, Michigan's 96-10-3 regular-season record through the decade of the 1970s was the nation's best. He guided 17 teams to postseason bowl games -- including 10 Rose Bowls -- and another 17 to top-10 finishes in the final wire service polls (Associated Press and/or United Press International).

In Schembechler's 27 years of coaching, his teams never had a losing season. Upon stepping down after the 1989 season, Bo retired as the winningest active coach in the nation (234-65-8) and fifth on the all-time list, behind only coaching legends Paul 'Bear' Bryant, Amos Alonzo Stagg, Glen 'Pop' Warner and Woody Hayes. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Schembechler served as Michigan's director of athletics between 1988-90, and is a past president of the American Football Coaches Association.

A PICTURE WORTH A MILLION WORDS

Let us NEVER forget that freedom is not FREE!

A Picture Worth A Million Words.

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you,
Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.


One died for your soul;
the other for your freedom.

Tyler, Rhoda, Titus, and Kara Nelson

Here is a couple pictures of my Brother-in-Laws kids..... Tyler(oldiest), Rhoda, Titus, Kara (youngiest). I just thought these pictures were adorable. My family doesn't get to see them very often so we are looking forward to seeing them over Christmas.

Fox Radio Interview with Dan Whisnant

Major Dan Whisnant is a member of my church and a personal friend of mine. He is serving his 2nd tour of duty in Iraq. In the interview above you will here a solid 8 minutes of how well his Marines are doing and what they are actually accomplishing in Iraq. Please take a moment of your time and just listen to this interview and say a brief prayer for our Men and Women who are laying their own lives on the line to Defeat terrorism and protect our "FREEDOM". If you can't stand behind our troops then why don't you go and stand in front of them. God Bless our Marines ! !

Semper Fi~

Brian Cooper

Plastic jack-o'-lantern threatens deer's life

Michigan makes national news again ! ! ! ! Will somebody just shoot this deer...... There are some good steaks and burger that could possibly go to waste if this deer continues to wander around and die from this pumpkin on its snout ! ! !

CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Michigan (AP) -- A plastic jack-o'-lantern meant for collecting Halloween candy is threatening the life of a small deer that frequently visits a gated community.

The fake pumpkin has been stuck on the animal's snout for at least several days. It appears to be snagged on the young buck's ears or horn buds and is keeping the animal from eating and possibly drinking.

Animal experts who went to the neighborhood Thursday to assess the situation got within about 35 yards of the deer, said Bert Vescolani, director of the John Ball Zoo in nearby Grand Rapids.

Zoo personnel, as well as other animal experts, planned to return to the site Friday. They hope to shoot a tranquilizer dart into the deer, remove the plastic jack-o'-lantern after the buck becomes unconscious and take the animal somewhere to recover until he can be released back into the wild.

"He seems to be doing pretty well," Vescolani said. "I'm always amazed at how wildlife makes it sometimes, even under the hardest conditions."

Anesthetizing the buck and taking him away carries some degree of risk, Vescolani said, but the creature surely will die of starvation or dehydration unless the plastic pumpkin is removed from his head.

The bucket also would make it much easier for hunters to see the animal when the state's hunting season begins Wednesday.

Vescolani said he and the others will do their best to save the deer.

"There are a lot of folks trying to do the right thing, and hopefully we'll get the right results that'll be the best for the animal," he said.

BCS or PLAYOFF

When the new Bowl Championship Series rankings came out this week, the debate began as to whether undefeated Louisville is more deserving to play in the national championship game than a one-loss team with a tougher schedule. Everyone has an opinion as to which two teams should be playing for the national championship, but let's face it – there is no totally correct answer to this question. Or should I say that the correct answer is that the BCS system really never can give us a correct answer.

It’s almost like a multiple-choice exam where the correct answer is the one that is closest to the actual answer. If you’re confused with that analogy, welcome to the BCS.

So I started thinking, what if we were having a playoff at the end of the season? What would the discussions be like today? We would not be wondering who were going to be the top two teams at the end of the season, but who the top eight teams (in my playoff scenario, anyway) would be. Shoot, every undefeated and one-loss team in the country – and their fans – still would be in the hunt for a national championship. Talk about enhancing the value and protecting the integrity of the regular season.

I decided to put together an eight-team playoff based on last weeks BCS standings, which, of course, will change by the end of the season. No offense to basketball, but I called it December Delirium (I get that a lot of the games are in January, but the Final Four often is in April and that hasn't stopped the "March Madness" label).

Here are some of the considerations I took into account:


I took the top eight BCS schools and seeded them strictly by ranking.
I used the four BCS games and three other ones randomly selected as the sites for each playoff game (the games could be rotated among bowls just as they are now).
I tried to pick a weekend or holiday to play so every game could be shown on prime-time TV and to give each team a week off between games.
All the other bowls still would be played throughout the holidays just like they are now (kind of like basketball's NIT).

So without further fanfare, I give you …

Bob Barker to say goodbye to TV !

Bob Barker is heading toward his last showcase, his final "Come on down."

The silver-haired daytime-TV icon is retiring in June, he told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

"I will be 83 years old on December 12," he said, "and I've decided to retire while I'm still young."

He'll hang up his microphone after 35 years as the host of "The Price Is Right" and 50 years overall in television.

Though he has been considering retirement for "at least 10 years," Barker said he has so much fun doing the show that he hasn't been able to leave.

"I've gone on and on and on to this ancient age because I've enjoyed it," he said. "I've thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm going to miss it."

Reaching dual milestones, 50 years on TV and 35 with "Price," made this an "appropriate" time to retire, Barker said. Besides, hosting the daily CBS program -- in which contestants chosen from the crowd "come on down" to compete for "showcases" that include trips, appliances and new cars -- is "demanding physically and mentally," he said.

"I'm just reaching the age where the constant effort to be there and do the show physically is a lot for me," he said. "I might be able to do the show another year, but better (to leave) a year too soon than a year too late."

Leslie Moonves, president and CEO of CBS Corporation, said Barker has left an enduring mark on the network, calling his contribution and loyalty "immeasurable."

Just Because............

Today on my way home I stopped at Vandersalm's and Flipse Flowers and purchased my wife a dozen colorful roses! The question has been asked WHY? My only response is "Just Because"...... Just Because I Love Her, Just Because she is my beautiful wife, Just because she is the BEST MOTHER a child could ask for, Just Because she is a hard worker..... and most of all Just Because I CAN ! ! ! I Love My Wife With entire left ventricle (that if for all you cardiac wizards out there?) I Love You Sweetie and I hope you enjoy the roses ! ! !

TOP 10 REASON YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2006.......

1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave.

2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.

3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.

4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.

5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.

6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.

7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen.

8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't even have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.

9. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee.

10. You start tilting your head sideways to smile.:)

CLUELESSNESS ! ! !

ISN'T THIS THE TRUTH ! ! !

Them Good Old Days ! ! !

[Many are too young to remember the milkman coming daily to the house and setting milk in a little insulated case by the door. If you needed anything special or wanted to communicate, you simply left a note. Here are notes left for milkmen -most came from the UK where milk is still delivered this way, so you'll notice a slight, endearing British ambience to them.]

"Dear Milkman, I've just had a baby, please leave another one."

"Please leave an extra pint of paralysed milk."

"Cancel one pint after the day after today."

"Please don't leave any more milk. All they do is drink it"

"Milkman please close the gate behind you because the birds keep pecking the tops off the milk."

"Please cancel milk. I have nothing coming into the house but two sons on the dole."

"Sorry not to have paid your bill before, but my wife had a baby and I've been carrying it around in my pocket for weeks."

"Sorry about yesterdays note. I didn't mean one egg and a dozen pints, but the other way round."

"When you leave my milk, knock on my bedroom window and wake me because I want you to give me a hand to turn the mattress."

"Please knock. My TV's broken down and I missed last night's programs. If you saw any, will you tell me what happened over a cup of tea."

"My daughter says she wants a milkshake. Do you do it before you deliver or do I have to shake the bottle?"

"Please send me a form for cheap milk, for I have a baby two months old and did not know about it until a neighbor told me."

"Milk is needed for the baby. Father is unable to supply it."

"From now on please leave two pints every other day and one pint on the days in between, except Wednesdays and Saturdays when I don't want any milk."

"My back door is open. Please put milk in 'fridge, get money out of cup in drawer and leave change on kitchen table in pence, because we want to play bingo tonight."

"Please leave no milk today. When I say today, I mean tomorrow, for I wrote this note yesterday."

"When you leave the milk please put the coal on the boiler, let dog out and put newspaper inside the screen door. PS. Don't leave any milk.

"No milk. Please do not leave milk at No. 14 either as he is dead until further notice."

DID YOU VOTE? ? ?

Well when I got out of work tonight I made my drive straight to the polls. I got right in and right out with a quick and easy time at the voting booth. To say the least I feel I did my part as a citizen of the United States ! ! This could be a late night as I stay up and watch the results....... Hopefully Governor Granholm goes down but, it looks unlikely at the moment.

Kalamazoo Holiday Parade

This past Saturday I had the privilege of walking in the Kalamazoo Holiday Parade. I work at Bronson Methodist Hospital sponsors the balloon "Mistletoes" which is seen in the picture above. It took nearly 24 employees to carry the balloon and we had 30+ volunteers so I just walked and waved to the 30,000 plus spectators. It was a great day for a parade and I hope everyone enjoyed. Wishing you all a Happy Holiday Season from now until New Years. God Bless You All ! ! !

Golfing with Friends

Today I had a great opportunity to golf with a couple friends of mine Jayme and Darren. The weather was actually nice for being a November day. As usual Jayme showed us up with his pitching wedge and 9 iron. I just love watching him golf as he amazes me how far he can hit that golf ball. We over all just had a good time golfing and hanging out and goofing off like guys normally do. The highlight was "Ball Hawking" we found approximately 76 golf balls in about a 15 minute time span.... Not Bad. We donated them to Darren as he really enjoys them colorful girl balls ! ! ! Thanks Jayme I had a great time golfing even though I played so horrible ! !

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 7th, 2006

Tomorrow is "ELECTION DAY" people all across the nation will be voting on various different things. I know the State of Michigan will be voting on Governor, US Senate, State Wide Proposals 1 - 5, and other State wide Offices.

This is your chance to have a part in the final outcome. I get tired of people complaining about the end results of an election to only find out they never even voted. I usually get the famous comment "Like one vote matters"! Well can you imagine how many people have said or are saying that? That is why I encourage you that if you can get out and vote to please do so ! ! ! YOUR VOTE DOES MATTER ! ! !

Arlington Nation Cemetery

Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.


Know the line has held, your job is done.


Rest easy, sleep well.


Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.


Peace, peace, and farewell...

Happy Halloween

Bryce had two good days at school so he earned his way to be able to go trick-or treating with all his friends in Galesburg. Each year on Halloween our friends meet together in Galesburg, MI at the Couch's house and take all of our kids trick-or-treating. My wife and I apologize for the foggy picture but, the cold on the camera left us with a bad image. Bryce is in the center with his SPD POWER RANGER. He is very good at going all out in his power ranger character. They had a lot of fun and received too much candy.

Pop-Warner Flag Football

Last weekend we went and watched Jared Couch play Pop-Warner Flag Football. He plays for the Kansas City Chiefs so you can see this League is sponsored by the NFL. Jared's Dad Bryan Couch is the coach and does a good job with these little guys. It was a cold and rainy/snowy day. We managed to sit and watch the game all bundled up in our winter garb. Even though Jared's team barely loss they did a very good job and played with great enthusiasm. Look forward to watching him play again next year..... who knows maybe Bryce can even play ! !

NFL or NBA ? ? ?

NBA OR NFL?

36 have been accused of spousal abuse



7 have been arrested for fraud



19 have been accused of writing bad checks



117 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses



3 have done time for assault



71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit


14 have been arrested on drug-related charges



8 have been arrested for shoplifting



21 currently are defendants in lawsuits, and



84 have been arrested for drunk driving in the last year

Can you guess which organization this is?






Give up yet? . . .






Neither, it's the 535 members of the United States Congress.


The same group of Idiots that crank out hundreds of new laws each year
designed to keep the rest of us in line.

Beautiful Day For A Balloon Ride.

Last week I took this picture as this HOT AIR BALLOON flew right over the top of our house. It was a cool yet, nice enough day to launch off from Fletcher Field Park off of 9th St. I am sure this was a short yet nice balloon trip. Often all through the spring, summer and fall season we see this balloon fly over our neighborhood at least on a weekly basis. I just Love to watch Hot Air Balloons and I especially love going to the Battle Creek International Balloon show every chance I can get. This is something that Bryce and I really enjoy together. Maybe someday I can take him on a Balloon ride.... He states he doesn't like the fire that blows the balloon up while in the air.

Sen John Kerry claims " I Botched A Joke"

(The picture above is from out troops in IRAQ responding to Sen. John Kerry's statement below ! ! I personally think this is great.)

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry continued to defend himself Wednesday over remarks he made about U.S. soldiers in Iraq.
“I’m not going to let these guys distort something completely out of its context solely for the purpose of avoiding responsibility, which is what they’re doing,” said Kerry. “Look, everybody knows I botched a joke. It’s not the first time anybody’s done that, Don. Am I right?”

Kerry called into the Don Imus in the Morning Show on NBC Wednesday.

The senator claimed he was joking when he said, “You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.”

Kerry said his comment was a botched joke, and called on the Bush Administration to apologize for their policy in Iraq.

Michigan Border Patrol

KNOW WHY THERE ARE FEWER ILLEGALS COMING IN THROUGH UPPER MICHIGAN?

MEET THE UPPER MICHIGAN BORDER PATROL! ! !