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Steelers Schedule 2017

Posted on July 6, 2017 by Dave

The Steelers success last season has them in the national spotlight this season, as the Steelers Schedule 2017 includes five nationally televised primetime games, giving Steelers Nation plenty of opportunity to see them in action.

And for the second-straight year, and only the second time in team history, the Steelers will play on Christmas Day. The Steelers will travel to Houston to take on the Texans at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 25, one of only two games to be played that day.

The Steelers kick off the season on the road against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 10, a 1 p.m. game against their AFC North rivals.

Things get rolling at Heinz Field on Sept. 17, when the team hosts the Minnesota Vikings at 1 p.m. It’s then back on the road for games against the Chicago Bears (Sept. 24) and Baltimore Ravens (Oct. 1), before returning home to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars (Oct. 8) at Heinz Field. All three games kickoff at 1 p.m.

The Steelers head to Kansas City on Oct. 15 (4:25 p.m.), where they defeated the Chiefs last year in the AFC Divisional Playoffs. Then it’s back home again for a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on Oct. 22 (1 p.m.).

The first of five primetime games in a seven-week span will take place on Oct. 29 when the Steelers are on NBC’s Sunday Night Football against the Detroit Lions at 8:30 p.m. The following week they will have their bye (Nov. 5) and then travel to Indianapolis on Nov. 12 to take on the Colts at 1 p.m.

The Steelers begin a stretch of four-straight primetime games when they host the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, Nov. 16 on NBC/NFLN (8:25 p.m.), followed by a home game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football on Nov. 26 (8:30 p.m.). The Steelers will be on the road against the Bengals on ESPN’s Monday Night Football on Dec. 4 (8:30 pm.). The primetime blitz concludes with a Sunday night game against the Ravens at Heinz Field on Dec. 10 (8:30 p.m.).

A rematch of the AFC Championship Game will be at Heinz Field on Dec. 17 when the Steelers host the New England Patriots at 4:25 p.m.

The team will once again play on Christmas Day when the Steelers travel to Houston on Monday, Dec. 25 for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff on NBC and NFLN.

The season wraps up the way it began, against the Browns, when the Steelers host them for the finale for the second-straight year, a Dec. 31 matchup at Heinz Field at 1 p.m.

All Steelers preseason and regular season games can be heard on the Steelers Radio Network on WDVE-FM (102.5) and WBGG-AM (970) as well on Steelers.com.

2017 Hyundai Tucson

Posted on June 27, 2017 by Dave

Third generation is charmed for the 2017 Hyundai Tucson. This version of the compact-crossover SUV gets just about everything right. Previous versions were competent, but not quite competitive with the class-leading Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape. This third generation gets it right, though. Hyundai reinvents its 5-passenger compact SUV with an eye-catching exterior design, the latest technology and safety aids like automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, and an available 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that gets up to 32 mpg. A lease-only hydrogen-powered fuel-cell version based on the last-gen platform remains available, but only in California. With a starting price of under $24,000 and improvements upon its former self in almost every category, the Tucson takes on the segment’s best.

Interior

The base Hyundai Tucson SE offers a 6-way-manual seat, but skip that and move up to the Sport or Eco, which comes with an 8-way-power seat with lumbar. The sensible dash offers big vents, simple instrumentation, and buttons and knobs for climate and audio controls, even if you opt for a higher-end model and its touch-screen interface. Simplicity extends to the digital display between the gauges, which doesn’t overload the driver with info. Even if it’s not best-in-class roomy, the comfortable rear seat works just fine, and the cargo area’s adjustable floor also includes storage for the cargo cover.

Exterior

There’s no question the 2017 Tucson is a sharp-looking compact SUV. The big grille, flowing lines and LED-accented headlights bring it into the same fold as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport — very good company. The front end’s styling centers on that trapezoidal grille, with lines flowing over the hood and across the fenders to the rear, blending into the tail lights. Under the pretty styling is a chassis that uses more than 50-percent high-strength steel, providing a strength that makes the Hyundai Tucson safe and stable. If the hydrogen-powered Hyundai Tucson’s design looks older, it’s not your eyes. The fuel-cell Tucson remains based on the last-gen platform.

Source for 2017 Hyundai Tucson Review

Young Sheldon – Spinoff from the Big Bang Theory

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Dave

Young Sheldon

It’s 1989, and we meet nine-year-old Young Sheldon Cooper, the beloved character from THE BIG BANG THEORY. Young Sheldon has skipped four grades to start high school alongside his less-intellectual older brother. We get a peek into the early years–with voiceover from Jim Parsons–of a genius who is misunderstood by his family, classmates and neighbors. His mother preps him with what she thinks is the only tool he’ll need to survive at his new school. To remind bullies that his dad’s the football coach and his brother plays on the team. His twin sister, who’s happy to stay in fourth grade, has a better sense of what awaits Sheldon than he does. Young Sheldon may understand Newtonian physics, but his blue-collar, church-going family only cares if that knowledge will help them win a football game.

Development of the prequel series began in November 2016. The initial idea came from Parsons that he passed along to The Big Bang Theory producers. The following March, Armitage and Perry were cast, and the series was ordered by CBS. It is scheduled to premiere on November 2, 2017, airing after The Big Bang Theory, after a special preview on September 25, 2017.

Executive Producers: Chuck Lorre, Steven Molaro, Jon Favreau, Jim Parsons, Todd Spiewak.

Cast: Iain Armitage, Zoe Perry, Lance Barber, Raegan Revord, Montana Jordan, Jim Parsons.
Warner Bros Television

Porch remodel begins

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Dave

We have begun our Porch remodel by building a 5 tiered retaining wall. The wall will help with the steep grade of the yard. Knock-out roses and Shasta daisy’s are planted in front and on top are lovely begonias and some tall grasses.

Tips from Lowes.com

The blocks for this project have a locking flange — which makes the installation easy. The interlocking blocks can be used to build walls up to 28 inches high. Follow the block manufacturer’s instructions concerning wall height limits.

Plan your layout. Avoid having downspouts pointed at the retaining wall and, if it’s against the house, keep soil and mulch well below the siding.

Your retaining wall design will determine how you mark the area. To mark a freeform layout, use a rope or hose to outline the shape. Then use a shovel to mark the outline. For straight lines, mark the entire bed area with stakes, string and marking paint. Mark curved corners by tying a string to a stake that’s equidistant to the edge — creating a compass — and spraying the curves with marking paint.

To determine how many blocks you’ll need per row, divide the total length of the wall by the length of the block. To see how many rows you’ll need, divide the ideal wall height by the height of the block — account for the first row to be half-buried. See Planning for a Block Retaining Wall for more information on estimating project materials.

Before you buy materials or begin work, check local building codes and your homeowner’s association regulations to see if there are any restrictions or requirements you need to follow. A permit may be mandatory in some areas.

Poison Ivy, Oak, Sumac

Posted on May 22, 2017 by Dave

Everything you would ever want to know about these plants is here.

Important Information

Toxicodendron radicans, commonly known as eastern poison ivy or poison ivy, is a poisonous Asian and North American flowering plant that is well-known for causing Urushiol-induced contact dermatitis, an itchy, irritating, and sometimes painful rash in most people who touch it. It is caused by urushiol, a clear liquid compound in the plant’s sap. The species is variable in its appearance and habit, and despite its common name it is not a true ivy (Hedera), but rather a member of the cashew and almond family. Toxicodendron radicans is commonly eaten by many animals, and the seeds are consumed by birds, but poison ivy is most often thought of as an unwelcome weed.

Three “almond” shaped leaves

The deciduous leaves of T. radicans are trifoliate with three almond-shaped leaflets. Leaf color ranges from light green (usually the younger leaves) to dark green (mature leaves), turning bright red in fall; though other sources say leaves are reddish when expanding, turn green through maturity, then back to red, orange, or yellow in the fall. The leaflets of mature leaves are somewhat shiny. The leaflets are 3–12 cm (1.2–4.7 in) long, rarely up to 30 cm (12 in). Each leaflet has a few or no teeth along its edge, and the leaf surface is smooth. Leaflet clusters are alternate on the vine, and the plant has no thorns. Vines growing on the trunk of a tree become firmly attached through numerous aerial rootlets. The vines develop adventitious roots, or the plant can spread from rhizomes or root crowns. The milky sap of poison ivy darkens after exposure to the air.

The urushiol compound in poison ivy is not a defensive measure; rather, it helps the plant to retain water. It is frequently eaten by animals such as deer and bears.

Toxicodendron radicans spreads either vegetatively or sexually. It is dioecious; flowering occurs from May to July. The yellowish- or greenish-white flowers are typically inconspicuous and are located in clusters up to 8 cm (3.1 in) above the leaves. The berry-like fruit, a drupe, mature by August to November with a grayish-white colour. Fruits are a favorite winter food of some birds and other animals. Seeds are spread mainly by animals and remain viable after passing through the digestive tract.

Matthew Bible Study Guide

Posted on May 9, 2017 by Dave

Click here to get a free copy of the Matthew Bible Study Guide I have just completed with the Adult Sunday School class. Feel free to distribute as you deem necessary.

Here is the introductory text.

INTRODUCTION

Written in a polished Semitic “synagogue Greek”, the author draws on three main sources: 1. the Gospel of Mark, 2. the hypothetical collection of sayings known as the “Q source”, and 3. the material unique to his own community, called the “M source” or “Special Matthew”.

The divine nature of Jesus was a major issue for the Matthaean community in the early Christian community. It is the crucial component in distinguishing them from their Jewish neighbors. While Mark begins with baptism and transfiguration, Matthew goes back further, showing Jesus as the Son of God from his birth, and emphasizing the fulfillment of Old Testament messianic prophecies (1:22; 2:15,23; 4:14;5:17; 8:17; 12:17; 13:14,35; 21:4; 27:9). The title, Son of David, identifies Jesus as the healing and miracle-working Messiah of Israel (it is used exclusively in relation to miracles). As Son of Man he will return to judge the world, a fact his disciples recognize but of which his enemies are unaware. As Son of God, he is God revealing himself through his son, and Jesus proving his divinity through his obedience and example.

The gospel reflects the struggles and conflicts between the evangelist’s community and the other Jews, particularly with its rather severe criticism of the Scribes and Pharisees. Prior to the Crucifixion the Jews are called Israelites, the honorific title of God’s chosen people; after it, they are called Jews, a sign that through their rejection of the Christ the “Kingdom of Heaven” has been taken away from them and given instead to the Christian Church.

AUTHOR

The book of Matthew entered the Christian canon of the New Testament because it was considered to have apostolic authority. In other words, the apostles or those near to the apostles agreed that the book was authoritative. This in and of itself does not prove that Matthew wrote the book. A large number of liberal scholars and a smaller number of conservative scholars say it is not likely he wrote the book. However, many others are more or less convinced he did. Without the manuscript (actual original) of the gospel, we will have to be content with knowing that tradition tells us that the Apostle Matthew wrote the gospel. And what is sufficient to know is that the Gospel of Matthew was accepted by the church in the first century as authoritative and inspired.

DATE WRITTEN

The most widely accepted theory is that both Matthew and Luke used Mark as a source. Matthew even reproduced about ninety percent of Mark, while Luke reproduced about sixty percent. Without going into much detail on the dating of Mark’s Gospel, it was probably written somewhere between AD 50 and AD 55. Consequently, Matthew’s Gospel could have reasonably been written anywhere between AD 55 and AD 60. This date allows time for Matthew to have access to Mark’s Gospel, and suggests that he completed the Gospel before the destruction of the temple in AD 70. It would seem strange for the author not to mention this event in light of chapter 24:1-2. This dating also allows time for Luke to use Matthew’s Gospel in composing his own Gospel, as well as its sequel, the book of Acts.

Floor Refinishing

Posted on April 25, 2017 by Dave

After three days of sanding, staining, and buffing, our floors came out great.

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”5″ gal_title=”Floor Refinishing”]

Ever think you’d find buried treasure in your own home? Years ago, homeowners decided to go for a more “modern” look and covered their hardwood floors with vinyl or carpet. These days, with hardwood back in style, it might be worthwhile to look into Floor Refinishing. If it turns out that your floor was among those treasures that were buried, we can help you put it back on display. Be warned, though: this project takes a lot of time, patience and elbow grease.

Before You Start:

1.Check the gaps between the floor planks. If they’re widening and you can see the nails that hold the floor down, don’t bother trying to refinish the floor.
2.Some newer hardwood floors are only 1/4 inch thick with a laminate coating on top. These floors can’t be sanded and refinished. If you try, you’re likely to wear away the entire floor!
3.Some floors are easier to refinish than others. Pine and oak, the most common, are fairly easy to work with. Harder woods such as maple, mahogany and walnut take more time.

Materials:

pry bar
pliers
stiff, wide-blade putty knife
utility knife
hammer
nail set
flat-head screwdriver
power floor sander
edge sander
power floor buffer
industrial-grade vacuum cleaner
box fan
plastic sheeting
painter’s tape
box fan
4″ Chinese bristle brush
large lamb’s-wool paint/stain applicator
polyurethane floor sealant
safety glasses
work gloves
breathing protection
hearing protection

Warning: Some older vinyl floors contain asbestos, either in the backing or in the adhesive. Before you begin removing a vinyl floor, check with a licensed asbestos contractor to make sure your floor is safe for you to remove.

Austin LIVE in concert

Posted on April 23, 2017 by Dave

Batman and the Big Bang Theory

Posted on February 10, 2017 by Dave

In celebration of the movie’s release on Feb. 10, The Big Bang Theory is airing a series of promos and a LEGO version of the show’s opening sequence during its syndication run this week.

The stars of the CBS comedy, the big bang theory, also get the LEGO treatment in two promos for the show: The first sees the LEGO superhero kicked out of Sheldon’s chair in the ultimate Sheldon/Batman showdown. “All these nerds yelling at me! What is the meaning of this?” demands the Caped Crusader as the others try to stop him from sitting in Sheldon’s seat, knowing they’re about to endure his hyper-specific explanation for loving that chair.

The second spot shows the Dark Knight Mini figure confused to find himself at the apartment rather than at a press conference for the movie — though he gets why the gang would want to hang out with him: “I’m super interesting,” he modestly acknowledges.

The custom open follows the normal format until the last moment when the cast is revealed in LEGO form — they even have LEGO Chinese takeout boxes! Genius.

Watch the LEGO-fied promos and opening sequence below and catch The LEGO Batman Movie in theaters Friday.

In the irreverent spirit of fun that made “The LEGO (R) Movie” a worldwide phenomenon, the self-described leading man of that ensemble – LEGO Batman – stars in his own big-screen adventure: “The LEGO (R) Batman Movie.” But there are big changes brewing in Gotham, and if he wants to save the city from The Joker’s hostile takeover, Batman may have to drop the lone vigilante thing, try to work with others and maybe, just maybe, learn to lighten up.

link

Cruise scheduled for late November

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Dave

As an experienced cruise ship person, I’ve sailed in just about every type of stateroom there is. But, hands down, my stateroom of choice is a Balcony. Why should you cruise in a Balcony Stateroom? Because it offers one of the best values on the ship, as you can enjoy amazing views from the privacy of your own balcony, without paying higher suite prices!

Benefits of Cruising in a Balcony Stateroom

Where do I start? There are so many benefits of cruising in a Balcony Stateroom, such as:

• the large floor-to-ceiling windows add so much light and brightness that the stateroom seems so much larger overall!
• the outdoor balcony is basically an extension of your stateroom living area, so you’re getting extra living space making a balcony stateroom an even better value
• imagine being able to wake up and step onto your balcony to see the new destination you’ve arrived at, all while still wearing your pajamas!
• if your significant other wants to sleep in, you can order room service and enjoy your breakfast on the balcony without disturbing your partner

• your own private balcony is a perfect place to watch the sunset or the glaciers, to enjoy a cute little umbrella drink or to simply soak up the warm sunshine
• if you’re prone to seasickness, a Balcony Stateroom will allow you to step outside and watch the horizon, which helps to maintain your equilibrium
• a Balcony Stateroom may also be a good choice for those travelers who like their privacy or want to stay away from the crowds
• did you know that fresh saltwater air may be beneficial to your health? Check out the details at:

6 Reasons Why You Should Take a Cruise!

How Big is a Balcony Stateroom?

A Balcony Stateroom provides extra room, spectacular views and privacy, all at the best price possible. For your reference: a Studio cabin comes in at 100-square-feet in size; an Inside cabin is 142-square-feet; and an Ocean view is 161-square-feet. Balcony Staterooms start at 205-square feet and come will all the standard amenities including room service.