Throwback Thursday #13

October 27, 2015

Time to Pay the Piper!

I lost a football bet when Josh's Texas A&M Aggies beat my beloved Arkansas Razorbacks last fall. He took his time in delivering the flag that I was required to fly throughout the remainder of the football season. But boy, did he do it up good for me!

Darth Vader and Texas A&M
It is a fitting slogan though as I was sure that my Razorbacks could pull out the Win!

My office was filled with maroon and white balloons.  I broke out in laughter and hives just walking in...but I left it just like this until the balloons finally fell.

My office after the balloons fell.  You can't even see the chair that sits in front of my desk.  We chased down stray ones for a week!

Texas Bowl, Baby!

On Monday evening we headed into the city for a football game. The kids had gifted Jim and I with tickets to the Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium where our beloved Arkansas Razorbacks would face off against the Texas Longhorns.

Take a good, long look at that picture. When Derrick first came into the family he was a wearer of the burnt orange. He now prefers the cardinal and white. WPS! And Josh, who still insisted on wearing his Texas A&M cap, made the exception to sport the colors since it was against the 'Horns. Hey, it's a start!


My Hero is not a big fan of crowds. His last bowl game was a few years back when the whole family went to the Liberty Bowl to watch Arkansas versus East Carolina. It was a night game and the temperature was 29 when we were walking in to the stadium.

So the girls called him up and said, "this game is in a stadium with a retractable roof, so we will not freeze; and we are getting club level seats so you don't have to fight the crowds to get in or out". He relented...and hired us a car so we wouldn't have to deal with traffic. We had a great time.


Our Hogs were victorious, beating the Longhorns 31-7.

I'm glad for the win, especially since our tickets were on the Texas side! For the most part, we were surrounded by great people...and there were several other Hog fans around. Of course as the game went on, the burnt orange became more and more scarce.

But, after the game, as Meagan and I waited for the rest of the crew to make their way to the concourse, a grown man walked past and told us to go back to Arkansas.

I have attended three Razorback games within the borders of Texas. The Southwest Classic in Dallas before Texas A&M joined the SEC, a regular season game at Kyle Field and this Texas Bowl. In the first and last games the Hogs were the victors...and after both games I was told to 'go back to Arkansas'. As I said in my Facebook post, I could sort of understand it coming from the A&M frat boy...but a grown man at Reliant (NRG) Stadium? I mean, Houston is a great multi-cultural city...and that extends to college football. All you have to do is read the bumper stickers during your daily commute to see that not everyone who lives here is a Texas or A&M fan. We can live in Texas and root for non-Texas teams.

Oh well, sore losers. And I did enlighten him to the fact that I lived in Texas, loved Texas but was still a Razorback fan. He just looked at me strange and walked away. I guess he learned something new on Monday night.


Woo Pig, Soiee!

I can hardly wait until next season!

And thanks again for the tickets, kids. We had a most excellent time.

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Happy As Pigs In...

My Razorbacks are 3-0! After last year's gosh-awful season, I am taking the time to enjoy every moment that I possibly can.

We have had Game Day Watch parties every Saturday so far...even if it meant we had to pay to the watch the game.  I snapped these pictures on opening weekend ...but they really do tell the story of our season thus far.

August 31

vs. Lousiana Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns

"It's the start of a new season, right?  

It can't possibly be as bad as the John L. Smith year, right?"

Final Score: 34-14

Our first 'W'!

September 7

vs Samford Bulldogs

"We are hopeful (like Bri)...

but still a bit anxious (like Delayne).

Come on boys, we gotta show the world that we are not pushovers."

Final Score: 31-21

Another 'W'!

September 14

vs Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles

"Things are looking up!  

All smiles because we are playing a team that hasn't won a game in two years...

surely we can count on this 'W', right?"

Of course, then our QB went out in the first quarter after bruising his shoulder as he dove into the end zone for our first touchdown.

Final Score: 24-3

'Whew!'

Today, September 21

at Rutgers Scarlet Knights

"Our first real test of strength.  

Will Brandon Allen be back in at QB?

Can the Razorbacks handle some stronger competition?"

We are chewing on our fingernails 

(or iPhones, as the case may be)...

and hoping for the best...

Because next week we face Texas A&M and Johnny Football, himself.

Man, it is going to be a long season!

WPS!

And Since We Are Talking Football...

Here is our office staff in their NFL colors celebrating the kickoff of the 2013 regular season on September 5, 2013.

Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, Houston Texans and New England Patriots...it's going to be an interesting year!

I confess that at first I cropped this picture so that Wesley's Saints visor said 'aints'...which I found quite humorous but I know a few friends and family who take their N.O. football seriously!!  And, as my grandmother taught me, if you can't say anything good, then just don't say anything at all.  ;-)

Custom Fire Protection's College Colors Day 2013

I love holidays...even the made-up ones.

 And I love college football...even when my team is breaking my heart.

So it will come as no surprise to y'all that I love College Colors Day!  And I thoroughly encourage full company wide participation.  Unfortunately this year we only had three of us here!

Wesley sporting his proud purple LSU Tigers.  Me in my Arkansas Razorback red.  And Danielle representing football widows all across America!  (She cracks me up.)

I even took the day to change out the colors in my office.

Fall may not officially arrive until this Sunday, according to the calendar...but for me, it began on August 31 with the first kickoff to the sound of 'Woo Pig, Soiee!"

Let's Go Hogs!  2013 has to be better than 2012, right?

Giving Thanks: Day 9

Jim and I will be heading out in just a bit for our last regular season game as football parents. When the boys were small I just knew they would both follow in Jim's footsteps and play basketball.  While Brian did just that, Will was never really interested in the whole round ball through a hoop thing.  When we moved to Waller he found his place on the football field instead.  (He had played flag football at the Y in Alief.)  It took me a little while to learn the rules and to be able to follow along, but I have grown to love the game.  

Over the years the kids have taught me so much through their individual passions and talents.  With Meagan I learned the beauty of a piece of choral music, even if the words were foreign to me.  Kelli's time in the Crimson Cadettes taught me to recognize dance routines as either a kick routine, or jazz, or lyrical, or pom, or hip hop.  With Bri it was mixture of choir and theatre and softball...but theatre really had her heart.  So, I learned about one act plays and techie tricks to make a stage look a certain way.  Brian was all about the round ball in high school and I had some knowledge of the game from when his dad played.  (Technically, I played one year too...but I don't think I had a single point, so I started keeping the scorebooks.)  When he picked up art and started playing the guitar, my world broadened once again.

So, even though this picture is of Will and football -- I want my kids to know that I am thankful for each one of them and for all the ways that they have broadened my world.  You are each unique and wonderful and dearly loved!

Mom

Senior Night 2012 at Waller High School

Giving Thanks: Day 2

Sharing Will's last home game with family and friends...including Miss Delayne who was attending her first ever football game. And it was a WIN!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

We Have Been Having A Good Time

Today I will share a few pictures of places we have been this fall.

In early September I attended the Toby Keith concert with my girlfriends.  Robin always gets great seats!  Third row!!!  She bought the tickets to see Toby (below)...I went to see Brantley Gilbert (set backdrop above).  Great show from both of them.  And a great night out with the Girls!

A few days after the show I met some other friends at First Colony Mall in Sugar Land.  I have been wanting to eat here since Robin, Stacy and I ate at the original Grimaldi's in Brooklyn.  (That was in February 2008!!!)  They had told us during our visit that they were building one in the Houston area and we were SOOO excited.  Unfortunately, it took longer to get to our area than anticipated...but here it is.  (Well, it has been there a little while, but not when they had originally planned.)

The building even reminds me of the Brooklyn Bridge!  And can I just say that the pizza tastes just as good as I remember.  It was a wonderful evening filled with good food and great fellowship.  I can hardly wait to see them again next week when we try another NEW place!!! 

At the end of September we were given the biggest thrill when Bri and Josh invited us to an Arkansas game!!  Woo Pig, Soiee!!

The seats were great!  And we were so close to the action!! 

Unfortunately, we were in Aggieland...and we were thoroughly, heartbreakingly beaten by those farmers!

But it was still Arkansas Razorback football, so I was in Hog Heaven!  (Side note: Josh did not get to go, so we were spared the hard core ribbing until the ride home when he called Bri to 'poke the bear'.  I will say, if you have never attended a game in Aggieland, you really should do so one day.  The fans are loud and we had to stand (in the rain) because they refuse to sit down; but it was worth every glorious moment.)

Okay, technically I have never been to this final place.  But as I was sitting in line at the bank the other day I noticed their sign and had to send a picture of it to my sister.  How often do two sisters have both their names in the same company name when neither of them have an affiliation with said company?  (Say that last sentence three times fast!)

 



We Are Good. Really, We Are!

The blog has been so quiet lately. And though I have desired to write, each time I sit down to do so...something comes up...or my thoughts flutter away. So, I thought I would try to catch you up on our world via pictures from my cell phone. Some of these have been seen on Facebook, so I apologize for repeats in advance.

Will's back to school haircut.
He has actually had another one since then, but no pics.  How in the world have we managed to get him in a salon twice since school started?  Football...and a coach who says, "Get your hair cut, Goode!"  Heaven knows he would never do it for his mom or dad.

Josh, Will and Jim scoping out guns at the Hunter's Extravaganza back in August.  I'm shocked we didn't walk out with half of the place.  Especially since I was there!  LOL!

Jim's birthday lunch at Las Palmas with our guys.  He's 50!!!

Bulldogs and opponents in prayer before a game. 
(I think this was Willis.)

Davin standing in front of the HUGE stork that the church placed in Meagan & Derrick's yard to help welcome Delayne home.  It is hard to see his head due to the back light...but you certainly can't miss him in person!

The Bulldogs getting ready to run out of the Doghouse before the Montgomery game.

Will + Dirt Bike + Playing without his safety equipment on
(he promised he would wear it!!!)

= Frankenstein foot....just in time for Halloween!
He had the stitches removed on Tuesday.  Probably will not be playing tomorrow night, but hopefully he will be back in full swing by next week.

Oh, and speaking of Mr. Frankenstein Foot, he has also been spending time with a couple of dentists tyring to get a root canal completed.  Dentist #1 had the tip of pick break off in the last canal.  Dentist #2 discovered that there were actually two tips broken in the canal.  Tip #1 has been successfully removed by the endodontist.  He will try to fish out Tip #2 on November 1.  Poor baby has had a tough couple of weeks.

Friday Night Lights: Brenham

It has taken me time to be able to even post about last Friday night's game against the Brenham Cubs.  The reasons are many:

1. For all the playing time that our #63 got last week against Tomball Memorial, he spent that much plus some on the bench this week.  Not sure what is going on, but he sure was heartbroken over the lack of playing time.
2. Brenham is THE RIVALRY game of the year...and we lost, 14-24.  It was a close game until the half.
3. I really did not understand the strategy on the field this week.  It looked like John L. Smith was calling in the plays from Arkansas. (Sorry, I couldn't resist that one.) Of course, that may have had a lot to do with...
4. My football buddy and love of my life wasn't able to make this week's game as he was out on a dove hunt with customers and vendors this past weekend.
5. Due to lack of playing time (a couple of special teams plays and two defensive plays that were 'kneel downs' at the end of the game) I have no pictures to share this week.  Not even of the helmet.  Will just wanted off the field, to the field house to change and go get something to eat.  {Side note: He was so passionately ready to play in that last drive that he mowed one of those Brenham boys over when he came across that line!}

On the positive side, we had a crowd to watch the game and enjoyed the time with family and friends.  We made Meagan promise not to go into labor way up in rows W & X.  That would be a long way down!

This Friday night we will be traveling to Willis...after we welcome our newest granddaughter into the world that is.  It is going to be a FULL day for sure!

Friday Night Lights: Tomball Memorial

Friday night the Bulldogs hosted the Tomball Memorial Wildcats for the first home game of the season.  If you have never attended a game in Bulldog Stadium, you are missing quite an experience.  It is a state of the art facility that some colleges I know of would love to have.

As I fought the rain to make it into Waller for dinner before the game, I was so glad that I had given in to my gut instinct and picked up a handful of rain ponchos earlier Friday morning.  The weather man had assured us that  rain was to be out of our area by 3 pm, but that was more like when it began.  I had half jokingly asked ladies from my Bible study group to pray that the Lord would keep the rain from falling over the stadium...and as I made my way over 2920 I could see the sun breaking through over the stadium while two blocks away I had to run into the restaurant to keep from getting wet. 

It was a good sign for things to come!  (No bad moon rising on this night.)

The thunderstorms had held me up in Houston so that I was unable to make it home before the game to pick up my camera.  If you would like to see pictures from the game, you can log on to http://www.wallerbulldogsports.com/football.html.  There is a great photo of William making a tackle during the second half (#153) and another of the team huddle (#205) after their 42-22 win over the Wildcats.  (Both pictures are in '2012 9/14 Varsity Football 2'.)

After the game, Bri, Davin and I met him at the fence so that Davin could say 'hello' and I could let him know who to be looking for when he left the field house.  This was his weekly helmet check photo:

All of the new is gone and I am wondering if there will be any paint left on this thing by the time the season is over. 

He gulped his dinner down practically by the time we made it out of the drive through line, then he drug himself into the house and straight to bed.  I'm thinking Varsity football is hard on a young man!  Ha!

Bulldog Varsity, Baby!

Last Friday night, the Waller Bulldogs traveled to El Campo to meet the Ricebirds in their Varsity Opener.

In the words of CCR:
"I see the bad moon arising.
I see trouble on the way.
I see earthquakes and lightnin'.
I see bad times today. "

The Ricebirds are preseason favorites to win their region this year...and after this game, I can believe it.  I am pretty sure more than one of their players will be seeing action at a D1 college next year.

Here was our #63 with a great block at the end of the 4th quarter.  They have him playing right tackle due to injuries. 

It was a heartbreaking 0-31 loss for the Bulldogs.  Yet Will walked up to the stands after the game so proud to show us his 'brand new' helmet covered with scratches and a huge chunk of paint missing from one side.

He has a lot of heart, that boy of ours...even if he needs to add about thirty pounds to play that position. 

The drive to El Campo was a solid two hours, but that didn't diminish his cheering section by much.

I am just glad that the longest drive of the season is out of the way.  Here's to a much better season to come!

Are you ready?

It's time for some FOOTBALL!!!

I think I am on Football Frenzy overload.  Jim and I spent last night flipping back and forth between the Houston Texans vs Minnesota Vikings and the SEC opener between South Carolina and Vanderbilt.  (Vandy was robbed!!!  and Jim was a little upset at me for cheering Jarius Wright in for the touchdown against Houston...but, hey, I love to watch former Razorbacks in the NFL.)

After the games, we switched to the DVR so that I could watch the Hogs on College Football Confidential: Arkansas.  I had missed it the night before.

Today I'm dressed for College Colors Day with Razorbacks adorning my neck, my wrist and even my ears.

I hung the Cardinal Red and White from the flagpole at our front gate this morning.  (Woo Pig, Soiee!  I'm so excited for the coming year.)

I'll be heading home in a little over an hour to change into Bulldog maroon and white for Will's first Varsity game tonight in El Campo.  There is a possibility that the whole family will be in attendance to watch #63 play tonight.  (Let's Go, Dawgs!)

Tomorrow morning we will be holding our annual Fantasy Football draft party.  Once again the boys will be getting upset with me for drafting some of my favorite Razorbacks that have moved on to the Big League.

And tomorrow night, I think I might just have to cough up the funds to watch my Hogs play live on Pay Per View.  I really want to see Knile Davis make his return from injury with a big touchdown run for myself.

It's a good thing there will be no football on Sunday this week.  I may need the break.

Let's Go Razorbacks!

Today is 'The Battle For The Golden Boot"! 

Arkansas Versus LSU

We will be fighting it out deep in Death Valley...but I BELIEVE!!!

Woo Pig, Soiee!

Razorbacks!!!

Thursday Night Lights And The Heart Of A Mom

Thursday night lights.

A chill in the air.

Surrounded by a sprinkling of maroon and white.

The field is lit by the Texas sun setting to the west.

I shield my eyes in search of the only one this Mama's eyes want to see...#66.

We arrive at the stadium with three minutes to spare...yet the game has already begun.

I am disappointed.

Don't they understand the significance?

I'm not quite ready for this season to end.

It is the end of his JV years.

While I sit in the stands, snapping pictures like madwoman...not wanting to forget a single moment...his dad snacks on his usual -- nachos with chili and cheese.

"Are women the only ones that are nostalgic?", I ask, knowing the answer before I ask it.

"It's not like it's his last game, Fonda.  Next year is Varsity."

I know My Hero is only speaking the truth.  But in this Mama's heart, it is the end of another season of life. 

Next year comes the pressure of making the playoffs.

Next year's team carries the hopes of a small town on its shoulders.

Next year means our baby boy is a Senior...and our high school football days are seriously numbered.

So, I settle into the stands with my thoughts and my camera...and I record these moments through a lens and treasure them in my heart.  Because I don't want to forget a single thing.

Breaking the huddle.

Head to head on the 'O' line.

Holding that line.

The last play of his JV years.

Good game!

That Bulldog Spirit.

One Dog.

One Pack.

Walking off the field with Coach McNeil.

Discussing the game with Dad & Josh.

That was a nasty looking mark on his forehead.

Sideline picture with his sister.

Two of his biggest fans.

All smiles after a great win!

Waller Bulldogs  - 33

Magnolia West Mustangs - 14

And, yes, he is intentionally going for the Clay Matthews look.

Parent Night 2011

Friday night was Parent Appreciation Night at the Waller Bulldogs football game.  All the parents of any student participating in the game were given free admission and were asked to join their student on the field.

As you can see, it was a beautiful October night...and perfect weather for some football!

It was also Breast Cancer Awareness Night (hence all the pink instead of maroon).

Here is a picture of our Maroon Man taken on the field prior to the game.  Isn't he handsome?  When I posted these on Facebook, one of our high school friends commented how much he looks like Jim.  I think it is the hair!

Will was involved in the Cheerleaders pregame performance.  He is the black shirt underneath that third pink pom pom from the left.  (His cheerleader is the one in the air.)

Jim wasn't able to make it to the game.  He was on a hunting trip with some of our clients.  And, in all honesty, had I not attended the Cheer Booster Club meeting on Monday night, I wouldn't have known that we were supposed to be there either! 

Boys!!  Anywho, here is a picture of Will and I on the field waiting for the Maroon Men to be announced.

It was also Tribute Night to the First Responders who helped during the wildfires.  They were spread out along most of the field.  Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!

Okay, so he does kind of look like his dad in this photo!!!  I am so proud of him and his willingness to get involved with extra curricular activities.  Will really does have a lot of school spirit.  It wasn't a good night for the Waller Bulldogs on the scoreboard...but we had a great time anyway!