2007 Ending Very Well For KY Sports

Kentucky routs Florida International - 92 -49 in basketball and then squeaks out a win in football 35-28 over FL State in the Music City Bowl. If Air Force had beat Cal in their bowl game, it would have been a perfect day in our sports world.

My Head Is Spinning...

Sports Overload? Ky Basketball - Noon Today - Fox Sports South - Air Force Bowl Game - 12:30 today on ESPN - KY Football - Music City Bowl - 4:00 today - ESPN. Unprecedented in my lifetime. It's either going to be a really great day or a not so so great day. Should be interesting. Go Cats! (Twice) Go Falcons! Justin & Kacey (FL State alum) have a bet on today's Music City Bowl. The loser must wear the other team's apparel during all football games next season. I'll post a standing bet right now whoever wants a piece of it. The bet is for a peanut butter milkshake. KY beats FL State by at least 7. (I love peanut butter milkshakes)

Since I Go To Bed Kinda Early...

I taped the Patriots-Giants game and watched it at 6:00 this morning. The Patriots lived up to their expectations, I got to witness sports history in the making plus I got my beauty rest. I would love to see them win the Super Bowl. Maybe I can stay up for that one but if not, thank God for the DVR.

America’s Most Literate Cities, 2007

When it comes to being book smart, Lexington is on the move. Topping Central Connecticut State University's list are Minneapolis, Seattle, St. Paul, Denver and Washington, DC. Everything from newspaper circulation to the number of libraries and bookstores determine the rankings. In our region, Lexington at # 17 scored better than Nashville, Columbus, Indianapolis and Louisville.
COMPLETE LIST HERE

Predictions For 2008

Here are my predictions for 2008. Feel free to add your own. The amazing Karnak has been known to miss a few.
Rest of 2007 - Our economy will continue to be labeled as "extremely disappointing" although retail sales will be almost 4% higher than last year. Could it be that people are waking up to the consequences of debt and spending less? Presidential politics will continue to dominate the headlines although frankly, most Americans could care less. We will see stories everywhere of the importance of healthy eating and losing weight. KY defeats FL State in the Music City Bowl and receives zero credit for the accomplishment
Early 2008 - My total knee replacement will be a complete success and I will be able to ride a bicycle and take fairly long walks with Mary for the first time in years. Andrew & Lyndsey will take over their own Chick-Fil-A franchise in Stuart, FL and Rick will emerge from his divorce stronger than ever. Our dog Gracie will continue to show signs of improvement in her relations with Chubs and Allie. Kay & Jeff become grandparents! The KY basketball team will lose 4 games in January and 4 games in February and will be on track for the first losing basketball season in I can't remember when. Justin finishes up more special operations training in Oklahoma.
Spring 2008 - Weather will be in the headlines as tornadoes wreck havoc on trailer parks. Hillary Clinton will be touted by the mainstream media as our first female president and the media will be forced to report success in the War on Terror although they don't want to admit there is a War on Terror. I will begin playing golf as my new knee allows me to chase stray golf balls hit into wrong fairways. Flooding will be blamed on global warming. Justin & Kacey will marry and begin a wonderful life together. Katrina victims will still be trying to get help. Rick will be amazed at his new life and what God has helped him through.
Summer 2008 - As another drought sets into various parts of the country, global warming will be touted as the cause and the momentum of "going green" will be at an all time high. Hillary Clinton will still be touted as our next president as the War on Terror continues to show progress. Hurricane Katrina victims will still be trying to get help. Troops will begin pulling out of Iraq - not because of any success - but because of the pressure from the Democratic congress. A trip to Arkansas to see Kay & Jeff and some fantastic fly fishing will take place.
Fall 2008 - Global warming will be blamed for the lack of fall colors in leaves. Hillary Clinton will become our 44th President. KY Football kicks off with high expectations, despite the meaningless win over FL State in the bowl game. Lyndsey & Andrew travel to KY to see the fantastic fall colors despite the stories of a lack of fall colors. Hurricane season produces 8 fewer hurricanes than predicted - due to global warming.
Winter 2008 - We will see snowstorms that will be blamed on global warming. Gas prices will be at an all-time high as we begin to hear talk of a recession and how Hillary and the new administration will be able to save us all. Katrina victims will be anxiously awaiting the Hillary administration's ability to solve all their problems. Universal healthcare will be on the front burner as we anxiously await Hillary's ability to solve all our healthcare woes. We will hear stories of how Christ has been taken out of Christmas but no one will care. We get news that many family members will be able to get together for Christmas. Predictions of a woeful economic Christmas will be in the headlines but it could be our last poorly performing Christmas because the new Hillary administration will be able to navigate us through all economic problems. Real estate rebounds in anticipation of the new Hillary administration. KY will be going bowling for the third year in a row. KY Basketball is kicking a__. Gracie, Chubs and Allie will lay together on the den floor. My new knee allows me to do the most Christmas shopping ever. God is still running the show so I can relax.

Gotta Love It...

Merry Christmas!

The Birth of Jesus - Luke 2:1-20
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

What Is She Dreaming?

http://www.livevideo.com

A Racist and Offensive Christmas Card?

We received a Christmas card from a relative in Ohio (I feel almost positively certain they will never see my blog) who said on the card "glad you are back to Hillbilly country." What is it that makes people do that? It is a derogatory statement that seems to flow freely from some people's mouths who think nothing about the offensive overtones. I'm thinking seriously about asking the government for some kind of restitution. How do you think this would make my ancestors feel? I am getting quite tired of the profiling and the stereotyping by some who apparently have no concern for the feelings of others. Hillbilly? Why...I tell you what...I ain't gonna put up with it no more. Dadgum it...it's really startin to get my goat! I got me half a mind to load me up some buckeyes in the pick up and pay me a visit to Ohio and start throwing buckeyes through some winders. Ya'll with me? Best I can tell theres Hillbillys everwear, not just in Kintucky. Reckon?

How About Some Winter?

http://www.livevideo.com

FL State's Roster Gets Chopped

ESPN Reports "At least 20 Florida State football players will be suspended from playing against Kentucky in the Dec. 31 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl, as well as the first three games of the 2008 season, for their roles in an academic cheating scandal involving an Internet-based course, a source with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday morning."
I actually hate to see this for two reasons. 1. I would have liked to have beat them when they're at full strength. 2. I like Bobby Bowden and I hate seeing this happen under his watch. The question I have is, if they have known about this since May, what took so long?

Give Us Your Best Shot

The Turners on Chinoe Drive are the best in Lexington, KY when it comes to Christmas lights. Let's see what ya got. Email it to jmwest47@gmail.com and I'll post it. There will be fewer lights burning bright this year at the Turner family's annual holiday display outside their home. But inside, the family battered and bruised will all be accounted for. Ron Turner was badly hurt Sept. 19 in the crash of a private plane that also seriously injured his son, Daren Turner. The accident occurred when Turner's plane ran out of gas less than a mile from the Chattanooga, Tenn., airport. No one was killed.
"Actually, they thought I was dead," Ron Turner said. He broke ribs, collarbone and vertebrae; injured his chest and lungs; and suffered a concussion. Turner says the injuries will keep him from putting up the family's usual light show: Santa Claus with sleigh, a Nativity scene and 55,000 colored lights. "I can't go to the magnitude I did in the past," said Turner, founder and chairman of Amteck of Kentucky, an engineering and electrical contracting company, and Turner Development. "I have 59 screws and seven steel plates inside me," he said. Daren Turner suffered broken lower vertebrae, and he still wears a back brace and has limited movement. The Turners have been lighting up their house for 25 seasons, and the display has become more elaborate in the last few years. This year, Turner says he will cut back to 30,000 colored lights, along with the usual 20 floodlights. "It's hard on both of us," said Ron Turner's wife, Linda. "We feel we're letting down the community. We hope they will understand." They will continue to donate gifts to needy children, they said.
The Turners said they have been overwhelmed by cards and flowers they have received since the plane crash.
"Perhaps next year we can go back to the way it was before," Ron Turner said. "That's my hope and prayer."Merry Christmas!

Send A Letter To Santa...

Hi, I'm Bif, the elf in Santa's Mailroom. This is where all of Santa's letters from boys and girls get delivered in time for Christmas. This sure is a busy time for me in the Mailroom, every time I turn around there's another bag for me to sort!
Santa really loves to get letters from boys and girls. They tell him if they have been naughty or nice and what they want for Christmas. I know Santa would like to get a letter from you. All you have to do is click HERE and I'll help you write your letter to Santa.

We Lost Again...Why? Lack of Effort. UAB 79 -UK- 76

I knew we didn't have the talent. Why? Because Tubby left the cupboard bare...he didn't recruit worth a darn the last 5 years. The fans knew it. I thought however, we could make up the difference from a lack of talent this year with effort, because Billy Gillispie is known for getting the best of his players. The truth is - I'm not seeing the effort. That in my book is due to a lack of motivation and motivation comes from the coach, so you draw the conclusion. Maybe you can't motivate players you don't recruit; I don't know. We have 2 key players injured and another huge recruit who transferred out and those are legitimate excuses but...we have now lost to - Gardner Webb and University of Alabama / Birmingham, along with blowouts to North Carolina and Indiana. I'm just looking for effort and I'm not seeing it and that is discouraging.

Is Christmas Important?

FYI - Nine Democrats vote 'no' on Christmas resolution.
(Associated Press report OneNewsNow.com December 13, 2007)
The U.S. House has passed a resolution "Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith"-- but it wasn't unanimous. The measure was approved by a vote of 372-to-9, with all of the "no" votes cast by Democrats. A similar resolution recognizing the importance of Ramadan and the Islamic faith was passed unanimously in October.
The nine votes against the Christmas resolution were cast by Gary Ackerman and Yvette Clarke of New York; Diana Degette of Colorado; Alcee Hastings of Florida; Jim McDermott of Washington; Bobby Scott of Virginia; and Barbara Lee, Pete Stark and Lynn Woolsey of California.

Welcome Home Gracie!

She was picked up in Scott County by animal control and then placed into a "foster home" for 3 weeks. That's how they do it in Scott County. There is no official shelter. People volunteer to house stray pets. We found her on line through kypets.com and after filling out a 2-page application and after they checked our references, and conducted an in-home visit, we were deemed good enough to "adopt." She's a keeper! A real sweetie. One of the smartest dogs I have ever come across. She is about 7 months old. So far, there have been 2 encounters with Chubs the cat (one included a chase scene through the house, the other was a stare down ended by a hunch-back hiss) but I can tell Gracie won't hurt the cats. They have teamed up and have been huddling together under the bed scheming up a game plan of survival. I think Allie talked Chubs into going downstairs to see what was going on and that's what started the chase scene. I'm sure they will come up with another plan. Gracie may just bring Chubs and Allie closer together. How cool is that? Even though there's 4 females in the house now, they still let me watch sports on the big TV.

It's No Longer Just A Slogan - It's A Requirement!

CONGRATULATIONS TO LYNDSEY & ANDREW! THEY HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE CHICK-FIL-A FRANCHISE FOR THE STUART MALL LOCATION IN STUART, FL!!! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU! GREAT JOB ANDREW!!
The new gig begins March 1st after much training. Love ya!
Mama & Pops

Special Guest Posting From My Close Friend

Crisis at NEW LIFE CHURCH
I have worked in Christian radio for over 20 years.
I have worked for some of the most well-known Christian ministries in the nation. I have had a few impressive titles. But that’s not MY ministry! It never has been!
MY ministry is the same as yours… to “do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.” That’s what I am called to do. I try to live this out in my home, my work, and my church. I just happen to work at a ministry that is doing great things nationwide (WAY-FM), but that’s my job, not my ministry.
Now, the shootings have happened at MY church…WOW! I am truly shaken to the core. This hits so close to home. I have a 15 and 18 year old daughter, just like Mr. Works. (Who lost his daughters and was also shot) I go out of that same exit at the church almost every Sunday morning at about 1pm. For some strange reason (oh yeah, it was the weather), I didn’t attend New Life last Sunday. I stayed home, and received a phone call at 1:25pm, as the incident was just happening. It was a good friend, who was safe. Then, I watched the news like everyone else.
My family and friends are all ok. But my church, and my emotions are shaken. Something like this really could happen anytime anywhere!!!! The only safe place is heaven. I’m thinking that I need to get back to MY ministry…(Note: I’m not quitting my job at WAY-FM.) I’m going to hug my kids more. I’m going to pray for their safety every single day. I’m going to call them on their cell phones several times a day and I’m going to take their phone call (even if I am in a meeting). I’m going to work to improve my relationship with my teenage daughter. I’m going to spend more time talking with my kids about life and death and God and priorities. I’m going to shake more hands and learn more names next Sunday at church. I’m going to carry this into my workplace, too.
Pray for New Life. We are shaken. Pray that there will never be a copycat of this. And get back to YOUR ministry.
Faron Dice is the General Manager of the CHRISTIAN HIT RADIO SATELLITE NETWORK part of the WAY-FM Media Group, Inc. in Colorado Springs, CO. (This is the company I work for and Faron is a huge reason why) You can contact him at faron@chrsn.com

Helping You Get In The Spirit

The Love Bowl - Coming soon to ESPN

(Read in your movie or TV show promo voice)
Her name is Kacey Fields. She grew up in Tallahassee, FL as a die-hard FL State fan attending football games since the age of 7. His name is Justin West, a true-blue KY fan since birth. The two fell in love but little did they know their relationship would lead to direct confrontation in the form of a football bowl game - The Music City Bowl. Can their relationship survive such an unexpected turn? Who will win such an important, relationship-testing ball game? One answer can be found some where on a desolate FL beach. Tune in, December 31st - 4pm eastern time for the THE MUSIC CITY BOWL, live from LP FIELD - HOME OF THE TITANS and find out...the rest of the story.