Boys of Fall

Ok so I normally don't post videos but this music video is worth it. It is Kenny Chesney's Boys of fall. It is from the perspective of a high school football player and even though I obviously never played my whole family did and I think it does an awesome job describing what its like to live in a small town that lives for those friday night football games. I can relate to every word of the song and what the coach is saying to his players at the beginning of the video.

I dedicate this post to my boys of fall.

When I feel that chill, smell that fresh cut grass
I'm back in my helmet, cleats and shoulder pads
Standing in the huddle listening to the call
Fans going crazy for the boys of fall
They didn't let just anybody in that club
Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood
To get to wear those game day jerseys down the hall
Kings of the school man, we're the boys of fall

(Chorus:)
Well it's turn and face the Stars and Stripes
It's fighting back them butterflies
It's call it in the air, alright yes sir we want the ball
And it's knocking heads and talking trash
It's slinging mud and dirt and grass
It's I got your number, I got your back when your back's against the wall
You mess with one man you got us all
The boys of fall

In little towns like mine that's all they got
Newspaper clippings fill the coffee shops
The old men will always think they know it all
Young girls will dream about the boys of fall

(Chorus:)


(Chorus:)


We're the boys of fall

My studly grandfather was the captain of his High School football team right before he went to WW II. These are supposedly only their practice uniforms but they are still pretty funny looking.

This was a few of the seniors on his team. Kind of cool this picture is still around.

My brother Bryant has been playing football since he was 5. He is actually pretty good. He was able to go to the OSU football camp and be coached by Jim Tressel the head coach for The Ohio State Buckeyes.

He was a rock star in High school and was one of the best wide receivers the school has ever seen.

He pretty much rocks, look at him catching that ball.

My grandpa and Bryant

My brother Andrew played football this year. He was finally starting to play a lot and he got a stress fracture. Notice he wore the #27 like my brother Bryant did. That is the date of my birthday (the 27th) I like to think they wear it for their big sister!

So for those of you not from a small town where high school football is everything let me tell you what it is like.

*Downtown windows are lined with pictures of players and Quaker cheers

*The sports section in the local paper is bigger than all the other sections combined and its all about the HS Football.

*Restaurant signs wish the team good luck and keep track of their record.

*The crisp air on a fall friday smells like football and gets you ready for the days events

*Fridays at school there are poster all over the school, music plays over the load speakers to pump everyone up.

*Multiple pep rallies are held and no one complains about going to them.

*After school you get ready for the game by paining your face red and black or dressing in all school colors.

*Tailgating begins at 6:00 and all the cool kids hang out and eat pizza getting ready for the game.

*Meanwhile the parents are tailgating too. It doesn't mater if you have a kid on the team or not, you know where you are going to be rain or shine at 7:30 on a friday night.

*At 7:15 the team runs out on the field and the crowd goes wild. You'd think nothing else in the world mattered but these kids.

*After the game (no mater the outcome) fans rush the field and follow the players to the bandshell where they raise their helmet and we raise our voices to the schools Alma matter.

*There is no place I'd rather be on a fall friday night than a good high school football game!

GO QUAKERS! ;-)

And of course on a Saturday in the fall there is no place I'd rather be than in Columbus at the Horseshoe cheering on my Buckeyes. You know how much I love these guys (and if not... refer here! ) It is funny, my friend Aubri has made some observations about my passion for OSU. #1 you can see a physical change in the tension in my body when from when OSU is winning or loosing. #2 this is a snippet of a conversation we had when she was getting me all riled up about my team ...

Aubri: he he he. I love it when you get all mama grizzly about your Buckeyes

me: haha i don't know what comes over me

Aubri: I know! You're normally so sweet and gentle!

Haha I think she says it right. I'm NORMALLY all sweet and gentle but you even atempt to put my team down I will take you down, or at least try really hard. My emotions and the worst side of my competitive spirit take over and I am a crazy eyed buckeye fan. Last week when my dad and I were watching the game together (we haven't been able to do that in years) we were neck and neck and the fourth quarter was moving quick and my poor heart almost didn't make it. I was soo nervous, sick to my stomach about the outcome of the game. It consumed me and made me physically sick. I guess thats the mark of a true fan! And that I am. GO BUCKS!!!

Ohio in October

Mom and I drove home to Ohio on Monday (Sept 27th) and I think Abby (my dog) was the most excited to see me. Just Kidding... but is still amazes me how she remembers that she likes me even when I'm away from months as a time. When I get home to the cats after being gone for a week they just stare at me like "What am I suppose to care you're back?" lol

Tuesday I returned to my old high school NPHS to sing in my old women's choir, Ladies Ensemble. It is the elite women's choir that I was in all 4 years of high school. My sister Katie is now in it and they are working on a collection of christmas music we preformed every year. Even though my old choir director isn't teaching there anymore the new director invited me me one day I was home. It was pretty cool. Although the girls thought I was a new student at first. I was amazed at how quickly the words and notes came back to me. It was almost like I was transported through time and was back in 6th period singing my heart out. Good memories. After my mom and I went to Canton to do some errands. While out I was asked (by the lady at Joe-Anns) if I was going to homecoming and (by the man at costco) why I wasn't in school! So three times in one day I was thought to be a high schooler!! UGH! That night I went with my dad to his "Fit for Life" class. It was really cool. He is such a smart guy and a talented teacher/speaker. He re-opened my eyes to the things we eat and Mike and I have been trying really hard to eat what will keep us healthy! My dad showed us these heart. The small one is from a healthy person and the large one is what most of our hearts will look like if we don't stop eating high fructose corn syrup, enriched wheat flour and hydrogenated and partly hydrogenated oils. No more boxed foods for us... just homemade, from the garden stuff. lol. It's a lot harder than it sounds... but the research and the notes my dad has is slightly terrifying! So we are trying.

Wednesday my mom and I went to Zanesville to visit my moms parents (momma bear and papa bear.) I didn't get any pictures, but it was a nice visit. We went out to the Golden Corral and spent 2 hours grazing on the food there... yes even after my new resolve to eat better and be healthy. LOL. That night I went to my dads Kangen Water meeting. It is his "miracle water" that my family is so into. I have to admit it is pretty cool stuff and if we had $3,000-$4,000 to drop on a water machine we would. My dad actually featured in a DVD the company put together. I was a cool meeting and opened my eyes to how important acid food/water and alkaline food/water is. Maybe one day we'll be lucky enough to afford one.

Thursday I went out to Amish country with my mom and her good friend. I love Amish country and it was good to get to sample some awesome treats and pick up some good priced spices and wheat germ. After we got home I got into the attic and got down all my old pictures and journals. What a blast from the past! It was sooo much fun to re-read then and to laugh at my silly younger self. I'll have to post some of the funnier ones. That night I went to another class my dad teaches but this one was on stress relief and being healthy. It was pretty cool, as usual.

Friday after more journal reading and picture sorting I went to the high school football game. It was homecoming so the Alumni of our elite chamber choir, Delphian Choral, was invited to sing at the game. This choir is really special to me. I traveled to Chicago, New York and Europe with them. Also both of my brothers (and my sis is a shoe in for next year when she is old enough) have been/are in the choir so it's something we all share. But the really exciting part was my choir director from when I was in school was the guest director. It was so cool to sing next to old friends, with my choir director in the football stadium on a beautiful fall day. There is seriously nothing like a Friday night at an ohio high school football game. And until you have lived in Ohio, Texas or Fl (the three biggest states for high school football) you can't really understand what that feels like... but I have a whole other post for that :)

(The whole Choir my brother is in the back row, 5th one in on the left with a black hoddie over his head.)

"Hail to thee our Alma Mater...Hail to they we sing...

"Hear they loyal sons and daughters praise to thee we bring..."

"Red and black our banner or us, love for thee shall never fail...

In the past and in the future....

Philly High... All hail... hail all hail!"

My brother Andrew we was also on the homecoming court and the football team (but couldn't play because of a stress fracture.)

Later that night I went out to Applebee's (one of the only restaurants in town) with some of my old friends.. another high school tradition. It was so fun to catch up with everyone. Especially my old director Mrs. MD

(My old choir director)

(old friends)

Saturday we hung out and watched some college football. That night was homecoming so we went to get picture with Andrew and his Date Emily and all their friends. They looked great!

These kids have been best friends since middle school. Andrew loves them and I'm glad he has such great friends who respect his values and standards.

The boys... please note Andrews boot...lol.

Kissing on my baby brother

Andre and Emily

I was sooo excited to see Paige at the picture taking. She is my brother Bryant's old girlfriend who my whole family loves and misses now that she is in college at Miami of Ohio! I just LOVE her!!

(Sister katie)

(Dad and his three girlies)

That night we played board games till it was time for bed. I left at 4am Sunday morning.

It was seriously a blast from the past weekend. I called Mike one night and admitted I had forgotten that I was a 23 year old married women. I felt like I was back in high school all week going through all those pictures, journals and old rituals. I also realized I hadn't been home in the fall since 2004 when I was actually in high school so maybe that was it. It was a good time, but I'm glad to be back in my new Home in CT with my husband and kitties :)

Mother-Daughter time

I need to try and stay on top of this whole "journaling" thing. I hate getting behind because then I have no motivation to actually catch up. Anyways, my mom came to town the weekend after we moved. I've been trying to get her to come out (on her own, no sisters included) for several months. It was so great to have her all to myself for 5 straight days. She drove from Ohio (10 hours) all on her own, and got here Wednesday afternoon/night. It was pretty funny, she brought this HUGE queen size blow up BED (not mattress, bed) with her and we got it all set up in the spare room... she didn't sleep in it once! lol. She slept on the couch every night.

Anyways on Thursday we woke up when we wanted, got ready and took the train to The City. When we first got there we walked the Brooklyn Bridge. It was a beautiful day and I loved being there with my mom. Once we walked over the bridge we headed straight for Grimaldi's for some pizza. It hit the spot, as always. We headed down the street to this cool park that over looked the financial district. It was kind of fun just to relax after such a good lunch. Once our pizza had digested we walked back to Manhattan over the Bridge. I have to say it is a lot cooler walking to Manhattan, you get to see the city skyline the whole way back. It was pretty cool.

(Mommy and I with Brooklyn Bridge in back)

(Downtown)

(Twiners?)

(My Hott stuff momma!)

(Me on the Bridge)

Once we walked back across the bridge we took the subway to Canal street in China Town. My mom just wanted to see what it was like. I have to say although I love Chinese food, not so much a fan of Chinatown. It smells. We picked a few wrong streets to walk down... YIKES! Lines with raw fish and seafood... BARF. If you know me even a little you know how much I detest anything from water. I was gagging the whole way through the street. I shudder at just the thought.

From Chinatown we walked to little Italy, who was having a huge festival. The streets were lined with food vendors, carnival games and knick-knack stand for 10 blocks down and 10 blocks over. It was pretty cool. We spent about 2 hours walking through.

(My mom was excited to see a F.D.N.Y. fire truck)

(I finally gave in and had my first fried oreo! It was pretty good, but I don't want to think about how many calories it had in it! )

We also walked past a HUGE Hollister and my mom wanted to go into look for clothes for my siblings. They had guys (17-21 years old) in swimsuits and no shirts and girls in bikinis and little shirts strategically placed all around the store. They had them standing on the stairs with the spotlight on them. It was pretty funny actually. I was just really surprised that they had these employees running around half naked.

We walked all the way to the Washington Sq Park area and went to the Popbar again for some frozen gelato on a stick. We were pretty tired at this point so we hopped on the subway and went to Toys R Us in time square to use the restroom. We have to laugh about this because it's the only public restroom we know of that we can stand to be in so anytime we need to use the restroom we head there. Afterwords we headed down to the Gershwin Theater to get ready for the Wicked lottery.

We were the first ones in line to put our names in and we had about an hour before the drawling. So we made friends with the girls behind us another Mother/Daughter from Mississippi. They had 3 more family members coming to put there names in the drawling. We agreed that if my mom and I's name were both drawn we would give them our extra tickets, and if they had two people be called from their group they would give us the extra tickets. When the names started being called the mom from Mississippi's name was called. Then MY NAME was called 5th... then the other daughters name was called. So from the first 4 people to put their name in 3 were chosen. At any rate my mom and I were THRILLED!

(Me after my name was called)

(My mom and I with our FRONT row CENTER seat tickets {please not the green pin that says "I won the Wicked Lottery!"})

(We were so close it was ridiculous! This is part of the stage and below is the map of Oz used as a curtain!)

Mom and I before the show! We were on cloud 9!

I cried the whole way through the show. I was so impressed, excited and thrilled with the performance. It also brings all these memories of being in musicals and preforming. Don't misunderstand I don't think I have what it take to be on broadway, I just miss preforming period. It's crazy how watching other people preform gets me all emotional and missing it so much. Oh well anyways it was an incredible day!

We were going to go back in early on friday but after such a long day we were way to tired to get up and do that again. So we woke up late, and did whatever we felt like. We went to Stew Leonard's and Costco loaded up on yummy stuff to eat. Friday night we caught up on our TV shows from the week and stayed up really late talking... HENCE the next morning we were to tired to go into the city as we planned. (Which was ok with my mom since she had such a rockin time on Thursday.) So we hung out, ate yummy food, went to the mall, watched some college football and went to the Relief Society broadcast. Sunday we went to church then made a great lunch and had some good friends over to play games and have fun with my mom. On monday morning it was time to get up and head back to Ohio....

I had a great time with mom and was sad to have to share her with the rest of the family again! I have the best mom ever!

Coming together...

So after my last post about how awful the kitchen was I wanted to post something positive about the new place. So here it is.... My bathroom!! The upstairs bathroom was pretty plain and boring. I also wanted to get a new shower curtain and change things up a little. So here is the bathroom after we taped it all up.

This is Aubri my angle. She spent from 7:30am -9:30pm with me. She helped me paint, cleaned the bathroom, ran errands with me and helped me start the kitchen. It was so nice to not only have help with my chores but company as well. She's the best!

I was so excited to start painting.

We began with ting heart shapes... thats how all the pro's do it!

The finished project!!

Not to shabby huh?

I love the blue on brown combo.

Don't you just love it? I know I sure do!!

GROSS!! SICK!! DISGUSTING!!

WARNING:

If you get sick easily, don't read!

As you know we are in the process of moving. I've spent almost all day the past 3 days over cleaning and getting it ready. Yesterday I spent all day in the kitchen and I'm still not done! We started it on Saturday night and were going to work our way from the top down. So we started with the top of the cabinets. IT WAS SICK! I was to grossed out to document it but let me tell you they were COVERED in dark black, stick, sick curry filled, grease. It took us and hour 3 magic erasers and 2 sponges to clean it all up. I wish I could say that was the end of the grossness, but it was only the beginning. I spent 4 hours in the kitchen on Sunday and discovered the microwave was not a pretty sight. In total I probably spent 6 hours cleaning the microwave. It still wreaks of curry but I will do some work on the smell today. Here are some pictures of the sick stuff I found i the kitchen.

These are the screens for the microwave. Do you know if you can buy replacements for them?

The vent on the microwave. Notice all the little curry hairs...

Under the microwave...

The light is suppose to be white not orange...

This is what I cleaned it up to look like. A HUGE improvement.

Another under the microwave shot.

What that was SUPPOSE to look like.

Once I was done with the microwave I moved onto the stove... it was just a gross.

Pretty sick huh? I really almost vomited here.

Behind the stove. Notice all the crap in the cabinets too.

So thats it for now. I have to go back today and clean one more top cabinet then all the cabinets on the bottom. Then mop the floor and I'm done! I seriously can't wait for it all to be clean!