And number one...

Really, is any introduction necessary?

"Sooner at heart"

I got an update on last Saturday's big game that I just had to share.

At one point in the game, a mom sitting behind us leaned forward to ask if we had noticed that my dad (assistant coach) had pulled a few of the boys aside and was talking to them. We really didn't think too much about it until a couple of days ago.

Come to find out, Dad pulled a very specific group of boys aside - those who had played for the Sooners in past years. As he did, he told them "You were taught to play better than this. You were taught to hold a tackle. You were taught to block. Your jerseys may say Saints, but you're Sooners. So play like it!"

How cheesy is that? It sounds like something straight out of Friday Night Lights or Remember the Titans! But it worked!!!! That was the turning point in the game. The boys started blocking and that's also when they scored!

Mint, Dwight?

In case you haven't guessed, this is my own personal countdown to the season premier of The Office (Thursday night, 8:00 CDT, NBC), featuring the greatest Dwight/Jim moments of Season Three. Looking forward to all the classic moments Season Four has to offer!

One last post for tonight

Man, this can get really addicting. Note to self...need to work on time management!

Just thought I'd share what I have to deal with anytime I sit down to the computer. Yes, the cat is on my lap. And while he's lost weight, that's still a significant burden to bear, as well as being difficult to maneuver around.

Edited to add picture. Sorry...not sure what happened the first time around.

Since money IS an object...

As promised, here's my supplement to Tim Gunn's essentials lists. Now I'm a firm believer that accessories are an easy and inexpensive way to add interest to an "essential" wardrobe, so I'm going to try to keep these budget-friendly. And what better place for budget-friendly style than...drumroll, please...Target!

#1 - Go-to earrings - love these! I'd probably pick them for an evening look, but could definitely make them work for day, too!

#2 - BIG bag! I like this one by Isaac Mizrahi.

#3 - Black heels. Please tell me when you find these. I have looked everywhere for a pair of basic black high heels, with a pointy toe (to elongate the leg, as Stacy and Clinton would say), preferably under $50.00. Until I find them, I'll have to make do with these. The toe isn't quite as pointy as I'd like, but it'll do.

#4 - Great flats. I have to say that this is as close to a flat as I can get...I've got too many tall friends! These are a shameless knock-off of Steve Madden...love them!#5 - Boots - a must-have, especially for fall!

#6 - Watch. This one's pretty darn cute,

#7 - Necklace - preferably long!

#8 - Scarf. This one looks so much more expensive!#9 - Sunglasses...the bigger the better.#10 - In honor of Sarah...an eye-catching pin or brooch. Are you ready for a shocker? Target doesn't carry too many of these. I know! GASP! Still...how about this one?

Bears. Beets. Battlestar Gallactica.

'Nuff said.

Week Three!

I couldn't possibly forget about the Panthers update. But you see, they hadn't yet played when I posted the Saints update. And I'm still working on my seeing the future abilities.

The Panthers managed to pull off a win against the Falcons (definitely struggling minus Michael Vick). I didn't get to see the game, choosing shopping with Mom and sis over football...can you believe it? I did have a few updates during the course of the game from my devoted father, though, who insisted that the Panthers only won because the Falcons "beat themselves". Either way...a win's a win. Especially when it's a divisional win.

The big question on every Panther's fan's mind is...who will start as QB next week? Jake left the game in the third quarter with an elbow injury and David Carr didn't do too bad as his replacement. Personally? Jake's been looking pretty good...hope that elbow heals quickly.

If money were no object...

One of my favorite tv shows is Project Runway. I've enjoyed it since season two, but I've actually not been a big fan of Tim Gunn. But I decided to give his new show - Tim Gunn's Guide to Style - a try anyway.

I'm hooked.

The biggest hook for me is Tim's list of ten essentials that should be in every woman's closet. It's got me taking a closer look at my own closet. And while I have something that will pass for most of the categories, I've been thinking more than a little bit about the essentials that I would buy...if money were no object and I could afford nothing but Nordstrom's. And lucky you...I decided to share! By the way, the essentials are listed in no particular order.

#1 - Blazer - Semantiks Suiting Jacket (note on this one - there are far cuter blazers out there right now, but I figured Tim probably meant something classic.)

#2 - Jeans - David Kahn Jeans 'Nikki K Pocket' Stretch Jeans (confession...I already own and love these)

#3 - Trench coat - Soia and Kyo Belted All Weather Chino Coat

#4 - Cashmere Sweater - Karoo Mark Eisen Sash Sweater

#5 - White Blouse - Elie Tahari 'Celia' Shirt (the tie is removable...but why would you want to?)

#6 - Skirt - Semantiks 'Item' Pleated Skirt (Semantiks must be a store brand, because this skirt is pretty reasonable...well under $100.00. I may be able to justify this one...take a look at the picture of the back and tell me you're not in love!)

#7 - Dress Pants - Laundry by Design Herringbone Cuff Trousers

#8 - Black Dress - Suzi Chin Maggi Boutique Drape Back Crepe Sheath

#9 - Sweatsuit Alternative - Karta Beaded Tunic Dress (imagine this over jeans...perfect for running errands)

#10 - Day Dress - Diane von Furstenberg 'Estovan' Silk Jersey Dress

Coming tomorrow...another top ten list that Tim apparently forgot - accessories!

It's progress!

I realize I've been missing from the blog world for a while. I wish I could say it's because I've had a super-exciting and busy social life, but really? I've been catching up on Grey's Anatomy.

More posts are coming soon, but I just have to share a little bit about...well, football.

This year Evan's playing for the MYFL Saints. Now in the past he's played for the Sooners and y'all...they rocked! Several "Super Bowls" and the playoffs almost every season. But this year it's the Saints. They have a new coach and several brand new players...I think nine boys that have never played football. So one would think that the MYFL head-honchos would put the Saints in the lower bracket. But no, they put them in the higher bracket, based on their past performance.

All that to say...we're gettin' beat up...bad. Our boys lost the first two games and were unable to even score during either game. The first week, they held their heads high, but last week, morale was definitely down.

Tonight marked some progress, though. We played the Longhorns tonight. Now we former-Sooners hate the Longhorns. Big rivalry...there was a MYFL Red River Shootout every season. And the fans! The closest I have ever come to murder has been at one of those shootouts...there's one mom-slash-fan with her burnt orange and her cowbell that just delights in screaming over us every time we try to encourage our team. Well, she was back tonight and I made it my personal mission to drown. her. out. As a result, I now have no voice.

But back to football. Our boys, with more than a little encouragement from the fans, managed to score a touchdown tonight...extra point and all. They still lost - 31-7, but it's progress, y'all! I told Evan that the goal for next week is to lead at some point in the game. The week after that, we'll start to think about winning!

Sorry, no pictures. I was a little too obsessed with outdoing psychotic burnt orange mom. I'll try to catch a few next week.

Let's play catch up!

I think I've been moderately good about blogging since I started this crazy thing, but I really blog about absolutely nothing. I feel it's my specialty. But every now and then I'll try to throw in a few events. Cause I do have a little bit of a life.

So...my weekend revolved around the Parrs. Yes, folks, believe it or not, I gave up the opening weekend of football to spend with them...is that love or what? (By the way...MYFL Saints lost, but did so with excellent attitudes. Carolina Panthers...27-13 over the Rams! As all other NFC West teams lost this weekend, we're in playoff contention!)

Okay, back to the Parrs. Saturday night I watched my precious baby girl...always fun! We discovered that she shares a couple of her Aunt Rach's loves.

#1 - Big Sunglasses

#2 - Hannah Montana (the girl loves to dance to those Hannah songs!)

Sunday morning marked my departure from K-Club. I have officially graduated from kindergarten and it's only taken three years! I'm now working with a different grade each month during the 8:00 service. This month, I have 3rd and 4th graders...quite a switch from kindergarten! We had a blast making Stars of David out of breadstick dough. Note to self...attempt to make a Star of David out of breadstick dough before attempting to teach a room full of twenty eight- and nine-year-olds.

Sunday afternoon...yummy lunch at Olive Garden with Sarah. Em, I had the pumpkin cheesecake...so good! Thanks for the recommendation! Afterwards, what did we do? Oh, yes...walked Stonebriar Centre (walking off the pumpkin cheesecake!) and then saw The Nanny Diaries.

Which reminds me that a confession is due here. I am guilty of movie-cheating. My very dear best friend is understandably quite upset with me because I saw not only Becoming Jane, but also The Nanny Diaries without her. I have apologized and promised not to do it again. But allow me to offer my deepest regrets here for all the world (or the three people who read this blog) to see.

Okay, so we're up to Monday. I started a new class in The Theology Program last night...Humanity and Sin. I'm excited for this one...I think it's going to be a great class. My only fear is that I'll be slightly lost because I haven't taken Trinitarianism yet. But I'll do my best to muddle through.

Work...y'all, I'm not gonna lie. It's been really rough the last few weeks. Keep me (and a dear coworker who will remain nameless) in your prayers. I know that we're not out of the rough waters yet.

That's enough for now...this got kind of lengthy. I'll try to catch up a little more often in the future!

My love for autumn

Autumn on the Blue Ridge Parkway (Yep...I left that for TX!)

It's absolutely no secret that I love autumn. It's my favorite season for so many reasons. I love the scents, the flavors, the sights, the weather, the clothes, even the name. Autumn...it sounds so refreshing!

Just a few of the things I love about autumn...some of them covered in more detail in previous posts.

-Football - the Carolina Panthers and the McKinney Youth Football League's 5th grade version of the New Orleans Saints.

-The colors. Orange (see previous post for more details on this obsession) and green are everywhere. In nature, in fashion, you name it.

-The foods. My mom grew up in Adams County, PA, the heart of apple country and passed on a great love for all things apple. Among the best...apple dumplings filled with tons of cinnamon sugar and butter and topped with a generous scoop of Blue Bell (that's the Texan in me!) vanilla bean ice cream.

-New episodes of Grey's Anatomy and The Office.

-The clothes. Sweaters, great jeans, boots...what's not to love? And have you seen the velvet blazers at J. Crew? I'm in love.

-Cool breezes. Granted, these are not usually felt in TX in early September, but I'm holding onto hope.

Pumpkin

Y'all, I want these shoes so bad! How stinkin' cute? And in my signature color, too! There's something about September that makes me want to go out and buy pumpkin-colored everything. Clothes, shoes, pillows, towels, heck, even a Kitchenaid mixer!

Enjoy Labor Day! It may find me making some pumpkin whoopie pies...or pumpkin bread...maybe muffins?