Bama Boy

Near the end of this post, I mentioned an upcoming bet concerning the Alabama/Kentucky game. 

Final score: Alabama 38, Kentucky 20. 

The Wildcat fan wore the shirt in his mother's and step-father's home, for the picture (flanked by blue of course), and the entire 7 hour drive home from Kentucky.  The shirt may be a bit weathered, but I think it works.  Made him look like a real fan...like he's been wearing it for years.   

Roll Tide! 

Swindled

Though it's early in the season, I've commenced with the gameday bets; had fun with them last year. Of course, everything is better when Alabama is having a good season. Traffic lights are always green, cereal never gets stale, and the clouds are shaped like goal posts and elephants.

The VA Tech game, though a little close for comfort, was fun b/c I have quite a few high school friends who went to or are fans of Tech. Recent reconnects on Facebook made for some delightful smack-talk in the weeks leading up to the game. The bet was simple. Joey, a high school friend, had to change his [Facebook] profile picture to the UA logo of my choosing following a Bama win. There is a bit more to the story - and it was a combined effort with Mollie and Meghan as guiding forces - but that's the gist. In truth...because of the way the stakes came about, I really had nothing to lose...though I'm sure Ray (another high school friend and Tech alum) would still be giving me crap. The screen shot below is of Joey's page. I just checked back, and though he could have done so last Thursday...he has yet to change from the Bama logo. In his heart of hearts, he must truly love the Crimson Tide. It's been fun to reconnect with these friends...they were great people in high school (I genuinely thought so...of each of them) and I really like the adult versions of them as well. Doesn't always turn out that way.

North Texas. I have a sweet and lovely friend from work, Sandra, who went to North Texas... We discussed setting up some terms, but never decided on anything. It's North Texas; I didn't push it.
Upcoming contests. I have two Razorback friends (Brenna and Amy)...I'll touch base with them this week. Jason and I have a bet set up for the Kentucky game. Could be painful and involves a Kentucky flag in my front yard and drinking out a UK cup on command; the flip side...he wears a UA shirt into his step-father's home (a photo will be taken); he may be disowned. Seems fair.
Speaking of Jason and betrayal... Saturday night, I cleanly won two games of darts. We played a third game. If I won, he would buy the oil + filter...and change Sipsey's oil this week. If he won (after having just lost two games straight), I would have to make dinner for him each night for one week (beginning yesterday). He began swiftly, adeptly (and promptly I might add) kicking my ass. Shark. He swears he got lucky. Hustler. I've seen him clear a pool table; I'm not sure I'm buying it. I should have known right then; blame it on the ah ah ah ah alcohol.
I burned the taco shells last night...maybe if I keep burning things...
Red beans & rice + cornbread tonight.

Up, up and away!

I really want to share this, but need to do so without names/identifying details. It will either go well or flatly. We'll see. Read with the understanding that it's always better when you're actually there (re: had to be there)...this was just so funny...and so...honest.

True story.

I had a lovely dinner with 4 friends of varying ages at a local italian restaurant last week. As you'd expect we laughed and talked about everything...pets, work, football, food, men, sex, etc... One of my friends shared that she (as a fan of an opposing SEC school) just recently learned the meaning of "Roll Tide" from an Alabama fan she knows. Whist concealing my disappointment and embarrassment for my fellow Bama fan (though really...we may need to revoke his/her membership), I shared with her the true meaning of Roll Tide...and the conversation moved on. The friend sitting across from me...shared that she had also recently learned something new... She had just learned what the "Mile High Club" was (apparently it's a proper noun...I'm capitalizing). We laughed for a moment with her as she shared her [recent] processing of the term... The friend to the left of me chimed in, and shared that the topic (Mile High Club) had come up in a joke amongst friends at a conference [also recently]...and then asked the friend across from me [almost hopefully]... "Well, have you ever been in a hot-air balloon? I just can't imagine... I mean...you'd be so close to the driver."

Everyone fell silent. I think my bread slipped to my plate...with my fingers still in bread-holding position.

I consciously turned my head completely to the left to face her.

...What the hell are you talking about?!

...hot air balloons...

...the Mile High Club is...it's about airplanes...

...no, well then it's hot air balloons too...

...no, hot air balloons don't even go one mile high...and even still there's a basket, and just...airplanes!...

...beautiful friend...with an intensely red face...

It was absolutely one of the best laughs I've had in a long time and a fantastic story that may not deliver well in text. We'll see. It brought us GREAT joy...and I wanted to at least take a crack at sharing it. ...Sex in a hot air balloon. That deserves it's own name, or at least it's own branch of the Mile High Club.

Homecoming in Tuscaloosa

Though it's been a couple of weeks...I wanted to post a few of my favorite pictures from the weekend of the 1st. Forgive the cliche, but it truly was a whirlwind couple of days. Kristin flew in Thursday night - I worked Friday (she spent a bit of time with Grandmama) - we drove to Chris's parents' house on the outskirts of Birmingham after I got off work (also Halloween) - drove to Tuscaloosa the following morning (Saturday) - decided against marching pre-game because there was just too little time - attended the 3rd Annual Drumline Tailgate - went to the Bama vs. Arkansas State game - drove back to Birmingham for Shauntice's birthday dinner - stayed the night @ Shauntice's - enjoyed brunch prepared by Shauntice Sunday morning - drove back to North Augusta with two stops along the way...World Market & Godfather's Pizza - Kris flew back to DE Monday after another visit with Grandmama...and a little travel adventure. We had a great time and I was able see some friends I hadn't seen in years; also missed those who couldn't make it...among them, congrats to Daniel and Laura on their new bundle - Lorelai Sage Galyean :). Thanks, Kris, for graciously suffering my usual flitting social habits. Roll Tide, Roll!!!

(My Halloween costume...)

Kris & Grandmama

Miss Addison Horton...my first time getting to meet her!

Addison & Kaylin

Melinda, Dalisha, and Candy

Kellie & Johnny Pulliam...with their son, Tucker

Me and Kristin...

Leigh...once a student @ Winfield...now a drum major for the MDB; SO proud of her...and all of the WCHS kids for that matter.

Punny.

Roll Tide!!!

Kentucky Random

Kentucky's mascot is a wildcat...which actually looks (in person)...like a really big squirrel. Seriously. See? Here he/she is getting ready to play basketball...

One year, during pre-game (football), their big squirrel came and snatched my flag away from me. It caught me off guard (no pun intended)...it would anyone, really. A life-sized rodent? C'mon.


Big Al chased that big squirrel down (halfway around the field!) and brought my flag back to me. Thanks, Big AL.

I looked on Kentucky's website and learned they, like many SEC schools...have a slightly odd mascot tradition. In addition to the squirrel-like wildcat, they have a newer - more "child-friendly" wildcat...name "Scratch". Both mascots attend games. ...And then their live mascot - is a bobcat. Wth? In the Q&A section...someone asks if a bobcat is the same as a wildcat. Their answer? "In Kentucky it is!". Lol. Kentucky mascot info.

Looking forward to Saturday...ROLL TIDE!!!

The natives are not pleased...

Wishing this week, especially Saturday, that I was in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham...or anywhere a bit nearer the Alabama state line.

If I haven't mentioned it, I live in North Augusta...which is in South Carolina, and I work in Augusta...which is (of course) in Georgia. There are three primary pieces to the local fan base pie...Georgia, Carolina (Gamecocks), and then Clemson. I should include GA Tech as well...I just don't see as much of them; I'm sure I would if I were a little further west.

(I think it's funny that since living here, when introduced to others...I'm introduced as a Alabama fan. As in....this is Amanda, she's a Bama fan. There is always a little SEC posturing; admittedly, I'm right there with them...ready to bleed crimson if required to do so.)

I've been to plenty of away games (read: hostile territory)- dressed in a crimson uniform from head to toe, no less. I know what it's like to be where you are not welcome. In the last couple of days...I've had a few flashbacks. I actually walked around to the front of Sipsey (my car) yesterday....to be sure my BAMA plate was still in tact. If the plate was present (and it was), I was convinced there would at least be holes...bored from eyes that had hurled streams of Bulldog fury (there were not).

I realize I'm not the only one. To name a few... Chris and Tiff are in Newnan...closer to ATL, but about the same difference from Athens...so I imagine their experiences to be similar. Elisa & Tyler...live in an alternate universe that I won't even begin to compare mine to (Knoxville); I quiver just thinking about it. Kristin is in Delaware...where I get the idea they almost think it's "cute" that she's so into the whole "Bama thing". ...And then poor Cameron... Cameron leaves a message on my cell Saturday night, and I quote..."Amanda....Cameron. I want to share in the Roll Tide-ed-ness, but I'm on an island. ...In Idaho." It was pitiful, I tell you, just pitiful. This is not to slight or disrespect those brave and persevering Crimson souls who share air and state resources with our in-state rivals, the Auburn Kittens. I know that too, is a trying plight. Matt ("Tallassee" to most of you) actually chose to (as he put it) sleep with the enemy (he married an Auburn grad). His wording. Also his life choice (;. Leah, bless her for choosing the lesser of the two schools, is a sweetheart just the same; we all have our faults :).

I do have one coworker who let me have a little fun at his expense... Beyond the pictures below, and a Bama shaker quietly left in Allison's mailbox after the game, I've been a relatively subdued Bama fan the last couple of days...here in this somewhat hostile Georgia Jungle. Grinning, but quiet. I will happily wear my crimson to work this Friday (as I do each pre-game Friday)... Sipsey will continue to wear her BAMA plate, and my front yard...it's BAMA flag. I'll write with my houndstooth pencil...and my voicemail greeting will close with..."Roll Tide" as it always does. I'll enjoy our # 2 ranking this week... Hope that we play well against Kentucky this weekend, and that we can keep this strong season going...it's been awesome so far. Then too, if we don't...none of that will change (shirt, license plate, flag, pencil, greeting, etc...), because none of it's new :). ROLL TIDE, ROLL!!!

My coworker...

The sign I made for him to hold with the tombstone...

Bama Betty

Long overdue for an update on Betty, Saturday night's quick shaker-shot made for a nice intro...

To re-cap, Granddaddy essentially campaigned prior to Labor Day weekend that Grandmama be released and allowed to move back home; he felt she was ready and that collectively (with home-health), we would be able to provide the level of care she required. Though ideal/dreamy, no one felt it...realistic. In the end (sparing the details), it was a difficult weekend to both witness and experience, but perhaps a necessary exercise [in futility] for this well-intentioned husband...trying to do the very best he could/can to care for wife/love. I think he had to see for himself that it wouldn't work, and so he saw. Thankfully she didn't get hurt, and he wasn't injured beyond strained muscles. For the rest of us, it was mental & emotional chaos + emergency trips out each time Granddaddy called...in addition to the scheduled ones [trips]. She went home that Friday, back to the nursing home that Tuesday, and was admitted to the hospital that Thursday (9/4) for exacerbated congestive heart failure.

Picking up from there... She was released from the hospital (back to the nursing home) on 9/11...and other than a day-trip to the e.r. on 9/18 (where they did make an interesting find about the source of her chronic UTI's) + a necessary room & wing change @ the nursing home...things have been relatively quiet for the last couple of weeks. She does seem to have a stomach bug this weekend...:/. We're happy to be back on the Magnolia Wing though...holla!

She continues to participate in PT on her good days, and rest on the not-so-good days. She had just gotten her hair done prior to this picture - was pretty happy about that...and looking forward to the game :). She told her roommate, who had asked her to turn the TV off at 8pm the night before, that she and her husband would be watching the Alabama game, and that she was welcome to watch it with them :). That's my girl! In general, her mental status comes and goes.

Brenda took her outside the other day...which is the first time she's been out to enjoy the grounds. Her sister and my great aunt, Pat, along with a few other 'Bama family members will be coming in a few weeks to visit (on a by week of course). Brenda is planning a lovely picnic at the nursing home...which should be great; looking forward to it!

If we can get her to keep her oxygen tube on/in all day, every day, I'll be a happier camper. She's a sly one, that Betty (;.

The Bet

(This is a bit longer than most; Bear [Bryant] with me.)

So... Bama vs. Clemson (season opener)...is old football news, but I have yet to post about it and it must be done. My friend and coworker, Renee, and I had a bet...a wager...on this game. Renee is a Clemson fan and (as well known) - I bleed crimson.

The terms were simple, though loosely defined. If Clemson won, I was to wear this horror of an orange straw cowboy hat for a photograph....OR...apply ghastly Lee Press-On Clemson nails to my fingers (again, for a photo) - which I'm sure my natural nails would have rejected with vigor.

If Bama won, Renee was to pose with a true [old-school] pre-game flag from UA for a photo. Which...actually, is an honor either way; she should have counted herself lucky.

Bama won the game and therefore...I won the bet. I brought my near-vintage flag in the following Friday - which was also the Friday preceding the next football game, so I felt it to be somewhat of a deadline. Renee expressed that she wasn't "ready"...a sure sign that she had something up her sleeve. And she did. She was bound and determined to ADD Clemson paraphernalia to the photo...though the revolting orange hat was vetoed by Lisa (a third and impartial party). Renee did manage to apply the wretched Clemson nails [to her own hands] with scotch tape and quickly fashion a hideous orange and purple sign to hold as well. For her bratty behavior, she received Bama shakers in her hair as additional photo elements. Incidentally, the photo was still taken that particular Friday...prior to the defensively "anemic" and "pedestrian" win for Bama against Tulane.

Being the "rabid" fan I am (rabid is Renee's word...I think it a bit toxic), I will say the spirit of the bet was lessened in my football heart by knowing Renee had no intention of watching the game... She is a sweet & caring coworker & friend and I adore her; that being said, she will do just about anything to agitate me and egg me on...this being a prime example. She could care less about the actual game. The chance, however small, of getting me to touch or be near something orange was far too great a temptation. My boys didn't let me down though...ROLL TIDE ROLL!!! So here she is...true to her word; though tainted by illegal additions... Renee...in all of her BAMA GLORY!!!

(Because orange and purple match; WTH?!)

By the by... I had the pleasure of watching this game in a small sea of Clemson fans...with one fellow Bama fan (Kimmey saved the Bama day). Allison hosted a lovely football party for two teams she has ties to, but cares little for...being the devout Georgia fan she is. Andy had the grounds in lovely shape; the lawn made me want to play croquet. Allison decorated above and beyond (yet equally) for both teams...making everyone feel welcome though the Crimson Tide were far out-numbered; it mattered not :). The hosts and guests provided tons of tasty comestibles and even the tableware, plates, etc...were team-themed and color-coordinated! As a special treat, I left with elephantine Bama favors... Thanks so much to Allison & Andy for the super-fun evening...and for our first football game together :).

Team-themed :)

Decor

Roll Tide!

These three things...

With Little Bruce...Memorial Day 2007

First, Grandmama. Things have been fairly quiet for her lately which is generally a good thing. The week before last was a pretty good week and I would term last week a mediocre one. She's been dealing with a UTI and a bit of a cough, but is hangin' in well with her PT. She has a weekend nurse, Lakish, (a bit of a warrior - I LOVE her) who has been vigilant in treating Grandmama's infection. Just nice to have a fresh set of eyes looking at the problem... Also, Grandmama had her PEG removed Friday. She's still sore, but happy to have it out. We'll see how therapy goes this week. Outside of just wanting to go home, her main complaint is the food...which does seem to have dropped off in quality for some reason. Yesterday, she had the "terriblist" banana pudding she'd ever had :).


Numero dos... The Weight Loss Challenge!!! Upon the weigh in this Saturday, we are all losers again (cue Beck song, "Loser"...). WOO-HOO!!! The numbers (for this week only)...

Team Mealing
Brenda.... minus 2 (pounds)
Max... - minus 3

Team Meigs
Teresa... minus 4
Mike... minus 3

Team Roseland
Kimmey... minus 3
Daryl... minus 3
Amanda... minus 5

And finally... Football season is merely DAYS away now...ROLL TIDE ROLL!!! I can taste it and couldn't be more excited. Our season opener is against Clemson (reminder: I live in South Carolina)...and will be played in the GA Dome @ 7pm CST.

Let's go BAMA, clap clap...clapclap!!!