Texas plays Colorado for the Big 12 Championship tomorrow. Houston is crawling with Longhorn fans. Our hotel is right next to Reliant Stadium and the staff is even wearing Longhorn gear.

There will not be many Colorado fans since they returned 5,000 of the 8,300 they received at the school.

My parents came with us. Tonight we went to a great seafood place and stopped for Frosty's for dessert. Tomorrow hubby, my Dad and I will go to the game while my Mom and the girls hang in the hotel.

And we better win. Whooo, cause if we don't. OMG, this household will not be happy.

Texas beat Colorado, 70 to 3, earning a place in this year's Rose Bowl. Wooo hoooo!!!! But wait, you say! Didn't you go last year? Yes, we did, but the Rose Bowl was not hosting the National Championship, the Orange Bowl was. But this year it is! And since Texas is number 2, we get to play!!! (I will post more on the Bowl System later.)

What a fun game to watch. We were in the in zone upper deck with a decent view. I had my some of my favorite men with me, Hubby on the left, my Dad on the right. Got some good pictures.

And now heading for Mexican food. Could it be better than this?

Update: Gotta update my header graphic when I get home!!!

If you have curly hair, and if you are in Houston, and if you decide to spend 25 minutes to straighten it, you will realize, 20 minutes after you are outside, that is was a waste of time. Especially when the next time you look in the mirror you see ringlet curls. Ringlet curls that you can barely get at home. Darn humidity!

Click here!

Since Oldest is in Kindergarten, her Christmas show was seperate from Youngest's Day Care. So we had two Christmas programs this week on Monday and Tuesday. Granny made the girls dresses, (yay!) a soft green velvet with beautiful capes. (No good pictures of those yet.) Click on the picture below to enlarge.

Oldest was the tallest in her class, so it was easy to get her picture. (Click pic to enlarge)

At Youngest's day care they have the kids "catch a bubble" to be quiet. Youngest followed instructions very well and "caught a bubble" when she was not singing. (Click pic to enlarge)

Blogcess is the one and only meme endorsed by Prochein Amy! This week she pulls from one of my favorite shows, Inside the Actor's Studio. And she takes my favorite part and makes it a meme.

Check out her post here. If you decide to participate, link back to her.

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I really like the show "Inside the Actors Studio". James Lipton does great interviews and I enjoy most all of his guests. One part of the show I enjoy most is the last portion where he always asks the same ten questions – - I thought it would be fun to ask you those same ten questions for "It's Blogcess" – - Here we go!

1. What is your favorite word? – - Love

2. What is your least favorite word? – - bastard

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? – - Music (Just like Uptown Girl)

4. What turns you off? – - Unfairness

5. What is your favorite curse word? – - Shit

6. What sound or noise do you love? – - Listening to my husband talk. It is even better when it is from another room. I can't understand what he is saying, but I can hear the deep tones.

7. What sound or noise do you hate? – - When my husband reconciles our accounts in Quicken, it makes a "cha-ching" noise when he enters a new entry or reconciles it. When I heard that noice, it meant that bad news may be coming. Even though that is not the case now, the noise still makes me cringe.

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? – - If I had a singing voice, singer.

9. What profession would you not like to do? – - Road Kill Picker Upper

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? – - HELLLLLLLOO!!!!! (just like I like to say it!)

11) It's time to spread some "It's Blogcess" linky love?

The Psychology of Combating Stress, Depression & Addiction (My newest blog roll addition)

Trying to Grok

Wow!

hat tip to Big Orange Michael

I have lived in Fort Worth for over 13 years with 11 of those years married to my hubby. And today is the first time we have ever gone to eat at Kincaid's. When we drove up we barely found a parking space. I was informed that EVERYONE knows about Kinkaid's, but just in case you are like me, and had no clue, let me tell you about it.

Kinkaid's is a burger joint converted from an old grocery store. Cash only - another sign of a good place! Decent line, but it moved fast. Limited menu for burgers, hot dogs, chili dogs, etc. And reasonable prices. $4.10 for a cheeseburger. They write your order on a paper bag and call you when it is done.

There is some old counters that people stand and eat at and then picnic tables with red checkered table clothes. Most of the tables are long, so you end up sitting next to people you never met before. A little girl sitting next to us was complaining to her Mom about finding a better place. She told her that they were just fine and this is the way it is at Kinkaid's. For the first part of our lunch we sat across from a lady, then when she left, she was replaced by a father and son. Everyone was friendly.

But the best part was the cheeseburger! OH MY!!!! Wow! MMMMmmmmmMMM! It was one of the best burgers I had ever had. It came with the standard "Texas" toppings of mustard, lettuce, tomatoes and pickles. We shared some onion rings and fried mushrooms.

And there are others who agree with me - here, here, here, and here! Update: Another great article from the Austin American Statesman!

If you are ever in Fort Worth, let's meet there! Mom and Dad, we gotta go the next time you visit.

(Where are the kids you ask? They are with Granny and Papa so we could get some Christmas shopping done!)

....is knowing it is not 6:30 am. Since the girls stayed the night with Granny and Papa, I slept in until...... 9:26am!!!! Wooo hoooo! I needed that!

I *know* the reason that VW of One Happy Dog Speaks was nominated for Best Parenting Blog. Her graphics, done by moi! Has nothing to do with her great content, Wednesday Humor, or cute pictures. It's all about the graphics...yep, that's the ticket!!!

Sooo, if you are a fan of my graphic work go vote for VW every 24 hours - HERE!

Over the last week we have consulted with our traveling buddies. We are planning to going to the game together since there is such a thing as safety in numbers. Or maybe safety with a 6'9" guy (my hubby). Or maybe they like our company. Who know, but we are going....

Last year we parked a train station and rode into Pasadena. My hubby is concerned that we will have the same problem as we did last year and barely find parking. I say it was like that since the Rose Bowl Parade was going on. By the time we got to Pasadena the parade was in full force. This year the parade is on a different day. Any clues on who is right from ya'll Californians out there?

Update: Game day is on Wednesday, January 4th.

My Mom is sharing 15 things she likes about Christmas on her blog. Today she will that the 13th thing. That means there are only 13 days until Christmas! bah!

The Heisman trophy is given at the end of the football season to "the most outstanding college football player". The votes are made by the media and sepatrated by region.

This year Reggie Bush, a running back from USC, won.

I noticed two things this year in the run for the Heisman. Maybe I was paying more attention since Vince was in the running. I was watching Texas when Ricky won, but I had less of a clue then as I do now.

1. Reggie Bush had tons of hype from ESPN and other media. When watching the football shows the announcers seem to include the word Heisman in the same sentence as Reggie. Pete Alfono of the Star Telegram also agrees:

Pete Fiutak, who thought that Bush should have won, talks about the importance of the media:

2. Bush may have had the President's last name, but Vince Young is getting the same treatment as the President does by the media. The sports talk shows and the boards that my hubby reads are all a buzz about Vince's reaction to loosing. Many people who don't like Texas are calling Vince a whiner. The only quote I could find from Vince when asked about not winning are listed below.

Has anyone talked about or made a big deal about this?

Again, the media and people in general, pull what they want to hear from what people say. Or maybe what they expect to hear.

I am no where close to throwing stats, facts, or good reasons on who should have won. But I do think that this years Heisman run may have shown the effects of biases.

Not many fans this week of Uptown Girl's topic for Blogcess. But since this is the one and only meme endorsed by this blog, I'm game. But I can certainly understand the lack of participation. As I read over the questions, I realize that I really don't know how I feel about the death penalty. I am split on the whole thing. I know people should be accountable for what they do, but they should also be forgiven. So with this week's meme, I am going to put my logic hat on and try to keep my emotions out of my answers.

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Over the past week or so there has been so much in the news about Stanley "Tookie" Williams and whether he should be executed or not. We now know he was executed last night and it brought up some interesting questions. (at least I think it did) This week's "It's Blogcess" is about your opinion on executions.

1) Was justice served by executing Stanley "Tookie" Williams? Yes.

2) Why or why not? Your actions have repercussions. People have to be held accountable for what they do.

3) What message do you think his execution sends to the masses? It is wrong to kill someone and you will be punished.

4) Do you support capital punishment across the board or just in specific cases? Explain. I don't know enough about capital punishment to answer this question. The system is not perfect and as long as humans are invovled there will be mistakes and wrong doings. But thinking of other ways it could work, we have it pretty good. We get a trial, our laws are general applied to all, and our fates are not decided by one ruler, dictator, or regime.

5) Do you think it should take years to execute an inmate on death row? I think this is a good compromise. It gives plenty of time to make sure they are guilty, thus placating the liberal leaners. Yet the end result is the same.

6) If you could change the laws surrounding prisoner executions – - what would it or they be? I have little clue when it comes to this also.

7) Time to spread some "Blogcess" links. Here are a few of my favorite political blogs:

Right Rainbow
ROFAsix
Day by Day
The Common Virtue
Cox & Forkum

What a great video clip! You can read what she says on The Political Teen's post, but it is well worth watching her body language and hearing the tones in her voice.

Hat tip to Xavier who found it here.

note: I usually don't post two polictical posts in a row... hope I don't scare anyone off.

June of last year 4 people drowned in the Fort Worth Water Gardens. I posted about it here.

I was concerned that they would close it down, but construction with repairs and improvements are to begin this month! Wooo hooo!!!!

....when I spend more than $200 at the grocery store, my bottom hurts.

Who would have thought that grocery shopping could be a workout? A 23 lb turkey probably helped. And now my bottom muscles are sore.

Thanks to "quick links to good stuff", I found some free CSS Navigation menu designs. I modified the colors to match my color scheme. I still think it needs some polish, but it will do for now. What do you think?

Remember my post a few days ago about The Heisman run this year?

This post at Burnt Orange Nation gives another view point and has some other interesting things to say about the team and our up coming game with USC. I really like this sentence:

This story is embellished by me since I am imagining what is going on as I write. It may not have been the case, but I will get the spirit of the story right.

Hubby is home this week with the girls since he took vacation and Oldest starts Christmas break tomorrow. Yesterday when they were all home, my husband decided to go upstairs and play on his computer. The girls went downstairs to catch the latest cartoons.

No sound from the TV (that just happens to be hooked up to a nice surround sound system). So they yell to Dad it is not working. He tells them to bring the remote so he can show them how to un-mute it.

step-step-step-up.
"Hit this button."
step-step-step-down.

click.

AAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!

(Hubby) STOMP! STOMP! STOMP-down!

Oldest is running to find him with her ears covered - almost in tears.

He forgot they knew how to use the volume!

(I know you may not find this funny. It is funny to me because I can see their faces and body language. I have never heard the volume on our system turned up full blast, but 1/2 way is loud. Then when I heard my youngest giggle about it when Hubby told me the story - that was the icing on the cake!)

Several factors led to a certain event yesterday.

1. I am cheap. I don't like to spend more than $30 on an outfit.
2. I like to shop at Wal-mart.
3. The holiday snackage is catching up with me.

Sooo, as I am getting out of the car at work... I hear this ripping noise. And feel some cool air on my bottom. My jeans ripped!!! Between the left side pocket and the middle seam in the back. I live an hour away, so driving home to change real quick in not a good option. Plus this was my only good pair that fit good. See #3 above, why spend more money on jeans that won't fit once I lose some pounds.) Plain, untouched, sturdy jeans are hard to find. Most jeans are pre-worn out with some kind of dye job that I am conviced makes the lifespan of jeans shorter.

Luckily I have my warm pancho on that is long. I come in early, so the only other co-worker in is a really cool lady. She taped my pants with packing tape while laughing the whole time. She loaned me a long sweater since my pancho would make me sweat in the office. I made it through a morning meeting, then ran to a Target nearby and bought some new jeans.

But who knows how long these will last. I paid about double of what I usually pay at Wal-mart (still on sale!). These are the same pre-worn out, dyed, unsturdy type. Maybe I should start a count down clock to see how long these pants last!

And what is up with low-rise? I just can't get used to the back of my jeans being so low and everytime I stand up I have to pull them up. Would a belt help? Do I just go with the flow and let them hang? Maybe Christina can give me a clue!

"You can't handle my driving and I can't handle you not handling my driving."

Hubby is watching football in our room. My parents are watching Batman in the living room. My daughters are sleeping in mini teepees that were given to them for the Oldest's birthday. Very cute.

Yesterday was Oldest's birthday, but we had the full celebration today. Off to Rainforest Cafe and then back home for presents and ice cream cake.

Again brought to you the one and only meme endorsed by Prochein Amy. One of the reasons I like it is no tagging...just linky love!!! Here we go, Blogcess #30!

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Over the past week I've noticed more and more people have their houses decorated for Christmas. I love to decorate – - this week's "It's Blogcess" is about decorating for the holidays.

1) Do you agree with the phrase – - The more lights the better?

No.

2) If you answered yes, why? If you answered no, why?

I like simple and easy. Leaning more towards the easy!

3) When did you put up your Christmas tree?

We put our tree up the 2nd Saturday in December. We have no set date, just as our schedule and my anti-Father In Law permits since we need his truck to pick up the tree.

4) The final touch to any Christmas tree is the topper – - What do you put on the top of your tree?

We have a star that is just like one my husband had growing up. He found one two years ago on eBay and mostly paid for the sentimental value.

5) Time to spread some "Blogcess" linky love. Here are a few blogs full of holiday cheer:

PrimoDonna
Rocket Jones
AllanThinks

Want to learn more about Blogcess?
Click here

Taking a break before I get back to Christmas dinner pre-work. I was looking for an old post and found one that had a link to a guy who lets you control the Christmas lights on his house.

He's still around and trying to raise money for Celiac Disease Research. He has added more webcams this year:

We just finished making a huge batch of sugar cookies. I rolled and cut the cookies, the girls and Hubby decorated, and Grandma baked and moved the cookies trays around. Good system but it wears you out...

I found some cookie cutters on sale at Target, 4 for $1. (I really have not real reason to put the price, but just wanted to point out there are 4, I love a good sale, and I am cheap!) On the package it listed the following: Christmas Tree, Santa, Gingerbread House, and Reindeer.

Can you match them? Can you see them all being their shape? Or do you have an active imagination like my Dad?

Click here to play the matching game!

After you are done, see my comments in the extended entry...

like....

I don't have to go into work until next year.

I will probably only take 5 more showers this year.

I won't see my parents until next year.

I will not eat turkey again until next year.

...I could go on. Just wait until AFTER the new year!!!

updated on 12/31/2006 with more info.

January 4th, Texas plays USC at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. On the line is the National Championship with USC ranked #1 and Texas #2. This is very exciting, but it has to be much more so for my hubby and other Texas fans who know more about this whole football thing than I do. So lets begin a PreGame Summary of USC.

Nickname/Mascot: USC are called the Trojans:

USC's mascot is a white horse named Traveler:

Side note: The Rose Bowl will be the current riders last game.

Colors: Cardinal and gold. Could not find any history on this. Before 1895, USC's official color was gold. At that time the College of Liberal Arts had its own color—cardinal. In 1895, both colors were adopted as USC's official colors. (Thanks for the info, CalTechGirl!!!)

Location: USC's two primary campuses are located Los Angeles, CA.

Main Rival: UCLA. They have a Victory Bell for the winner of the game.

Unique Tradions/Misc: USC has quite a few tradtions. You can check them all out here, but below are a few I thought worth mentioning. Update: Here is a link from CalTechGirl with more info.

Here is a great story about USC's Super Fan. He even has a super quote:

Famous Players: Reggie Bush, who won the Heisman this year. (Related post here.) Matt Leinhart is their quarterback who won the Heisman last year and was in the running this year. If you want to know more about them visit here.

Spread: +8 (If you bet with a spread on Texas, USC has to beat Texas by 8 points for you to win.)

How they have been playing: Uh, well.. they are ranked #1. So I guess you could say good. (hehe)

What we have to watch for: Quoted from hubby, "Pretty much their whole offense." This is a huge game that will not be easy. If we play like we can and avoid turnovers, then we could win.

My comments: OMG! We are going to the Rose Bowl to play in the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!! This is as good as Texas football has been since I have been a fan and I will be there. WOOOO HOOOOO!!!!!

Update on Tradions: CalTechGirl mentioned Tusk in the comments.

I had no clue what Tusk was. Looks like the Docherty Family are big USC fans.

Oldest cried when she went to bed, but not for what you would think. She is sad because this is the last day of December, her favorite month - her birthday month. And she does not want it to be over. She was crying and you could tell she was so sad. It made my heart ache.

I think I will go check on her.