15 Secrets – Female Football Survival Surprises

15 Secrets of Women and Football

15 Secrets – Female Football Survival Surprises

Every Football season there is an article or conversation on how women will survive it.   One of the biggest assumptions is that women don’t understand football and who are the players.  So so wrong.  They just have a different perspective than men.  Here are the 15 Secrets to understanding women and football.

First some stats

Regular female viewers of the NFL surpasses both the NBA and the MLB . The staggering number is 45 million women watched the last Super Bowl. That’s more than both the Grammy Awards and the Academy Awards. Women are 44% of the NFL fan base.  The number of female watchers even beats Dancing With The Stars, the Voice and Grey’s Anatomy.  But, the numbers are slipping quite a bit lately.

Now the 15 Secrets

 Secret #1Game Rules -Whether they watch or not, women know the rules of football.  They also know the players.  I’ve learned somehow by osmosis,  from being a cheerleader and coming from a huge sports family.  While Chip is glued to the TV screen and I’m multitasking, I insert things into the conversation such as: didn’t x player play for Buffalo and the Titans before that?  Chip looks puzzled, but he’s gotten used to it.
Secret #2Sports Attire – If women wants to wear a Patriots jersey, she’ll buy it herself.  Now “yay” to the merchandisers at the NFL, because there is some cute attire now.  However, this is not a great gift.  Even for a Packers’ fan.  Best gifts for women still include: shoes, jewelry, trips and clothes.  Sure hope Chip reads this.
Secret #3 – Game Day Food – If a women watches the game with you, she doesn’t want wings, chips, pizza and subs for food. You may have a chance with sliders, if they are done right.   If it’s not on the menu during the week, it’s still not on game day/days.
Secret #4 – Myth of Football Widow -There is no such thing as a football widow.  If a woman tries to make you think they feel neglected during football season, she’s pulling a fast one.  Women are happy to watch when they want to; go shopping; watch romantic comedies in another room, read a book or have a day with a girlfriend.  Don’t fall into this trap.
Secret #5 – Cooking for the guys – Granted men and women get together to watch football, but don’t expect the woman in your life to cook for everyone every week.  Some might enjoy it, but every week … ahhh … no.

Want more? Secrets 6-10

Secret #6 – Football Pools – If given a football sheet to pick who the winners will be each week, a women will win.  She may pick with team colors in mind.  Some pick by following the game or reading it in passing,  She may even look at the spread from Vegas.  And, some just take a shot.   No matter the method, she will win.

Secret #7 – Swearing – If a women doesn’t normally swear, she won’t during the game.  She will come up with alternative things to say.  One of my favorites is …”that wasn’t nice at all.”

Secret # 8 – Good plays – A good play is a good play.  Even if a women is supporting their favorite team, if the other team makes a good play, she’ll give them credit.  She feels these athletes are as good as it gets.  They should be recognized for flipping over another player, while catching a ball with double coverage and somehow escaping to run down the field.  It is what it is.

Secret # 9 – People in the stands –  If a women knows a friend is at the game, she will look for them.  Even if they are in a section that never gets air time, she will be relentless in her pursuit.

Secret #10 – Men in their man caves – She gets a kick out of the “He-man Women’s Hater Clubs.”  Someone I know has all his friends over every Sunday during football season.  Most of the men and one woman are divorced.  After a few beers, they start discussing specifics of their divorces.  So instead being a football clutch, they are a “Little Rascals” episode.  I don’t know which is Alfalfa, but I will get back to you on that one.

11-15 are the most insightful

Secret #11 -The national anthem – Women like seeing who sings the national anthem.  They like seeing the military present the colors.  Women also can get teary-eyed during it if military are present.  They understand  how much the two things go together.

Secret #12 – Faces of the players – Inevitably, after a good play or bad one, the camera pans to the player on the bench.  Women look at the expression on their face.  Not to see if they are happy, proud or mighty.  I say things like, “Aww, he is so sweet, look at that expression on his face. I bet he’s really nice.”  Chip  is not a fan of this assessment of the game.

Secret #13 – Injuries – If someone gets hurt or there’s a face mask, she will be concerned and upset.  There are rules, but people should play nice.   If it’s a really bad injury, I turn my head and have Chip tell me what’s happening.

Secret #14 – Women as coaches – The NFL now has it’s first two female coaches (Jennifer Welter, Cardinals and Kathryn Smith, Bills) and there should be more of them.  Women read situations better, motivate better and recognize strengths and weakness faster and know how to immediately correct them.  However, I have been told I cannot be a professional football coach.  It goes back to when I used to bring snacks to kid games.  One time my son said to his coach, “I’m going to take a break and sit with my mom”  Then he sat with me eating strawberries and blueberries for the rest of the game.  After this story, Chip believes if I were a coach, there would be snacks and circle time on the sidelines.  So, my next job will not be NFL coach, because Chip is right.

Secret #15 – Watch this –  If I had a nickle for every time Chip said, “watch this.” about a replay,   I’m sitting right next to him.  I saw it.

The end zone

Football is a religion to some; entertainment to others and an opportunity to briefly escape the responsibilities of life for awhile for more.  Men and women can enjoy the sport together now that 15 secrets are revealed.

Did we miss a secret?  Let us know.

Social Media Personalities in My World

Social media personalities

Social Media Personalities

Today I happened to run across two stories listing the different types of social media personalities.  Then, I started to laugh because people in my social media world are none of those listed.  If you want to just see my list, scroll down to the bottom.

List one from the UK

Well actually in this list I have two that could go with those in my personal list.  See of you can guess which ones.

1. The oversharer

They share every minutia detail of their life on every social media site. Example: posting about how long their friend’s ( not even their) run was on every social media platform.

2. The proud parent

“Look at my beautiful daughter getting 12 A*s in her GCSEs” easily translates as “I am an amazing parent with some pretty fantastic genes, right?”  Let’s face it, all our kids are awesome at something and they deserve a post but it’s their accomplishments, not their parents.

3. The person who can’t use social media

I’m not even going to share the write up on this one.  It’s adorable when my older relatives  write to me as if a letter vs  a post.  It’s also sweet that they like every picture I post from a vacation.  If I’m super happy for one of my friends, I like every picture too.

4. The most boring person in the world

You know you should unfollow them, but you keep them around just to show your friends how boring this person is. To me, they should not be unfollowed;  how about asking what they think of something or sending a private message checking on how they are.

5. The demanding person

This will be the person who sends 40 tweets a day asking for help. “Does anyone know a good builder in Shropshire?”  No idea why they can’t use a search engine;  BT’s more than £3bn investment in superfast broadband should help them find the answers.

6. The ones who selfie all the time

A total of 48pc of Brits say not having access to the internet leads to loneliness, so what better way to combat that by posting selfies and waiting for the likes to roll in?  Wow!

7. The ones who want to debate everything

“I really hate David Attenborough” said no one ever, apart from the person gunning for a fight on social media. Perhaps, their goal is show off their on-point debating skills.

8. The truly hilarious person

There’s always somebody who shares the best meme or writes the funniest joke. This is (probably) why BT rolled out fibre broadband across the UK, so we could get the funny person’s social media posts superfast and brighten up our day.

A completely different list of social media personalities

This list is just out there.  It was written by someone who actually works for a social media company.

Her’s his list:

1. The Social Athlete

This is the person who posts pictures of themselves working out.  Then it goes on to say all these other traits such as serious, quiet, good concentration, etc.

This actually the person Planet Fitness would not let in

2. The Social Luddite

This is supposed to not like change or technology.  It’s suggested they are quiet and reluctant to participate on social media.  Um why are they on social media then  I know a bunch of people who aren’t.  No one forces you to get a FaceBook page; or do they?

3. The Social Nurturer

The are warm-hearted, popular and conscientious.  Usually put the needs of others above their own needs.  They are big users of multiple emoticons.   Sanz the emoticons, this is what most of my friends are like.

4. The Social Lazies

This description made no sense.  It reads they are quiet, reflective & idealist but also run online communities & has many profiles.  Then go dormant.

5. The Social Geek

These people are Independent, original, analytical and determined.  They think long range. Have very high standards for their performance and the performance of others.  Their profile picts: are Photoshop’ed — includes a Star Wars character, attractive girls or tech CEO’s.

6. The Social Doer

Friendly, adaptable & action-oriented. “Doers” are focused on immediate results but are also impatient with long explanations.  Not usually respectful of laws & rules if they get in the way of getting things done. Photos: feature drunken escapades or extreme sports.  This is a mish mush of several people I know.

7. The Social Lurker

The social lurker reads posts, but never posts and their profile is absent or a default image with basic information.

8. The Social Inspirer

Considered ethusiastic, idealistic and creative; able to do almost anything that interests them: and, often have the best personalized wall papers on their Twitter pages

9. The Social Ranter

  • They are quick to share their ideas and beliefs, sometimes in a single stream of information.  They see everything from the human angle and dislike impersonal analysis.  A soapbox hero.

10. The Social Visionary

Creative, resourceful and intellectually quick. Enjoy debating issues and may be into “one-up-manship.”  They may neglect the more routine aspects of life.

My social media personalities world

First I adore all my social media contacts because they are all people I actually know.  Here’s my list:

Family and friend lover: They are supportive and they put family and friends first.  This is true in their posts and pictures.

Food maker:  One thing for sure, my friends have the best recipes and post pictures of what they made; and they all look delish.

Food poster:  Many of the food makers are also recipe posters.  Other’s aren’t  I have been in other online communities and no one, I mean no one posts food like my friends.

Hilarious:  I know this was on one of the other lists, but in my social media world, there are people who are great at telling jokes, great at being self-depreciating, willing to post pictures of themselves that are less than flattering but so so funny.

In this category, I also have the “thank you and good night, tip your waitress and try the veal; I’m here til Tuesday’s”   These are the people who respond to posts with one liners.   These are the people when I see their names in my list of notifications, I immediately click because I know there is a gem waiting to be read.

Point of viewers:  There are several people who have considered points of view.  Sometimes they are shared strongly,  however, they read and consider others comments.  Well most of the time.

Memory makers: In my social media world, I have people who post great memories, pictures and nostalgia that make you say, “OMG, I forgot all about that.”

Supporters: Over the last few years, people have had different life challenges whether health, family, just miss someone and other things.  In this social media world, they can rely on the community to write the right thing to support them.  And it’s not just a couple posts, it’s tons of response posts.

The Vacationer:  When people post their vacation pictures, I love it.  And when they post while they are away, I love it even more.  If I ever post from Greece, You know I;ve hit my bucket list.

Post Clicker:  I always take screen shots or links of posts and send them via text to other people.  In case they don’t see it on their own.

The Pisano: I am lucky enough to have grown up in a community where we love Italian food, culture and slangs.  So there is an unspoken understanding.

There may be more.  The thing I don’t have are the people that over-selfie, no real braggers, or tech nerds, or mean-spirited people.  My social media world is fun, friendly and encouraging.

Welcome to my world.  And, thank you for being part of it.

If I missed a personality type, let me know.

 

 

 

Wallet-Chicken Wings – Tease the Palate

Chicken Wings

Who doesn’t love chicken wings?

Other than Chip … he hates any meat served on the bone. 🙂 

From Aunt Elodia’s Cookbook, “How I Became a Cook Out of Necessity,” she introduces us to Wallet-Chicken Wings.

So delicious!

BTW — I’ve read the recipe over and over and cannot figure out what a wallet has to do with it; but she must of had a reason for naming it that.

If you can figure out the wallet part, please let me know.

This meal is not for your football watching party, but probably can have it for tailgating.

Recipe – To Tease the Palate and Please – The Wallet-Chicken Wings

Ingredients:

3 pounds chicken wings – tips removed

1/2 cup olive oil or a blend of olive oil and vegetable oil.

(I have used infused olive oil .. I think it adds a little something, but that’s just me.)

1 teaspoon of salt.

1 teaspoon pepper

Scatters of salt and black pepper

2 green peppers

2 cloves garlic, picked with a fork (why? cuz it releases the flavor)

3 tablespoons warm water

1/2 cup, dry white wine

Serve over rice or pasta.   Following the directions on the box.

Fresh pasta adds a little something to the recipe.

Directions/Combining

Wash the chicken wings in cold water, add salt.  Rinse, drain and pat dry.

Heat oil in a 12-inch skillet.  When almost hot, add chicken wings.

After a few minutes, mix the wings with a wooden spoon or spatula to coat them with oil and continue frying over medium heat.

Add about 1 teaspoon salt and pepper, then add green peppers and garlic.  Keep turning the wings until they are evenly coated and golden.

Remove garlic from pan; add water and wine.

Cook until the alcohol evaporates.

Variation

After the wine has been added and the alcohol has evaporated, add 1 cup strained tomatoes and let cook, covered, with the chicken wings for about 10 minutes.  Add 1 (16 ounce) can of peas, drained and simmer for about 5 minutes before serving with rice or palenta (no pasta with the variation).

Enjoy!

Let us know how it came out.

Reference:Cook oit of Necessity

“I Became a Cook Out of Necessity!

Copyright 1977/revised 1987

Author: Elodia Presenza Tedeschi

Wimmer Brothers Press

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Are You an Over-the-Top Mom?

Over-the-top Mom

Like most moms, there are times I may go over-the-top.

However, I do not think I do.

Things I have Done/Do

Since college became a part of our life …I send care packages every month.

These package all have themes.  Most go with holidays.  Most include home made food as well as snack favorites.  And, I always include a card.

Since I adore the friends and roommates, I have their phone numbers and emails and occasionally write or txt to wish them luck or check on them.

I also do this for our college students.

Last week, I brought a non-alcoholic champagne breakfast to school for 7 kids.  This included paninis, scrambled eggs, pumpkin spice and cinnamon pancakes, sausage, fruits, whipped cream and coffee cake muffins.

Other foods sent have included brownies, lasagna, sauce, meatballs and sausage, birthday cake and surprise pizza.  I feel like there is more but this is all I can remember at the moment.

Other Things

I have memory boxes for every year since birth.

In fact, between the boxes and other saved momentous,  I have a storage unit with everything in it.

Wrote a daily journal of everyday of life till three.

Had monthly birthday parties until 2 and a half.  Books and cupcake were the usual presents.

Would get up on Saturdays and search for unique things going on in the area creating adventures.

I also used to pack the car for anything that could happen.  So extra clothes, snacks, games, videos, toys, sun screen, Purell, wipes, etc.

One time, when M3 was old enough to put on his own shoes, we got to Newport, RI, only to find he got in the car without any shoes.

So we had to go to buy a pair of sneakers before going to one of the mansions that was having a life-size chess game where kids got to be pieces.   🙄

After reading parenting magazines, we would pull out craft projects and put them in a big basket.  On rainy days, we would go and find a project to do.

If dinosaurs were the current interest, we went to museums both local and in other states.

Recreational classes included munchkin cooking, tiny tumblers, pre-school Spanish and French,  Considered Mandarin too, but felt that was too far.

Attended every sporting event.

One one occasion, I had a snack favorite and a child actually told the coach he was leaving the game to have a snack.

Organized before school year parties for the class for the upcoming year.

Still not over the child who threw up in a bouncy house. 

Volunteered at school through high school.

Included friends into almost all activities as well as they were always welcome in our home.

Have a boat load of pictures and videoes including ones that separate out areas of special interests.

Brought specific questions to every parent teacher conference.

If traveling on business and family came, brought things to decorate the room so everyone would feel at home.

Bought gifts beyond means for every holiday.

Traveled on vacation to fun places and educational ones.

For my New England friends, even Yankee stadium.  Relax we went to Red Sox games too.  Mostly when they played the Yankees.

Am I a Goner Over-the-Top Mom?

That’s the sentiment of friends and family.

Please someone tell me I’m not Mrs. Goldberg and that you have done crazier things than me.

Let’s hear your over-the-top mom stories.