Christmas in Virginia

I found a cool little article about Monument Avenue Christmas in Richmond. Here is a map of where the best lights are. The Grand Illumination is tomorrow. In Williamsburg, where my parents live however, the Grand Illumination is Sunday. I'm hoping to take lots of pictures when I'm there for Christmas to post.

Our house looks very Richmondy if I do say so myself with the candles, the rope lights & the fruit in the garland, and I'm hoping it will rub off on our neighbors. I hope to have some pictures of this too.

On a final note, UVa lost their first basketball game of the year to Purdue, in Indiana by 2 points. We start ACC play on Sunday afternoon at 3 on FSN w/NC (Redneck) State, but luckilythe game is in Charlottesville, where we are undefeated in the new John Paul Jones (JPJ) Arena.

Commence Christmas

We have gotten ALL the decorations up for Christmas. Our neighbors jokingly said that they had to put plastic bags over the windows in order to sleep at night (very funny). In reality it's not that bright...not like Danny DeVito in Deck the Halls or Clark Griswold. I spiraled lights up the 3 big trees (but not the gigantic tree), put rope lights running on top of the hedge circling by the sidewalk, lights in the front bushes and candles in the windows. We put up garland and a wreath with fruit it in for the door. In the back the tea olive arch has blue lights going all the way across and there is the Mardi Gras garland hanging on the white picket fence.

Inside we have the tree in the window, my village above the fireplace, garland on the mantle, a nativity scene, and other assorted Christmas things. Since it took many days to install, I hope it looks good, and will continue to look good until 1/6 (Ephiphany/Twelfth Night of Christmas), when we take it down & put some Mardi Gras beads out and the Mardi Gras wreath...those decorations last until 2/20/07.

Another ridiculously big football weekend. Go Hoos! Go Bucks! Go Westlake!

Well, just when you thought the Michigan/Ohio State game couldn't get any bigger, Bo Schembleckler (sp???) died the day before the game. I originally thought that Ohio State would win, but now I'm thinking because of this it might be Michigan. Go Bucks though! We're going to a party for the game and bringing buckeye treats (that don't look all that much like buckeyes!) Check out this link: Go Bucks!

Also, Westlake starts the playoffs tonight with a tough game against San Antonio Winston Churchill High School. They are a school that just might be more proud of themselves than we are. Go Chaps!

Finally (but not least), UVa plays at home tomorrow against Miami. I sure hope we can pull something out b/c we have to win our last 2 to go to a bowl game (most likely Boise). Last time I watched this game @ UVa it was right after the Richmond Marathon and I was REALLY tired, so the hurricanes I drank went down way too good.

For a college football music fix, check out this link.

Wake Forest & Rutgers for the BCS game??

I'm just kidding of course, but at this rate, it could happen. Georgia had a big win, Texas had a shocking loss (to a Big XII NORTH team!), Wake shut out Florida State (in TALLAHASSEE), and Rutgers had a nothing short of magical win against Louisville on Thursday night.

Sad that there is not much football left to be played. Next week we're watching "The Game" (Michigan v. Ohio State) and I'm making buckeyes...the peanut butter & chocolate favorites. Too bad I have no idea how to cook! That's after the UVa/Miami game, which I think we have a chance in only because it's at Scott Stadium and not the Orange Bowl. Is it impossible for UVa to win on the road to a team not called Duke???

Falcons lost today, but they seem to have a knack for losing to really bad teams. Bring on the Raiders...haha.

Blue Smurf Turf

That brings back bad memories of Christmas 2004 when we played Fresno State and lost (in OT I believe). Tonight Boise State is playing at home against FSU west and it's tight so far. The fans did a cool thing in the stands, every other section is alternating orange & blue. Looks very cool in crystal clear high definition.

Still nervous about our FSU game, but nothing much to do until noon on Saturday. I'll be cutting the grass early so I don't miss a second and have to sweat it out.

Halloween was a blast...drank lots of wine & gave tons of candy out. Our neighbors freaked us out with a bombshell that both females are quitting birth control, i.e. trying to get pregnant soon. Aghh!

Hurricane season has died down so much that they don't even do tropical updates any more, although they occassionally have been talking about hurricane related stuff during that time. Typically I'll switch over to CMT, SportsCenter or the Today Show, just to mix it up some.