WHOOP! Our Weekend in Aggieland

A couple weeks ago, we traveled to College Station, AKA Aggieland, to watch the Dawgs get beat compete against the Aggies. (Surprisingly, the margin was much less than I expected.) Nevertheless, it was nothing less than a fantastic time. Even though we lost and stayed in a half-star hotel, no fear, the hubs and I know how to make the best of our situation.

College Station is about 3 hours from here and we rolled into town about 10:00 on Friday night. We tapped into our former college energy and attended the "Midnight Yell" at their football stadium, which is a long time A&M tradition. This was essentially a pep rally with 30,000 in attendance. There were performances of very organized chants and cheers directed by the Yell Leaders (they do not have girl cheerleaders), and they even broke out into the swaying that you see on TV.....I was minding my own and next thing I knew an Aggie grabbed me, so J and I swayed like the best of them. After the class president (tearfully) read a poem about St. Peter opening the gates of heaven to all Aggies entering, we decided that A&M is a cult.

Then next day we started out any football Saturday as it should be---with Shipley donuts. We headed to campus and cheered for the MSU buses as they pulled in, walked around campus, and ate at the Alumni tent.  It's always neat to see another school's game day atmosphere. It was quite impressive because of the sheer size of the crowds, but I'm still partial to The Junction.  : )

They did actually have horses in the middle of one of their drill fields!  And I almost stepped in a pile with my darling Steve Madden boots.

The stadium atmosphere was fantastic.  Great crowd that stays on their feet most of the game!!!

The A&M band was absolutely amazing.  They have a huge band of Cadets that did the true marching band formations that were incredible.  Jeremie and I sometimes pick on The Famous Maroon Band because they play Lady Gaga songs and rarely wear their full garb, with the feather hats and such.  So as the Aggies were doing a most impressive "four way cross", J leaned to the MSU fan next to him and said "Dang, that would be one big pile up if that were our band"....I noticed the guy didn't really say anything and realized we were likely sitting in the MSU family section, since we were also given tickets by MSU.  I about died and told J not to make any more opinionated comments to strangers. (Lord, I hope the kicker's mom wasn't around us.)

The Dawgs actually gave the Aggies a run for their money, so we didn't have to walk out with our tail tucked between our legs. Afterwards, we tried to complete the College Station experience by eating in the young and happenin' Northgate area, but it was too crowded, loud, and let's admit, our college days are over. We ended up a quiet Italian restaurant with a old man duo playing a clarinet & guitar. #whathavewebecome

On the way back, we stopped by this AMAZING bakery (recommended by many Texans) called the "Czech Stop".  For those of you familiar with the Brooksville bakery, it was very similar. We loaded up on yummy treats, sausage rolls, and yes......."Czech Mix".  J made jokes for an hour...."Czech, please", "Czech this out",  "Better Czech yo-self"......oh, dear.......

I look forward to going back for future events! A&M's traditions and school spirit is unparalleled! Loved our road trip and seeing new places in Texas! Can't wait for the next one!

A Word from the Wise......

So in September, I finally went through the dreaded procedure of having my wisdom teeth removed. (Fun Fact: they are called "Wisdom teeth" because they usually appear later in life, when you should presumably be wiser than your childhood when your other teeth come in.) My dentists have been telling me for about 10 years that they are in there and should probably come out.  I've just been able to make legitimate excuses over the years like "I'm busy with school", "I'm planning a wedding", "We just moved", etc. Well, this time I didn't have one and can't even use the "I"m too busy with work" excuse! The annoying thing about having your wisdom teeth removed is that it's not a definite decision. They may or may not ever come in or cause you problems. But if they DO....you are in for a lot of pain and for me, possibly a 3rd set of braces, as they will shift the rest of your teeth.  That sole possibility made me go for it.  (I was afraid if they did mess up my teeth, my parents might make me pay them back the $6,000 they dished out on my smile.)

Quite honestly, I was a MESS over this!  I was so nervous, especially about the sedation part. (Which, from taking a poll, is everyone's favorite part.). J was able to go in the surgery room with me while they got me ready, and in true form, I was talking ninety-to-nothing, which is what I do when I'm nervous.  Right before they put in the IV, I told J to give me a scripture....well....I was OUT before he said the first word.  Thirty-five minutes later, I was awake and it was over!!! (Yes, my surgeon got. it. done.) J was pretty disappointed that I was not a blubbering idiot that he could video; Lord knows I probably would've ended up on You Tube and then the Today show. The next few days were spent in bed eating more mashed potatoes than Idaho can produce in a year. Nurse Jeremie was fantastic and came to my need every time I rang....that's right....my cowbell.  #Hailstate #HailKatie

Here's my main takeaways:

• Hydrocodone is amazing. 
• Sedation is amazing. 
• Instant mashed potatoes are amazing. Seriously like a science experiment. 
• Frozen bags of beans or peas is the best to ice your face.....slip them in some long tube socks, pin them at the toe, and tie it around your head (See Exhibit 1 below)
• The worst part was actually how swollen & painful my saliva glands were
• Jeremie had a hard time admitting this--but by the end of my recovery, he was sick of the sound of a cowbell
• I should have done this closer to Halloween and just been a chipmunk
  
  

  

  Against everything southern in me that says "Never post a bad picture of yourself", I had many friends insist that I share! The best thing about this picture is that I really thought I was smiling!  My mouth was still numb, so I was giving it everything I had!  

 All in all, it wasn't a horrible experience, but I'm glad it's over and that it's a one and done deal! And against what Jeremie will probably tell you......I don't think I lost any of my wisdom.....I mean, he was the one who came running every time I rang a cowbell....you make the call on who's wiser......  ; )