Family Game Day

I'm really loving game days with my family.

 A few weeks ago, while watching a game at a friends house, I commented how you really can't beat watching a game lounging on a sofa, sitting in AC, hearing what happened during the play on the hi-def TV and eating ice cream. 

My younger self WOULD HAVE DIED.  I can't believe how things have changed.  When we are at games, we usually are in the shade, have a TV to look at and even ice cream during the third quarter - thanks champions club.  Still I can't believe I actually said out loud that I really like watching games on TV in the comfort of home (at someone's house vs a game viewing party). 

The social aspect of going to games and tailgating all over the SEC, has always been my favorite pastime of mine and Josh-heck it's how we met and fell in love. There hasn't even been a time in my life until now that I haven't been on the board of the Gator Club in whatever city we were living in-which entails watching games with all the other Gator fans in the geographic region.

But things change...

Babies don't go to bars, and jet setting throughout the south eastern (and now kind of western) conference seems a little more daunting with a baby on board.

Although my taste in game-viewing has matured evolved, one thing is still the same.  The Gator Games I've enjoyed the most are the ones watched with my very best friends.

I'm glad James has already learned this lesson.

Editors note: they were not actually watching the game, we still honor the "no TV for babies" guidelines at our house.  Luckily bed time was about 30 minutes after kick-off so mommy only missed the fist quarter, and daddy "owes me one."

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Football Season

It's a little different this year.

No TV for baby, means a DVR Delay for Gator games. It worked this week, but not sure how long into the season we'll be able to hold off on kick off!

Forwarding the RV spot in my name to my brother for the A & M game broke my hear a little, sad we won't be there. I wasn't brave enough to handle a flight, Texas heat in September, and the noise of the 12th man in a 48 hour timeframe with A baby bijorn on my shoulders.

Enjoying game time with my guys (and Molly) was totally different, but totally fun!

James can't wait for try outs. It's great to be a Florida Gator!

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It's Time!

Did someone tell me Gator Football season starts tomorrow?




I'll be working on my Gator Chomp!






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Football Season

Wow, I can't believe it's right around the corner.  What I really can't believe for the first time ever my life doesn't feel completely engrossed by it, cha-cha-cha-changes.

Of course we've made plans, we're going to a handful of games, but I need to get on the ball and coordinate all my outfits-ha!  I've been enjoying Copacetic in Carolina's Tailgating posts the past few weeks, but looking at her brunch recipes made me think of how good our tailgate breakfasts are.  Then, I realized we pull into the RV lot right after the gates open at 8 am, which means getting up at 6:30 to meet our group at Law School Publix by 7:00.  I don't know if I ready for this after all...

I do know we won't be making the trip to Florida until the Tennessee Game, and our seats for the 3:30 kick-off are a few rows off the field on the 50 yard line.  I've decided to help me cope with the Florida sunshine I'll be needing a big ole hat!  Since it is the Tennessee Game, I'll be sporting a blue dress.  I did want to get a cute orange a-symmetrical number, I just couldn't do orange for Tennessee.  So I'm recycling a dress from last season (Josh, you did just read that):

and I'm thinking this Marley Lilly hat with a blue monogram.

I've got a little more time to figure things out for Kentucky, LSU and FL GA.  Even though I'm helping to plan the DC Gators road trip to Kentucky, it's still 50/50 in my book.  If I can convince Josh that we need to take an extra day on the way to Lexington to stay at the Greenbriar, it may move higher on my priority list-ha!

To get into the spirit, I wanted to share this little number, also seen first at Copacetic in Carolina.  Of course they picked the TACKIEST Florida fans, but hey it is what it is. 

Soooo

Is it really Friday?  Wow-what a crazy busy week!  I wouldn't have it any other way.

Lots of awesome things happening, means crazy busy right?

So last weekend was slightly dedicated to the Junior League, then my sorority pulled ahead and will probably remain the front runner for time commitments until after recruitment in January...because....I was asked to be the Membership Adviser!  Decorations, bump groups, skits, songs and video's?  YES PLEASE!

So my weekend kicked off at the March of Dimes Heroines in Technology Event on Friday night.  It was beautiful.  The silent auction was awesome and I did want to bid on a few items, but of course the things I liked everyone else did, too.

Saturday morning, my alarm went off at 6:30 and I was off to help set-up for the CFF's Breath of Life Gala at the National Building Museum-it was sooo beautiful!

I headed up to Maryland to meet up with two fantastic bloggy buddies The Preppy Pink & Green Puppy and I Do Declare for lunch at Victoria's Gastro Pub.  Oh my it was fantastic!  After our awesome lunch, we hit up Hobby Lobby.  My first trip to this crafter's superstore didn't disappoint. 

Josh and I met up with Jen and John to watch the Gator, Gamecock Game.  We were not thrilled with the results, but if anyone had to win we're glad it was Spurrier.

Sunday, was brunch with my Phi Mu DC Alumnae Chapter - it was so much fun!!

Then I did some serious house cleaning, Josh and I were ships passing in the night-ha considering he was on a boat fishing.  I headed up to American University's campus to help with chapter elections, a fun filled four hours!  It was so great getting to know the ladies of the chapter, and I really felt the amazing impact that I can offer as an adviser.  It was so neat to mentor and encourage these young women-I'm looking forward to getting to know them even more!  I'm looking forward to another weekend of Gator Games, Junior League and Sorority Advising!  Oh yes and prepping for Thanksgiving-we are having about 10 friends over for the big dinner!

We Do Cry

So during my commute this morning where my speedometer did not register over 10 mph the entire trip, I had some extra time to listen to some radio shows.  The DJ on my country station put up this clip of a girl from South Carolina crying after the gamecocks lost to Kentucky.  He was making fun of the situation, but it made me realize that he just didn't get the importance of the SEC and our teams record.  What bowl game you get a bid to, makes or breaks your New Year's Eve.  These are important things especially to a sorority girl in the SEC- don't mess with our big hair, mascara or social calendar.

So on my trusty new iphone I found the utube video of my fellow SEC SG (sorority girl). 



And it made me remember all the games that I have shed a few tears over - why does Alabama always seem to be a consistent theme.  I guess they are a benchmark of sorts, if you win - you just beat fricken Alabama.  If you loose well you just lost to fricken Alabama. 

Speaking of Alabama, it was the first Gator game that I shed a tear (or two over).  It was my sophomore year at UF, we had beaten Tennessee earlier in the season, and we just didn't loose in the Swamp.  That damn tide came in and we lost...and I cried...at a football game.

I somehow made it through the season in 2000 without any football related tears.  So I was totally unprepared for what happened to us in '01 in Auburn, Alabama.  I had made the road trip with my two best friends, and we were planning to stay at my cousins house in Auburn.  Let's just say - driving to Alabama sans sleep is something not even a Burger King Breakfast can fix.  Then add lots of Jack Daniels to the situation and Auburn fans running over you to storm the field as you sit crying in the end zone-it's not a good thing.  It only got worse.  Fights with Red Neck RV Drivers, sleeping in our car on the side of a back road in Alabama and a few speeding tickets followed.  Would I trade it for anything-NEVER!

I've adopted a new philosophy around my beloved Gators, and that it's we always win the tailgate.  That we did at the FL GA game this weekend.

Tailgating with my girls!

My brother drove down from South Dakota, and he was loved on by everyone there!  I think it may have been because he makes some of the best BBQ on the face of the planet.

A little bit of our crazy tailgate.  I was in charge of the Bloody Mary bar-the only organized part of the table at the other end.

And at some point of the day I promised Riley Cooper I would make a custom Cooper/Grossman jersey and wear it to the Eagles v Redskins game on the 15th.  I better get busy.



Chaos

I can't even begin to tell you how crazy my lift has been - CRAZY... CHAOTIC... BEYOND..

1.  I cried at work today, which has never, I mean NEVER happened here-but I finally reached my breaking point.

2.  Maybe it's because I didn't get enough sleep last night because the wind literally blew out the windows in our bedroom, as in BIG GAPING HOLE in the wall with nothing there, but the cold midnight sky. 

3.  Don't worry after yelling at Josh for not being home for the third MAJOR catastrophe in the past four months I took care of it...in my own special way.

4.  Duck tape is my friend.

5.  Duck tape and a tarp are my best friends.

6.  Duck tape, a Tarp and Vodka are my best friends forever-and really create an amazing trifecta.

7.  Just checked into my flight and upgraded my seat so I could spend time with my best friend Vodka on the way to Jacksonville tonight.

8.  Sent Josh to buy every flavor of Vodka he could find so they would be prepared for my arrival tonight.

9.  He complied and went to Wackos his favorite liquor store/strip club in Jacksonville. 

10.  He took my pregnant best friend there two years ago on accident, and now makes a point/finds an excuse to go every year.

11.  He also makes it a priority to wear buba teeth all weekend ala James Bates during Tennessee Week.

12.  And throws mike bones at unsuspecting Georgia Fans, particularly the girls dressed to the nines.

13.  Which reminds me, he only packet T-shirts (and probably jorts) - so I better find him a polo and bright blue or orange shorts, and burn whatever else I find in his suitcase so what I picked is his only option.

14.  Well, that's the run-down.  I guess with that all I have to say is:

15.  Oh and if you're in Jax hit up my cell and come to our tailgate!

Gastronomical Journeys

It all started Friday night, when Josh decided it was his destiny to beat his Call of Duty game on our new PlayStation 3.  Not really the Friday night I had in mind, I knew it would be next to impossible to break the gaming trace he had entered into.  I figured it was a chance for me to read a good book and went upstairs to see what could be downloaded from the library for our e reader.  Not realizing that there would be a waiting list for most of the books that I thought up to read, I had to get a little creative.  That's how I found my new literary love, Calvin Trillin.  He is incredibly talented, and finds such creative ways to share his love of food with his audience.  I am having trouble putting down Alice, Let's Eat, and am looking forward to reading many more of his works!

I was up with the sun on Saturday morning to volunteer with the Junior League of Washington DC at the Capital Area Food Bank.  The first of many Saturday morning volunteer shifts to come.  I loved every minute of it, and was so glad to know that I was helping people in the area with a little extra food to get them trough tough times.  We made 750 bags of food to go to Welfare recipients in DC.  That totaled four and a half pallets of boxes!

Saturday afternoon, we prepared some football party foods and my friend, Jen, and I decided to have our own personal Octoberfest after a trip to the Fairfax County FallFest.  A corn dog was my choice for my fair food, and I gladly shared my cornmeal crusted meat on a stick with my hungry husband.

Luckily, I Octoberfested myself out of commission during the second quarter of the Florida, Alabama game.  I spent the remaining quarters on the sofa in the formal living room, while everyone else subjected themselves to much pain watching the Gators get it...BAD.

Molly also decided she needs a Pottery Barn Kids chair.  For those wondering, the broom is a strategic measure to keep Jen's overzealous, but completely lovable dog, Aslan, at bay.  No we don't hit him with it.  He just has this unnatural fear of brooms that we unmercifully take advantage of.

Sunday morning, Josh's first request was for me to make him breakfast.  Not knowing anything we had other than eggs, I think I whipped up something nice.  Dunkins Coffee, Belgium Waffles, Potato Pancakes, fried eggs for him and scrambled for me.  It was a real pleasure to prepare a meal in our kitchen.  I've missed that these past few months.  The first question out of my Jewish husbands mouth was, why didn't you make grits?  Strangely, I thought he may appreciate potato pancakes more, but I was sadly mistaken.  Next time I know to stick to my southern roots.

 

Is It Friday Already?

Oh my how this week has flown-by.  I have to excuse myself because I have been knee-deep in boxes all week. 

I'm talking 6-midnight every night of unpacking, organizing and cleaning.  I am so proud of the progress I've made.  To tell the truth, I wouldn't have been as motivated and maybe would have been able to spend some quality time with my DVR and big screen TV for premier week, but my in-laws arrive this afternoon.  I wanted everything to be in tip-top shape for their visit. 

I'm looking forward to a wonderful weekend with family as we celebrate the union of Josh's cousin Robyn!  Looking forward to the lavish affair and the Viennese dessert table at the reception-yay!

We're hoping to be able to sneak in the second half of the Kentucky game after the rehearsal dinner, as always:

Finally Friday!

What a week!

The movers are moving our furniture back in today-it's going to be so great to be home tonight!!

This week, responsibility trumped my social calendar.  I'm still not 100% sure how that makes me feel, but I'm pretty sure it means I'm growing up. 

So, I didn't make it to a happy hour on Georgetown's Waterfront or at The University Club.  But I was a good homeowner, good wife and a good friend.  And the latter two are probably the most important things I could possibly be. 

Not only did I give up happy hours, but I'm also giving up a Gator Game road trip - which is an extreme rarity.  No Neyland Stadium or tailgating on the Tennessee River this weekend in Knoxville. For the very first time since I was a freshman at UF, I will not be sitting in the stands as the Gators take on the Vols.  I will be unpacking boxes, while watching the game on TV.  Sigh.  With that, there's only one thing to say:

Cheering on the Gators

Gator Football is a big deal for us.  We met going to a game, we re-met eight years later at various post-game activities in various SEC cities.  Needless to say going to Gator Games together is one of our favorite activities.  Although we had big plans for this season, due to weddings and the Great Thompson Flood of 2010, we quickly realized that we would only be visiting the Swamp and tailgating in Gainesville once this season.  Needless to say we were going to make it count.

Tailgating Thompson style takes a little bit of pre-planning.  We leave coolers and other game-day gear at our secondary headquarters, Josh's parent's house.  Josh also coordinated to have our needed supplies delivered to their house for easy pick-up.  This year that included special order grits and tickets to the game (two VERY important things).  If you've ever had Georgia Ice Cream, then you would agree.  If you haven't then you need to and fast!

Now, we needed to focus on the rest of our supplies.  Which also entails a trip to our favorite store Publix, gosh I love and miss that place.  So on our flight down I made our list and checked it twice.

So after a brief stop, and an overflowing shopping cart we were ready for Cheese Grits and Egg Sandwiches pre-game, and Cheese Steaks for the post game tailgate.

Josh cooked up a storm by 9 am.

The beautiful sights of early morning tailgating.

And don't start to think for a second that we aren't set up with Bloody Mary's in hand by 8:30 am every game day in Gainesville whether the game is at noon or 8 pm.  We get there as soon as the RV lot opens and let the good times roll.

Sadly with the early kick-off, it made it difficult for me to tailgate hop.  Luckily, my friends had a parking pass in the same lot, making it much easier to meet up with the besties!

Game Time, nothing like it I tell ya!

Walking to the game my dad did make the comment that he could tell I'd been gone for the past two years because we were actually able to walk to the game with out stopping 200+ times to say hello or talk to a friend of mine.  That kind of made me sad, guess I've lost my title of Honorary Mayor of Gainesville.

We had a great time at the game, so glad to be able to spend time with my #1 gator girlfriend.  We've been going to games together for the past 13 years-wow.  I do have to say I much prefer sitting in her seats now in the shade and air conditioning of Touchdown Terrace than with the sun blaring down on us with no room to move in our block in the student section!  But I wouldn't trade those days of Lemon Ices for anything, well maybe a TT cookie or two. 

The post game tailgate.  Part of the crowd due to Josh's famed Cheese Steaks the other part due to tailgating with the quarterbacks parents.  I'll leave it up to you to decide which drew the larger crowd JT or JB - ha!

We topped the day off wishing Robey at happy 21st with the largest sheet cake I've ever seen.  By then soaring temps pushed me to the sidelines and I was ready for some AC and H20!  Josh did tell me he knew I was officially old when I wanted to be home and in bed before 10 pm on a game day. 

It's true, although I may not recognize as many friendly faces as I walk to the stadium and may want to turn in when the post game party is just getting started.  I still love my Gators and all the wonderful friends, family and memories this team has brought me.