Friday Five

1. I watched Twilight on DVD, but I saw New Moon on the big screen Sunday. Watching the movie in a theatre full of teen girls was an experience. The hoot & hollering that occurred when Jacob (Taylor Lautner) took of his shirt was worth the price of admission.
   
   
2. Being the faithful Cowboys fan I am, I've always wanted to go to a Thanksgiving game. Even before I followed the Cowboys, our family always watched the Thanksgiving game. This year, due to my sister's work schedule, we had Thanksgiving on Wednesday, freeing up my Thursday. Eileen and I were finalizing our plans for the Dec. 13 game when I mentioned how much I wanted to go to the Thanksgiving game. Her family celebrated Thanksgiving last week, and she could come to the game. So she brought her son, Darren, to town, and the three of us went to the Thanksgiving Cowboys game. My last year in Lubbock, I watched almost every game with Eileen, and taught Darren how to cheer for Romo and do touchdown dances, so they were the perfect people to go to the game with. Eileen went with me to a Cowboys game the final season in Texas Stadium, so it was fitting that we went to a game together the Cowboys first season in Arlington's Cowboys Stadium.
   
   
   
   
3. Participated in my first Turkey Trot. Because of the tendinitis in my foot, I haven't been in a race in more than a year. I miss racing, even though my goal is basic: to not finish last. The weather was great, if a bit cold at the beginning. I've been running with walk breaks to protect my foot but ran the entire Trot, and I loved it! I never get in a rhythm or groove when I train now because of all the walks breaks. So it felt great to do that for this race. I also loved the residents that watched and cheered from their front yards.
   
   
4. Monday Night Football last some of its relevance when it moved from broadcast TV to basic cable. (I will spare you my rant about that.) But I still love to watch the intro with Hank Williams singing "Are you ready for some football?" It's a perfect fit!
   
   
5. Can't wait for Christmas to get her. I'm taking off the week of Christmas - actually having Christmas on Monday - and the following week I'm going skiing in Colorado with Eileen, her family and some friends. Bring on the snow!
   

Friday Five

1. I turned my library book in on the "Day of Grace" and was charged a late fee. What? When I went to pay, I asked why they didn't have a Day of Grace. Every (American) library I've used offered this benefit. Turns out a patrol that this policy was unfair because not everyone knew about it, and he took his complaint all the way to city hall. So now the library charges late fees the first day past due. Why would anyone complain about a policy designed to give customers a break? It must take a grumpy person to wage a battle against grace.
   
   
2. I'm only in the first chapter of My Life in France by Julia Child, and I already love it!
   
   
3. Even though it was abrupt, I enjoyed the seasonal temperatures this week. I actually got so cold at night, I had to close my window, turn down my fan and add a blanket. It makes me happy.
   
   
4. Plaid really is back, isn't it? It makes me feel old that fashion styles from my lifetime are cycling back.
   
   
5. I'm Team Jacob.
   

Friday Five

1. One part of my job I'm still adjusting to is the openness of strangers. You walk into a business, introduce yourself, and the stranger before you starts spilling personal details about a cancer diagnosis or recent loss. I don't always feel comfortable with the conversation, but I always enjoy telling them the many different ways the ACS can help them.
   
   
2. I'm seeing the stage production of Sweeney Todd tonight. The trailers for the movie included the refrain, "I will have vengeance." And then I saw the movie. After that, I couldn't get that refrain out of my head! So if you see me in the next few weeks, expect that song to be in my head...and to pop out my mouth.
   
   
3. Oscar (from the Office) speaking in a Southern accent = hilarious!
   
   
4. I'm a little worried about my plan to run the half marathon in February. My tendinitis-afflicted foot has bothered me all week. And I'm only running three miles. Maybe this week is a fluke.
   
   
5. Even though it sounds ridiculous, I've never successfully cooked with a crock pot (other than queso). I follow the recipe, the cooking directions, everything, but my food always burns. Last week I made chicken tacos! And I had enough leftover chicken to make Mexican stack and tortilla soup throughout the week. I did leave work early to make sure my food didn't burn.