Stop the Madness!

March Madness!!! Not spring pollen, rain showers, or snowstorms in weird places (Arizona? Really???).

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Basketball. Brackets. Balls. Squeaky shoes. Sweat. Upsets. Cinderella stories.

I used to hate it. I did. Really. The squeaky shoes on the court especially. But, I have discovered how to beat the insanity. Join it!

Yes, friends. Jump in. Have fun. Embrace the madness. Create a bracket!

Maybe I should have shared this secret with you a couple weeks ago, but it's not too late. Make a sweet sixteen bracket for each member of your family and have them fill it out. Know nothing about basketball, then you can pick by mascot, by team ranking, or by how much you like the name. It doesn't really matter if you pick winners, just pick somebody!

Hang each bracket where everyone in the family can check on it, even little kids can create a bracket and participate. Just ask them to pick one name or the other.

Each win the first round (sweet sixteen) is worth one point.
Each win the second round (elite eight) is worth two points.
Each win the third round (final four) is worth four points.
Selecting the overall champion is worth eight points.

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Tally the points and you will have a winner. Concerned about a tie? Everyone can also guess the point spread (or total points of both teams) for the final game. Whoever comes closest wins!

Then, sit back with a bowl of popcorn. Cheer for the teams in your bracket. When you win, gloat! Okay, not really.

I have to say, with two teen boys, our family bracket is loads of fun. I lost big-time last year. This year, I'm leading the way! Odds are I will win -- and have bragging rights for a WHOLE YEAR!

I hope this helps! And for now, I have to say, "Go Sparty!" (I've picked Michigan State to win it all!) Though, if the Buckeyes win, I won't complain.