Quote from Butch

I know I havent even written about my great trip to Lake Tahoe, but I had to jot this one down.

Tonight I asked Dad what he wanted for supper. And remember when I cook, it is a full meal (salad, meat, veggies, etc). He answered, "I didnt eat lunch, so I want a good supper, healthy. You know, like with a good salad. How about Gattis'?"

Healthy means Gattis', just in case anyone out there was wondering. Just ask Butch.

Almost time!

Today we will head to San Antonio for the night, then leave at 6am. Well I have packed, kind of, and you would think that was about all I had to do. My mind is spinning with stuff I have to do!!
Email about upcoming Relay meeting
Address post cards about upcoming Relay meeting
Shower
Pack bathroom stuff
Clear off cameras memory cards
finish this blog
Write something on Relay blog
Feed dad
get camera batteries
clean out my car
AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!

Ill keep you posted on my trip!

Ive Nevers

In the last few months I have realized how simple my life really is. It is no secret that I am NOT a world traveler, but I think I have had a lot of life experiences.
Anyways, the point is that I have compiled a list of, I'VE NEVERS, so here goes...

Ive never...

Smoked a cigarette (or smoked anything!)
Had anything pierced (no, not even my ears)
Gotten a tatoo
Been on an airplane, train, cruise, subway or rollercoaster
Drank coffee (or any version of a mocha-latte-whatever)or even been inside a Starbucks
Paid a parking meter

Been to Vegas or California (ok-Ive only been out of Texas 4-5times, so any state that isnt on the way to Tennessee or Wyoming...I havent been to)

Been admitted to a hospital, which means…no IV, no surgery, no anesthesia,
Broken a bone (well I did fall down the stairs and mess up my toe, but its not like they could do anything about it)

I guess I am thinking about this again since I have plane tickets for Thursday!!

December 3

In case anyone is looking for an update....I am still planning on getting on a big jet plane Thursday morning!! If anything, I am less anxious. My room is a disaster right now, but I am already packing and planning. Tonight I picked up Robin's iPod. She loaded 1200 songs for me to listen to on the plane. Well, there is enough songs for 4.6 days of continous play...no repeats!! So, I might be listening to it all weekend!!! Especially if I am alone in the hotel!! Thank you Robin!!

I have a list to tackle tomorrow, then we will head to Brian's apartment on Wednesday. The plane takes off at 6am Thursday, so I cant decide if I should get up at about 2, or try to sleep as long a possible. I always need to eat, but sometimes when I eat too early, I get queezy. So, If I can go to sleep at 8pm, I would be able to get up about 2am, give my stomach time to settle and then head to the airport.

Any ideas?????

Well, here it is FOOTBALL SEASON!!

As you all know, I have been included in the guys fantasy football league this year. The draft went great. I picked up Larry Johnson first, then felt good about the strength of the rest of my team. It cost $5 to trade/drop/etc, and I am way to tight to do that! So I was planning to try very hard to keep my inital picks.

Also, a few of us paid a little extra to pay out $6 per week to the high scorer.
WEEK 1-This was the weekend that I went to Houston to watch the Texans play the Chiefs, so I didnt get to check StatTracker until late Sunday evening. Holy Crap! I was outscoring everyone in the league...except the team I was playing. This means, if I was playing anyone else in the league, I would be winning!


My starting quarterback was hurt at the end of the game. UGHH! So, first week and I already have to pick someone else up. In the end, I lost my game...but, I did win the $6, because the team I was playing didnt buy into our side game and I had out scored everyone else. I felt strong about my team and I was thankful that I had a good showing for the only girl in the league.


WEEK 2- Another week of me dominating the points....but still losing to my opponent. How is this possible? I watched StatTracker until the end of the games Sunday. I had lost by 2 points Monday morning I started looking at week 3, etc. OMG!!! I WON, I WON, I WON, I WON, I WON! WooHoo!! I guess I didnt wait long enough for everything to refresh. Yea! Im 1-1 and I won the $6 again.


Going into this whole experience I knew I was not going to win the whole thing, I honestly dont care enough to watch ESPN everday to get the latest news. I just wanted to be a solid player and not let Holly down. (She made me swear that I wouldnt get bored and quit!) I feel really great that (so far) I have been strong!!! This is for you Holly...GIRLS RULE!!!


WEEK 3- Well this was a pretty boring Football Sunday. Right away I was behind. I never caught up. This week, I was the lowest scorer in the league. :(


WEEK 4 & 5-Alright, apparently I am a little bored with Fantasy Football already. (Holly, Shhh!!!) But I think week 6 cured me. Week 4 and 5 were boring....I lost. I think one of those weeks I lost to Jared. DAMN!! With so much going on in my life, I dont look at my team as much as I should. I dont have internet in Blanco, and that is where I have spent the last few Sundays.


WEEK 6-I didnt look at my team ALL week long. I really planned on trying to pick up a TE...mine sux. I thought about it on Saturday, then I forgot. Then again on Sunday I said, "WOW, lets go to the library. I feel like I probably have players on a bye week." Then we never went. Monday (since I was now on a no-job status) I checked, and I was winning!!!! But my QB was on a bye week!!! And I was playing against Eli Manning (who I dropped WAY too fast when he got hurt!) and he still had to play Monday night. Oh crap! Now it was going to be really obvious that I didnt check on my team. oopsie.
Ah-ha. I thought I found a loop-hole. Both of my QBs were on a bye week, so if I could pick up one of the QBs playing on Monday night, at least I would get some points, right? Well apparently you can play someone you JUST picked up. So, oh-well.


Now it is Tuesday night and Im thinking I better check my team NOW before I get to Blanco, then leave for Dallas, blah blah blah. WOWIE ZOWIE!!! I won!! Now that is confidence in your team when you dont even play a QB and you still win!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!
Who is 2-4 now boys!!!!!!!!!!!!


WEEK 7-I finally got back from Dallas late Sunday, didnt really get to watch much football, so I guess I am getting my fix on Monday night, even though I dont have anyone playing. By the way...I WON!!! And who would have thought Rick would be high scorer again (there are still a few people to play, but he looks pretty safe.) I have to give you kudos Rick, and I sure wouldnt have guessed it after our draft.


WEEK 8-This was a busy weekend with the bachelor party at my ranch, but the best part was having breakfast Saturday morning with Kyle, where he mentioned that he was, and I quote, 'gonna kick my ass.' It was on!!!


It was actually fun to watch on StatTracker. Just when you think its all over, someone scores big. New England's defense got me 21 pts!! woo-hoo! In the end....are you ready?? I WON, I WON, I WON! I am now 4-4 with 704 points....which makes me pass Jared!!! for 4th place. Gotcha Kyle!!!


WEEK 9-Sunday was like old times again. Just sitting around watching football, after coming back from hunting at the ranch. Week 9 started the second round of playing everone, so I am playing Blake again. All day it was very up and down and for once I actually has someone playing on Monday. As of Sunday night I was down by 30 points with my quarterback to play on Monday, and two of my starters had left the game early with injuries.


Well, Big Ben did it!! 38 points!!! Woo Hoo!! I WON!! 4th Place, 5-4 with 796 points. Im afraid I will have to do some add/drops this week...


WEEK 10-Sunday was spent in Fredericksburg again, that always makes for a 'good-old-Sunday.' I was playing Bryan, who is a very consistent team. He had 3 players playing on Monday night, and I was only up by 21 points. Between Addai, LaDainian, and Gates, my odds were not too good. Again...Woo Hoo!! I WON!! Between a weak showing for the big guys, and my defense putting up 5 points, I pulled it off again in the last minute.
This week I did do another add/drop Javon Walker is out of the season, so I picked up Steve Smith.


The biggest news from week 10 is Jared coming up as the high scorer!! I know, who would have thought. Now we are both 6-4, but because he scored 111 this week, he has passed me UGH!

WEEK 11-This week I played Rick. Yes, Rick...the new guy that is on a 10 week winning streak! Who would have thought the Cowboys would be doing so well and carrying Rick!! Ugh! Final 119-73. Overall I am in 5th place, behind Jared, with a total points of 973.


WEEK 12-This is Thanksgiving week, so the games started on Thurday. I went back and forth on a few players, but ended up now having anyone playing on Thursday. I am playing Jared, and his quarterback (Farve) played on Thursday and got 30 points. So from the start it looked like I was really far behind. I am writing this early, and I still have several people to play. Wish me luck!! Jared ended up scoring 121 points!! What a crock! Im 6-6 and sitting in 5th place. Oh-the worst part is the final score...121-41.

WEEK 13-Again, I just come out slow! I lost to Wade this week, yep, Wade. The guy who is 1-11...UGH!! Note-Jared, who scored 121 last week, only scored 58 pts! Why couldnt that be last week?!?!

Christmas traditions….

It is getting to be Christmas, and we have has our first cold spell, so I was thinking of my traditions. One of my longest friends, http://felipsha.blogspot.com/ kina kickstarted me thinking! There are many many more in my families, but I wanted to post-as-I-go...

When I was little my dad would take me to the ranch to pick out a tree. Since these were 'real' in-the-wild cedar trees, they were a far stretch from being shaped like a Christmas tree. My dad never could tell me no, so we would end up with HUGE trees. (Yes, I say trees because there was usually more then one...because I couldnt decide until we got them in the house. On several occasions, the tree took up most of the living room and was to the top of the stairs!! I always thought the bigger the better and Dad's thinking was the tackier the better. He believes in nothing matching, lots of colors, garland and tons of tinsel!! Oh what fun.

Mom’s house and tree was quite opposite. All of the ornaments were dated, a new one each year, or they had a name or special memory of buying or making attached. Great care was taken for each and every memory. There were years that we had a theme. But that never meant buying all new ornaments to match the theme, it meant using the coordinating ornaments and décor. There are even certain ornaments that only I can put on the tree.

Every year when mom took the Christmas stuff down, she would write a note to put in with the Christmas stuff. So, when we were getting the Christmas stuff out, she would read about the year before.

Busy Thanksgiving….

This year I tried to sleep late Wednesday morning, but that didn’t work. I got up and started cooking. I started with my cornbread for the dressing, rice for Molly’s Broccoli Rice Casserole. I chopped 2 yellow onions, 1 red onion, celery and green onions for use in the dressing and other dishes, then I made chocolate cupcakes. If I am using a mix for something I like to spice it up a little, so added mini-chocolate chips and topped with Chocolate Almond icing. My only dessert weakness is ice cream and box cake mix!!! I always use stick butter instead of oil, and beat the batter with my Kitchen Aide mixer to get it extra fluffy. Betty Crocker Chocolate Fudge cake mix is the best!! So, at this point I had to sit and watch TV for a few minutes because my stomach was cramping from all the batter I ate. YUMMY!

My Dad kept asking to help, so I finally set him up to peel all the potatoes and sweet potatoes. It was still about 85 outside, but rumor had it that there was a cold front coming in. I went to my shed and loaded my kitchen table, 4 chairs and the huge box of dishes that I wanted to use. For anyone who doesn’t know, I have a huge fetish for dishes and this set was extra special. During my mom’s move to Fredericksburg I obtained the set that her and my father registered for before their wedding. These were also the dished I remembered using with my mom when I was small. They are off-white with the raised fruit and vegetable around the edges. Perfect for Thanksgiving. It is a full set of 8, so for the second table (to also be set up in the dining room) we would use clear dishes.

I am trying to unload all this stuff from the Ranger, put the table together, rearrange the kitchen, and keep dad occupied with the potatoes when Grandma and Ken arrive. Oh Geez. Its only 2:00 and I am sweating like crazy!

The rolls have started to rise and everything is sautéing up nicely for the dressing when my mom stops by to drop off the pumpkin pie she made. The ham ended up being too tall to have 2 shelves in the oven, so I actually stacked several dishes on top of each other for the final heating!

At precisely 5:00 there were 12 people here to eat (by then the temperature had dropped into the 40s) and a beautifully set table with...
Spiral Sliced Mesquite Smoked Ham
Cornbread Dressing with Pork Sausage and Venison
Cranberry and Walnut Spinach Salad
Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Crumble topping
Fresh Green Beans
Wild Rice and Fresh Broccoli Casserole
Rolls

Everything went beautifully until dad was ready for dessert. At that same point, I was only about half way finished with my meal. I told him that we were going to wait a few minutes (to let me finish eating) before we had dessert. He was pissed, so after we cleaned off the table and loaded the dishwasher I started dishing out chocolate cakes and pumpkin pie. Dad refused to eat any dessert! Oh well, I try.

Thanksgiving morning Jared went hunting and when he returned (thank goodness empty handed) we headed to Mom’s. It was just us 4 and perfect. Another ham, dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans with Almonds, sautéed shallots and YUMMY rolls. After dinner we watched football until we were ready to tackle her homemade pies! Don’t get me wrong, I like pumpkin pie ok, but I am just there for the fresh whipped cream!!

Ok-two meals in two days isn’t too much to handle, but here is the kicker. I am now headed to Blanco to cook another Thanksgiving. I end up taking most of the Wednesday leftovers to Blanco where Jared fried a turkey that I had injected with marinade. I reheated the dressing, broccoli rice, and rolls, then made potatoes au gratin, Brussel sprouts and green bean casserole. Turns out Jared, me and Opa were the only ones eating, so we had PLENTY of food.

Lake Tahoe trip??

Ok, anyone who knows me well enough to be reading this, knows that I have a tendency to FREAK OUT!! Anytime that I feel like I am not in control of the situation or my surroundings, I have a tendency to panic. If I dont get in control....I faint.

So, to my point. I have agreed to go to Lake Tahoe in December....on a plane! As of now I am holding up very nicely. My greatest fear is the airport. I will be with several people, all of which fly on a regular basis, so I fear they will be moving fast and knowing what to expect. That is exactly when I feel most out-of-control.

Tonight we all discussed packing. I got very light headed and worried. I have recently purchased some new coats and ski pants (which I have already worn hunting-VERY Warm!), and now I seem to be paniced as to how I will get them to Tahoe! I need some things to be with me at all times...my camera, snacks, VitaminWater, iPod (Thanks Robin!), jacket....ahhhhhh!!!

I check the Tahoe websites and blogs (http://blog.skiheavenly.com/) often, so I know what to expect. I am really excited about seeing snow, mountains, the lake and beautiful sunsets outside of Gillespie County....but damn that airport.

Once we are all in Tahoe I will have a whole new problem to deal with....but I will touch on that later.

Will anyone be in Tahoe December 6-10??? Or in Arizona on Thursday or Monday??? Does anyone wanna go???

November update

I know it has been awhile since I left any notes...sorry. I have always heard the 'grown ups' say they are SOOOO busy and dont know how they did it all and had a full time job. Well, this week I have caught myself saying just that.

I am again in charge of the great Relay For Life of Gillespie County. Our event is only 5 months away and I am so BUSY!! I have been working 1 or 2 days a week at HEB. Thursday was dad's 69th birthday, so of course I thought I needed to throw a party. As I got home about 4pm, I asked dad to tally up everone we expected to join us for dinner. What???....12 people, and we are supposed to eat in less then 2 hours? Oh Geez! How to I get myself into these messes!

Well needless to say, our meal was amazing and beautiful. The menu included Pork Loin, Spinach salad, potatoes au'gratin, green bean casserole and whole wheat bread.

Today I finalized the upcoming meeting dates, bloged them, then sent a reminder email to about 50 people to check the blog. (I dont think anybody does) Just moments ago, I thought...'Oh crap, I need to start defrosting the turkey!' I havent even bought it yet....oopsie!

Relay For Life Summit

A weekend update…
Friday I headed to Dallas for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life Summit. For anyone who might not know, I am the chair of the Gillespie County event. Last year we raised $122,000 (that is $33,000 more then the previous year!)

The conference was packed with information and helpful resources. The main difference this year was that I went alone. Yep, I had a stranger as a roommate on the 29th floor! I survived amazingly well and feel like I can take on the next challenge of finding a job that I love. (Some of you might have thought sleeping in my own bed would be the next step-nope. HeHeHe).

Along with tackling the ballroom with 1300 people each day, I found the support of those 1300 people. We all have a major part of our lives in common, and it took just a few minutes for a click of girls to form. Saturday night was filled with girl fun and confidence building.

Im not really one of those ‘Im-too-fat’ girls, but I have to say my confidence is at an all time low…well it was. Getting out of Fredericksburg and meeting real people was GREAT! I went out on a limb and did things WAY out of my normal little life and grew because of it.

I heard a quote today. A man was giving advice to his little girl about men. “Don’t listen to anything they say, pay attention to what they do.” This sound like good advice to me, but now I know guys can say pretty nice things too.

Checking in...

Hello all,
I dont have anything new to report. Just for clarification...yes, I was fired last Friday.

Dont worry, I have plenty to do this week. I have been cleaning and finishing projects!!

Im still sleeping at mom's house, but now I think it is just because she cooks!! Man, I forgot how wonderful it is to NOT be responsible for supper. Plus she has more cable channels then me, and oh-how I love to watch the wedding shows on the STYLE network and WE. (No, Im not joking. I LOVE that stuff).

I live by my lists, and according to my master list, I have plenty to do tomorrow and Thursday. Then Friday I will be heading to Dallas for the Relay For Life Summit. If anyone out there want to be on my committee, please let me know.

I am trying to start writing in a journal. I know, it sound like a Oprah thing to do. But I need some focus right now. I bought a really pretty journal....but I havent actually started writing anything yet. Like I said, here at mom's there is cable!!!

my life

Just a quick run down...
*A few months ago, my boyfriend of 6 years decided to move out
*I cant find anyone to take over Relay For Life, so it looks like Im in charge again
*I find a snake in my bedroom and havent been able to sleep in my room since
*My dad asked me when I was moving my stuff out
*And today I get fired!!!!!

Recap...
*A few months ago, my boyfriend of 6 years decided to move out, We still talk everyday and things are actually running smoother then they have been in years.
*I cant find anyone to take over Relay For Life, so it looks like Im in charge again. Im pretty bossy, and definatly work better alone. Plus last year was awesome, so I have a pretty good idea what needs to happen to do that again.
*I find a snake in my bedroom and havent been able to sleep in my room since. Ive been sleeping at Mom's house just up the road. Plus she cooks breakfast!
*My dad asked me when I was moving my stuff out. I told him I wasnt!
*And today I get fired!!!!! No more stress over work and I actually still have a job at HEB, where I can pick up as many hours as I need. I still want to open my own shop, so maybe this will be my catalyst.

Good night for now....ARAH

Names

Ok, I have always said I LOVED my name. ARAH. Simple, yet unique.

Currently on my desk, I have a list of pregnant friends...the list in up to 12, but 3 have already dominoed (Jace, McKenna, & Gage). So, this seems to have made me an authority on baby names. Several of my friends are extreme opposites of each other, so it is really amusing to hear the difference in potential names.

Do we pre-destine our kids with the names we give them? Or do we name them what we want to be?

To prove my point, I asked Jared out of the blue what he would name his kid...right now! Without a blink he said, 'Brock.' Ah-Ha!! My point is made. Jared is totally a Brock. Who is Brock? Brock is a burly build, strong and confident man. May I continue...?

When is the last time you heard of a Grant in prison?
Ever heard of a doctor or lawyer named Apple? I think not!
Juniper says, ‘Its just another nose ring! Mom’
How about Pastor Diezel? Nope!
Harrison never painted graffiti on anything.

This is a cool link…
http://babynamewizard.com/namevoyager/lnv0105.html

My terriable morning

Ok, some of you may already know, but I was not at work. Why you ask?

Well as my alarm does everyday, it started beeping at 6:15am. I hit snooze. In between hitting snooze and dozing off, I hear the crinkle of the wicker laundry basket right next to my bed, usually the sign of a scorpion. Since this was the first night in months that I actually turned off my TV, I had to reach for the flashlight. This is where things get hazy…

The next thing I remember is jumping up and down in the middle of my room yelling, "I AM A BIG GIRL" (just to convince myself) as I watch a Sn&%e slither across my night stand and into my laundry basket!!!!! I had to blink several times to make sure I was not just dreaming, because this is exactly how it happens in my nightmares!
Somehow my mind does not lock up (even though I cannot stop screaming at the top of my lungs) and I actually devise a plan. I prop open the door to the balcony and slam the lid on the laundry basket with a gallon jug of water. You know, just in case it is so strong I can't hold the lid closed.

I manage to get the basket to the end of my bed at which point I cannot control my screaming and heave the basket across the room, out the door and over the balcony!
By the time I run down the stairs to Dad's room, he is already putting his pants on and asks, "What the hell is the matter with you?" I answer, "Sn&%e! OMG! My room! OMG! Sn&%e! Basket! Dirty clothes! Sn&%e! Balcony, outside, HURRY!!!" All of this in between sobbing crying.

Dad goes outside to sift through my clothes with a broom. I very effectively stand inside the French doors and hold the flashlight. I cannot control the panic attack anymore….I must call Jared, it is 6:33am. He calms me down, but I am still convinced that Dad is about to get attacked and I am lucky to be alive!!!

Dad finds nothing and heads back inside to make coffee. I don't leave my position until I see movement and send the old man back out. This time he prepares with a huge pair of cedar snippers. I am venturing onto the steps to help look in the grass. He asks for the broom again, done. Then he says, 'You know, it might have gone that way,' and points to me!!!!!! I am back inside, screaming. 'What the hell? I am trying to be helpful and you are trying to kill me!' Here we are dancing around the back yard. "There it is!" "Kill it!" "There it is!" "Its still moving!" AHHHHH! Then the dogs join in!

When Jared arrived, things had calmed down. He examined the remains and threw the 2 foot monster down to the river, before gathering the clothing that was strewn all about the back yard and escorting me upstairs. The crying and shaking began to subside and I went into full on cleaning mode…all day long.

This was my ultimate nightmare come true!! But on the other hand, this was the best scenario. I never saw the head, well until dad started smashing it with the snips. It went into the only basket with a lid where it was contained, and I had an outside exit very near.
Needless to say, I am still a nervous wreck. My purse strap fell this morning and I about broke my keyboard tray off my desk as a jumped. I did get a bit of sleep last night, but all the lights were on as well as the TV.

My football weekend

Well, well, well...I did it! I have said for a couple of years now, I want to attend a game at a different Big XII stadium each year.

In 2005, we went to Baylor (Waco, TX) to see the Baylor Bears play Texas Tech. The highlight of that game was Baylor's mascot. They have a REAL BEAR!!! Last year, I threw together a last minute birthday weekend to Lubbock for a Texas Tech game. Yes, that trip had an ulterior motive. What was it?? Randy Rogers, of course!! We made sandwiches for the trip (6-7 hrs!) and arrived in Lubbock in time to check in to the hotel before heading to the bookstore for some Tech gear and then the game. Texas Tech had a sound lead (54-0) when we decided to leave and head to the South Plains Fair to see....you guessed it, Randy Rogers Band. What a great birthday weekend!!

September 2007 is here and that means the start of football season! I have finally been included in the guys fantasy football league, so I am forced to keep up with not only college but NFL also. (GO LARRY JOHNSON!!) The schedules were compared and a plan was made.

So, Saturday September 8th, we headed to College Station, Texas. Upon arrival, it was clear; this trip was not going to be as simple as Waco or Lubbock! Texas A&M is not 'visitor friendly.' Not the people, the campus! We could see Kyle Field, yet there did not seem to be any parking lots or roads available to get there. We stopped at a bookstore to get some Aggie-gear and hopefully some helpful advice. Driving, driving, driving (thankfully it was in a cute little rent car) looking for a parking lot or tickets. Once in a parking garage, the walk began!! Apparently everything is very ceremonial at A&M, so we did get to see the 'parade' heading to the field. It began with the band, then the corps, the corps, the corps, the corps, the corps, the corps…you get the picture. Anyone out there who can explain that to me…please do. There were about 100 different sections of the corps marching…who were they? And what's the difference??

Ok, we only have about a mile to go to get to the field and keep in mind it is 100 degree outside. Here we are, Kyle Field! An hour and a half to kick off and the official track temperature is 145 degree. I AM MEALTING!!! I looked at Jared and said, 'Don't worry, I promise I will NEVER want to do this again.' We stood under the stands near the food vendors, ate a hot dog & a corny dog, and eventually climbed over some barricades and found 'the underground' area, where I sat on the floor! At least it was out of the sun.

We found our seats just in time for kick-off. We are on the Alumni side, so we have the shade to look forward to…it is only about 5 rows behind us. After the National Anthem and the ceremonial fly-over (very impressive!), I notice there are no cheerleaders. Yes, there are like 5 yell leaders on the other side, but we've got nothing on our side. There is no spirit clubs, dance team, flag girls, or even twirlers!! I saw no representation of organizations, clubs, fraternities or sororities of any kind. Plus, the band didn't seem to know any 'songs' or when to play them! Probably the quietest college game I have ever attended.

OK-so, third quarter rolls around, A&M in the lead and I have officially melted! We head out to find our parking garage. It is actually much easier to find Kyle Field following a parade, then it is to find the 'Central Parking Garage' which is the shortest building on campus with no parade!

Finally, we are on the road again, headed to Houston in time to watch UFC 75. The rent car has XM Satellite Radio, so we could listen to the end of the game. WHAT!!! The score is tied? Overtime?? Double overtime? Triple Overtime? Yep- I paid a fortune to get into the game, and left before anything exciting happened!! But, in all actuality, I was not impressed with the whole thing and 87,000 excited fans was probably more then I needed to be a part of. We did make it to Houston in time to check into the hotel, only to find they didnt have Spike TV! We ended up at a neighboring hotel bar and were the only people interested in UFC and not the UT game!

Here is it Sunday, and I'm waking up in Houston, about 2 blocks from Reliant Stadium, where the Houston Texas would be kicking off to the Kansas City Chiefs in about 3 hours!! Not dealing with parking was truly a blessing; we just took off from the hotel and walked right into the stadium. FYI…College Station is HOT, but Houston is HOT with about 110% humidity on top of the HOT! Reliant has a retractable roof, and boy was I praying that baby would be closed and the air conditioner would be cranked! PHEW, relief, it is nice and cool when we walk in. What a beautiful stadium, well thought out, great seats, tons of vendors and we are on the 25th row. We are seated next to 4 people with Chiefs jerseys, they drove from Springfield and were heading back as soon as the game was over! WOW, not that is loyalty to your team!

Oh- I do need to add that we were potentially in two fights. One was a 'drunk guys talking shit' and the other was for sure gang related. Apparently I have an even bigger problem keeping my mouth shut then I realized. In both instances, I had to interject that everything is fine, 'Its okay guys. Its just a game.' The second altercation actually scared me after I said anything. It was defiantly time for me to get out of Houston!

We finally made it out of Houston and into Austin to drop off the rent car and eat at Maudie's!! I'm not totally in love with my new car, but AAAHHHHHH it sure is a nice ride after spending the weekend in a Sonata! I pull into Fredericksburg about 10:30 pm. Monday morning starts early, when I take dad in for hernia surgery. YUCK, but that is why I am spending so much time writing tonight, I am just sitting down stairs making sure he doesn't do anything he shouldn't!
Overall I had a great football weekend '07. Probably wont be going back to Kyle Field anytime soon, but I'm glad I can say I was there with my best friend. I don't know where 2008 will take me; or if 2007 might lead to another game or two. I need to focus on my Fantasy Team now. As the first and only girl in our league, I cant crap out, it would be like ruining the whole female race!! Right now I am beating EVERYONE in the league…except the guy I'm playing this week. UUUGGGHHHHH! Wish me luck, and if you have any pointers please send them my way. Oh-geeeez! They just announced that Eli Manning is out for at least a month. Guess I gotta go pick up Big Ben!