7 (hundred) Pounds of Heartache

Okay, um, don't have time to write everything I want to, but I will say as much as I can with as few words as possible. Last night we got to check off our first movie from our "to see" list. We went to the 10pm showing of Seven Pounds and I can't say enough good things about this movie! I do not want to give anything away, because I want everyone I know to see this movie. :) I will just say that you do not really know what is going on until the last few minutes, and then everything is so powerful. I cried so hard my face hurt, I couldn't breathe, and my heart was literally in pain. I would compare it to John Q. or Family Man....it is that kind of heartache!!!
Also, I think that Will Smith and Rosario Dawson (who I suddenly find very gorgeous and intriguing) could win an award for this movie! The writing, the story, the acting, the music, everything about this movie is perfect!
Go see this movie! Then post a comment and tell me what you thought!
Click HERE to listen to some of my favorite songs from the movie! I love Nick Drake's song (which is also in Garden State, another classic) and "It's a New Dawn, It's a New Day" by MUSE (this band was featured in Twilight too, and gave Stephenie Meyer her inspiration to write the Twilight series). The soundtrack on iTunes is just all the scores, so you have to go to the above site to see the "real" songs. :) Ch-ch-check 'em out! Or Else! haha

From Busy to Lazy

The past week was quite busy for me. (hence the reason I have not posted in a while.) I had four Christmas parties to attend (one for the athletic department, and three cheerleading ones), as well as lots of shopping, a little Southern Living at HOME stuff, and plus my cousin Amy came into town and stayed two nights with me! It was very busy, but fun too.
I guess my favorite of the four parties I attended this week was the Freshmen Cheer party (my squad) which was last night. We had so much fun, and the girls and their moms were in such great moods. The girls got silly and sang Christmas Karaoke, which was a hoot. I love that they are old enough to be mature and have intelligent conversation, but still young enough to have fun without having to worry quite yet about "looking cool." We had lots of snacks (the orange chicken from Costco was my favorite! I want to buy some for myself sometime. I reccomend you try it if you get the chance. It comes frozen in a box and you cook the chicken in the oven and the glaze on the stove...very easy yet super tasty!) and we decorated ornaments. It was so neat. I guess I have been too busy to really catch the Christmas Spirit, UNTIL Friday night. It was such a fun time. Probably the best part of the whole night though, was when we delivered gifts to a family we adopted. The mom has a first grade daughter and fifth grade boy. Their circumstances are grim and unimaginable, but the girls did an amazing job interacting with both the kids and the mom. I was so so proud of them. They truly understand what it's all about...giving to those in need. It was an experience I will never forget! Truly touching! Both the cheerleaders, and the mom cried, and we were all pretty emotional. The amount of stuff the girls bought this family was astounding! I have never seen one family get so many toys, clothes, books, and the mom got dishes, pots and pans and clothes for herself! My cheerleaders went way above and beyond...it was remarkable!
Anyways, so now that my hectic week is over, it is time to relax and soak up the much needed family time. As of now we are in Austin, but we will also be going to Houston and Burnet. Mom is in Houston, but Papa took Zac and I out to eat to celebrate my good grades. It was fun. I love Austin. I miss it all the time, but when I am here, it's almost painful knowing that at some point I will have to leave again. I can not wait to move back here. The people are different, the attitude is different, and it's BIG! :)
Zac and I have set a goal to see the following movies over the break. We are going back and forth as to whether we should split them up, or just go one Saturday and see them back to back. Haha, I am voting to split them up! :) Here are the ones we are dying to see...

Gran Torino-This is the one I want to see the most. I think it looks amazing! I love Clint Eastwood's character.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons-Brad Pitt...need I say more? Sounds like a neat story.
Valkyrie-Tom Cruise kinda creeps me out, but I still want to see this, and Zac really wants to.
Seven Pounds-What is this movie about? I have to go just to find out (and it looks good!). I think they were super vague in the previews just to make us curious.
Frost/Nixon-Zac doesn't actuall want to see this one or Doubt, but I want to see both of them.
Doubt-This looks disturbing but I think it will be a good one.

(If you are unfamiliar with the title, you should click on it to watch the trailer. They all look so good to me! I'm excited just writing about them!)

1 semester down...only 2 more to go!

I got my grades today and I made 3 A's and 2 B's. I am normally a perfectionist with grades, but considering everything I went through this past semester, I was very happy with what I made. I am also very glad this semester is over! It was probably the toughest semester I have ever been through, emotionally, and I am glad it is behind me!
I got an email from my advisor yesterday, with my assignment for my internship! I start in January. This entails me having class every Monday from 4:30-10 and then being in an elementary school every Tuesday and Wednesday from 7-3:30. I know which school it is, and even which teachers will be over me. I do not know either of them, but I have heard they are both phenomenal! :) I hope they like me! (Who couldn't? haha, just kidding!)
So, after internship is residency, which means in August 09 I start my student teaching, and then graduate in December 2009!!! The light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer, and I am so happy and relieved. I am ready to be done with school! I wanna be a Mom, and our deal was that I only do one at a time. So, as soon as school is out of the way...motherhood, here I come! hehe.

A little bit of this, a little bit of that...

Brrr! It is soooooo cold! We had a two hour delay to schools and businesses starting today because of the icy roads. I hate cold weather. My fingers hurt typing on the darn keyboard because my arthritis is acting up so badly! (I know, I'm such an old lady! It's sad!) If the weather would just stay hot or stay cold, then at least we could get used to it, but this changing back and forth all the time just plain sucks. Okay, now that I got my whining out of the way...
I had a great weekend! Ramsi's mom invited Zac and I over for soup on Friday night. It was so SO delicious! I am going to try to get the recipe. She calls it tortilla soup, but I think it is more like chicken enchilada soup, because it's creamy and not brothy. (is that even a word? ha!) Anyways, we had so much fun. Ram's family was a delight. She has a brother that is a sophomore and a sister in eighth grade, so it was a blast to see the siblings interact. Sometimes I wish I came from a bigger family. I love my family and my childhood and all that, but when I see big families like Zac's and Ramsi's I think they have something pretty special too. :) I was on my best behavior, so I hope to get invited back. I love family, and even if it's not my own, there is something magical about being with a family sitting around the table and enjoying a home-cooked meal together!
Saturday my dad came in town to watch a playoff game that our town was hosting. Zac actually had to "work" the game, but that just meant he had to sit next to the scoreboard guy and announcer and be a spotter. I did not even know this job existed, but I got to watch him in action, and basically he would just tell the announcer what number had the ball and which number tackled him. An extra pair of eyes. My dad and I got to sit in the press box which was fun. It was so nice to be at a game and not have to be keeping up with cheerleaders. Not to mention, the press box at our stadium gives you the VIP treatment. They have food catered in and people are asking if you want a refill of your drinks and stuff. It's fun. The game was not great (one team won really bad, and it was NOT the team we were rooting for) but it was still fun to have some father/daughter time. :) After the game we came home and watched them announce who won the heisman, and that took my dad into a deep dark depression. haha, not really, but he was upset about it. So we had to get out of the house, so we went and got cookies and custard. It was kinda random, but fun.
Sunday morning I woke up early and went into Dallas to watch my cousin Robin run the White Rock Half marathon. I was so proud of her...she did amazing, AND she has a stress fracture in her right foot! She finished like a champ though! It is so neat to watch a marathon! If you never have, I highly recommend it! This was my second one to watch and it is so inspiring! I personally think the participants are crazy, but it is so cool to watch them pour their hearts into it, and it's also amazing to watch all the perfect strangers cheering on people they have never seen and will never see again. It is a nice moment for humanity...very cool! :)
Sunday night was the athletic department Christmas party. It was at a country club this year and was so fun! They had the Knights of Columbus there and had poker tables and craps and blackjack and stuff. It was so cool. They definitely thought "outside of the box" and I would say it was a huge success! :)
It was a low-key but wonderful weekend. I can not wait until next weekend, when I will be with all of my family! Now that I am finished with school (WOOHOO!!) I am enjoying just hanging around the house (it's been too cold to get out and about). My cousin Amy is coming tomorrow night to spend the day with me Thursday, and we are going to do some Christmas shopping. I usually get kinda blue in the winter, but luckily it has not been too bad this year. I think it is because I am so busy, and I have been surrounded by friends and family! I am a very blessed and happy little girl! :)

Family Portraits

Remember how I told y'all we had family portraits made? We just got out proofs back, and I was so excited to go through them all. There are over a hundred, but here are a few of my faves...

Sherry Hammonds Photography, in Austin did the pics. She also did Liz's wedding, as well as several friends' weddings, so she was an easy choice. We like her and her work alot. To see the rest of the portraits, click HERE.

That's Not My Name!

Zac and I went out to eat tonight at a new restaurant in Cedar Hill. It is in this shopping center called Uptown Village that we love to go to. (For all my Austin readers, its alot like The Domain, and even has a Matt's El Rancho!) The new restaurant is called Patrizio's and it has some scrumptious Italian food!! It has a great ambiance (we sat right next to a big fireplace) and is very beauutifully decorated. I want the dramatic black and white chairs they have for my house! :) After dinner we walked over to Barnes and Noble. Zac and I LOVE going to bookstores. (Well mostly we just go to this particular B&N, but I am sure if there were other bookstores around, we would visit them too!) We usually just walk around or pick up a book and read and meet back up later. Today though, I found something I HAD to buy. It is a book by the author of The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini!! We all know (from THIS post) that I loved The Kite Runner, so I can not wait to start this book! It is about two women from Afghanistan who are from very different backgrounds but are going through the same things. Doesn't it sound good?! I will let y'all know what I think! :) Now that I am finished with school for a month and we are about to have alot of leisure time with Christmas break, I am pleased to have a good book to curl up to!
Oh, and the new song I am obsessed with (besides the entire Circus album, of course!) is by The Ting Tings, and it's called "That's Not My Name!" I like the clip from the Victoria's Secret runway show better than the actual music video, so that is what I have provided for your viewing and listening pleasure. Enjoy! :)

Don't Forget Our Troops

This holiday season while we are eating a feast and laughing with our family, don't forget about those who are not able to. I continue to pray for our troops, their safety, and a quick homecoming! We also need to remember the families of those who have lost loved ones, and those who are waiting for their loved ones to return home.
I'll bet you $100 that you can't watch this video without crying...

Last night at the Varsity basketball game, a group of kids from an elementary school did a halftime performance. They did sign language and sang "God Bless The USA." It was so moving...I had a painful lump in my throat for five minutes straight! It was so special that the kids know the song (and the sign laguage), and even better to stop and actually listen to the words and think about their meaning...
If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.
I’d thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.
And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

Valet your whip*, Grab your chick, You know how it goes...

Haha, I will DEFINITELY lose some respect for this post, but hey, I've got gumption...I'm not scared to be shunned. You might think I am being dramatic, but trust me. No one that I know will agree with me on this one. Watch this video to see "hip hop flavor mixed with a little bit of Rock and Roll..." hehe

Okay, in case you have not figured it out, that was Keven Federline (yeah, Britney's ex). I usually think he is grody, but I think he actually looks good in this video. AND, to top it off, I love the song! Like, I was just jamming out to it. JAMMING! It is really old and I hadn't heard it in a long time, but I found it on YouTube tonight. I watched it like three times. Isn't it fun and catchy? (You are probably rolling your eyes and questioning why you are friends with me, or related to me, or whatever, haha.) It's okay, no one is watching...hit replay. Watch it one more time! You know you want to! ;)
*for my audience over 40: Whip-slang for an expensive vehicle, car, automobile. Typically used in the Hiphop culture.
PS-Three finals down today...two to go tomorrow! Woohoo!!!! I will NOT miss taking finals when I am done with school. Sheesh!

Perspective...

Thanks Tara for this refreshing perspective! It is so true.

PS-Yesterday Zac and I went to see a movie and a commercial for St. Jude's children's hospital came on before the movie and made me cry. I looked at Zac and I think he had some little tears in his eyes too. When he saw me looking at him he just said "sheesh." Here is the commercial.

This is another commercial that has made both Zac and I tear up before.

Comfort Blanket

Since I was in about eighth grade, I have had this comfort blanket that I like to use at night. I haven't used it consistently since I got married, but have always used it off and on, and recently rediscovered it. No, it's not some dingy piece of fabric that has been overwashed. In fact, it's not what you're probably thinking at all! It is a CD. It's "December," by George Winston, the brilliant pianist. Back when I used to be sick all the time in high school and I took medicine (prednisone) that made it hard to fall asleep, I listened to this to try and help me fall asleep. I listened to it every single night (but occasionally and rarely substituted it out for Sarah McLachlan). I had some hard times in high school, but I still think of it with fondness and wonderful memories. I am not one of those people who hated high school, or refers to it as the painful years, or anything negative like that. If I could go back for a year, I would...sickness and all. The good outweighed the bad. Maybe that's why when I found this cd a week or so ago, then put it on, a flood of contentment surrounded me. I felt like I was home. It feels so familiar and comforting, it's truly like a blanket of warmth wrapping itself around me and making me feel safe and okay. :)
To visit his website or hear all the songs on the CD, click HERE.



He writes his own songs, and also reinterprets old classics. I love his version of Carol of the Bells, and his interpretation of Pachelbel's Canon in C is amazing!!

Midland means food, family and fun!

We left Austin at about early a.m. on Wednesday morning. The drive from Austin to Midland is usually about 5.5 hours or so, but it took us a little longer. We stopped in San Angelo to eat lunch at Schlotzsky's, which is family tradition. We stop there to eat everytime we drive to Midland, and everytime my dad wins a free cookie because he answers the trivia question correctly. :) Since Madeline just recently became officially potty-trained, we had to stop somewhat often for her to go potty, but noone ever minded.

We got to Granny's and had dinner then went over to the Chuck and Sarah's to see all their remodels and visit with the cousins. The house looks great! Here is Gian and David goofing around.

Zac and Braegan having some serious "coach talk" or something like that, haha.

Fab Five and Ariel...I love how our family keeps growing! We had 29 people at our Thanksgiving meal!

Yay! My cousin Amy (from my mom's side of the fam) that is in TIP at McMurry came to Midland to have thanksgiving with all of us and my dad's family. IT was great to have her there! This was taken at the duckpond that is like half a mile from my Granny's house.

Madeline and Claire fed the ducks some bread.


Brad and Heather looking picture-perfect! :) We had SO much fun staying at their house. I hope Megan looks up to me as much as I look up to Heather! :)

The Fab Five!!! (and my new blog banner)

In between Granny's house and the Duck Pond is the A Street Park. I spent hours and hours and hours of my childhood there, and now we go to watch Madeline play! There is a humongous slide, so Madeline went alot and then we all took a turn, haha!

Thursday evening we all went over to Brad and Heather's to watch the game. Obvs UT won, so it was lots of fun and cheering!

Granny and I on Friday morning. Friday afternoon, 10 of us girls (cousins and aunts) went to see Twilight! (Yes, it was my second time to see it, and yes, I still loved it, haha.)

Madeline loved her hair in braids. She had never had it like that, but suggested it the next day too. :)

Friday night after dinner was my favorite part of the whole trip. The kids were just playing and we all sat around and watched them enjoy each other. In this picture, Madeline was taking Nati's nose and pretending to eat it. He was either reaching for it back, or trying to grab hers...it was funny.

David found an old slingshot and Granny showed us how to use it. Isn't she cute? She will be 90 in April!!!

The kids wrestled alot and it was a riot...so hilarious! Nati was so gentle with both Claire and Madeline, and always let them tackle him.

Madeline had some mad wrestling skills and she would grab him by the ankle and wrap him up. It was quite a hoot!

Friday night after we left Granny we went back to Brad and Heather's and picked them up and went to Buffalo Wild Wings for some drinks and hilarious stories. We laughed hard and long. We planned on just staying for one drink or about an hour, but ended up staying much longer than that. When we got home, Liz and Robin and I felt like we needed to be good big-cousins to Megan (Heather's daughter). We had not done anything to corrupt her yet, so we took her toilet papering (although it seems the kids these days call it "wrapping?"). It was fun. I have not done that since I was like 10, and that was with my kickball team, to our coach's house, haha. :)

On the way home, we were actually in the middle of nowhere (welcome to the sprawling wild west Texas, haha) when she had to go, so we had to pull over and Mommy and Madeline both got their first pee-on-the-side-of-the-road experience. :)

The last hour of the trip (from Burnet to Austin) we changed up cars, and Papa, Zac, Madeline and I, and all three dogs were in the Prius. It was quite a sight, haha. Poor Rusty thinks he is a cat. Just look at him!

To see a cute video of Madeline singing and bossing Zac around, click HERE! :)

There's only 2 types of people in the world...

the ones that entertain, and the ones that observe.
Well baby, I'm a put-on-a-show kind of girl.
Don't like the backseat, gotta be first.
I'm a like the ringleader, I call the shots.
I'm like a firecracker, I make it hot.
When I put on a show...
I feel the adrenaline moving through my veins.
Spotlight on me and I'm ready to break.
I'm like a performer, the dancefloor is my stage.
Better be ready, I bet you feel the same.
All eyes on me, in the center of the ring.
When I crack that whip, everybody gonna trip.
Don't stand there watching me,follow me, show me what u can do.
Everybody let go, we can make a dancefloor. Just like a Circus!

Prop 8: The Musical

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Edward?..Bella?..Is that you?

I just heard about it today, but already I can't wait to see Little Ashes. Here are the main reasons why:
1.Robert Pattinson (aka Edward Cullen) is in it! Hello, reason enough!
2. SPAIN!
3. Love story
4. It just looks really good...see for yourself:

AND...later in the same day, I find out our own little Bella has a movie coming up too! It is called Adventureland, and is from the same guy who directed Superbad. It looks pretty good, and it's set in 1987, so that's fun, right? Check out the trailer...


Okay, so I looked on IMDB and it does not have Rainn Wilson listed in the cast, but I could have sworn that was him in the trailer. Doesn't it look like him? Dwight, was that you buddy?

I saw miles and miles of Texas...

After Oklahoma, the next stop on our 'Thanksgiving tour' was Austin. We went to the UT Hex Rally on Monday night (as you saw in a previous post), and Tuesday, we had Thanksgiving with the Oldham's!!! We had it at Eli's apartment this year, which was really nice. We had it on a week night evening, but it worked out that only one of us had to work that day. We all just split up the menu and brought some of our favorites and had quite a feast! Turkey, (tofurkey for Eli), Ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, broccoli-rice-and-cheese casserole, fresh rolls, and lots more, but that's mostly what I ate! Note: If you are ever offered Vegan dressing...do not fear. It is amazing! I honestly enjoy it just as much as I enjoy traditional dressing. AND, speaking of Vegan cuisine, I bought a Marie Calendar's Dutch Apple Pie, which coincidentally was also Vegan, and I didn't even realize it. There, now if you ever have a Vegan over for dinner, you know what to serve for dessert! :) Here are a few pics from the wonderful evening...

Eliza and her padres. She is getting to be so fun and entertaining! Zac and I gave her a doll for her birthday, and Tatem told me that she feeds it with a bottle and even says "Mmmm!" Sounds like she is ready to be a big sister (Tatem) or maybe she needs a baby cousin (ahem, Zac!), haha! Here is a cute video of her being a ham.

Ellie and Uncle Eli, grazing the desserts, with Grammy looking on...

Aww...the siblings and the only grandchild...

Danny, Ryan, and his brother Dave who was visiting from Philadelphia

I insisted on a group shot. We had a fun night!

When we got back to my parent's house, Elizabeth and Madeline had arrived from Houston. We were planning on leaving for Midland early the next morning, so Zac went to bed kind of early. Madeline decided she wanted to wake him up, so well, we let her! Here is what he was awoken by (an energetic two year old, two wrestling dog and a wife with a country accent...y'all, do I really talk like that?) click below to watch the video...

From November 2008

All the pics from Midland will be on the next post. Sorry...gotta take it one city at a time, haha!

Oklahoma Pics

Okay, so I decided I am a busy girl and if I keep postponing this post until I have tons of time to write all the amazing things and tell all the funny stories, that I want to...it will never happen. So, I am going to let the pictures tell the stories (and a few captions, too!) We got out of school Friday, November 21st for the entire week of Thanksgiving. We decided to go to Oklahoma for the weekend, to spend some time on Zac's family's land. First, I stopped by Stacy's Wine Party, which was a blast! I wish I could have stayed longer!
Zac picked me up and we headed straight to Oklahoma. We arrived at the ranch about midnight. I woke up early on Saturday morning, but I was so excited and of course could not fall back asleep. I think Molly was pumped too. We bundled up and went outside to do ranch stuff...








I decided to learn how to work the cattle (give the sick ones shots, tag their ears, move them around to different pins and pastures, etc.) It was quite a learning experience for me, and Uncle Ken was kind enough to answer all 5 jillion questions I asked. :) He is a real, honest, cowboy! It was cool to get to tag along with him, and even help a little when I could.

When we were on top of the ridge, I climbed on Zac's back and he said my favorite line from the movie Twilight... "YOU BETTER HOLD ON TIGHT SPIDER MONKEY!!!!!!" Ha ha ha!


To see all of the Oklahoma pictures (and a few videos) go to my Picasa page! I took tons of fun pics...this is just a preview.

"Your words don't stick. I ain't perfect, but you ain't either..."

...a lyric from "Kill the Lights" by Britney Spears. (It's my favorite song so far off the new album. I really like them all though, it's not even fair to have a favorite!)

So you know that music is a HUGE part of my life. I love it. People can argue that I do not have good taste in music because I like pop, but I'm the one listening to it, and I like it, so that's all that matters, right?

Although I am pretty much constantly listening to the new Britney cd these days, there are two other songs I discovered recently while watching Ellen. Both artists performed the songs on her show and I fell in love with them! The first one is Funhouse by Pink. The second is Flaws and All by Beyonce, which is a beautiful and amazing song. I can really relate to it (might sound bad, but hey, at least I'm honest). Beyonce actually teared up while she was singing it on Ellen's show!

Interesting sidenote...I saw Pink in concert for my 16th birthday. She opened for *NSYNC. I have not seen Beyonce in concert as a solo artist, but my cousin Robin and I did see Destiny's Child in concert at the Austin Rodeo our senior year, over spring break. I will never forget that night...I backed into my Uncle Mel's car. Oops!

I'm also planning on getting the Twilight Soundtrack and Taylor Swift's new cd Fearless. What are y'all listening to right now?

PS-Have you seen Amy tonight? Tell me if you see her. ha ha ha...

It's really December?

Wow, this year had FLOWN by! I guess it's time to get out the Christmas CD's! I love Christmas music!!! Do y'all like it? I like both modern stuff and the classics. Speaking of classic, this is pretty classic! Check out that silly video of celebrities singing a remix of Jingle Bells.

All Eyes On Me, In The Center Of The Ring, Just Like a CIRCUS

Did y'all watch the MTV Special about Britney tonight? Thoughts? I enjoyed it alot, but sheesh, some parts made me sad. I know some people say they won't feel sorry for someone who has that much money and fame, but I disagree. I think she would trade all that money and fame for some peace and privacy. Oh well. I know I am looking forward to her new Cd though! Comes out Tuesday (December 2nd...also her birthday, and she will also be on Good Morning America!), but I will be downloading it at midnight on Monday! :) P.S.-If you missed it and wanted to watch it, click HERE for encores.

Okay, okay, I know that less than half of my readers care about Britney. Haha, too bad, because I do and it's my blog! Just kidding. But I will be posting some pics and hopefully some stories (if I have time) from our crazy travels last week. Friday we went to Oklahoma, Sunday we came home, Monday we went to Austin, Tuesday we had Thanksgiving with Zac's fam in Austin, Wednesday we went to Midland, Saturday we returned to Austin, and then drove to Midlo. Told ya it was crazy! :) But it was fun and well worth it! Y'all have a good week. I have two more stressful weeks ahead of school, and then I get a one month break. Woohoo!!!

Oh, and just for fun, I found this video online and well, just watch...

PS-That guy is my hero. I need to take some lessons from him! haha...

UT Hex Rally

Obviously I am SUPER late in posting this, since today is Saturday and I started it Monday night. I didn't post it, since I wanted to add more, but I have too much to blog about to catch up for the past week, so I'm just posting it half finished. I think you will forgive me, and I mean, who says you even care? This might be more than you ever wanted to know about it anyways, haha! :)



In 1923, the Longhorns had been unable to win a game at Kyle Field in 18 years. Desperate to break the College Station "jinx," UT students consulted Madam Agusta Hipple, a local fortune teller. She instructed the students to burn red candles the week before the game as a way of "hexing" the Aggies and putting a stop to the jinx. Through the week of Thanksgiving, Austin shops found it difficult to keep red candles in stock. Candles were burned in store windows along the Drag, in the fraternity and sorority houses of west campus, in the lounges of University residence halls, and in the windows of houses of Austin’s neighborhoods. Madam Hipple knew what she was doing. By uniting the football team and its fans with such a visible show of support, how could the Longhorns fail? They didn’t. Texas went to College Station, defeated the no. 2 ranked Aggies 23 - 0, ended the 18-year jinx, and restored their pride.

This little girl was totally me when I was little! I was in a cheerleading outfit, on my dad's shoulders, so excited and in awe, staring at the cheerleaders and dancers! :)

Mom and me with our Hex candles.

Pops, Zac and Mom before the rallly started.

This is a new mural on the drag and mom wanted to take a picture of it, so I volunteered to be a dork and do a lib in front of it. ("lib" is a liberty, a name for this particular stunt, except a guy is supposed to be hold you in the air when you do it. haha, not on flat ground!)



This is the UT Pom squad dancing. I was so pumped when their song came on and it was the Ashlee Simpson/Missy Elliot remix of L.O.V.E! :) For those of you (ahem, Zac) who enjoy stomping, you will be pleased to see that the frat joins them on stage and they do a little step routine. I felt weird because I have not been to a hex rally since I was in high school, and all the college kids were older than me. Tonight, I was older than them, and wondered if it was wierd that in a way, I still look up to the cheerleaders and dancers, even though I am older than them. Then I decided that maybe it wasn't that weird, because there are men in their 30s, 40s, and 50s and older, who look up to college football players. Right?

The cheerleaders were mixed in with the crowd, throwing stunts and whatnot, so I didnt get any pics or vids of them, but this is second best...it's a video I took of the UT Pom doing a dance I used to have memorized. No joke...I knew every move! At basketball games, I would scoot out to the stairs and do the dance from the aisle when they would do it during timeouts. Ahh...memories!

So, the one good thing about posting this late is that I can write that THE HEX WORKED! Hook 'Em Horns, and way to go!!! :) Pooooooor Ag-gies!

This might sound weird...

but did I let any of you borrow "Across The Universe?" I remember loaning it to a friend, but I can not remember who. I have been in the mood to watch it lately, so if you have it, would you mind reminding me who you are that I lent it to? Thanks!
Oh, and I am still working on the post about Oklahoma. Sorry for the delay. I am a busy little girl. Also, have yall gone to see Twilight yet? Thoughts?

Drumroll Please...

No, I am not pregnant. I got two texts this morning asking if I was and accusing me of being a "tease" with my blog for announcing that I had big news, but not sharing it. With no further adu, here is the exciting news...........
Baw is moving to Austin! Yes, my grandmother who has lived in Houston FOREVER just bought a lot and a house in Austin. They are building the house for her, and it will be ready in 5-6 months, so she will be moving in April or May. Being the experienced movers we are, and knowing that weather can make a move really miserable, we are happy the move will be late spring. Hopefully not too hot or too cold.
But wait, there is more! My Aunt Nancy, who has lived in Galveston all of her adult life is also moving to Austin! Isn't that exciting!? They will all be close together, and when Zac and I get back down there, that means they will be close to us! :) I am so thrilled. I love the impulse of it all too! On Monday of last week, Mom and Nancy went and looked at some houses. Tuesday night Nancy told Baw the idea and she seemed receptive to it. Thursday night, Baw and Nancy came to Austin, and Friday they went and looked at the houses. Saturday Baw bought her lot and house and Nancy put an offer on her house, that they accepted!!! It happened so fast! Neither Baw nor Nancy have put their houses on the market yet, but they plan to quickly. Baw has a beautiful house in a nice neighborhood, so I don't think it will be hard to sell. Nancy also has a beautiful house, untouched by Ike, on Galveston Island. I think that since there are so many people without homes who want to continue living on the island, she will not have a hard time selling either. It is just so exciting!!!
Baw's house isn't built yet, so no pics, but here is Nancy's. I LOVE the colors!

I love Awards!

Tonight the American Music Awards (A-M-A's) were on. You are surely all aware how much I love awards shows, right!? The AMA's are especially fun because there are a thousand (not quite, but almost!) performances! There are way (way!) too many to name, but some of my faves were New Kids On The Block, Ne-Yo, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Kanye West, The Fray, Coldplay, and Natasha Bedingfeld. There were more, but you get the picture...lots of big name performances! Highlights of the show: 1. I was very excited to see The Fray! Zac and I love them! We saw them in concert in Austin, but haha, Andy Roddick was sitting a few rows in front of us, so yeah I only half way paid attention to The Fray, haha! Zac just asked yesterday if they were ever going to put out another CD and I was like "I dont know!?" Well, question answered! :) I like the song too! 2. After Kanye won his second award (I forget what it was for...maybe Rap Artists of the Year or something?) he said that he did not deserve it and that it was Wayne's award. (Lil Wayne) He said that it was Wayne's year and he earned the award, not Kanye. I thought that was cool and mysteriously humble for someone (ahem, Kanye!) who prides themself on being cocky and arrogant! :) Good job Kan-yeezy! 3. I loved loved loved Ashley Tisdale's dress. It was so different and unique, but I think that is why I liked it. Do you like it?
PS-I had to post this tonight so it would not be out of date, but I have SOOOO much to share with yall! Big news, lots of photos and stories and videos from our trip to the Ranch house in Oklahoma, and more! I can't wait!