GREEN BAY PACKERS WIN NFC NORTH TITLE!!!!!!

Woo woo, darlings!  Been sitting here on pin and needles since 3:25 p.m. this afternoon when the game started -- PACKERS v. DA CHICAGO BEARS at Soldiers Field in Chicago, IL, USA,amidst a snow storm.  Yeah, baby, NFL football in December!

PACKERS WON!

In lieu of my heart condition, I chose not to watch the game in full. I didn't want to KILL myself with a massive heart attack! Instead, I turned the game on TV and then turned it off if the Pack was not ahead.  LOL!  Several times. Oh, my poor heart!  I last turned the t.v. off during the early minutes of the 4th quarter after DA BEARS went up by 8 points yet again.

And so it was only a minute or so ago that I clicked the TV on again and the Packers/Bears game was OVAH! I turned the TV off and rushed to coverage online at The Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel, where I learned the Packers won by a score of 33 to 28. 

And now, the play-offs begin!

So, next weekend I'll be doing this drill all over again :)  Honestly, I do not know if I can stand this!

By the way, this just so happened to be THE DECISIVE GAME OF THE SEASON.  And it just so happened that QUARTERBACK AARON RODGERS CAME BACK FROM A BROKEN COLLAR BONE SUFFERED EIGHT WEEKS AGO TO LEAD THE TEAM TO VICTORY!  Well, if this isn't the stuff of legends, I don't know what is :)

Here is the box score, from JS Online coverage:

Green Bay at Chicago

Final	1	2	3	4	T
GB	0	13	7	13	33
CHI	7	0	14	7	28

Watch the awesome video of Rodgers (number 12) throwing the pass to Wide Receiver Randall Cobb (number 18) and Cobb catching the perfect pass and then running for the winning touchdown  at SB Nation!

For video recap of this exciting game, check this out from Yahoo sports.

The Packers will host the San Francisco 49ers next weekend at Lambeau Field. The 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals in the final seconds to secure the No. 5 seed. The Packers are locked in as the No. 4 seed.

OHMYGODDESS!  San Frickingcisco!  I HATE THEM! I hate then almost as much as I HATE THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS.  Bwwwwwwaaaaaahhhhhhh!  Where did they finish in the NFC North?  Oh, 5 wins, 10 losses, and 1 tie. IN LAST PLACE IN THE DIVISION.  Tee hee hee.  Okay, so it's mean to laugh.  I don't care - I'm a BEYATCH! 

Game on next week, darlings, at LEGENDARY LAMBEAU FIELDDDDDDD (cue echo effect...)

Hitler HATES Bret Favre...

It was too painful, just too damn painful, to write anything about the Packers' loss to those cheating bitches from New York.  Prepare for one of the lowest-rated Superbowls in history, folks.  Three-fourths of the country will definitely be tuned out for this one.

Here is Hitler expressing what every red-blooded Wisconsinite has been feeling since January 15, 2012, including deep hatred of that dirty-rotten traitor, Bret Favre, may his grave (when he croaks) stink like rotten eggs FOREVER.  Amen.

I LOVE MY GREEN BAY PACKERS :) :) :)

Oh Mr. Don, Mr. Don, ye of little faith.  You are very knowledgeable about football, but you aren't that familiar with Wisconsin's beloved Green Bay Packers under the leadership of QB Aaron Rodgers -- and QB Matt Flynn!!!!!!

GB 45: DT 41.

It was a shoot-out, folks, no question.  In fact, when the Packers went down 9 zip in the first few minutes, Mr. Don shook his head and thought it might be all over.  Oh he of little faith!  I continued to calmly blog away; after half time I prepared the marinade for our filet mignons that I will make later tonight; Detroit kept scoring and scoring; I kept cooking, doing laundry, blogging.  I just knew we were going to win this game.  And we did.  Ahhhhhh.....nothing like a plan coming together...

Look at this beautiful photograph!

QB Matt Flynn taking charge!  By Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel.

From jsonline.com
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
January 1, 2012
Flynn sets franchise records with 6 TD passes, 480 yards passing in Packers' dramatic victory
(HeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaawwwwwww!)

Lowdown: Quickly, Sunday blurred into a quarterback clinic between Matthew Stafford and Matt Flynn. With the Packers resting Aaron Rodgers, Flynn started and shined [I believe the word should be "shone"]. He’ll be a very rich man very soon. And Stafford? Fresh off his Pro Bowl snub, he torched Green Bay’s secondary. The two combined for 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Lions had everything to play for — a win would have secured the No. 5 seed. The Packers simply needed to escape healthy. And behind Flynn’s career game, Green Bay finished the regular season 15-1.

The difference-maker: Flynn was sensational. There was no drop-off at all in Green Bay's offense as the back-up finished with one of the greatest games ever for a Packers quarterback. His six touchdowns and 480 yards were both franchise records. When Stafford punched, he punched back all game. After Stafford hit Tony Scheffler for a score with 2:44 to go, Flynn answered with a signature drive.

Big number: 15 — receiving touchdowns for Jordy Nelson. That ranks third all-time on the Packers behind Sterling Sharpe (18, 1994) and Don Hutson (17, 1942).

Turning point: On third and 4, Flynn lofted a 40-yard rainbow to James Jones up the right sideline over Chris Houston to set up Jermichael Finley's game-winning four-yard score. The ball was on the money, hitting Jones in stride with the game on the line.

What went right: Offensively, the Rodgers-less Packers stayed sharp through the wind, cold, snow — a good omen moving forward. The road to the Indianapolis goes through frigid Wisconsin and it appears the passing game will not be overly affected by weather. Nelson finished his breakout regular season with a bang. On one of his three scores, he split the safeties for a 58-yard, play-action touchdown. On another, he stiff-armed a defensive back to the turf. He’s playing as well as any receiver in the game and soon, he gets Greg Jennings back. Green Bay’s offense has retained its momentum into 2012. And, oh yeah, it was with Flynn at quarterback. He had a game to remember.

What went wrong: Again, the secondary was gashed for big plays. The Packers probably do not want to see Stafford and this offense again. The Lions’ quarterback sliced and diced the Packers all day. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson dominated Tramon Williams [maybe we won't be seeing Tramon next season...] for 244 yards on 11 receptions with a touchdown. Nothing new here. Beyond the stats in this one, the Packers also suffered from several mental lapses. On one Lions touchdown drive, Erik Walden smashed into Stafford on the ground after Vic So’oto’s sack and Desmond Bishop took a personal-foul penalty on a false start. Early in the game, Pat Lee inexplicably caught a kickoff out the end zone and then backed up to a take a knee in it. For a team that’s been so disciplined all season, Sunday had its gaffes. In the secondary, Sam Shields iced the win with a pick but major questions still remain.

When Mr. D and I arrive back from Spain, I'll have a weekend Packers game to which to look forward.  It doesn't get much better than this, except the Wisconsin Badgers win the Rose Ball tomorrow :)

The Packers Are Winning and the Tree Is Up!

Hoorah!  I wish the Packers would just put this game away; but the Giants are tough.  I'm trying to distract myself from heart-attacks by looking online at photographs of beautifully decorated Christmas trees.  Oh my!  Now if I could afford it, I'd hire a decorator to do it up all wiz bang with glitter gold fruit, birds, angels and flowers galore!  Icles, ornaments of all sizes, and tons of mesh ribbon.

Bare naked tree (eek!) except for the star topper.  I took this photo without the flash!
When it's all decorated the curtains are pulled up and back to open up the windows
so the tree can be enjoyed from the street. 

I forgot how much light my relatively modest tree throws off!  It's 6.5 feet tall and about 4 feet wide at the bottom.  I had taken it apart last year (it's pre-lit) to make it easier to move into the garage and wrap up to keep the spiders and bugs out, and it took me forever to figure out where and how to plug the lights back into each other.  Whew!  Then, I putzed around for a good 30 minutes standing on a chair just securing the newly-purchased gold glitter punched stars to the tree top.  I used twist ties to mold them together and secure them to the top tree branch.  I like how they look up there but there still seems to be something missing.  Perhaps I will invest in some gold floral sprays -- but that will entail a trip to Joann's or Michael's.  I'll try the TJMaxx in the mall downtown tomorrow during lunch just in case.  You never know what TJMaxx might have. 

Okay, it's the start of the 4th quarter and Packers lead 28-24.  Not a comfortable lead, looks like I'll have to keep my defibulator close to hand...  Oh crap.  Giants just hit a 50 yard field goal and have moved to within 1 point.  But, Packers get the ball now.  Still 11.27 to go, and Charles Woodson just left the game with a possible concussion.  OHMYGODDESS, NO NO NO!

Update 8:02 p.m.

The Giants scored a TD and successfully made a 2-point conversion near the end of regulation play to tie the score 35-35.  This description of what happened with under a minute to play in regulation is from the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel Online:

Turning point: After the Giants tied things up at 35-35, Green Bay took over at its own 20 with 58 seconds left. Rodgers hit Jermichael Finley for 24 yards, Jordy Nelson for 27, Greg Jennings for 18 and Crosby drilled the game-winner. It was easily the offense’s best drive of the season.

I believe the game-winning field goal was a 30 yard field goal by kicker Mason Crosby to win the game by 3 points.

Is it just a coincidence that the Wisconsin Badgers won the Big 10 title game game last night by 3 points? 

Look at the body control by veteran receiver Donald Driver (age 37 and I assume will retire at the end of this season), scoring a much-needed TD late in the 4th quarter:

It's vital for a receiver to get both "feet" down within bounds in order for a pass
to be deemed caught within bounds.  Driver, who seconds before catching this
pass from QB Aaron Rodgers was shoved nearly out of bounds by 23 Giants,
caught the ball and got both of his feet (by the tippy toes) on the ground within
bounds to score the go-ahead TD!  This was his second catch - and second TD - of the day.

Wisconsin Sport Fans Going Crazy Today!

Woooo woooo, darlings!  Yesterday the Milwaukee Brewers won their first NLDS (I think that is what it's called) against the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-1 here in Milwaukee, and today we're leading 4-2 top of the 4th.

Last night the Wisconsin Badgers (UW-Madison's football Team playing in the Big Ten League, NCAA) whomped the butt of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, heh heh :)  The score was something like 250 to 3.  Well, not quite, but it was pretty damn good:  48-17.  Which is close to the score that the Green Bay Packers are leading the Denver Broncos by in Green Bay:  42-17.  Spank, spank you nasty boys in Denver, heh heh.  Our hunky hero GB Quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws a (questionable - I think it hit the ground first) interception?  No problem, we get the ball right back on a Packers interception and 64 yard runback! 

Ahhhhh, autumn in Wisconsin.  The smell of sweaty men grunting and groaning and groin injuries and torn ACLS's in the air...

Badgers spoil Cornhuskers' Big Ten debut
Wisconsin 48, Nebraska 17

Game 1 NLDS: Brewers 4, Diamondbacks 1
Gallardo, Fielder Shine in Brewers Victory

Current headline at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel online:

Broncos at Packers

Game Blog: Rodgers has 6 TDs overall, Packers lead 49-17

Mr. Hunky Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers dives in for his second personal TD of the day in the first half. Rodgers has 6 TDs overall at this point, darlings!  Hey, you dirty rotten traitor Brett Farve, ha ha. 

 Updated 6:10 p.m.:

Official - Green Bay is 4 and 0 and win 49-23 over Denver.  Brewers right now bottom of the 6th inning and the Diamond backs tied up the game - it's tied 4/4 but we have a man on 2nd with nobody out...

Updated 6:19 p.m.:

HOLYGODDESS!  Brewers have scored 4 more runs in the bottom of the 6th, starting with a double, then a balk that moved the runner to third, then a perfect suicide squeeze laid down, and then three base hits in a row!  Another run just scored on a base hit by Ryan Braun!!!!!  OHMYGODDESS!  It's now 9-4 Brewers!  Kirk Gibson has walked to the mound again and is yanking the starting pitcher.  WE STILL HAVE NOBODY OUT and I think still two runners on base.

GO BREWERS GO, GO BREWERS GO...

WE WIN! WE WIN! WE WIN! WE WIN! WE WIN! WE WIN! WE WIN!

WE WIN!

The Lombardi Trophy is coming home to Green Bay, where it belongs.

I couldn't even watch the fourth quarter - I turned the game off.  I was upstairs reading (Harry Potter) and putting curses on the Steelers under my breath and lost track of time - the phone rings, it's 'Sis from Las Vegas screaming and yelling WE WON WE WON WE WON!  Then I heard fireworks going off - TONS of fireworks.  All of Milwaukee is shooting off fireworks right now!

OHMYGODDESS!

Now I get to watch the post-game and EVERYONE in this state is going to have a hang-over tomorrow, including me :)  I don't think much work is going to get done.


Greg Jennings catches a 31 yard pass from Aaron Rodgers in the 4th Quarter.



The Goddess of Football smiled on the Pack tonight :)

I'm PROUD to Be a Cheesehead

When World Collide...Packers win... 2010 Season's Highlights (good stuff, particularly for Clay Matthews fans :))

I'm PROUD to Be a Cheesehead

PACKERS WILL WIN SUPER BOWL XLV - so predicts Anastasia the Sacred Doggy...

I'm PROUD to Be a Cheesehead

Def Crew Whip Hop (LOL!  Love that name) Packers Anthem

I'm PROUD to Be a Cheesehead!

Check this out by highereducationrecords.com

210 NFC Champions: Green Bay Packers

I can say that the "official website of the Packers" SUCKS -- its blog hasn't been updated since January 21st.  Oh give me a fricking break. 

I don't know nothin' about football and I maintained a nearly constant blog-stream of commentary during today's game.  So how hard can it be, I ask you?

NFL coverage:  Rodgers leads Pack to Superbowl, beat Bears 21 - 14

We have had more than a dozen players on the IR throughout the season.  The Pack was an early pre-season favorite to go the Big Dance.  Well, we proved those prognosticators right.

How can someone do this an entire game???

Third and one Packers at the Bears 34 - incomplete pass.  Packers must punt.

Good punt, ball bounces on the 12-or -10 deep in Chicago's field.  7:22 to go in the 4th.

I am now listening to coverage on the Packers radio network.  I've got the sound turned down on the t.v. and there's a bit of a time-delay --  I tossed out the last cupful of nuts and peanuts for the squirrels for the day.  I am SO happy to see that it's still fair daylight out at 10 to 5 in the evening!  Spring will be here in 60 days...

Forte tries to run the ball and gets about nothing, so it seemed to me, but the radio is saying he may have got 2.  Haney through to Bennett who was brought down at the 15.  Gain of 3.  3rd and 5 for the Bears. 

Whoa - Chicago takes a time out at 6:12.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME - I'M TAKING A PEE AND WE GET AN INTERCEPTION-- I HEARD IT CALLED ON THE RADIO - - RIGHT WHEN I WAS THINKING I SHOULD TURN ON THE CHRISTMAS TREE -  YES, I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT DOWN AND WILL NOT UNTIL THE PACKERS LOSE, WHICH THEY WON'T ---

DAMN! 
Hero of the game #80, B.J. RAJE, run back for a touchdown, a 340 pound nose-tackle.  Goddess is definitely smiling on the Packers today.  Told you so - she does not appreciate dirty play.

PACKERS 21 - BEARS 7.

6:04 to go (I expect the website I'm checking for that is off by several minutes in real time).  Bears make a first down at the 35 of Green Bay.  Earl Bennet catches a pass and runs it in with no resistance from the Packers.  That sucks.

PACKERS 21 - BEARS 13, WILL BE 14 IF THEY MAKE THE POINT AFTER.  4:43 TO GO.

Packers will have the ball...

Ball returned to about the 25 by Charles Woodson.  Packers take over --

Looks like we may be trying to take time off the clock now - kept the ball on the ground, no gain on the play.  2nd and 10 -- Nelson runs the ball but loses a yard.  Okay dudes, this isn't working.

Rodgers was back to throw and had no one open, he runs but has nowhere to go, slides and is down with the loss of a yard.

Packers have to punt.  Hester is back to receive.  So - let's see what's going to happen - Goddess, please bless the Packers.

Chicago has the ball on its own 29 yard line.  About 3:07 to go. 

Now 2:49 to go.  2nd and 10 Chicago.  Gain of 1 on a pass bobbled by Haney.  Ball received by Forte.

3rd and 9 for Chicago, 2:44 to go.  Bears have 2 times outs left, Packers 3.

Blitz is on, sonofagoddess got the first down on a pass.  Ball now at the 39 or so.  First down, Haney incomplete pass.  OHMYGODDESS, a grounding call on the quarterback!  Now all of a sudden it's 2nd down and 20.

Forte catches a pass and gains 10 yards, 3rd and 10 for the Bears at their own 40.

1:54 left - Packers lead by a touchdown but the Bears are driving.  It appears that Forte has the first down near the Bears 50 yard line but now it's a commercial and and I can't tell --

Ohmygoddess, please spare my poor heart and give the Packers a victory.  I can't take much more.  Thank you and Amen.

4th and inches for the Bears...

29 makes the first down with 3 yards.  1.43 to go.  Pick up of 12 on short pass and run, first down for Bears.  1:27 to go.

Haney has to throw it away.  1:21 to go, 2nd and 10 Bears.

Olsen catches a Haney pass for about 7.  1:15 remaining.

3rd down and 3 -- Chicago takes a time out after what appeared to be a snap. 1:13 left?

Haney sacked NEAR THE 30 YARD LINE, loss of 2. 

OHMYGODDESS - INCREDIBLE.  I can't even describe what happened - Shields intercepted a long pass and started a run back and I was jumping of my chair and screaming my head off,  but looked like he fumbled but the ball but appeared to be recovered by a Packers player, but now they're saying Shields recovered his own fumble so is it a fumble?  At any rate - ITS FRICKING OVER, DARLINGS!!!!!!

ITS OVER!!!!

As our Green Bay Packers announcer, Wayne Larrivee, says, THERE IS YOUR DAGGER.

OHMYGODDESS!

GREEN BAY PACKERS ARE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL!!!!!

GREEN BAY PACKERS ARE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL!!!!!

Okay, need to take a serious break here. OHMYGODDESS!

P.S. added at 5:19 p.m.  I had to take a pee and immediately afterward I ran to the Christmas tree in the front room and plugged in the lights, with maybe a minute to go on the play clock?  Anyway - I think my Magic Christmas Tree did the trick!  GO PACK GO! GO PACK GO!

SUPERBOWL BOUND!  Thank you, Football Goddess.  Thank you.

3:10 TO GO IN THE THIRD QUARTER - PACKERS LEADING 14-0

A stupid play by Tramon Williams to grab the ball on the Bears' punt put us in jeopardy when he fumbled the ball but another Packers player fortunately bounced on the ball - and the whole thing was rendered moot by a Bears penalty called upfield.  So, it's the Packers' ball.

2:59 to go Third Quarter.  Ball handed off to John Koon for 2.

2nd and 8.  Brandon Jackson goes nowhere and gets hit in the backfield for a loss of 5, Urlacher makes the play.  Well, we have to give the Bears something.

Rodgers throws under pressure, incomplete.  4th down.  Rodgers is pissed off at the execution by his players.

Hester catches the ball in relatively good position and had room to roam, but his own man had to run into him.  Unfortunately, Packers had an inelligible man down field and was penalized 5 yard and have to kick again.  SONOFAGODDESS!

Okay guys, suck it up. 

Wow, a nice punt - Earl Bennett for the Bears runs it back for 21 yards.

Bears player gets a first down, runs for 11 yards - didn't catch his name, sorry.  It's now about on the 44 Bears ard line.  Forte runs the ball for a gain of 4.  END OF THIRD QUARTER.

COMMERCIAL BREAK -

Forte picks up a first down after an 8 yard run.  Oh my Goddess - Collins is now out as substitute Bears quarterback and someone named Caleb Haney is now in????  Is that right? 

Forte gets 11 on the ground for another first down.  Ball sacked behind the line of scrimmage.

Haney throws and completes to Johnny Knox at the 1 - he was forced out of bounds.

First and Goal Chicago, TD Chester Taylor running the ball.

Green Bay 14 - Bears 7

12:35 left in the 4th.  The Bears fans are making noise again, after having been remarkably quiet during the third quarter. 

So - will the Packers try to keep it on the ground to run up time, or go for the quick score?????  I say - quick score.  But I don't know nothink!

Commercial break --

James Starks catches the punt and runs it out to the 24.  Packers ball.

Starks running the ball.  No gain. 

Rodgers throws way down field - incomplete - but a roughing the passer penalty is called agianst Peppers and we get 15 yards and first down.  DIRTY PLAY DIRTY PLAY DIRTY PLAY!

And now a bullshit call against the Packers, just to show that the refs are "balanced" - called the 5 yards false start against the Packers.

Penalty flag called against Chicago against 46 on a pass play to Donald Driver.  Automatic first down.  You betcha!

At the Packers 48.  Pass dropped off to Koon, who takes the ball to the Bears 45.  2nd and 4 Packers.

Starks on the ground picks up 2.  Third down and 2. 

Incomplete pass to Quarless #81.  Packers have to punt.

Packers down the ball inside the 5 - nice!  Oh - the bullshit is going on now - the officials are saying it's a touchback.  Yeah, right.  I've seen the replay 3 times already.

9:19 to go in the 4th and it will be Bears' ball on the return from commercial break.  And I'm going to sit back and watch the rest of the game.

NFC Championship 3rd Quarter - Packers have the ball...

James Starks runs for 9, but a penalty flag is down.  Oh shit, holding against Scott Wells, our Center, for 10 yards.  Damn!

Now it's 1st and 20 at the 17...

Pass complete for only a yard to Jennings.  Jennings makes a big first down catch on second down of 22 yards!  GO PACK GO!

We're now about our own 34 - James Starks picks up a yard after a lot of spinning.  Time off the clock.

Second and 8 - oh oh - penalty called against Green Bay - holding.  Against Chad Clifton (76).  Rodgers didn't have anywhere to go anyway.  Now 2nd and 18.

Pass complete to Jordy Nelson for 10.  Third and long at about the 36 --

Rodgers pressured, Rodgers dodges sacks - but has to throw the ball away.  Packers punt.  Hester catches the ball at about the 22 but he slips and goes down.  So much for the National Football League declaring that Soldiers' Field was PLAY READY.  YEAH, RIGHT.  In this case, it helped Packers.

GO PACK GO!

Taking a break for a bit --

PACKERS LEAD 14 - ZERO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PACKERS ARE ROCKING SOLDIERS' FIELD.

2nd quarter 9:44 remaining.  Bears are down by 14.  They have managed to move the ball with some success down the field thanks to a fine run by Hester and a lucky throw by Cutler.  but Cutler has missed two easy passes to advance the field; second down and Bears will soon be within field goal range...

Cutler found Davis about the 20 yard line, but a holding penalty against the Bears wiped out the gain!  Now it's 2nd and 20 back at the 41...

Cutler runs with the ball for about 10...  Second and 11...

Cutler looks to throw but has nowhere to go and takes off with the ball but slides far short of the first down line.  Add a Bears penalty and it's 4th down.

Bears put - a really good one that looked to be downed at like the half yard line (YIKES!) but the player was not able to stay inbounds with the ball, so it's a touchback.  Packers will start at the Bears 20 yard line.  STAY TUNED DARLINGS!

I've a feeling the Packers are going to make short work of this possession and will score in 4 plays,  maybe less.  Well, let's see if I'm psychic or not...

PACKERS SCORE THROWING ALL THE WAY!

WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!  I've had my first ham and swiss sandwich and glass of wine and the Packers scored entirely by keeping the ball in the air!  FANTASTIC!  PACKERS LEAD 7-0.  84 YARDS, 7 PLAYS - RODGERS PERFECT.

Rodgers takes it in for the score...


Bears first possession - after completing a pass and long run, DID NOTHING.  Just punted and the Packers will start deep in Bears territory, about the 7-8 yard line.


Packers are moving the ball at 2:24 p.m.  Rodgers is perfect so far.  ALL RIGHT - Jackson just ran the ball for a nice first down...

36 Minutes to Start Time...

The snow has stopped! The sun is shining here in Milwaukee and in Chicago - I can see it on TV.  The Football Goddess is smiling on us today and giving us excellent football weather!

I'm just scrolling through Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel coverage of the BIG GAME and loving some of these photos!  LOL!  Packers fans are the best in the world - and have come from all over the USA to attend this Championship game.  Wow!  That cheering from Soldiers Field - it's Packers Fans - I can hear them already.  Expect to see an OCEAN of Green and Gold in Bears territory.



Andrea Hughuse from Des Moines, is a huge packer fan and was showing her spirit while
tailgating outside Soldier Field Sunday.   Credit: Rick Wood

 Hey - what's that Bears fan doing there in the background?  Booo hisssss boooo...



Packers fans at the Miilwaukee Intermodal Station to take the train down to Chicago for the BIG GAME! 
All Hiawatha trains going 90 miles south yesterday and today were PACKED (har!) 

Credit: Angela Peterson

GO PACK GO!!! Countdown to NFC Championship Game Time!!!

Packers fans tailgate outside Soldiers Field before game time - from
Milwaukee/Journal Sentinel online game coverage.

I treked to the Pick n' Save which was, of course, absolutely mobbed, about 10:30 a.m.  The weather was cold but clear - now, however, we are getting some lake-effect snow, as has Soldiers Field 90 miles to the south in Chicago.  It's light fluffy stuff and there is no wind to speak of; temperature here in Milwaukee is about 15 degrees F but with the calm winds it's quite pleasant outside; I actually was overdressed on my trek to the store and especially back hauling two bags of groceries!  Chicago game time is supposed to be about 20 degrees F - perfect football weather.

As I was going through my pre-game shopping checklist and stopped in the liquor department for my must-have wine, I noted several shoppers with a cart FULL of beer, booze and wine.  BIG parties are obviously planned - I had to laugh.  Me, I'm watching the game by myself so I can hoot and holler and curse at the t.v. without restraint.

Pre-game Checklist:

1.  TV works - check.
2.  Back-up TV works - check.
3.  Radio works - check.
4.  Back-up radio works - check.
5.  Stocked up on cheap wine - check.
6.  Snacks - check.
7.  Badger baked ham - check.  Badger baked ham is the BEST and it is NEVER on sale.  The Patrick Cudahy ham tastes like crap and is ALWAYS on sale - $2 a pound less.  Silly people were buying the Patirck Cudahy ham - they will be sorry...
8.  Rye bread - check.
9.  Bread spread - check.
10.  Swiss cheese - check.
11.  Cucumber salad - check.  It's expensive - I only splurge on special occasions - and this is a premiere special occasion!

In honor of the day I thawed out the "chocolate lovers' chocolate cake" that Sis sent to me as part of my Omaha Steaks gift pack - YUM!  I couldn't resist - I had two pices this morning for breakfast with my one cup of coffee for the day and munched with delight while I read the Sunday Journal/Sentinel.  Tonight to celebrate a Packers win I have filet mignon, fresh green peas and apple tartlets for dessert.  DOUBLE YUM!

I just checked the latest line on betting Packers-Bears - not that I understand how all this works, but it appears at the moment that the Packers are favored by a point spread of 3.5 to 4 points.  Everyone is anticipating a hard-fought, close game.  I hope my heart can stand it.

I'm wearing my lucky Packers 1996 NFC Champions sweatshirt, along with my magic gold beads - which only come out on very special occasions (the sweatshirt still looks brand new, but I have to say it has gotten smaller over the years - I will still a babe in 1996 and had a babe's shape back then - now I'm fighting off grandma bushka mode.  I'm set!

2011 NFC Championship: Packers v. Bears!

The Bears defeated the Seattle Seahawks in snow flurries in Chicago at Soldiers' Field today, and so it will be the Packers travelling to Chicago next week Sunday to play for the NFC Championship.



Ka statue.

 So much for my vision of the Pack playing the Seahawks for the NFC title.  That vision was based on faulty information, so it could not have been true!  I got suspicious and did an internet search and discovered that the arch-traitor Mike Holmgren is now the "President" of the Browns - bwwwwwwwaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!  He's not coaching the Seahawks any longer, despite the presence of so many Holmgren era players on the roster.

Maybe I knew that already and conveniently forgot it. Ah well - forget the Seahawks.  Matt Hasselbeck has lost most of his hair - okay, I should not laugh...

Packers v. Bears - HOLY FOOTBALL GODDESS!  May the ancient Football Goddess and her Ka be with the Green Bay Packers next Sunday.

PACKERS GOING TO NFC CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE WON!!!!!!!!!

Ohmygoddess, calm down my thumping heart!  I must have died 10 times during the first quarter - Atlanta scored first - booooooo hissssssssss booooooooo; then we scored!!!! YEEEEEEAAAAAAAYYYYYY!; then the enemy scored again - booooooo hissssssssss booooooooo, and then we scored again!!!!!!!  But then the enemy scored again!  FOUR TDS by the Packers in second quarter, could not believe our incredible comeback!



2nd quarter Tramon Williams returns an interception 70 yards for TD against Atlanta.

Final Score: 48-21 Packers.

P.S. The Falcons were the #1 seed.

Michelle says the Packers are going all the way to the Super Bowl. I never take a prediction from the Albert family lightly ('Sis called Khalifman the winner of the world chess championship way back in 1999 when FIDE held it in Las Vegas - and she was right). So, we may be making a side-trip to the Super Bowl this year - Dallas? Where the hell is Dallas???