Bachelor Recap Week #2

Holy cow.  These girls are cuckoo for Colton-puffs.  And I get it.  He's adorbs.  He reminds me of Chris Pratt.  He just seems like a really nice, genuine guy.  But I am so so tired of hearing about his virginity.  And I'm sure he is, too. 

KJ and I watched the show live and tried to get T to watch with us from Denver but she couldn't get the ABC app to work properly.  Here's my thoughts on the second episode:

• It was a long episode.  I'm new at all this so I thought it was just going to be a 1-hour show. 
• I didn't realize the Bachelor could give out roses willy-nilly throughout the episode.  I thought he only gave them out at the end of each show during the rose ceremony. 
• The date with the one girl from Alabama, (Miss Alabama USA), Hannah B was very awkward despite it being her birthday.  You could tell she was nervous and uncomfortable.  I don't blame her.  I would be too.  I'm nervous and awkward on a regular basis and don't have cameras following me around.  And I understand her need to be perfect all the time.  I have a daughter like that.  The night time date got a little better when she started to open up and talk about her own sexual experience(s).  Which I found interesting.  I was wondering how the sweet Southern girls were going to handle the topic of their own sexuality if and when it came up.  I think Hannah B's experience is pretty common . . . she thought she was in love so they took the next step.  Oh!  And #RollTide  Yup.  Like I said, awkward. 
• I find it so incredibly rude and disrespectful when the girls interrupt each other during one-on-one time with the Bachelor.  During competition or group dates, that's fine.  But not cool to interrupt someone else's time.  Which brings me to:
• The two girls trying to out-do each other with noisemakers.  What are you?  Ten?  An air horn?  A pot and pan?  I think the one girl was the same one who showed up with a snorkel in last week's episode and said she was "drowning in a sea of bitches."  She had a whistle with her then so the airhorn was an apparent upgrade.  Oh!  And she made some cheesy comment about "being horny." 
• Tracy is going to blow a gasket.  For real.  She's got a vein in her forehead that is going to burst.  She had a mini-melt down last night and it was only episode 2.  It's just a matter of time before she goes full-blown nuts.  She is totally triggered by: 
• Demi.  Girl.  The robe?  The fantasy "closet?"  Touching the "group rose?"  Jumping off the stage during the group date and kissing Colton???  This is one very aggressive chick from Texas.  And, on top of her assertive behavior, she's making fun of the "older" ladies in the house.  Tracy confronted Demi and Demi apologized in an extremely condescending manner, but Demi was still confident she would receive the stem. Not.  So.  Fast.  Colton gave the rose to Elyse (she’s 31; he’s 26). Demi subsequently dubbed Elyse a cougar.  Elyse, btw, is a confident, very attractive red-head. 

• The Pageant Drama is going to get pretty intense if the sneak peeks are anything to go by.  Caeylnn, Miss North Carolina USA, gossiped a bit with the other girls about Hannah B.  These two girls not only competed in the Miss USA competition together, but they were even roommates!  According to Caelynn, Hannah was extremely upset (read "jealous") when Caelynn placed higher than her and Hannah B flipped her sh*t in a hot minute.  Caelynn also predicted Hannah B's behavior will rear its ugly head again soon.  Hannah B also mentioned Caelynn to Hannah G.  But good for Hannah G!  She seems to be playing it cool and staying true to herself.  From what we could see, she did not stoop to their level and did not gossip.  She listened to what Hannah B was saying, but didn't add any fuel to the fire. 

• In the end, Annie, who grew up in Wisconsin but attended . . . wait for it . . . wait for it . . . Yup!  You guessed it!  Alabama!  #RollTide went home last night.  And some other girls.  IDK.  This early in the season I don't even know if they have names or if they are just called Girl like in Birdbox (i.e., Girl #1, Girl #2, Girl #3). 

Happy New Year (a couple days late)

2016 is off to a great start in our household!  Coach and KJ spent the evening at Jerry World watching Alabama play, T was in New Orleans with Pony Boy and friends for the Sugar Bowl and I ushered in the New Year with a glass of wine and a bubble bath.  I think I was asleep by 10:30 pm. It was glorious!

Christmas was really great.  Very quiet with just the four of us but very relaxing.  Since the girls were very little, we've always gotten a new game for Christmas and we played it Christmas Eve.  We all slept in on Christmas morning and had our traditional breakfast casserole.  I think everyone was happy with their Christmas gifts (Coach got a FitBit, the girls and I got lots of Kendra Scott, James Avery jewelry, Hunter boots, Michael Kors bags, clothes, etc.).

Lax season is fully underway.  KJ is super duper happy with her lax team. It's a combined FloMo/Marcus team and she said the girls are all incredibly nice and have been exceptionally welcoming.  A couple of the girls knew a couple of her volleyball teammates so that was a Nice ice breaker.

The weather has been so crazy the last week or so.  Last week I had the heat off and some windows open, the weekend was noticeably chillier and the heat is back on. 

We've had a nice relaxing 3-day weekend. Friday KJ had a half day and the three of us had an awesome lunch at a little local place we've been dying to try.  We also did some furniture shopping and ended up buying a new patio set.  Saturday was rainy and dreary so Cosmo and KJ started painting the office. It was a dark, dark green and felt like an old man's office (previous owners had dark window treatments and old, boring golf prints).  I picked out a nice light color that's hard to explain ... not tan or beige but not ivory either.  The color perfectly matches the tab-top curtains I had in the upstairs hallway in our Alabama house.  The room looks so bright and airy now and ten times larger than it did!

Sunday the sun came out and warmed up a bit so KJ and I spent the afternoon walking around Grapevine. Such a cute little Main Street with great shopping!

We also bought new light fixtures to go over the kitchen island.  I like all of the light fixtures in this house, they had all been updated before we moved in.  However, I positively hated the dark Tiffany stained glass pendants. We bought very simple ivory shades to lighten things up and it makes a huge difference. 

The patio set was delivered Sunday afternoon; now we just need the weather to cooperate so we can have some steaks on the grill!

weekends

The last two weekends have been absolutely wonderful!  Great weather (although yesterday was one of the hottest days we've had in a while) and we've tried to take full advantage of being out doors.

Last Sunday we were able to cross paddle boarding off our bucket list!  I absolutely loved it and told Coach I want a paddle board for Christmas. It was an incredible total body workout and a great family activity. Coach and I each fell off the board once but KJ never fell off at all.  We were together as a family but paddle boarded at our own pace.

Friday night KJ had a volleyball game in Dallas and Saturday she had a tournament in Arlington which was perfect because we were right by the stadium and made it to the Alabama vs. Wisconsin game with plenty of time for a little tailgating. Although we really wanted to go to the game, we were hesitant to buy tickets before she tried out for volleyball.  We knew there was a tournament the same day as the game and didn't want to spend big bucks on tickets only to be sitting at a tournament clear on the other side of town.  At the last minute a friend mentioned on FB he had four tickets so we jumped on the chance.

We had never been to a game at AT&T stadium and it did not disappoint.  What an incredible place to see a game!!  The stadium is phenomenal and there is not a bad seat in the house. We had such a good time at the game and of course KJ and Coach loved being among true Alabama fans. 

Today we slept in a little, Cosmo made French toast for breakfast, did a few things around the house and spent the rest of the day in the pool.  Last week the pool temp had cooled considerably and I thought maybe our pool days were numbered but today was absolutely perfect! 

Labor Day

Happy Labor Day!  Hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend!  I know we are!

KJ had a scrimmage on Friday at home.  She's playing SO good!  Her serves are solid and she's been setting.  She's still fighting the setter position but Cosmo and I keep telling her it's the perfect position for her -- she knows what she's doing on the court, she controls the action and she sets very, very well.  I don't know what her problem is.  She is loving high school life and it was so weird to see her doing some Damascus chants and cheers during the Varsity game.  Anyway, she played awesome and a couple of her friends came to see her play and then they went to the football scrimmage while Cosmo and I went out to dinner at Laurienzo's.  I luv, luv, luv their lobster ravioli!  http://www.laurienzobrickovencafe.com/

KJ's friend slept over Friday night and my parents arrived Saturday afternoon in plenty of time to watch the Alabama game.  Cosmo's niece and her husband came over (FSU fans/alumni) and my cousin and her husband joined us as well (Penn State fans/alumni).  I was hoping we could set up the TV poolside but it was quite humid and it looked like it might rain.  I swear, I love having people over.  The more the merrier.  Sunday's weather cooperated and we spent the entire day in the pool.  The.  Entire.  Day.  We only got out of the pool to eat (and bathroom breaks!!).

Today Cosmo, KJ and my parents are at the Spy Musuem in DC.  http://www.spymuseum.org/
I decided to stay home and get some stuff done to get ready for the week ahead.  I have a bunch of pool towels to throw in the wash and just need to chill for a bit.  The sun is shining today so I'll probably lay at the pool and catch up on my magazines.

Settling In Nicely

Still have a ton of boxes to go thru but for the most part we're settled in nicely.  I do have to open every box and look thru the contents in case anything is broken and need to place a claim w/ in 60 days of delivery so that's taking a while.  I did come across a box of Thanksgiving table décor which had a couple of broken items (which upset me greatly because it's my favorite holiday!) and my chocolate fondue ceramic pot was also broken.  :-( 

The weather has been wonderful.  It's nice to have some cooler days on tap.  The A/C has been off and the windows have been open for several days now.  KJ, of course, is loving the pool and goes swimming every chance she can.  God only knows what my electric bill is going to be like heating the pool!  She likes her volleyball team very much, likes her school, likes her teachers so that aspect is going great.  I attended a meeting on Ed-line (similar to the STI program we had in Alabama but a little more user friendly and ALL of KJ's teachers use the program).  After the Ed-line meeting was a PTA meeting and from there we walked our child's schedule and met w/ each teacher.  All of KJ's teachers were great and each and everyone of them asked how we were handling the move, how was KJ adjusting at home, etc.  One of her math teachers (her algebra class is co-taught which I totally love!) gave me #RollTide as well as one of KJ's PE teachers!  Pretty funny! 

Had such a fun, relaxing weekend with my family.  We drove up to my bro's Saturday morning and met everyone at Mr. B's football game.  So exciting to watch him play.  It was only their second game of the season and unfortunately they lost but it was still fun.  After the game the "girls" went shopping (I promised Sassypants I'd buy her some new earrings for her b-day) and the "guys" went home to watch more football (Alabama vs. Texas A&M, Penn State and then the Ole Miss vs. Texas game). 

T had a good weekend, too!  She and a bunch of friends drove out to Austin to attend the Ole Miss game.  She said it was hot and flat but they had a good time.  They spent the first half of the game at one of the Texas fraternity tents and then one of the dad's handling the smoker in the tent gave her and her friend Josh his two tickets so they went into the game for the second half.  They made a slight detour on the way home and stopped at LSU and had dinner.  She said LSU was not a pretty campus at all but Mike the Tiger being right on campus was pretty cool! 

BCS

Just a quick shout-out to my good natured friend Dean Martin.  He's one of the biggest Notre Dame fans out there and he put up with a lot of trash talk from me the last couple of weeks.  We had a friendly rivalry going back and forth but in the spirit of friendship, it never got ugly.  And I will behave and won't rub last night's win in, either. 

Cosmo was in Nashville last night and T went to TTown w/ friends to watch the game so it was just me and KJ.  She's fun to watch games with.  Thankfully both of my girls know their football better than most men and make intelligent observations throughout the game.  I hate when girls/women just repeat/FB/re-tweet whatever the announcer or their husband just said.

Still feeling really, really cruddy.  Just can't seem to shake this annoying cough.  And I'm really tired all the time.  God, I hope I don't have mono.  Never had it before, don't really need it at 45 years old.  Ain't no body got time for that.  I've never had strep before and neither have the girls. 

KJ's volleyball is in full swing.  Practices have started and we have a tournament at the end of the month.  T has an incredibly long break and doesn't have to be back in Oxford until the end of January.  She went to Tuscaloosa last night to watch the big game with friends and  I think she has plans to visit friends in Auburn next weekend and then stop in Starkville on her way back to Ole Miss. She has been asked to represent her sorority in the Ole Miss version of the Beauty Walk (I think it's called Walk of Beauties??) and then she goes right into lax season.  She's got Spring Break plans already, too.  Not sure what KJ and I are going to do this year.  She's going on the Washington DC trip with school, I may just hit the beach by myself for a few days.  Aaaaahhh, that would be heavenly!!!  Me, my nook and a margarita or two. 

It's OK Thursday . . .

...I didn't win Associate of the Month for the FOURTH time.  It's an honor to be nominated, blah, blah, blah.  Someday that primo parking spot will be mine.  But seriously, I do work with some pretty amazing folks and am proud to be part of such a great team!  I truly love my job! 

...that last weekend was NOT a good football weekend in our house -- Alabama lost, Ole Miss lost and Navy lost.  But, on the upside, we got to see Brye play and spent a beautiful, fun day @ Troy University. 

...that I'm obsessed with the History Channel's "The Men Who Built America."  Some good stuff right there.  I should have been a history teacher.  Totally missed my calling. 

...that some crazy-ass lady in a big white Infinity QX56 refused to let me merge into the lane this morning on the way to work.  Not only did she speed up and not let me merge, she was texting the entire time and she tailgated the car in front of her SO bad for miles and miles.  Hope she got to her destination OK.  She was obviously much more important than anyone else on the road this morning. 

...that I've been standing out on the lacrosse field 3 nights this week.  WTH?  I don't have any kids that play in the state of Alabama.  It's like the damn mafia, they suck me back in. 

...that I started my Christmas Shopping but haven't made a dent.  Looks like everyone's getting an Old Navy gift card!  hahahahaha!

Oh!!  And don't forget to Blog Hop --


 

No Bloggy Long Time

Didn't realize how long it's been since I've blogged last.  Been a busy couple of days as always.  Yesterday was very, very warm -- in the low 80's.  I had the a/c on last night because it was so hot in the house.  Today is freezing and I've got socks and a sweatshirt on.  And I luv, luv, luv it!  Got all the windows open and luv the fresh Fall air!

Got the Ole Miss vs. Arkansas game on while I blog.  Looks bright and sunny in AR.  Cosmo will probably build a fire tonight and put the TV on the deck so we can snuggle while we watch the Alabama vs. MS game.  I know my MS friends are SO incredibly excited about their season, but some one's got to lose tonight and I"m pretty sure it's not going to be Alabama.  Just sayin'. 

Last week T surprised us with a weekend visit.  Actually, I had known for weeks that she was planning to come home, I just didn't tell Cosmo or KJ.  Cosmo had been traveling and had tried to make plans to have dinner w/ T on Thursday in Oxford.  She had lax practice and a date party that night so their visit was going to be short.  He ended up sitting in Memphis traffic and got to campus really late.  She had to leave the restaurant to get ready for her evening and he was mad as hell because he thought she had blown him off.  Meanwhile, I knew all along that she was planning to drive home w/ N on Friday.  So, she walked in the door Friday afternoon and scared the heck out of KJ.  I told Cosmo to meet me and KJ at a Mexican place for dinner on his way home from Memphis and after we were seated, T walked in the door and walked right to the table.  It could have worked out better.  Cosmo was in mid-sentence and saw her walk in.  His expression was priceless! 

We had a wonderful family breakfast Saturday morning and they went to the pumpkin patch Saturday afternoon.  We've been going to the same pumpkin patch since KJ's first birthday.  T went out with friends Friday and Saturday and N picked her up Sunday afternoon.  T said she slept the entire way home.  It was a quick visit but it was nice to have her home for a bit.  She's still loving her classes, loves her lax team and loves her sorority stuff.  This week they went to the Boys & Girls Club and decorated pumpkins with the kids.  She likes the date parties and swaps but is SO glad she's got all 8 AM classes.  She said those 8 AM classes force her to go home earlier than everyone else and not party to all hours of the night.  I, of course, have encouraged her to take 8 AM classes all 4 years @ Ole Miss.  tee hee

One of Cosmo's lax buddy's works for ESPNU and mentioned that he'll be in Oxford on Wednesday filming so Cosmo gave him T's # if he need anything.  T ended up being part of a segment for ESPNU that should air this week.  She had a blast and got to work with Devin from CMT's "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Southern Nights" reality shows.  Devin is a Phi Mu currently attending Alabama (I think she's originally from TN) and chose Adam over Tribble (from Mountain Brook) that first season.  She's absolutely beautiful and T said she was very nice.

Thursday I had fun at work as we were filming a video for a industry conference.  Each hotel is supposed to submit a music video based on "Call me Maybe."  It was an gorgeous day and we filmed all over the resort.  I don't enjoy being in front of the camera at all and did a lot of behind the scenes kind of stuff, however, there is some footage of me riding a bike in high heels.  Hope it doesn't end up going viral. 

TGIF

Yay!!!  It's finally Friday!

As always, it's been a busy, busy week here in Hoo-ville starting off with Bid-day on Sunday and will end up with lots of football (Hoover vs. Vestavia High School game Friday night, Ole Miss @ Alabama Saturday and some good ol' NFL on Sunday -- yippee!  The Refs are back!).  Oh, and I almost forgot!  My birthday was in there somewhere as well as two middle school volleyball games. 

Had a wonderful, relaxing birthday.  It was exactly what I wanted / needed.  We eat out alot because of our busy schedules so that has kind of lost its appeal.  It's not special anymore.  I told Cosmo I don't care if I have a bowl of corn chex for my birthday dinner, I just want to be in my own home.  Cosmo sent me an amazing bouquet of flowers and he & KJ made some steaks and scallops on the grill and we had tiramasu and cheesecake for dessert.  It was a gorgeous night so we ate outside.  It was a PERFECT birthday!

A little foosball

Enjoying the rest of the Saturday with a little Alabama football.  KJ had a volleyball tourney today so I didn't get to see any of the Auburn game.  Folks on Twitter & Facebook are just tearing Auburn up after that game.  And my friend Julie is just loving life right about now.  I don't dislike Auburn, I just like Alabama a heck of a lot better.  Which is hard for Alabama natives to understand.  But, "not being from around these parts," I didn't have to choose a side while growing up.  Auburn's going to have a rough year and I wonder how long it will take before Chizik is on the chopping block. 

I'm such a total dweeb.  I just luv, luv, luv Nick Saban and I luv, luv, luv seeing the new Crimsonette costumes each year.  They are magnificent and positively scream football.  I don't like when schools try to break from tradition and modernize and fool around with uniforms (yes Oregon, I'm talking to you.  And you too, Terps.). 

 

 

 

T is gearing up for the Ole Miss game vs. UTEP.  It's parent's weekend and she gets to do the Rebel Run this afternoon.  She's still loving college life but in all seriousness, what's not to love?  She's at one of the prettiest campuses on the planet, loves her classes, likes her roommate, lax started this week and she's meeting lots of new peoople.  She likes the girls on her lax team alot and she's even met a couple of laxers who played against Hoover and remember Coach.  She tried out for the campus news team last week and originally did not make it.  Which we kind of expected as a freshmen.  But then, she got an e-mail saying they'd like her to do some B-reel, background work, research, etc.  And, she was also invited to two different journalism conferences.  The one in September interferes with Rush but she will go to the one in November. 

Didn't go to the Hoover football game Friday night and quite honestly, I'm not sure if we'll even make a game this year.  I hate this new alignment and have zero interest in any of the games (maybe I'll feel differently when KJ hits high school.  But for now, I'm really enjoying my Friday nights!).  The rivalries are gone, the excitement/anticipation is gone.  Don't get me wrong, Hoover is still an incredible team and no matter the conference or divison they play in, they will steamroll over everyone.  But I miss the Spain Parkers thinking they have a shot each year, I like the ugliness of the Vestavia game and I like the Brookies snubbing their noses at Hoover each year.  Oh!  And Homewood!  I always like their band.  They put on a good half-time show.   

Flim Flam, Bim Bam

Are you ready?

Hell yes!

Damn Right!

Hotty Toddy, Gosh almighty Who the hell are we?

Hey!

Flim Flam, Bim Bam Ole Miss, By Damn!

OK. Not gonna lie. It was kind of weird rooting for a team other than the Tide or the Jets.  But we had a great time with T, got to see 5 of the 7 Hoover kids, visited with some old friends, met some new friends and just soaked up all that is tailgating at the Grove. 

 

The Grove was quite an experience . . . tailgating at it's finest.  The kids were all decked out, the tents were gorgeous (I was in heaven and got lots of ideas for my dining room table!) and the food was delish!  

 

 

Ole Miss won but it was an ugly win.  KJ and I giggled the whole time and drove Cosmo nuts.  He bought me a seat cushion and KJ a jersey to keep us quiet.  We kept asking him when they were going to play "Sweet Home Alabama" and under our breath we would say "Roll Tide Roll" when it was 1st and 10.  KJ had her picture taken with the cheerleaders and we did the Walk of Champions a couple of hours prior to kick-off.  

 

 

On our way home on Sunday we stopped at a nice little park in Tupelo and let KJ run around and play in the splash park. 

Still a Work in Progress

Tweaked my dining room table & foyer Football decor this afternoon.  I added an Ole Miss runner to my buffet and also some Pottery Barn vintage inspired glassware.  I probably should have ironed the fabric I used as a tablecloth but didn't think of it until afterward. 

I'm still not sure about the blue glass plate in between the Ole Miss dinner plate and the Pottery Barn football plate.  I think it adds color but hides the Ole Miss logo. 

Cosmo & I rec'd these blue wineglasses one year for Christmas before we were even married.  Must have been the Christmas we were engaged.  Anyway, my one sister-in-law told me they were tacky.  They are.  But boy, I get so much use out of them!  I use them for my 4th of July table, my beach table and now my Ole Miss table!  Hotty Toddy! 

Some Crimson Tide wine "The Dominator" a friend gave me after last year's Championship game. 

I also have a "Roll Tide" banner for my desk at work.  We have Football Friday tailgate parties at the office and we all wear school colors.  Don't know what I should wear this year?  Red?  Blue?  Houndstooth???

I can't find the Bear Bryant wooden sign I had last year and I also can't find my favorite pic of me & Cosmo from the Penn State game in T-Town. 

 

Roughing it

I was doing really great until this morning.  I had a little meltdown and think it's going to be the first of many this week.  Heard that one of T's friends is having a rough time during Rush and that upset me.  A lot.  I got very, very emotional and started crying.  It's starting to hit me. 

Little by little the kids are heading off to college.  The Troy girls are waiting for their bids as I type.  Last week the Auburn girls moved in and they are all anxiously awaiting Bid Day (Sunday?  Monday?).  This week the Alabama girls moved in and are all anxiously awaiting Rush.  Now the guys are starting to move in.  Some of T's friends moved in earlier this week, some are moving this weekend.  One of Coach's boy's came by the other night to say good-bye.  Thursday night T had a BBQ for the friends that are still here and some of the Mississippi State boys are moving in this weekend.  T has just been a roller coaster of emotions the last couple of weeks and said it just sucks to constantly be telling friends good-bye.  This is why I don't ever say "good-bye."  I always say, "See you soon."

Social Sunday

Today didn't start off too great.  Or maybe Saturday night never really ended?  Too tired to tell the difference.  All I know is insomnia and a migraine are not a good combination.  I was up until 5:30 AM.  Wide awake.  With a raging headache.  No Bueno.  But the Bagel Boy took good care of me.  I do luv me some Bagel Boy on Sunday mornings! 

So we're down to the ten day mark.  In ten days T-bone will be leaving for college.  The Auburn girls were moving in today (I think Rush starts tomorrow) and I know the Alabama girls can't be far behind.  Thinking of all the moms (and dads!) today.  I know it's going to be much harder on me (and Coach) than it is T.  She's excited to start this new chapter in her life and I'm going to have a hard time letting go.  And I can tell you right now Coach is going to be a wreck.  This is the man who cried when the girls got their ears pierced. 

Ok!  Moving on to Social Sunday!  So excited for this week's questions!  I luv, luv, luv the Fall.  It's the best time of the year in our house . . . my b-day in September, our 20th Anniversary in October, Coach's b-day the day after that and KJ's 13th b-day the day after that!  I hate Alabama summers but luv Alabama Autumns!  I luv being able to open the windows and get some fresh air.  I luv sleeping with the windows open.  I luv waking up with a slight chill in the air.  I luv football season.  I luv having friends over to watch football on the back deck with a bonfire going.  I luv decorating the house for Fall.  I luv decorating the house for Halloween.  I luv Thanksgiving.  Yup.  Best time of the year for me! 

This weeks questions:

1. What is your favorite Fall activity? I absolutely luv everything about the Fall so this is going to be a tough one.  I would say Friday night high school football games, Saturday college football games and Sunday NFL games.  Decorating the house for Fall, bonfire evenings, and Halloween.

2. Do you follow a football team? if so which one and why? We've always been Alabama fans and of course this is a New York Jets house.  I guess this year we'll need to root for Ole Miss, too.  

3. What is something fun about Fall in your area? We've been going to the same pumpkin patch since we moved here 13 years ago.  It's a family tradition.   And Coach carves the pumpkins with the girls.  It's just one of those "dad" things.   

4. Fav Fall outfit staples? Jeans, a long-sleeve V-neck t-shirt from either Gap or Old Navy.  Cute scarves.  Lots of bracelets.  A great brown leather bag and brown leather boots with a heel because I'm vertically challenged in a big way. 

5. Thing you are looking forward to most about this coming Fall season? I am really, really excited about football season.  I'm really looking forward to tailgating in the Grove.  I'm looking forward to seeing Brye play and Rory cheer!  

6. Favorite Fall holiday? Traditions? Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday.  It's just such a simple holiday.  No cards.  No gifts to buy.  It's just a day to reflect, be thankful and spend time with your loved ones.  I luv cooking the turkey, I luv the textures of Fall, I luv the smells.  I luv having the girls help in the kitchen on Thanksgiving day (they like to make the mashed potatoes and crescent rolls).  I luv when Coach carves up the turkey.  

Next Week's Questions:

If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

What's your guilty pleasure/comfort food?

What's the weirdest/craziest thing you've ever eaten?

What foods do you avoid at all costs?

What meal reminds you of your childhood?

Share one of your favorite recipes and the story behind it.

Friday! Friday!

Yay! It's Friday!

Should be a fairly "quiet" weekend for us. It's all relative: "quiet" for us is insane for someone else. T has two lax games Saturday and Champ has 1. I will be at T's game in case she makes it to 100.

Sunday friends have invited us over for a craw fish boil which should be tons of fun. Her husband is a chef so I'm sure it's going to be delish!!! And, they are from Louisiana. = Guaranteed deliciousness.

We've got our hotel reservations for a couple of Ole Miss games in the fall. Hotty Toddy! Can't wait to tailgate in the Grove. We've been Alabama fans for years & years (way before we even moved here) and that will never change. However, I have started to be on the look-out for some fun Ole Miss tailgating supplies.

Cosmo & I have been working on our big b-day/anniversary trip for the fall (20 years of wedded bliss!). We've narrowed it down to: St. Thomas, St. Kitts and/or Jamaica. We went to Jamaica for our honeymoon but this trip would be to a different part of the island. We've been to St. Thomas before, too and really liked it. We've never been to St. Kitts so that might be interesting. I just need to do a little more research and see what kind of activities/attractions/dining are nearby. Even though the plan is to totally and completely vegetate on the beach, we still like to snorkel, etc. I think I'd like to give zip lining a try. Hey, YOLO!!!

Breaking the Huddle

I can NOT believe I missed the SAG awards Sunday! It was such a crazy day and I totally forgot they were on! Our little emergency room visit kind of threw us all off kilter but we did watch two incredible documentaries on HBO when things finally settled down.

The first documentary was on Integration in the SEC (football). This was all a little before my time and, being a "Yankee" I will admit what little I know about the Civil Rights Movement I learned in a high school class or from news snippets. This documentary was a fascinating look at how sports played an important role in the movement. There was a lot of pressure on these young men to represent their race in a positive light and each victory on the field was considered a victory for all African-Americans. These were very brave young men (and women) and I had absolutely no idea that Alabama had an all-white football team until 1970. 1970! Insane.

http://www.hbo.com/sports/breaking-the-huddle-the-integration-of-college-football/index.html

The following article doesn't not portray Bear Bryant in a positive light and accuses him of not using his power as the head coach of Alabama to do more for African-Americans (simply amazing to me that the masses look to their sports heroes to be their moral compasses -- i.e., Paterno. But that's a rant for another day.). That is the writer's opinion and I am in no way, shape or form trying to smear Bear Bryant's legacy. I only post the link because it details the HBO documentary better than I can. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt and I think Bear Bryant did the best he could based on the political temperature in the South at the time. I think if he had just went out and recruited a bunch of African-American players and threw them onto the playing field he would have had a race riot on his hands. He needed to introduce the concept in such a way that Alabamaians thought it was their own idea. Baby steps. And that's why he invited USC to Legion Field.

http://www.aolnews.com/2008/11/29/breaking-the-huddle-hbos-powerful-look-at-the-integration-of-c/

The next documentary we watched was on Joe Namath. Interestingly enough, while we were watching the Integration documentary I asked Cosmo if Namath was at Alabama while all this was going on and quickly did the math in our heads (1969 NY Jets Super Bowl victory minus a couple of years for college). Namath does talk about when he first arrived at Alabama, how his teammates gave him a hard time because he was a "Yankee," how he didn't understand what segregation was all about, and about the history making day when the two black students tried to register for classes. You could just hear the pride and excitement in his voice when he talks about Vivien Malone walking into the building. He was rooting for her. I think this was an excellent story about a simple kid from Beaver Falls, PA and they did not hide from his alcohol issues. He was from a broken working class family, he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed (couldn't pass the entrance exam @ Maryland), caused a lot of mischief when he was a kid and just lived his life to the fullest and went along for the ride. My favorite part of the whole 90 minutes is when his older sister referred to him as a PIA --- Pain in the Ass.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/nfl/01/27/namath/index.html

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/138259629.html

Whoo Hoo! Lots Going On!

Thursday's can be hard because we're all anxiously awaiting Friday but it's also "It's OK Thursdays" AND there are some fun swaps to get involved in!




It's OK . . .

...to accept the fact that now that lacrosse season is underway, my life is basically over until May

...to be proud of yourself when you remember to take your vitamins

...to really not give a flip what Beyonce & Jay-Z named their baby girl

...to eat Frosted Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tarts 5-days a week at my desk for breakfast

...that I was very, very disappointed in Monday's night's National Championship game! Don't get me wrong! I'm crazy excited that Alabama won, I'm just very disappointed in LSU. I felt they didn't even show up to the game and I really wanted a much closer score. I kind of feel cheated.

...to be a little sad each time I read about a celebrity couple breaking up (i.e., Katy Perry & Russell Brand). Relationships are tough! I don't care who you are!

And transitioning nicely into relationships, love & Valentine's Day, don't forget to sign-up for the Valentine Swap over at http://www.fabulousbutevil.com/

Bama Dogs

And I think this poor little guy had a try-out this week for the kicker position . . .

Football Fans

Heard some funny stuff on the radio this morning. One of the guys was complaining about girls/women who spout off during football games but really have no idea what they are talking about (and won't shut up and just end up making themselves look silly). If you don't understand the game or aren't sure what exactly is going on, it's perfectly acceptable to say something generic like "nice catch" or "nice run." Or even throw your hands up in the air after a fumble or an interception. One of his biggest complaints was women who think wearing a cute outfit and attending a tailgate party makes you an expert. One of them also made a snarky comment about "unless you are a super hot 20-something year old, please keep your school spirit outfits age appropriate."

Sunday Miscellaney

I am so disappointed with the current selection of books I've got on my Nook. I like a serious, saga that sweeps across continents and centuries. I need to find something like Ken Follet's "Pillars of the Earth" or "Fall of Giants." Right now I've got a lot of quick, easy read chick lit. I need to find something a little meatier and hunker down. I like books that follow characters and their families for generations. I like the "City of ...." books by Beverly Swerling; they are a series of historical books about a New York City family. Yup. Definitely need reading suggestions.

Got my Thanksgiving decor completed. I've started some Christmas shopping. Everyone I shop for is pretty easy except Cosmo. He is just awful to buy for and I get very frustrated. He's got enough NY Jets stuff to last him a lifetime and the guy owns a lacrosse store so equipment/accessories/apparel are out of the question. And, on top of already being difficult to buy for, his b-day is in October, our wedding anniversary is in October and our "real" anniversary is in November. By the time Christmas rolls around, I'm fresh out of ideas for him.

Every one's been asking if T wants stuff for her dorm for Christmas but she said no. She wants to wait to see where she's going first and wants to decorate with her roommate. One thing she vehemently expressed is that she will NOT be having any of the cutesy, monogrammed, matchy-match stuff. She hated that stuff as a kid and will not have any of it in her dorm. Which just breaks LCM's heart. I know LCM wanted to buy T some cutesy, girlie, polka-dotted things.

This Pink & Green dorm room would be KJ's dream room / T's worst nightmare

Heartbreaking loss for Alabama last night. I was really into the first half and couldn't believe it was such a low scoring, tied up game at the half. Second half I started to read and barely watched any of the OT. Hope today's Jets game makes up for last night's Bama loss.