Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree...

I finally decided it was time to give in and get a fake tree for Christmas. I know, totally against who I am, but Kyle pointed out not too long ago that a fake tree will not dry up and drop needles all over the floor for Taryne to eat. That did it right there. I did not want her eating Christmas tree needles.

So, since that conversation a few weeks ago, I have been searching...and searching for a suitable fake tree. I am pretty darn picky when it comes to a real tree, so I am especially picky in choosing a fake tree. Oh, and did I mention, Kyle set height and price restrictions on me, so that made it even tougher to choose. Most trees looked too sparse for my liking or it had all sorts of really fake looking branches.

I found a few great deals online, but I was too chicken to just order a tree I had not seen even though the number of tips and lights made it sound like a great tree. Then I saw some of the Black Friday deals and was determined to get one of those trees. Well, that didn't work out.

Since we came back home on Friday, we had the weekend to shop for a fake tree, get the decorations up and still have time to rest. So Saturday morning we headed out and started our search for a tree. I was amazed at how many places were so picked over after Black Friday. And it wasn't just the inexpensive trees; it was all sizes and prices.

We finally struck gold at Home Depot. They had a tree on display that we liked. It was full, had lots of lights and the branches/needles were of varying shapes and sizes so it actually looked fairly real. Problem: there were no more boxes of this particular tree left under the display. So I asked someone for help and after about 20-30 minutes, they told us the model was the last one, so I said we would take it if we could get a little off the price since it was technically "used" since it was the model. I mean, the lights have been on for however long the display has been up. They were nice enough to take some off the already marked down sale price of the tree and we walked out of Home Depot with a tree that was over $50 less than the original price. And one that was originally out of Kyle's specific price range.

The tree is a Martha Stewart tree with twigs, pine cones and berries. Not something I would have originally picked out, but once we got it home and added all of our assortment of ornaments, it looked perfect.

Now I just need to get a new tree topper...the one we have is always a pain to put on and keep on.

So far Taryne has left the ornaments alone, but wanted to help hang them. I think she has learned fairly quickly they are to look at, not touch.

While I am pretty sad to not have a real tree, I feel good in knowing I don't have to worry about Taryne eating the needles. Hopefully in a few years, we can have two trees...a real one and a fake one.

Until next time...Gig'em!

11.18.99

I have talked about numerous Aggie traditions over the course of this blog. I have previously mentioned Aggie Bonfire and that it means so many things to Aggies including our "burning desire to beat the hell outta t.u." and it is a symbol of the "Spirit of Aggieland".

Every year, in the fall Aggies built Bonfire. It was a time for camaraderie, team work, spirit, friendship, unity and so much more. On November 18, 1999 at 2:42 am everything changed. The stack collapsed. I will never forget how I found out. Kyle had left for work that morning and heard about it on the radio. Since no one really used cell phones then like they do now, he came back home, woke me up and told me Bonfire fell. In my sleepy state, I mumbled "well they will just rebuild it like they did when it fell when you were in school". He said "no, this is different. There are people dead." At that moment I was wide awake and numb. I started panicking because I had friends that worked on Bonfire. Were they okay? My dad called that morning just to check in even though I did not work on Bonfire...he just wanted to make sure. That day and the days after are still a blur, yet so many images are permanently stuck in my mind. I spent that day and several others just going out to stack to pray and grieve like every other Aggie...even if we didn't personally know any of the injured or killed. Several of our close friends was roommates or a close friend to one of the 12.

12 Aggies. I know I have mentioned the 12th Man. How eerie it was to have lost 12 of our Aggie family members.

Every year in October I still look for logs to arrive on campus for Bonfire and I have a sobering moment knowing that this will never happen again. This is one of those events that I get a little preoccupied and sad around the middle of November every year. While I know it has now been 11 years since that horrific day, I still feel the loss of our Aggie brothers and sisters, a wonderful tradition and it painfully reminds me how this campus has become very different. It is amazing how the loss of something that brought so many different people to one cause can change the face of a campus. A&M has not been same since that day.

I am extremely lucky to have some great friends to share this time with each year. While each year we spend that time differently, we still take time to remember those that we lost and be thankful for so many things.

And I will leave you with this...

Bonfire '99

It was Judgment Day in Aggieland And tenseness filled the air; All knew there was a trip at hand, But not a soul knew where.

Assembled on the drill field Was the world-renowned Twelfth Man, The entire fighting Aggie team And the famous Aggie Band.

And out in front with Royal Guard The reviewing party stood; St. Peter and his angel staff Were choosing bad from good.

First he surveyed the Aggie team And in terms of an angel swore, "By Jove, I do believe I've seen This gallant group before.

I've seen them play since way back when, And they've always had the grit; I've seen 'em lose and I've seen 'em win But I've never seen 'em quit.

No need for us to tarry here Deciding upon their fates; Tis plain as the halo on my head That they've opened Heaven's gates."

And when the Twelfth Man heard this, They let out a mighty yell That echoed clear to Heaven And shook the gates of Hell.

"And what group is this upon the side," St. Peter asked his aide, "That swelled as if to burst with pride When we our judgment made?"

"Why, sir, that's the Cadet Corps That's known both far and wide For backing up their fighting team Whether they won lost or tied."

"Well, then," said St. Peter, "It's very plain to me That within the realms of Heaven They should spend eternity.

And have the Texas Aggie Band At once commence to play For their fates too we must decide Upon this crucial day."

And the drum major so hearing Slowly raised his hand And said, "Boys, let's play The Spirit For the last time in Aggieland."

And the band poured forth the anthem, In notes both bright and clear And ten thousand Aggie voices Sang the song they hold so dear.

And when the band had finished, St. Peter wiped his eyes And said, "It's not so hard to see They're meant for Paradise."

And the colonel of the Cadet Corps said As he stiffly took his stand, "It's just another Corps Trip, boys, We'll march in behind the band."

Then heaven's pearly portals opened.Hosts of Angels showed the wayFor that Fighting Texas Aggie group On that final Judgment Day.

When more Aggies came in view,Twelve dressed in Bonfire gear,Walking arm and arm, and singing Of the School they hold so dear.

Twelve Aggie voices said "Howdy" To the keepers of the Gate. "Working hard we just lost track of time, We hope we're not too late."

"It's the Fighting Aggie Bonfire Crew," St. Peter said, "Behold,They're ready to light up Heaven, With their courage and faith so bold."

I would often watch them buildingThat Stack so large and highAnd surely knew the time would come They would build it in the sky.

And so the twelve came through the Gates.St. Peter said, "Don't fear, You are just in time for Roll Call" One by one, they answered... "Here."

Until next time...Gig'em!

Discovery...

This weekend, I made an intersting discovery. Taryne has two more teeth. I have no idea how long she has had these teeth, but one of them is all the way through and the other is almost through. You are probably wondering how or why I didn't know. They are in the back.

I thought kids were supposed to get their front teeth and THEN the back ones start coming in. Well...I am pretty sure the front top teeth are trying to break through, but they are not there yet.

And next you are probably wondering how I finally found out...For a while now, Taryne has not let me "feel around" in her mouth or check out her gums. Probably because she was teething and it hurt. But I decided to try again and she just let me and I felt a back tooth on each side on the top. I was surprised, but that definitely explains how she is chewing up food so well even though we thought she ONLY had 2 front bottom teeth.

Poor child, wants to eat regular food, but can only eat certain things due to her lack of a sufficient amount of teeth. We try and per her daycare teacher, as long as it is cut small enough for her to swallow, then it is good to go.

Maybe this explains away her unusual behavior the last few weeks....

Until next time...Gig'em!

A lazy Sunday afternoon...

This weekend it FINALLY cooled down here in College Station and when I mean it cooled down, the highs are in the low 60's. Still a little warm for my taste, but it has been beautiful, cool, cloudy weather this weekend.

So this afternoon, we decided to take advantage of the day and took Taryne to the park. She is finally big enough to run around and even use the slide, with the help of mom, of course. Normally when we go to the park by our house, it is packed with tons of kids. Today we were lucky, it was empty. I think some might have thought the weather not good to be out or that it was "too cold".

Taryne actually wore a hat and kept it on most of the trip. I love winter hats so I hope that she will too!

Until next time...Gig'em!

Crazy Busy!

The last two weeks have been crazy busy for all of us! I started my new job three weeks ago and I think we are still adjusting to our new schedule. Then, throw in a week of all three of us sick with allergies and before I know it, it has been 2 weeks since I posted.

My new job is going great and I am getting a trial by fire introduction since my second week of work was Q-drop week and now we are meeting students for pre-registration. Each day is non-stop students, but I love it! It is hard to for me to imagine that my department, General Studies, has over 5,000 students. That is crazy! And that number is expected to increase next school year.

We are getting excited about the upcoming holidays and the holiday season. October through December is my favorite time of the year in terms of holidays. I can't wait to get my Christmas decorations out and it is very hard to keep them put away when every store in town is geared up for Christmas and some have been for months. The good thing is I have lots of ideas for what I want to do around my house. I have been searching for a fake tree (I know, it goes against everything that I am) because Kyle has convinced me it is safer for Taryne since the needles will not fall off for her to pick up and eat. Well, boo! But I want her to be safe. So I guess I will be investing in Christmas Crack (i.e., Christmas scented candles, long story, but some will get it!) for that Christmas tree smell in my house.

Until next time...Gig'em!

Taryne's First Aggie Football game....

....sort of. We recently (as in the beginning of this season) learned that you can watch the A&M home games at the Association of Former Students for free. We have really wanted to take Taryne to a game, but A&M requires that all fans have a ticket...including infants. So, we are not going to pay for 3 tickets when she is really not going to watch the game and we would have to hold her the entire time.

So this past Saturday, we finally took advantage of the free viewing to watch the Aggies BTHO (beat the hell outta for you non-Aggie folks) of Texas Tech. (The game was not picked up for TV last weekend) We got to campus early and took Taryne around campus and eventually made our way to the Former Student Tailgate Tent and had lunch. After that, we walked to the Association and found a spot to watch the game.

It was a great experience. Taryne had room to run around and play and we were able to watch the game. There was a couple in front of us that had their granddaughter with them and she and Taryne played for part of the game.

Taryne also took full advantage of an audience and did every cute thing she could think of to get as much attention as possible.

We won the game, so it was a great day! Taryne was an excellent little girl and there was no fussing, just a happy little girl.

Until next time...Gig'em!

Halloween 2010

So Halloween 2010 marked Taryne's second Halloween and her first to go trick or treating. Kyle's cousin Lexus (a fish at A&M) was very generous of her time and handed out candy at our house while we took Taryne trick or treating.

We walked to most of the houses on our street as well as two friends that live on adjacent streets. I think Taryne had more fun walking from house to house than she did when she got to the door. She just froze and had this look on her face like "what on earth is going on". It was pretty funny and cute. She also was frightened a few times by some of the scary costumes worn by the older kids.

After we hit all the houses on our street, we loaded her up in the car and visited a few other friends. Taryne had a blast at our friend's house with their new cat. Taryne and Mystic chased each other around the yard and flower beds for a good 20-30 minutes.

All in all it was a great Halloween and Taryne was too cute in her little ladybug costume!

Until next time...Gig'em!