Fabulous Fall Blog Challenge- Day 10

Day 10: Thanksgiving Memories

Like I've mentioned many times before, I come from a big family. Thanksgiving is the one time we try and all get together. That can mean as many as 40 people. Thanksgiving usually starts with me and my mom watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade while my dad complains that they show the hosts and guests too much and not enough of the parade. I agree. I think one channel should just show the parade. I don't care what guest from a TV show has stopped by to talk about their Thanksgiving traditions. I want to see the Snoopy balloon and Santa float!

My family does more of a Thanksgiving lunch (we try and eat before the football starts). After we eat, there is the football watching crowd in the living room around the TV, a football game being played outside by some of my nephews (and sometimes a niece or two), a few that opt to take a nap and then a group that sits around and talks. There are some "floaters" that go between all the groups. I'm sure it shocks you, but I'm usually in front of the TV watching football. 

My sister Martha went to Texas A&M, so Thanksgiving night we usually watch the University of Texas/Texas A&M game. I think it's the only football game she watches all year. At some point Thanksgiving weekend, Martha and I will kick off the official Christmas movie watching season and watch It's A Wonderful Life together. Last year we started the Christmas decorating as well, that sometimes happens Thanksgiving weekend and sometimes doesn't, it just depends. Both my sister and folks (who live by each other) get live Christmas trees, so we go to a little farm just outside the town they live in and cut it down (well, I personally don't cut it down, but you know what I mean).

Since I'm not insane or crazy, I pass on shopping the day after Thanksgiving. Nothing is worth getting up at 3am and risking my life. I went one year and almost got killed by a lady in Target who thought I wanted something she did. I just was standing by a shelf, minding my own business waiting on my sister Mary, and this crazy woman pushed me out of the way. No thank you.

Here are some pictures from last Thanksgiving! 

My great-nephew E watching the parade with his GiGi (my mom)

My three brothers. The one in the middle (I call him Bubba) is the reason I'm such a big sports fan! :)

Some of my nephews playing a little "pre-lunch" football. Yes, the one in black is my nephew. He's older than me.

My niece A showing the boys how to punt the football.

A small portion of the family waiting on lunch.

My great-nephew C making sure the strawberries were okay to eat!

We put names on the cups.

My mom told everyone they had to fill up a bag of pecans if they wanted any pecan pies at Christmas. She hates for pecans to go to waste on the ground.

My beautiful niece-in-law and my great-nephew B patiently waiting on lunch.

Part of the football watching crowd.

My folks with their six kids.

E and Aunt Rachel looking at Christmas trees

I promise I'm going to try and spend tomorrow getting caught up on blog reading. It's been SO CRAZY lately. I can't comment on blogs from my phone, and lately I haven't been logging onto my computer at home. That is what I plan to do tomorrow!

XOXO! Have a great weekend!!

Fabulous Fall Blog Challenge- Day 9 & It's OK Thursday

Day 9: Football

Football will never be at the same level as baseball in my life, but don't get me wrong, I do like football! I was in the band in high school (yes, I was a band nerd, except I was a cool one), so high school football was a big part of my life. I was one of the girls who actually knew what was going on during the game. I enjoy watching college football too. I try and stay faithful to Texas teams (yes, I cheer for the University of Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech). Since I didn't go to any of those schools, I feel I can cheer for all of them! I also have family who have attended or are attending these schools.

I have three brothers and their professional football team of choice is the Cowboys (DUH), so that obviously is why I started following them. I grew up in the days of Tom Landry as the head coach. NO, I'm not quite old enough to remember Roger Staubach playing, don't even ask. My favorite player growing up was Danny White. I think mainly because I have a nephew named Danny (who is only three years younger than me) so being a little kid, I wanted to like a player with the same name as my nephew (that is how the mind of a 5 year old Rachel worked!) Author's note: Even though I like the team, I don't really care for Jerry Jones, the Cowboys owner. I'll vent about him another day.

I attended my first NFL game, which was between the Cowboys and the Colts, in 2006 with my bestie Zachary (my ticket was a very late birthday gift). :)

In 2007 I became my nephew James' favorite aunt (for life) when I took him to his first NFL game between the Cowboys and Packers. Since he was about 5 years old, he has loved the Cowboys and the Packers (we have no clue where the Packers obsession comes from, we don't have family in Green Bay). One of his favorite players growing up was Brett Favre (well, until he retired and unretired 50 times, after that he got annoyed). He was so excited. Before the game we were able to be right by the field and Brett Favre was about 10 feet in front of him at one point. I honestly thought he was going to faint!

Me and my nephew James. Yes, he wore the cheese head the whole time.

My first Cowboys game in Jonestown, I mean, the new Cowboys Stadium, was in 2010. My buddy Aaron bought me a ticket for Christmas. I think he did that so I would quit complaining I hadn't seen the new stadium! ;)

I will be attending the Cowboys game THIS Sunday with my football home girl Leaneth (she had the hook up for free tickets, she is awesome!) She and I went to a preseason game in August. Wahoo!!

It's OK...

...to take tomorrow off work so you can tailgate with friends at the Ballpark before Game 1 of the American League Division Series (ALDS)

 ...to watch reruns of The Dukes of Hazzard on CMT when you can't sleep at 3am.

...to think that Bo Duke was cuter than Luke Duke

Bo is the blonde

Even at age 51, John Schneider (Bo Duke) is still a pretty good looking guy.

...to wish you had legs like Daisy Duke.

 

...to wonder how many Duke cousins there really were. They were all cousins, none were siblings: Luke, Bo, Daisy, Vance, Coy... (Vance and Coy came into the story in season 5).

 

...to have spent too much time talking about your knowledge of The Dukes of Hazzard.
 

...to visualize throwing a certain co-worker out the window because he annoys the ever living SNOT out of you.

...to think that a big bowl of cheese mashed potatoes is a good idea for supper.

 

...to be so ticked off at a certain co-worker that you are on the verge of tears.

...to break your fast food sabbatical and stop by Chick Fil-A after work for a milkshake.

Hope everyone is having a great day! I appreciate all of you!

XOXO!!

Fabulous Fall Blog Challenge- Day 8 & What I'm Loving Wednesday

Day 8: Fall Travel/Road Trips/Vacations

Sadly I don't have anything planned this fall vacation wise. I think the last time I took a fall vacation was when I went to New York in 2007 (wow, I think I'm well over do for one!) :)

On my way to see Miss Liberty in 2007

I'm loving...

Baseball. Today is the last day of the regular season, BUT my Texas Rangers will be playing in October once again (hopefully until the end of October!) I mentioned the other day that the Rangers won the American League West Championship on Friday. I was fortunate enough to be at that game with some friends. The highlight of the game was when Craig Gentry (insert sigh) hit is first major league home run. And it was an inside the park home run!! So glad I got to see that in person. Hoping MLB lets me embed the video, if not, click here:

In order to win the AL West, the Rangers had to win and the LA Angels of Anaheim had to lose that night to the Oakland A's. The Rangers won about 10pm Texas time. The Angels game started at 9pm Texas time so it was still going on after the Rangers game ended. After the post game fireworks show, the Rangers put the Angels game on the jumbo tron for fans to stay and watch the game. Somewhere between 7,000-10,000 fans stayed to watch. A lot of the Rangers players and their families were on the field watching the game as well. At one point the Rangers fans were chanting "Let's Go Oakland". The Angels went on to lose their game 3-1, giving the AL West title to the Rangers for the second year in a row! I have about a 9 minute video on my iPhone of the celebration, but I haven't uploaded it to YouTube yet. Maybe sometime this week I'll do that. The Rangers were spraying Ginger Ale on each other (since Josh Hamilton and C.J. Wilson don't drink and avoid alcohol, out of respect, the Rangers spray Ginger Ale at first so everyone can participate in the celebration.) :) As we were leaving, they announced that AL West Champions shirts were on sale in the gift shop, so of course, we had to go get one!

The players celebrating with Ginger Ale. Photo courtesy of my friend Pam since I was filming it on my phone.

Celebrating with friends

Waiting in line for a shirt at the gift shop.

My new shirt, I like that the Ballpark is on it!

I'm loving...

That I'm on my way to hopefully working out on a regular basis again. I just got some new workout DVDs and so far, I like them. I like the instructor of this DVD much more than Jillian Michaels (of the 30 Day Shred). I'm sure I look silly doing some of these "dance" moves, but that is why I work out in the privacy of my own home by myself.

I joined Team Beach Body (well, the free portion of their website) and ordered  their Turbo Jam workout DVD. It came with free hand weights. Let's see if this works!

Happy halfway through the week my friends!

XOXO!!

Fabulous Fall Blog Challenge- Day 7 & Tasty Tuesday

Day 7: Fall Recipes

Okay, y'all are out of luck since I don't really cook or bake. BUT, I do have a recipe to share. It's not necessarily a "fall" dish, but it's one I made a while back. Yes, I actually cooked. I know, I was shocked too (so was my family!) And yes, I had to buy a casserole dish because I didn't own one! ;) I'd like to think that I'm officially a Baptist now that I've made a casserole! ;)

Tuna Casserole 

(this is my mom's recipe, which she got from her sister). It's the only time I'll eat tuna OR green peas! ;)

-1 box macaroni and cheese dinner

-1/2 cup milk

-1 six oz can of tuna 

-1 can of green peas

-1 can cream of mushroom soup*
-several slices of cheese

*optional- I didn't use the cream of mushroom soup and it turned out fine

Prepare macaroni and cheese as directed on the box. 

Stir in milk and soup*. Gently stir in peas and tuna. 

*again, cream of mushroom soup is optional

Heat and pour into casserole dish. Put cheese slices on top. 

Heat in 350 degree oven until cheese is melted. Serves 4-6.

Linking up this recipe for the gals over at For the Love of Blogs and Tasty Tuesday! Check them out for other great recipes! :)

Hope everyone has a great day!

XOXO!

Fabulous Fall Blog Challenge- Day 6

Day 6: Fall TV

Well, I kinda covered this last Friday so I won't retype all of it (I'll admit it, I'm lazy). Check here for my opinions on the fall premieres of my shows. I was able to watch CSI: Miami last night. I'll be honest, if it wasn't for Adam Rodriguez, I'm not sure I'd still be watching this show. It seems the season finales and season premieres are the same thing every season. Horatio gets shot, Natalia's in trouble...blah blah blah. Although I can't remember Horatio putting on his sunglasses ONCE last night. Maybe I missed it.

Adam Rodriguez, AKA, Eric Delko

I haven't watched the premiere of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition yet (I'll be honest, I usually get about a month behind watching that one, I have to be sure I'm in the mood to sit and cry for an hour).

I did surprise myself and actually watched a new show, Person of Interest (I know, after all that talk of saying that I wasn't going to watch any new show, I went and watched one). It has Jim Caviezel (I love him) and Michael Emerson (who played Ben/Linus on LOST). It was pretty good. As of now, I'm going to continue watching it. It's about an ex-CIA hit man and a scientist who team up to prevent crimes before they happen. I think it has potential, we'll see what they do with it.

Person of Interest

I have to say this real quick (I'll talk more about it later this week, in a hurry today). Congrats to the Texas Rangers, 2011 American League West Champions!! Playoffs start Friday!! Wahoo!!

Fabulous Fall Blog Challenge- Day 5 & Boob Tube Babble

Day 5: Things you are looking forward to for fall

I've already covered that I'm looking forward to cooler weather (and being able to wear cute fall outfits), the State Fair, football, and Rangers baseball in October. I'm also looking forward to Thanksgiving and getting together with my family. Since I have such a big family, we don't all get together too much throughout the year. Thanksgiving is the one time of year we try to all see each other.

As I posted a few weeks ago (click here) I have a lot of shows that I watch (well, that I record and try to find time to watch later). New episodes started this week and so far, I have been pleased! I still have the premieres of CSI: NY tonight and CSI: Miami on Sunday. Oh, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on Sunday.

**Spoilers below, please read with caution if you haven't watched TV this week**

NCIS: I wonder if we have to wait all season to find out what happened to EJ. A little disappointed McGee didn't have more screen time, hopefully next week!

NCIS: Los Angeles: I still think Heddy knows more about G's past than she is admitting. She did admit to the Romanian lady that she let G's mother die. Will we EVER find out G's real first name?

Criminal Minds: I am SO excited that both J.J. AND Prentiss are back with the team (Prentiss looked pretty good for someone who supposedly died last season). Come on, even I knew she wasn't dead. I saw the way J.J. and Hotch were talking in the hospital. You knew they were in on something. And, might I add, that Shemar Moore looked mighty nice in the suit he was wearing. ;)

CSI: It's so weird this is now on Wednesday nights, it threw off my week. Newcomer Ted Danson wasn't too bad (I honestly haven't watched many of his shows, so this will be my first exposure to his acting. Yes, I'm admitting that I never watched Cheers). I'm still hoping for a Grissom return sometime this season though. This is season 12 of the show, I have a feeling it's the last one. :( Side note: As a huge Greg fan, I'm excited about the possibility of a "normal" love interest for him with Ecklie's daughter! :)

The Big Bang Theory: I LOVED the episode last night. Actually, there were two, but I loved both of them. I like how they handled the whole Raj and Penny situation. And Bernadette is becoming possibly my second favorite character on the show. Sheldon (my favorite) was hilarious, as usual! I loved the paintball scene. Oh, I totally forgot, A HUGE CONGRATS to Jim Parsons (Sheldon) on his 2nd Emmy win! BAZINGA!

My  nerd crush, he is greatness!

The Mentalist: I knew that Patrick Jane wouldn't stay in prison. BUT, he has admitted that the guy he killed WASN'T Red John. Come on, you KNEW he didn't really kill Red John, that is the whole "side story" of the show.

Okay, three more premieres to go. I'll give you a recap next week.

Happy weekend y'all!!

XOXO!!

Fabulous Fall Blog Challenge- Day 4 & It's OK Thursday!

Day 4: Fall Decorating

As I mentioned before, I love decorating for fall. Sadly with an apartment there is only so much I can do. I found some decorations on Pinterest (yes, I'm obsessed with it, let's move on) that I love!

Source: thesweetsurvival.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: applevalleygirl.blogspot.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: blogs.babble.com via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: thepartydress.net via Rachel on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Rachel on Pinterest

I'm also linking up for It's OK Thursday (it's two posts in one)!! 

 

It's OK...

...to have said the following when the group R.E.M. announced they were retiring. "Oh, they were still together?"

...to not make plans in the month of October in hopes that the Rangers are still playing baseball. BTW- 3. Rangers fans know what that means.

...to not want to get involved in political conversations.

... to already be working on Christmas gifts. 

...to feel like I'm cheating on Dr Pepper whenever I drink a Big Red. 

...to get really giddy when Best Buy emails me that I have another Reward Zone gift card.

It's almost the weekend lovelies!! Hang in there! XOXO!