The Fab Fives!

Once again, Jay has come up with a super fun tag for us!  It's called the fab five.  All you have to do is name your favorite top fives in each category.  I'm pretty sure I've missed favorites that should be in my fab fives. lol

Anyway, here are my fab fives, in no particular order!

Actors

1) Tom Hanks

2) Johnny Depp

3) Colin Firth

4) Gary Oldman

5a) Harrison Ford

5b) Alan Rickman (okay, so I added one)

 

Actresses

1) Kate Winslet

2) Meryl Streep

3) Meg Ryan

4) Anne Hathaway

5) Sandra Bullock

Movies (so impossible)

1) Beauty and the Beast

2) The Harry Potter Films (specifically, Sorcerer’s Stone, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire, and Deathly Hallows, Part II)

3) Titanic

4) Gone With the Wind

5a) Miracle on 34^th Street (original)

5b) White Christmas 

Books (more impossible)

1) Harry Potter (all)

2) Bridget Jones’s Diary

3) Pride & Prejudice

4) The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

5) Charlotte’s Web

Moments that inspire me

1) The ocean

2) Shooting stars

3) Sunrise/Sunset

4) Characters that jump off the page

5) Heroism and bravery…having courage.

 Places to go (in a city)

1) Local, family owned bookstores/businesses, as well as Barnes & Noble, basically any bookstore lol

2) Passionate sporting venues (like Cowboys Stadium, American Airlines Center for the Mavs, LSU, race tracks for NASCAR, or Yankee Stadium, etc.)

3) Anywhere there’s food, whether it’s BBQ, corndogs, or Tex-Mex

4) Famous landmarks or places of historical significance

5) Museums

Places to go in the world (that you’ve been to)

1) Disneyland

2) Williamsburg, Virginia

3) Melbourne, Australia

4) New Zealand

5) Big Sur, California

Best live shows you’ve seen

1) Carole King (my first real concert when I was little)

2) Janet Jackson (for her Janet. album)

3) Paula Abdul (yep, back in the early 90s, and it was awesome)

4) Whitney Houston

5) The Sleeping Beauty, New York City Ballet

People I could do without

1) Mean, cruel folks

2) Those with grossly inflated egos.

3) People who think THEY know how best YOU should live YOUR life

4) Those lacking accountability

5) Plastic people

If you would like to participate in the fab fives, please have fun and go for it! Can’t wait to read your fab fives!

Checking In...With An Award Announcement!

So, it's still holiday time until the last bowl game is over (a bowl game that may very well make me sick to my stomach by game's end--I really don't know how I'm going to get through it. Geaux). 

Dallas Cowboys: However, my Dallas Cowboys failed to make the playoffs.  They lost to the Giants.  Bad.  It wasn't a huge surprise, to be honest.  Frankly, until the Cowboys go back to the formula that worked in the 1990s, I'm not confident we will ever see another playoff run or Super Bowl.  What is shocking (and, yet, not so much) is how our owner/GM can't see what's wrong with this team. 

The formula that worked in the 1990s is the same formula that the last 15 Super Bowl Champions have had and continue to have. Just look at the Packers, Patriots, and Saints! It's not rocket science.

I miss my Cowboys of old.  

Dallas Mavericks: However, I am ELATED to report my Dallas Mavericks are coming together! I tell you, I'm seeing some major growth in a very short period of time. The Mavs are going to be just fine.  I knew they would--it takes time for a team with new players to create a chemistry that turns into something magical.  Um, they beat the Thunder (almost twice--dang that buzzer shot in the first meeting)!

Never count out the Mavs...actually, I kind-of hope the talking heads count 'em out because they sure as heck did last year and we all saw how that turned out. ;)

Award Announcement: Tomorrow will be an award day! Hurray! I'd like to give one award to the wonderful new bloggers who found my blog--thank you so much and I can't wait to get to know y'all! 

Yeah, this was a boring post, I know.  I'm sorry. 

Um, here are some fun-facts to cut down the bore factor:

1. Mom keeps singing Write This Down by George Strait, only she totally butchers the lyrics: "Write this down, send me a little letter, put it on the fridge..."

2. BFF is so pissed at the Cowboys that he's pulling for the Saints. WHO DAT? WHO DAT? WHO DAT SAY DEY GONNA BEAT DEM SAINTS? Yep, he's all in. Saints are doing it right--from management down, they've got the formula.

3. Dad has been adding Worcestershire sauce to his tomato juice--very bad and against doctor's orders.  He's in big trouble with Mom.

4.  Did you know that it's good luck to keep your Christmas tree up until February 2nd? I heard this the other day and was pretty floored. I guess some believe if you take it down beforehand, you put a hex on your family and if you keep it up past this date, it could be bring back luck.  If you have a real tree, you can just break off a branch and keep it until February 2nd.  Interesting, huh?

5. Oh! I saw a couple of Christmas facts that I had to share!!

* In 1930, Minnie and Mickey Mouse handkerchiefs were the number one Christmas present. How simple and sweet is that?!

* In Hungary, the Christmas Eve feast cannot be served until they see a twinkling star in the sky. Now I'm singing When You Wish Upon A Star.

Truth Is Thursday!

Truth Is: I don't like when Christmas ends. It's just so depressing. I mean, what do we have to look forward to, holiday-wise?

*New Year's Eve? Eh. A digit changes. Shock. (Okay, okay, so it is kind-of a festive, hope-filled evening. Reckon if I actually had a good NYE, I'd think of it like I do Christmas...but until then, eh). 

*Vomit, er, Valentine's Day? Ooh, yeah, can't wait for the manufactured faux-holiday that tosses singles the middle finger. It's such a Christmas wannabe. Barf.

* St. Patrick's Day? Not bad. I mean, I like luck and four leaf clovers and leprechauns (the cute kind...not the creepy kind). Still, it doesn't have the same magical feeling (could change if leprechauns flew around, sprinkling gold a la the Quidditch World Cup).  ;)

* Easter? Bunnies and baskets and lots of pastel colors and Cadbury Eggs. Ooh, I quite like this one. ;)

So, in conclusion, Cadbury Eggs make all things better. 

Truth Is: One of the best things about the holidays is indulging. Eat without guilt.  Drink soda without guilt. Snack without guilt. Exercise? Nah, not the routine stuff, anyway. I stick with fun, like dancing (believe me, it works you like there's no tomorrow...but it's FUN).

Truth Is: The guilt-free indulging lasts through the Bowl games. Why, you ask? Um, because Mama said so, and you know she's always right. Who am I to question Mom? *sipping Dr. Pepper*

Truth Is: My local Christmas music station stopped playing holiday tunes immediately after Christmas. Now, I know this seems pretty par for the course.  However, in years past they played carols straight through New Year's.  People loved it. 

They didn't this year. Butts.

It's okay, though, because I have my Bing-a-ling White Christmas CD...

...although...

...I have been blasting The Zac Brown Band as well. Love them.

Truth Is: Drum roll, please--During both the Christmas Eve Cowboys' loss and the Christmas Day Mavs' loss, I did NOT swear once, not even a partial swear. So proud. Of course, I did have soda on standby and promptly turned to it whenever I felt the urge to drop a few colorful metaphors.

No, It Doesn't Mean Love

Saddest day of the year: December 26th. I miss Christmas. What can I say? I'm a holiday person and I feel really sad when it ends. But it was a wonderful, wonderful Christmas that I wish I could rewind! I hope everyone had the best Christmas imaginable!

I have so much to share--including a truly mortifying me moment on Christmas day. *shakes head*

But, for now, I just wanted to check in and, well, basically gripe.  I'm sorry in advance.

Gripe #1: Romo injured.

I know I run hot and cold when it comes to Romo, but an injury to his hand could have been avoided.  Cowboys lost what turned out to be a meaningless Christmas Eve game. Not great, but not major...so long as his hand is okay, which they *think* it will be. The big showdown will be this weekend in New York. Winner takes all. Puke.

Gripe #2:  Idiot people who claim to know basketball, but don't.

Mavs. Sigh. Lost. Bad. Two nights in a row. Very bad.  Here's the thing: they are not the same team as last year's championship group; they have new players now. Everyone who knows basketball understands it will take time for the team to mesh, and without any real preseason, it's going to take a while.

Still, immediately following the Christmas loss to Miami, you see a headline calling the Mavericks' championship a fluke, a claim which, according to the "sports writer," was substantiated by the way the Heat defeated the Mavs in the first game of the season.

Honestly, how asinine do you have to be? The Miami Heat have the same team they had last year, so of course they're going to be good; the Mavs are, essentially, a new team and will need time to come together as a group.

As for calling their championship a fluke: Go on, say it if it makes you feel better.  Mavs' fans will just sit back and smile...with our Championship team, trophy, and banner. 

Gripe #3: Saying Merry Christmas does not mean "I Love You."

...nor does it mean any of the following:

* I want to have your baby

* Will you marry me?

* I have a crush on you

* You are my soul mate.

Merry Christmas simply means...wait for it...MERRY CHRISTMAS, Happy Holidays, Joy to the world, and all those good holly jolly, peace on earth things.

Oh, and to the men (believe me, there are a few) who think if they say Merry Christmas the women will somehow take it to mean you love them, want to marry them, and want them to have your baby...please, get over yourselves.

Okay, done griping now.

Sorry for that.

Feel much better though.

Superhero Me!

So, here we go! Lex has given us a challenge: to create, write, and draw a superhero version of ourselves. Using your super power suggestions, I crafted my superhero self! And, um, after the Cowboys’ unbelievable loss (our coach basically iced our own kicker…and it worked.), I had to work out the tension and got a little carried away with this superhero challenge. *blushes* 

The Frisky Virgin, superhero-style

Code Name: The Frisky Virgin

Description: From the deepest, darkest corners of night to the blindingly bright rays of day, she moves, unnoticed by human eyes, watching, listening, and waiting. Delusional dizziness is doomed! Ignorance be gone! Douche-bags beware! Liar-liar pants on fire she shall declare!

Super Powers:

• The brutal truth she speaks will penetrate your brain and replace the stupid with common sense and accountability. (Might have been useful for the Cowboys coach yesterday…icing your own kicker…just when you think you’ve seen it all).

• Can move about unnoticed, completely invisible to human eyes (yeah, this is so a real power of mine)

• Her palms mysteriously soaked the power of the Patronus and Petrificus Totalus charms from the pages of Harry Potter.  Together, they bind wrongdoers in an impenetrable web of freezing light and wispy blue jays (TFV’s Patronus). (Dang, I wish!)

• By virtue of her own virtue, TFV is able to save women from giving it up to a lying douche-bag (and vice versa—save men from falling for a vicious, ill-intentioned, sight-setting, money-grubbing witch…’cause those do exist and they always seem to win…not anymore!).  (Kinda want a theme song now).

• Irresistible to men when she chooses to be visible. (*snort* wish this were true).

Bonus abilities: Fly, super speed, and super strength. (really, who doesn’t want these?)

Tools:

*Bejeweled “V” on her belt: glows and vibrates [hey, if phones can be set to vibrate, so can my bejeweled“V”] to alert her of someone needing assistance; can also detach and be used as a smart-weapon (really, couldn’t this be some character on True Blood, minus the obvious cheesy bits?) 

Thank you, Lex! This was so much fun!!!

Truth Is Thursday!

 Truth Is: Mom always says the best things, like this one: “Now I know it’s the holidays when I’m eating chocolate chip cookies and drinking soda.”

And this one came after Dad wanted to talk about sad news stuff and Mom interrupted, simply saying: “I want to curl up in my own little euphoric world and pretend.”

Truth Is: This time of year especially, I tend to think there is so much more to this world than we can see with our eyes. (A little whimsical, I know, but where’s the fun in reality all the time?)

Truth Is: The brightened, surprised looks on the faces of elderly couples when I smile at them should make me happy, but really it makes me want to cry; it’s like they don’t get those smiles very often. My dad confirmed this when he once helped an elderly veteran and the gentleman’s chin started quivering. Simple things mean the world.

Truth Is: The Dallas Cowboys sit atop the NFC East!!! BFF is practically giddy (this is saying a great deal, considering he’s a grumpy Grinch this time of year and usually cheers for the Abominable Snowman in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer).

Truth Is: I get to create a superhero alter-ego, thanks to Lex. And I get to draw me as a superhero! So excited! Not sure what powers I’ll have yet. I’m open to suggestions—what kind-of powers should I have? I like the power of invisibility, but, as otherworldly as it may seem, I’m pretty sure I already have that one…and I don’t even need a cloak. :/ I’m aiming for Monday to reveal my secret superhero identity because, you know, we all have one and Monday's usually suck.

Truth Is Thursday, Thanksgiving Themed!

First and foremost, I hope EVERYONE is having a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Truth is: COWBOYS WON! Whoop-Whoop!!! Turkey Day with a Cowboys win makes digesting much easier.

Truth is: After the game, CBS did a little tribute to all who work behind the scenes. They show pictures of everyone and their families while playing a song. It’s really nice.  Anyway, this year, they played Keith Urban’s Without You, which he wrote for his wife, Nicole Kidman.  I LOVE that song—who doesn’t want a man who loves like that?! I’ll post the video below.

Truth is: This morning, the Christmas music station I listen to did something that even made my mom’s jaw drop. 

In between songs, the DJ started talking about random stuff and then mentioned something about wish lists. I thought she was going to talk about the top toys kids are asking for this season, like they normally do. I couldn’t have been more wrong.  

DJ Lady: “…I’ll let you know what single people  are wishing for this holiday season.”

Really? We now have single-people specific wish lists for Santa? And here I always thought wish lists were specific to the individual, regardless of social status.

Couldn’t stick around and find out what topped the single person’s wish list, but I bet whatever it was didn’t match my wish list, since my #1 is sports related.  So…there…you sorta not nice DJ Lady person. *sticking tongue out*

Truth is: I really, really want to ride a float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. 

Truth is: My mom’s kitchen smells so good…and the fridge with all the leftovers is the best smelling fridge this side of the moon.

Truth is: Will not be Black Friday shopping.  Will be sitting in front of television for football.  Must be ready for football.  Watching football right now, actually. I do love football.  Can I possibly type football any more times?  Probably. ;)

Truth is:  Think I over-stuffed my tummy.  It’s tradition to over-stuff on Thanksgiving. Definitely lived up to said tradition. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!

Here’s the video I mentioned above:

The Annual Thanksgiving Grocery Trip

I know I'm way behind on reading. Ugh, I feel so bad when I fall behind. I will be working through blogs, I promise.

Late today was our annual Griswold Family Thanksgiving Grocery Trip. Every year you can usually count on at least one completely humiliating instance...and this year didn't disappoint.

This year, my mom could go, which was wonderful.  And she had her moments...which I'm not at liberty to share...but really want to. 

There were some near misses:

* Mom, needing my help, unwittingly brought me too close to the fish station. Not a good place for my nose and gag reflex. When the unmistakable scent of fish guts burned the tip of my screaming nostrils, I felt it.  It always begins the same: a wave flows up my throat, sending a quiver to my chin and a curl to the bottom lip, ending with a rather remarkable sound effect and, I would imagine, an unforgettable sight. Luckily, I hauled it from the fish and managed to stop the effect somewhere between chin quiver and lip curl.

* I asked my dad if cut green beans were the same as sliced green beans. Dad laughed. Loudly.  Shopper Lady started laughing.  I felt like an idiot.  Did I miss the green bean category day in kindergarten or something?

* Near disaster: Heading for the crazy long checkout lines, I just had to spot some Holiday DVDs. So, while walking, I craned my neck to scan them because...well...I don't know why. Curiosity? Stupidity? *thinking* Yeah, it had to be stupidity. Anyway, when I turned back around, I was less than a half step from slamming into one of those displays in the middle aisle of the store. I kind of stutter-stepped around it, but didn't go far enough and had to kind of hug it. I wanted to disapparate. So, there I was, kind-of frozen, hugging a round display thing. Lord help me. On the plus side, I didn't knock it over--been there, done that already anyway.

Now, for the humiliating moment of the day. While trying to slip away to purchase, um, a package of, ahem, the feminine sort (re: for the monthly visitor), Dad, of course, caught me.

Dad: "Where ya goin'?"

Me: "Oh, just down there. Be back."

Dad: "Gotcha. You might want my help, though."

Me: "Huh?"

Dad: "Well, things like toilet paper and those women things are price traps. If you don't check those unit prices carefully, they'll nail you. Actually, let me just come show you what I'm talking about."

Me, trying to scurry away: "What? No. That's okay, really."

Dad: "It's good information to have for your future buys. Plus, women don't look at that stuff--they just grab and buy. I can probably save you a couple bucks."

He started kind of following me down the aisle, before he stopped, turned, and said rather loudly: "Hon, we're just going to be down there with the female pads and stuff.  Daughter needs my help."

Me, exclaiming at the same time he's saying what he's saying: "No! No. Shhh. Aw...you know...really?"

Dad, the light dawning on him: "Oh, oops. Sorry about that."

Two men were standing right there by the milk. In his defense, I don't think he really saw the two guys and no one else was in that part of the store. Still, could he not show me the whole unit price thing (which I'm pretty sure he did already some years ago...that I kinda forgot over time) over some Bounty towels or Kleenex or something? I'm darn sure not going to forget now, I can tell you that.

All was quiet as we headed down the aisle...until Dad started his Cheshire cat laughing. Terrific.

All in all, it was a minor humiliation compared to years past. Next chance for catastrophic embarrassment: The Griswold Family Christmas Shopping Trip.
 

On the plus side:

1. Dale Jr. ended the NASCAR season 7th in points! He had an awesome year, especially with it being his first season with Steve.  Those wins may have escaped his grasp this season, but I think it just means they're storing up for next season.  Proud to be a Dale Jr. fan. Go Dale! (Awesome Chase finale, too. Tony Stewart's run was incredible. Epic final race).

2. Cowboys won in OT over the Redskins. Phew!

3. College football (minus names for fear of jinxing): Geaux.

Attack of the Moth

It was night of BBQ, football, family and fun.  After stuffing our faces, we settled in to watch the game.  My mom worked on her Christmas blanket, taking breaks to shout at the refs, while my dad tinkered with his netbook, grumbling about the offense.

Even the kitchen work seemed more enjoyable.  That is, until I attempted to throw some icky packaging away and found that the garbage bag was too full.  No biggie. 

Next up: a new garbage bag.

Spinning (I like twirling) across the kitchen and into the mudroom, I flipped on the light, started tugging out a garbage bag, and...

FLAP! FLAP! FLAP! Zoooooooooooom! SLAM!

Freaking Mothra started attacking me in my neck, head, ear, and back.

It must have been a sight: me, doing my best imitation of a demented screech owl, with arms flailing, and hair whipping about in waves, while hunching my body over like Quasimodo, all in an attempt to avoid the BIGGEST BUG EVER.

No joke, this thing was like the size of a freaking bird. In fact, at first, I almost thought it was a bird. I tried to usher it out the door, but it kept attacking me. Aren’t they supposed to hibernate or something? Have you ever had a moth stick itself in your ear?  So not fun.

I finally escaped the mud room, turned off the light, and closed the door.  I then did what any single gal in her right mind would do...

Go back in armed with hairspray, shoe, and paper towel? Nah. We save that gear for very special wasps and bees.

Call for boyfriend? Well, since I don't have one of those, no.

Call for Dad? Ding, ding, ding, ding! Yep! Heck, he was there, watching the game, and just messing around with his netbook; he could take a minute to save his daughter from a monster.


I'm not sure how he got rid of it, but I can tell you he made no noise (very unlike my spastic dance) and it took literally two seconds.

Me: "You already got it?"

Dad: "Yeah, no problem."

Me: "Did it attack you?"

Dad: "Sure did. Landed right here on my neck."

Me, shuddering: "Didn't you, I don't know, freak out?"

Dad, smirking: "No.  It's a moth."

Okay, that didn't make me feel too stupid or anything. 

Me: "THAT was not a moth.  That was like Mothra's long lost baby or something."

Dad, laughing: "I've seen 'em bigger."

I couldn't reply.  Bigger?!  As in, what, Daddy Mothra?  King size Mothra? Super size Mothra?

Really. Don’t. Like. Bugs.

On the plus side:

*Cowboys won BIG against the impressive Bills. Hurray!

*Dale Jr. had a blah day, but it seemed all the Hendrick cars struggled. One race left and only 3 points separate Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart for the Championship. Should be a good one!

*I’m thinking there won’t be an NBA season…sucks…but it means the Mavericks remain the champions for another season (looking on the bright side can be so much fun sometimes).

Happy Monday!

Lights = Aliens...Sort of.

Well, this was a fantabulous sports weekend.

College Football: Very big game this past weekend. My daddy has a team, my mama has a team, and I grew up loving both with everything in me, but I refuse to jinx by saying too much, so I'll just say this one word...Geaux.

Cowboys: Won!

Dale Jr: 7th at Texas! Thank you, Texas!  (Bonus: Kyle Busch, because of his propensity to throw temper tantrums, wrecked Hornaday under caution in the truck race Friday night, which forced NASCAR to suspend him for the entire race weekend at Texas.  Again, Thank you, Texas! Great driver, but his attitude leaves a lot to be desired...shame, really.).

Me, Mom, Dad, & Aliens:

Post-game activities with my family usually involve talking (or ranting) about the game, reminding each other to breathe, and just relaxing.  This weekend was a little different.

Me, walking into the kitchen and finding my mom peering out the window: "Mom?"

Mom: "Honey, there's a weird light moving outside the kitchen."

Me, a little alarmed and a lot confused: "What do you mean there's a weird light?"

Mom: "The light is bright, a little blueish, and it's moving around the driveway."

Me, cleaning up a bit: "Maybe it's someone with a flashlight?"

Mom: "No, honey, the light isn't low or round like a flashlight. It's midair and it looks like a weird shape...Oh My God, I'm being abducted by aliens," she said with a sigh.  "And here I thought those alien abductions were a little bit fake."

Me, realizing I needed to look at this light: "No, Mom, you're not being abducted by aliens. There must be a reasonable explanation."

Mom: "There is a reasonable explanation--I'm about to meet E.T. Oooh, what if they're not E.T. aliens and they're more like those slimy, smelly, mean ones from Independence Day?"

Me: "Well, then I guess you go all Will Smith on their stinky butts."

Moving to take a look outside, I immediately saw the cause of the mysterious lights.

**I should probably note that my mom is night blind. 

Me, grinning: "Mom, I think I can safely say you are not going to be abducted by aliens.  It's Dad. He has lights on his head."

Mom: "You're saying your father is growing lights from his head?"

Me: "In a way..."

The back door flew open and in walks my Dad sporting his headband of lights.

Dad: "These are so cool.  I don't have to put the porch lights on, I can finally see under the sink, and, look, it flips from bright to red!" He started flipping the switches to go from bright to red with a big goofy grin on his face.

Me, laughing: "And this would be your alien, Mom."

Mom, shaking her head: "Honey, you have no idea."

Moral of the story: Next time you see a floating light, it might be a man who has discovered the next it-thing in light-up head gear. 

I'm An Angel!

So, BFF likes to say I have an "inroad to angel wings," despite my tendency to verbally abuse referees during games, and I reckon he might be right because the delightful Hazel has kindly given me the You're An Angel Award!

She even wrote special thoughts for each blogger receiving the award. Here's what she said about me: 

The Frisky Virgin - "LoveHeart"

You really don't need me to tell you how great you are because you are loved all over the blogosphere by everyone whose ever had the pleasure of meeting you. Any guy will be lucky to have you and I hope you find your Mr Right someday soon.

The award overwhelmed me enough, but then to read those words...they literally turned a gloomy day sunny (and, um, I might have gotten a little teary eyed.  I know, I know, I'm a dork.)

Thank you so much, Hazel--you are a special, wonderful, kind, thoughtful person and we are all so fortunate to know you. *Hugs*

A Few Sports Notes:

* Cowboys won big. Yay! Um, they beat the Rams...but, still, yay!

* Dale Jr. was "overruled" in Sunday's Talladega race--he wanted to run up front, but the 48 wanted to stay in the back.  Reckon no one can really say which strategy is better, but, personally, when it comes to Dale, who is the dang Yoda of restrictor plate racing, I'd go with what he wants to do. Using the "stay in the back" strategy didn't work so well.  NASCAR--I implore you...BRING BACK THE OLD STYLE RESTRICTOR PLATE RACING!!! PLEASE!

* Texas Rangers...ONE WIN AWAY. Now, you know I'm a Yankees fan, but I pull for the Rangers when the Yankees aren't in there. I'm hoping for all it's worth they win the World Series!!!

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

The Good:

* Excellent, excellent, excellent college sports weekend.  I don't talk about my college teams too often due to my fear of jinxing them. These teams are the loves of my life, I tell you. I've lived and breathed them since I was a very, very little girl...much like I have the Cowboys, but we'll get to them in a minute--they aren't under "The Good."

* Apparently, I'm "so freaking funny" and "a sitcom," when I cheer on my teams. Um, okay.  Think I'd classify myself as borderline panic stricken and a mess, but whatever. Actually, I don't even know if this should classify under good...it's probably unclassifiable...and now I'm babbling, so, okay, I'm stopping.

* Yankees won game one against Detroit. 

The Bad:

* Yankees lost game two against Detroit. 

* Dale Jr. had a rough one. He had a great car--top 5 to top 10 for sure.  Unfortunately, he had some rotten luck (broken sway bar, loose wheel, etc.) and just couldn't get the track position to compete.  He finished 24th, and is 10th in points. Not a great day, but he fought it and drove that thing as hard as he could.

The bright side: He would have had a top 5, top 10, and that's what you focus on. Broken parts and loose wheels happen--it's the foundation you look at, and the 88 team has a solid one. 

Oh, and his Redskins won.  Man, it's like swallowing vinegar to say this but...the Redskins win is not good for the Cowboys, but it does make my driver happy, so...yeah...I'm trying to do that whole bright side thing.

That win is lurking...and Dale is gonna get it! Kansas is up next and absolutely anything can happen! Go Dale!

The Ugly:

You had to know what filled this spot. The Dallas Cowboys.  Sigh.  The Cowboys lost...after having a 24 point lead in the second half.

Romo threw 3 interceptions, 2 of which were returned for touchdowns; the third resulted in 7 for Detroit. That's 3 TDs off Romo for the Lions. It's the worst collapse--in terms of biggest blown lead--in franchise history.

I don't think I need to say much more, but here's a link that sums things up pretty nicely:

Terrible Cowboys Loss

So, there we have it, 50% of the weekend was great, 25% not so great, 25% very, very ugly.

DALLAS COWBOYS WIN Against the Redskins!!!!!!!

Oh. My. Mother.

I'm exhausted.

Could that game have gotten ANY crazier?! If you didn't see it, you missed an early battle of field goals, Dallas WRs not knowing which way to go, one Dallas center who snapped the ball early MULTIPLE times, and the Cowboys not getting a single touchdown, yet winning. See? Crazy.

How we made that many critical mistakes and won, I have no idea. Frankly, it shows we've got what it takes if we can overcome all that happened and still pull out a win, 18-16. 

Tony Romo was stellar. Fighting the injuries while having to basically guide his wide receivers and make plays is impressive as heck. 

Our defense is A.W.E.S.O.M.E. Seriously. I *knew* when Dallas hired Ryan that we would return to that mighty defense of the day, but I had no idea it would start happening this soon.

I'm sorry that Dale Jr. is probably upset tonight, but it was a good game...crazy, but good and it really could have gone either way. I'm just happy it fell the Cowboys way. *blushes* You know, it's tough being a fan of a driver who is a fan of my football team's arch rival! ;)

6 field goals, no touchdowns, and we walk with a win. Wow. Just wow.

Oh, and a little NOTE to the Redskins: You are an awesome, fearsome team, but it might not be such a great idea to gather around the iconic midfield star at Cowboys Stadium and essentially disrespect a fellow organization, their stadium, and their fans.  That kind of thing messes with karma something awful. Just play football.

I have Advil, an ice bag, soda, and a Cowboys win.

Think I'm good.

GO COWBOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That Win Is Coming

Today was another solid day for Dale Jr.  Had it not been for two flat tires, he would’ve finished top ten or better, no question. 

Stupid tires.  

After the race, he said he was frustrated—he wants a win and felt they had a chance at it today. 

I really feel he will win—he’s so dang close.  I like to think it will happen when and where it’s meant to happen. Maybe it will be at Texas or maybe at a restrictor plate race where he’s Yoda Dale.

Wherever, whenever it will be, it will happen, I really have no doubt, none.

Although NASCAR has him 8^th in points, he’s tied with 6^th ranked Kyle Busch and 7^th ranked Matt Kenseth, so it’s basically a three-way tie for 6^th in my book.

Now, a Redskins win would totally start his week off on a good note. The problem? They’re playing the Dallas Cowboys. Sigh. Well, Monday night will be one of those times where I will have to look on the bright side if the Cowboys lose.

Any given race can drastically change the course of this chase. That’s the thing about racing, you just never know.

Next week is the Monster Mile. Let’s take ’em out and knock ’em down.

GO DALE!!!!!!!! 

Flu Shots Suck

Morning: Failing Flat Iron.

Um, why is my flat iron getting too hot on setting 1? 

"I only use you for bangs! You can't be breaking!"

If it gets too hot, the bangs get all flat and springy, as in they stick out. It's like they're waving at people when I walk. So not good. 

Lunch: Flu Shot Fun

I'm not sure what's worse: the actual shot or the the part where the nurse rubs the area with a cotton pad. Just the feeling of the cold, wet, cotton pad on my arm is enough to bring the chills.

The area where they give the shot is open to passersby, so there is no privacy (i.e. I can't make faces, white knuckle the chair, or otherwise act like a big baby). 

When my mom got her shot, there was no one there. Me? Oh, well, I had a mini audience. Two little boys stopped, pointed, and laughed. Little buggers. And just when the nurse started wiping my arm with that slimy little cotton pad, an older woman quite literally STOPPED IN HER TRACKS and proceeded to smile at me. It was...odd--almost like she wanted to ask me a question or something.

Now, I'm all for smiling, but at that moment, smiles are the last thing on my mind. I managed to urge the corners of my mouth into a weak smile.

Luckily, she left, or so I thought.  She walked around me and began asking the nurse all these questions about the flu shot!!! WTH!!!!

"How does this work? Do we need an appointment? Do we need to bring anything?"

The questions just kept coming and I wanted to grab the big plastic pumpkin thing across from me and throw it at her.

The nurse finally had to end the question/answer portion of today's flu shot demonstration because the woman clearly didn't care that she was about to give a shot.

What happened next is predictable: I braced, she stuck, and I bought myself a bag of candy corn.

Night: Post Flu Shot Fun

My arm hurts and I'm achy.

They say flu shots can't make you feel icky. What a crock!

Well, I don't give a flying fart what they say--flu shots make me feel cruddy. 

I'm going to grab a few candy corns and watch Harry Potter.

The Cowboys play the Redskins Monday. I will likely need more candy corn...and Harry Potter. 
 

Dallas Cowboys WIN, Thanks to Tony Romo

I was so frustrated with Tony Romo last week, but I didn't give up hope, though I was weary as all get out.

I said I'd eat my words if he played like a wizard under pressure...

Hello, Dumbledore! 

So, this is me, eating my words. 

Not only did he play under pressure--having to rally from behind in a hostile environment--he played with a fractured rib. 

Gutsy, heartfelt performance today from Romo. 

Amazing win on the road. This team has gone from Dallas to New York, back to Dallas, and then out to California.  Talk about a travel-heavy schedule!!!

They finally get a home game next week against the gritty 2-0 Redskins, my favorite NASCAR driver's favorite team.  Um, yeah.



GO COWBOYS!!!!!!!!!!

Bullet Points

Awards will be on Wednesday. The need to rant has officially taken over.

There were some seriously great things from this weekend: My college teams put on a show and, the thing that absolutely made the weekend, Dale Jr. will drive for the Championship! I'm so happy for him!


 Here are a few of the other highlights from my weekend of fun:

* Apparently, I'm in my 60s. One of those junk mail letters listed the members of my family along with their approximate ages.  I'm listed in my 60s and single.  Awesome.  Didn't screw up my single status, did they? Nah. Now, my mom says it's just a typo.  Probably true.  Really should focus on the typo theory...

...So, along with those random Howler-type letters subconsciously screaming, You're single! Join today to meet your true love, I can now look forward to the Sign up today for your free pair of therapeutic shoes, sure to help with those bone spurs of yours, you old fart. See, I'm not focusing on the typo theory.

* I tripped over my mom's weather radio, set off its ridiculously loud alarm thingy, and freaked. You know how you want something to shut the heck up, but at the same time you're too alarmed (pun intended) to focus on what needs shutting up? Yeah, that.

* On a weekend when my sinuses were beastly, I really didn't need to cry...which I did...at the end of True Blood.  (We'll get into that tomorrow).

*  Cowboys.  Sigh.  My Cowboys dominated the game.  My Cowboys had it won.  My Cowboys looked impressive on defense. My Cowboys lost. 

Tony "No-no" Romo made a couple of big no-nos. Sure, we had a blocked punt (unfortunate, but it happens) and Dez was shut down late in the game (um, we have a plethora of talented receivers Romo can throw to).  Romo's fumble on the Jets one-yard line started the free-fall. The interception at the end was just sour icing on a hard cake.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: As a fan, I do not feel confident with Tony at QB.  I just don’t.  Lord knows I’ve tried, but I know what it’s like to have a QB you have 100% faith in (Troy Aikman).  That feeling simply isn’t there with Romo no matter how hard I try to find it.  

                                                                               

Pressure + Romo = Mistakes.  If this equation changes in the near future, I will be the first to eat my words.  

Bright Side:

• Dallas was the underdog and many thought the Jets would annihilate them. That didn't happen.
• We outplayed a tough opponent on their turf.
• Our defense is, for me, exceeding early expectations.  I knew Rob Ryan would bring back the Dallas defense--I look for them to only get bigger and better.
• It’s only the first game.
• We have backup QBs.  Just sayin’.  If Romo can’t get it done, put Kitna in—he did one helluva job last year when Romo broke his collarbone. And, no, I’m not giving up on Romo…yet. I am wary, though, and very weary.

Overall: We are on the brink of something really great. I see it. I just wish I had more faith in our QB. 

And, yes, I took a Dramamine after the game.  

***The changing-font-thing is at it again.  NO idea why it happens.

Oh, So That's Exhaling...

You ever have one of those weeks where the days seem like your worst enemy and the nights are somehow way too short?  This was one of those weeks.  I am ridiculously behind on reading, posting...breathing.  I'm so sorry--many promises I'll catch up on everything. 

Now that I'm actually exhaling:

*  Last weekend was phenomenally good for my college football teams.  Quirky Alert: You might wonder why I never really talk about my college teams, but will go all blog-ape for my Cowboys--well...it's a jinx thing. Stupid, I know, but I always think I'll jinx my college teams.  I dunno.  Don't ask. 

*  Keeping with that jinx trend--Because I don't want to jinx my driver, I'll simply say this: Dale can lock into the chase this weekend.  Whatever the outcome, he's had a great season and it's only bound to get better.  Last weekend's weather delay threw off my AMP shirt's ability to, you know, work its magic.  It'll be ready to go this weekend. Go get 'em, Dale!

* So, this weekend is America's Team, The Dallas Cowboys, v. The New York Jets, in New York, on 9/11. Emotions will be running high in this game. This is going to be a tough game for my Boys.  I'm going to need a gallon of soda...and Captain Crunch...then a Dramamine. 

* The Horny Mosquito:  A mosquito apparently decided to get quite amorous while I was showering the other night.  The horny little bugger left me with two bites in two rather blush-worthy areas.  Perhaps he was mocking me.  Sarcastic little hornball. 

We'll have some awards to hand out on Monday! And don't forget we have the True Blood finale this weekend. My Cowboys come first, so I'll have to catch it after the game, but I can't wait to see how they will wrap everything up.  Halloween in Bon Temps.  I can only imagine.
 

***While we all cheer on our teams with loved ones, let us take time and remember the lives lost on September 11th.  

They tried to take our freedom on that day, break our faith, and rip our nation apart.  And while we stood with tears pouring down our cheeks, we did so together, hand-in-hand, as one Nation under God.  Never will we fall.  Never will we fold.  Never will we forget. 

The Routine Begins Again

*Last year, I posted a little rundown of how I am when I watch football and since the college season has officially started, with pro to follow next week, I thought I'd post it again. :)

When I Watch Football: 

1.  I don't talk, unless it's football related. I'm completely IN the game. I don't mind random, SHORT little exchanges off the topic of football, but don't expect long conversations--ain't gonna happen. This is especially true when my team is on the field...I'm there to support my team, so kindly shut it.

2.  Sometimes, I will coach from the couch...and I don't suck at it, either...of course, I've had some darn good "coaches"  (my mama, daddy, and papaw). 

3.  I occasionally swear.  Because I don't make it a habit, people usually laugh, even though I'm soooo not joking...I'm in the zone, y'all.

4.  From time to time, I will unleash on the refs.  Who hasn't, right? Those little zebras get on my last nerve sometimes.

5.  I can cheer with the best of them...expect cheering, clapping, etc. I'm not a sit-there-look-pretty female football fan.

6.  If you are not a fan of my team, it's all good--I don't have a problem with healthy competition...just respect that we are all football fans here.  IF you decide to take a walk down poor loser/snarky a** road, I will, in an extremely polite, swear-free manner, verbally go toe-to-toe with you...and I will win (playing around here)--Done the sparring thing before...with football players that were waaaaaaay bigger than me (this is true and it was a blast--we had a great time!). Sparring can actually be pretty fun. (Again, I'm playing around here, just in case you didn't realize...grrr...just havin' fun).

7.  When the outcome of a game comes down to the last minute or so, I will pace.  Don't stop me; it is something I must do. I must pace.

8.  If my team loses, I need a mourning period...unless they play horrible, pathetic football, in which case, I will rant.  If my team wins, I will revel in victory, but not to the point of being obnoxious. 

I love this game. I love my team. This is me. If you don't like it...I'll meet you on the football field.  Meow...

...and a little Grr.

***I hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day weekend! I'll just be cheering on my teams and rooting for Dale to kick some fender in Atlanta.

Dale, Cowboys, & Award Time

Dale Jr.: Pit crew, pit crew, pit crew. Y’all are putting this race fan on the ceiling like a nervous little cat.  Dale had yet another solid day, but after an iffy late pit and some pit problems, he ended up 14^th on the day.  He drove the wheels off that car to put the team in position.  It’s frustrating (a feeling I know all too well—it has become my annoying and predictable companion).  Maybe I could try out for the pit crew—I can be freakishly strong when I want to be. 

Anyway, he’s still 9^th in points (hurrah!).  Here’s the thing: Dale is having a strong, strong season.  Anyone who says otherwise is absolutely ridiculous.  This is his first year with Steve Letarte—they’re getting to know one another, learning with one another.  With a few tweaks here and there, I truly believe this team is on the brink of greatness.  Spoken like a true Dale Jr. fan, I know, but I really do believe it—and I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t believe. 

Cowboys: We’re nearing the end of summer.  The grocery store released its first batch of apple cider doughnuts, and the Cowboys played in a nationally televised preseason football game.  Happy days.  Football is back and I have one thing to say, “Hello, Lover.” I’m thinkin’ football is my boyfriend—pretty hunky, huh? He’s mighty sexy and oh-so-popular. 

Award: And, to my total shock, I received a second Blog On Fire Award, this time from Jay. I’m only just getting to know him, but I can already tell he is caring, supportive, straight forward, and funny.  If you haven’t visited his blog, please do so when you get a chance—you won’t be disappointed.  

Now, for the rules:

1. Thank the blogger who gave you this award (see above)

2. List five previously unknown facts about yourself (you can make ‘em saucy if you want).

• Last time I told y’all how the revving engines in NASCAR kinda, um, get me a little hot under my AMP t-shirt.  Another thing that does it…fighter jets flying overhead (which, ironically, they do before the start of every NASCAR race).  Apparently, I have an affinity for things that go fast (more irony). I blame batman and his spiffy batmobile.

• When I hear the NFL theme songs (Fox, Monday Night Football, Sunday Night Football), I get chills. You just feel the electricity and you know it’s on. These aren’t quite on the level of Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On,” but they’re up there.

• One of my very favorite snacks is chips and salsa.  My daddy introduced me to this snack when I was in second grade. It became my everyday-after-school-snack while I watched Kids Incorporated and Saved By The Bell.  Little did I know I was getting a daily dose of veggies in that salsa.   

•  Apart from salad, I wasn’t good about eating my veggies as a kid. Heck, I’m not great about eating my veggies today—I scrunch up my nose, grin, and shove ’em down first, then enjoy the good parts of the meal.

• The idea of dangling my feet in the water (lakes, ocean, etc.) wigs me out.  I can’t help but wonder what the heck is lurking below. I’ve watched too many shark/gator/piranha movies. 

3. Pass this award to 5 fellow bloggers. This is the tough part for me. I want to pick everybody, but I’ll try to stick to five…plus a few. ;)

• Julianna
• Chocolateangel
• Alessandra
• George
• Lex
• Ms. Caboo
• Candice      
• Katsidhe