Civil War

For those of you who don't know, one of the biggest rivalries in college football is about to go down tomorrow. The Civil War game: Oregon State vs. University of Oregon. Even if you are not a college football fan, or a sports enthusiast in the slightest you have to appreciate this gut-wrenching rivalry that was first played out all the way back in 1894 and is the seventh-longest college football rivalry game in the United States. My family looks forward to this game all year long. Being the big Oregon State fans that we are, yes we care about the Beavers overall season record, but what ultimately matters most is if they beat the Ducks in the Civil War game. They call it the "Civil War" game because it is literally like when the north and south of our country were divided in war. Man against man, brother against brother, father against son. I know families that have fans on both sides and it is not pretty come game time. You can not be a wishy washy fan, you must choose sides. As statistics go it is usually the home team that wins, (all Civil War games since 1997 have resulted in a victory for the home team) my opinion being that the home fans are so wild and crazy that whoever hosts the game has the utmost advantage in rattling the other teams psychy. The games get so loud that the players can't hear anything out on the field. This year however, the home team might just lose. The Oregon Duck's lost their starting quarterback Dennis Dixon to an injury and he will not be playing. Yes, that gives the Beaver's a horribly unfair advantage but do I care? Heck no. This will be one of the low down, dirtiest, grittiest, hard fought games of the year and I will enjoy every minute of it. As Beaver fans well know, nothing ever is for certain where their victories are concerned, but (and I hope I'm not jinxing anything) I'm predicting they stomp those ducks into the ground and bring home another Civil War victory for the old Orange and Black.

Holiday Stories

This time of year I have a couple of books that I get out from the book shelf and either share with my family, or read quietly myself when I get the chance. You know the kind that leave you with that good feeling? They always put me in the holiday spirit and help me remember the true meaning of Christmas and not just all of the commercialism that is thrown in our faces every time we turn on the TV or run to the store. One that has become a Christmas Eve tradition to read is "The Fifty Dollar Gold Piece" by Roderick L. Cameron.















It is just a little Christmas "story card" and is only about seven or eight pages long. It is story about a wealthy family that decides to give away a fifty dollar gold piece to the first person to stand at their door on Christmas Eve morning. The only stipulation to follow the gold piece is that should the bearer come in contact with someone who is less fortunate, they must give it to them instead of keeping it for themselves. It is a very touching story and always reminds me of how fortunate we all are and how no matter the circumstance we can always find someone more in need than ourselves. This book never fails to touch my heart.


Another book that is a favorite of mine is "A Redbird Christmas" by Fannie Flagg.

Here is a short synopsis from the inside cover:

"After a startling diagnosis from his doctor, Oswald T. Campbell leaves behind the cold and damp of the oncoming Chicago winter to spend what he believes will be his last Christmas in the warm and welcoming town of Lost River. There he meets the postman who delivers mail by boat, the store owner who nurses a broken heart, the ladies of the Mystic Order of the Royal Polka Dots Secret Society, who do clandestine good works. And he meets a little redbird named Jack, who is at the center of this tale of a magical Christmas when something so amazing happened that those who witnessed it have never forgotten it. Once you experience the wonder, you too will never forget A Redbird Christmas."

This book takes me away from the hustle and bustle and reminds me to slow things down and enjoy the season. If you are feeling even the tiniest bit "grinchy" take a break and read these books.

Today's Forecast

The old Ri-lo is out of town so the forecast for the next couple of days calls for:

-Cleaning out the fridge and eating up the rest of the Thanksgiving leftovers.
- Decorating the Christmas tree which we set up last night per the request of Kendle, who would not return to normal behavior until it was put up and plugged in. ( I love my fake pre-lighted tree, miss the real pine smell but do not miss the mess)
- Getting out the rest of our Christmas decorations and tweaking them to perfection until my brain is hurting and my eyes are crossed. (This process could actually stretch on for days)
- Doing laundry that accumulated over the Thanksgiving Holiday.
- Getting caught up on all of my mail that has made a huge pile next to my computer.
- Boxing up all of the children's clothes they've outgrown.
-Having a fun girls night tonight with Kendle for FHE. I'm thinking painted toenails, popcorn, treats, and a movie.

* Side story: This morning I realized I had still not bought the items for the Salvation Army boxes our ward is doing so I got Kendle off to school and then me and the Morgster headed to Walmart. This was a big deal because he is five months old and I have never taken him grocery shopping. I have been dreading and putting this day off for a while because he hates his car seat and I just knew he would scream and cry through the whole store and I would much rather wait until Riley is home and can watch the kids to go shopping all by my lonesome. But guess what? I fed him before we went and five minutes into our experimental excursion he fell asleep. He slept the whole time and didn't bat an eye until we headed back outside to the car. I know this will probably be a fluke and it will never happen again, but for just one day at least I can revel in the satisfaction of having an enjoyable shopping experience with my baby.

Best News

My little sister called me last night to tell me she made 1st Team All-Conference! I was "woo-hooing" all over the house. This is the icing on the cake to what our family has been trying to tell her all along: that despite her lousy coach and awkward team mates she still shines. I'm so glad she persevered and kept a positive attitude. I love how humble she is and what a good leader she was to her team. Way to go out in style Tam, I am SO proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!