5 Things I'm Thankful for Today.

1. Fall weather. 60-degree temps? In the deep south? Yes, siree. Bring it on.
2. Crock pots. The scents wafting throughout the house, the prep and being able to do other things while meals are cooking, the multiple servings of meals when the slow cooker has finished slow cooking...it's all good. Literally.
3. Hope. 'Cause you know, it's a pretty huge motivator and the best non-narcotic ever. Ever. Also, it can keep you going through the next week, which is amazingly nice.
4. Football season. You know, my teams don't have to win, but it's really nice when they do. Well, when some of them do. Specifically the Saints and LSU. I'd love for Southern Miss to do well, but...maybe next year. :-)
5. A grandmother who recovers well enough from her stroke to come home. And parents who are willing to change their lives to help her. That was long, but I think necessary.

The Two-Minute Warning.

Along with most of America, I've been watching a lot of football these past few months. 

(And, along with most of my region and family and friends, I was highly excited about LSU's Cotton Bowl win last night and sadly disappointed about the Saints' wild card playoff loss today.)

But I digress.

As football season quickly dwindles away for 2010-2011, I've become more and more aware of "the two-minute warning." I can't count the number of times I've heard that statement in football and wished that more facets of this game of life contained a heads-up for what's about to happen: prime time to make pertinent decisions, a glimpse that the end is in sight, or just the chance to wind down from the past (often very emotional) game that's occurred.



That two-minute warning.

Man, the times I could've used that. I'm guessing I'm not alone in this, and that we all would appreciate a little advance notice -- before the slam of a door, the opening of a window, the end of a game, the opportunity to make a crucial play.

I guess the bottom line is that we don't get a two-minute warning in life, but we do get a heads-up. Vibes, gut feelings, prompting by the Holy Spirit -- I've heard them referred to by many names and in many forms.

In the Communications/PR field, it's common to create plans for crisis situations. It's also recommended. And while it's highly unlikely (and a little freaky-sounding) to do the same for every possible personal crisis, I am learning more and more that it is really incredibly wise to be prepared. That way, when the two-minute warning (slash nudge slash gut feeling slash sixth sense) comes around, we're not caught so off-guard. We can start taking deep breaths, looking to the future instead of beginning what can turn into an endless dwelling on what's about to happen.

This might sound jaded, but I'm going to start thinking a little more about being prepared for that two-minute warning before it comes.

Knowing the future is near, being optimistic about it, putting myself in gear for good times ahead, and wrapping up my current game/status/situation. That can't be too bad, right?

Let's hope not. Because this year, for this redhead, focus is the name of the game.

Watch out, ADHD thoughts and tendencies! You're about to get a run for your money!

This is the two-minute warning!


 

Boys of Fall.

God bless Kenny Chesney for recording "Boys of Fall." What a fabulous, deep South-rooted tribute to so much of what teaches so many of us our first elements teamwork, whether we participate or not. From the Saints, to d'Iberville, to Southern Miss, football remains a beautiful part of what I love about home. And now, the Tigers are added to the mix.

Absolutely. Love. It.

The Boys of Fall by Kenny Chesney


When I feel that chill, smell that fresh cut grass/

I'm back in my helmet, cleats and shoulder pads/

Standing in the huddle listening to the call/

Fans going crazy for the boys of fall/

They didn't let just anybody in that club/
Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood/
To get to wear those game day jerseys down the hall/
Kings of the school man, we're the boys of fall/

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

In little towns like mine that's all they got/

Newspaper clippings fill the coffee shops/
The old men will always think they know it all/

Young girls will dream about the boys of fall/

(Chorus:)

Well it's turn and face the Stars and Stripes/

It's fighting back them butterflies/

It's call it in the air, alright yes sir we want the ball/

And it's knocking heads and talking trash/

It's slinging mud and dirt and grass/

It's I got your number, I got your back when your back's against the wall/
You mess with one man you got us all/
The boys of fall/

(Chorus:)

Well it's turn and face the Stars and Stripes/

It's fighting back them butterflies/

It's call it in the air, alright yes sir we want the ball/

And it's knocking heads and talking trash/

It's slinging mud and dirt and grass/

It's I got your number, I got your back when your back's against the wall/

You mess with one man you got us all/

The boys of fall/

We're the boys of fall

We're the boys of fall

Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Can't Lose.

One of my favorite shows is Friday Night Lights. It has it all -- football, high school drama (that isn't yours), a sweet family, and small town life.

I also might have a small crush on the coach, and on one of the guys who used to play football (but he's not really just a year out of high school, he just plays that age, so it's ok).

I think my coach crush partly stems from that role's strong family values, and strong sense of equality and fairness. I'm a sucker for those things.

A great statement the coach makes after a pep talk has stuck with me since the first episode I watched last year: Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.

Isn't that the truth? Not just with sports, or all team activities, but in life itself?

I'd think the balance would be easier to achieve. It's just two little things -- clear eyes, and a full heart. But not so little, as it turns out, when you're trying to balance them along with everything that muddies clearness, and empties the full.

It definitely takes work to maintain clear eyes and a full heart.

And in the end, we might think we lose, and to the naked eye, our outcome might be considered a loss. But really, it's a win. A huge one. And a definite game-changer.

And combined with a deep Texas accent and football gear...well, that pep talk is just right.

Saintsgiving.

It's hard NOT to steal the "Saintsgiving" rename of the holiday with New Orleans (finally!) doing so well this season, and given my nephew's new obsession with football and love for our Saints.

Our family got together for Thanksgiving last week and had such a great time catching up and visiting. We also ate a little bit...but anyway. :-) We were able to take Thanksgiving dinner to Nan and Pop Ball's, who have dealt with major health issues this year, and get some good visiting in.

And since my sister and her family alternate holidays between both sets of in-laws, we also tied Christmas in with Thanksgiving the next night.

For Christmas this year, my parents and I gave my nephew a Saints uniform, which to our delight, could not have gone over better. Caleb was SO cute as he opened his helmet, then his whole uniform, then his football. He couldn't get into the uniform fast enough, leaving his original outfit laying by the hallway. :-) I, of course, couldn't get enough pictures of him in that precious uniform. It was just big enough for him to be able to wear it for a while, and hello -- is there anything cuter than a child in a too-big football helmet?!

The next day, he played a good bit in the yard with Grandpa, who was more than happy to toss the football and frisbee with Caleb, take him on a tractor ride, and have their traditional race. They were so cute and I, much to everyone's shock, got tons of pictures to commemorate the fun.

Also involved in the weekend were roasting marshmallows (yay for a coastal Thanksgiving cold enough for a fire!), making Mississippi mud with Grammi, lots of battles between the Army, British, Cowboy & Indian figures Caleb brought along, and several movie viewings, including "The Alamo" and "Night at the Museum."

And my weekend was capped off by a situation I ALWAYS love -- time with cousins and childhood friends, who, when the moon is just right, all get to come together for some quality, invaluable hangout time when we're all home. (Naturally, I forgot my camera. It's tradition.)

All in all, it was a fantastic time all the way around, with a good balance for me of work, play, home, and getting out and about.

And...it must be said...how 'bout them Saints?!

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.

I'm so thankful for so many blessings in my crazy life (despite my attempts to mess it all up):

1. Friends in many places -- high and low (geographically, of course) -- who actually want to spend time with me. Wha?!

2. FOOTBALL SEASON!

3. Good music. I do love a good lyric, and set to fun tunes, even better. And LIVE..... ::happy sigh::

4. The option to look at a situation, make the best of it, and find ways it can be improved. For whatever reason, this never gets old for me. (Ok, maybe some days at 4:45pm it gets old. But usually, I'm all up for it.)

5. Pop Ball. I talk a lot in conversation and in writing about my Nan, and many times include stories about The Colonel, but I know for a fact that I don't give him the "air time" he's due. Mr. Cliff has not only been wonderful for my Nanny and for our family, but he has led a rich, full life in which he's done #4 on this list tirelessly, and has done it with gusto and without regard for age, life hindrances, or disasters of any kind. I admire this man more than I could say, and thank him with all my heart for being the only grandfather I can remember ever knowing. It can't be easy to jump into a family like ours, but he did it, and last weekend he turned 87. God bless him.

Geaux....

Finally, it's that time again!!!!!

GEAUX TIGERS!