Twas The Night Before Kickoff

Twas the night before kickoff and in every house
not a fan was sleeping, just ask their spouse.

The coolers were packed full of bratwurst and beer.
It's finally September and football is here.

We're choosing our outfits, our black and our gold,
I swear this excitement will never get old.

The buses will stop, the team will unload.
They'll be fired up, ready to explode.

On Franklin! On Lawrence! On T J Moe!
On Lucas! On Murphy! We're ready to go!

The cannon will fire, the band starts to play,
the stands will be full, it's finally game day!

Every True Son exclaims all through The Zou
Fight Tigers, Fight for ol' Mizzou!

Photo a Day August Summary and September List

Another month has gone by... and another challenge complete.

It's official. I'm addicted. I check the list often. I think about the picture possibilities. And then I get creative. Here's my collage from August.

And today I created this very cool photo book on Blurb using my photos from Instagram. I included photos from the challenge and threw in some others I took this month. I love the way it turned out and can't wait to get it in the mail!

Moments in Time by Cheri Marks | Make Your Own Book

A new challenge begins tomorrow. Here's the list for September! Join me!

day 31. hidden

sleeping traveler

day 30. card

It's the best card to play in the game of Uno. 

The player using this card calls a new color, and the next player must draw four cards and loses a turn. That can be a real game changer. Especially if the next player has called "Uno" and is close to a win. A wild card is an unexpected element. Even if your opponent has played his hand well and made all the right moves, a wild card can throw everything off. It's completely unpredictable.

And so it is with life... No matter how carefully you plan your life, a wild card can always come along and change your course. How you play it is up to you.

day 29. down

Halfway down the stairs

Halfway down the stairs

Is a stair where I sit:

There isn't any other stair quite like it.

I'm not at the bottom,

I'm not at the top:

So this is the stair where I always stop.

Halfway up the stairs

Isn't up, and isn't down.

It isn't in the nursery, it isn't in the town:

And all sorts of funny thoughts

Run round my head:

"It isn't really anywhere! It's somewhere else instead!"

A A Milne

New Tunes Tuesday - Alanis Morissette

Alanis fans unite! Havoc and Bright Lights is her first album in four years!

This is a much different Alanis from her Jagged Little Pill days. And I seriously debated on whether I should even mention the album that she's most known for in this post. I think critics expect something as poignant as Jagged Little Pill each time she releases new music. Well, folks. Those days are far away. She's grown up now and has experienced a lot more joy in her life as a wife and mother... and it shows.

She announces the joys of motherhood right out of the gate on her first single, "Guardian." I'll be your angel on call, I'll be on demand / The greatest honor of all, as your guardian. Equally as sweet is "Til You," a love letter to her husband, and "Empathy" which is a wonderful piano ballad. Thank you for seeing me, I feel so less lonely / Thank you for getting me, I’m healed by your empathy.

But among the bright lights, there is plenty of havoc on the album as well. What I love about her writing is when she feels strongly about something, she lets us have it in full force. "Woman Down" is a plea for the end of mistreatment towards women. She sings about the pursuit of fame and fortune and offers a warning in "Celebrity." And addresses the cost of suppressing one's nature in the very Evanescence-like "Numb." I think that might be my favorite track.

I found this interview quote by her, and I just love it. "I'm a Gemini by trade, so I'm obsessed with wholeness. I don't want to be good, I want to be whole. I love the dark because it's alluring to me. The light is alluring and scary, too. I will always explore both sides, I can't help myself." I'm also a Gemini, and I totally get what's she's saying. It's a daily struggle to find the right balance between the dark and the light.

And that's what you'll find on this album; a heaping helping of both dark and light, havoc and bright lights. I love the title of the album after having listened to it. Expect a wide range of emotions that work really well together. You can tell through her songs that she is in a content place both in her personal and professional lives. Balance achieved.

day 28. clock

"You can't turn back the clock.... but you can wind it up again."

day 27. tap

Yes, that's a beer tap in the wall. My wall. It's in my basement.

We installed this tap in our basement when we first moved into the house. On the other side of the wall the line connects to a kegerator (a modified refrigerator that dispenses beer). Once upon a time Boulevard Wheat would flow freely through this line. It was definitely cheaper by the glass to buy keg beer and way more convenient. No bottles to throw away. No cans to recycle. Fewer trips to the store for more beer.

But it could be a pain too. Purchasing the right sized keg (slim keg) was at times a challenge. Cleaning the line was a big chore. Keeping everything in working order so our beer tasted the way it should was a big job. 

So now the kegerator is simply a beer fridge stocked with a wide variety of craft beers.

Variety is good, but I do miss pouring myself and our guests a beer from the tap in our wall. I mean, it's just cool to hear "pour me a beer from the tap in your wall!" I'm betting that the kegerator will live again one day. Until that time, I'll reach for a cold beer on the other side of the wall.

Cheers.

day 26. dream

dreaming big

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow,
And each road leads you where you want to go.

And if you're faced with the choice and you have to choose,

I hope you choose the one that means the most to you.

And if one door opens to another door closed,

I hope you keep on walking till you find the window.

If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile.

But more than anything, more than anything...

My wish for you

Is that this life becomes all that you want it to.

Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small

You never need to carry more than you can hold.

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to

I hope you know somebody loves you

And wants the same things too

Yeah, this is my wish.

"My Wish" by Rascal Flatts

day 25. fresh

Hot cinnamon rolls anyone? Fresh from the oven... with coffee and a side of bacon. Yum.

Breakfast is the most important and best meal of the day. So many yummy things to eat. My favorite is french toast with fresh berries. I also love a loaded omelet. Biscuits and gravy are awesome on a cold morning. And the classic bacon and eggs with toast is always a winner. We have breakfast for dinner at least twice a month.

Today, however, I was given a shocker. My son told me this morning that he "doesn't really like bacon." This is disturbing to me. I feel like I have failed as a parent. How can someone "not really like bacon?" And not just someone... my son! Bacon makes everything better. I'm not really sure how this happened, but I'm going to work extra hard to rectify it. It's my parental duty. My daughter loves bacon, so that gives me hope.

The cinnamon rolls disappeared quickly. At least I know he has my sweet tooth.

What's your favorite breakfast food?

day 24. path

"As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives." ~ Henry David Thoreau

day 23. pair

I love peanut butter. It has fiber, protein, good fats, and a delicious flavor. As much as I love it all by itself, I love it even more combined with other foods to create a scrumptious treat.

Apples - the sweet of the apple is the perfect pair to the saltiness of peanut butter.

Bananas - my kids love this combination, make a slit in the banana and fill it up!

Celery - peanut butter just makes it taste better! And I love the crunch of the celery with the smooth texture of peanut butter.

Dark Chocolate - or any chocolate for that matter, but dark is my favorite. Peanut butter and chocolate simply belong together.

Honey - a nice alternative to jelly. Great on waffles.

Jelly - yep, the obvious choice. I toast my PB&J bread so the peanut butter melts a little. Yum!

Marshmallow Fluff - yeah, it's full of sugar. That's what makes it taste so good! Try it with crunchy peanut butter. Mmmmm.

Nutella - what doesn't taste good with Nutella?

What's your favorite pair with peanut butter?

day 22. home

They say home is where your heart is.

Well, if that is true, every fall my heart is at The Zou - Home of my Mizzou Tigers.

Ten days until kickoff!

Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium - The Zou

New Tunes Tuesday - JT Hodges

I've been patiently (sort of) waiting for the release of his self-titled debut album from the day I heard "Hunt You Down."

And we danced and we laughed never talked about tomorrow / We just lived a little in the here and now / With her hands in my hair like a million magic fingers / She said look me up when you get back to town. / Look you up, I said. Hell, I'm going to hunt you down.

And I did, JT. I was on the hunt for your album today. It wasn't on my beloved Spotify (really?), so I streamed it live on Rhapsody at work and then got on iTunes when I got home. I had to buy it. This is a solid album.

One thing that makes a country artist stand out above the rest is the storytelling. Ask any fan of country music and they'll tell you; you must be a good storyteller. Let me just say, JT conjures up some very interesting characters and even more interesting stories with this finely-crafted album (he wrote or co-wrote 8 of the 10 songs).

He proclaims that he is not the same as all of the others that treated you wrong in "Goodbyes Make You Mine." In "Sleepy Little Town" he sheds the light on mysteries (drug dealing, abuse, and teen pregnancy) hiding underneath the surface. "Give It One More Night" is a toe-tapping number in which he pleads just one more memory before you leave me. He sings about the ex-girlfriend he knows well, and what she's doing now in "Right About Now." And if he's like me it tears him apart when she whispers his name in the dark... I hate him right about now.

The most compelling song is "When I Stop Crying" that features wonderful harmonies by Vince Gill (yes, that Vince Gill) on the chorus. I'm going to turn and face the sun / I'm going to walk until I can run. It's a slow piano ballad about pain being a part of the healing process. This one could be a huge hit.

The last song "Green Eyes Red Sunglasses" is full of swag. It's got a stomping beat and a screaming guitar with plenty of southern rock influences. I dare you to try and get this one out of your head.

It has all of the essential elements: compelling storytelling, catchy lyrics, and sing-along choruses. Fantastic debut album!

day 21. cool

So many cool things to blog about... but this one came to mind first.

In February of this year we took a vacation to Cozumel with 3 other couples. This is a picture outside my back door. We had a wading pool that connected all four rooms together. The water slide led us down to the bigger pool and wet bar. 

Isn't that cool? The whole vacation was cool. Great memories...

day 20. today

Exciting time of year! Today was the first day of classes at Mizzou. About 6500 new faces walked around campus today searching for their classes (I helped three of the lost freshmen). I remember my first day at Mizzou. My very first college class was English 20 in Crowder Hall at 8:40 a.m. You know, they no longer start classes on the "40." I never understood why they did that in the first place. I hated having 7:40 classes. Hated it. Now the earliest class is at 8:00 a.m. That makes a lot more sense.

So I was expecting a huge lecture hall for my first class, but it was just a small classroom of about 25 students. I was slightly relieved because I am from a small town where everyone knows your name and your parents and what you had for dinner the night before. But at the same time... I'm attending the largest University in the state. Shouldn't there be more students than this?

Didn't take long! Later that same day at 12:40 p.m. I walked into Townsend Auditorium (which is now The Reflector) for my Psychology class with about 200 other students. That's about the size of my entire high school. And we included grades 7 and 8! I thought to myself... "Wow... now this is college."

I was finally lost in the crowd. I loved my days at Mizzou.

What are some of your first memories of school?

day 19. hole

Today's word made me think of the sound hole in an acoustic guitar. 

I love folk and acoustic music. It is pure, simple, and really focuses on the talents of the artists. Do you remember MTV Unplugged? I loved that show. It was a musical phenomenon in the '90's. Hits were recreated on that series, and I think a renewed interest for this type of music was generated. Some of my favorite artists, like Indigo Girls and R.E.M., had strong acoustic influences. 

For your listening pleasure, I have put together a Spotify playlist of some of my favorite acoustic performances of today. It's a small sampling of just ten songs, but each one holds a special meaning to me. I've included performances by Howie Day, Jason Mraz, Katy Perry, John Mayer, and more. Enjoy!

Do you have a favorite acoustic performance?

The Rivalry Run 5K

Missouri vs. kansas. It's one of the most heated rivalries west of the Mississippi and dates back to the 1850s. Things may be changing (MIZ-SEC!), but the rivalry at the border will never die.

at the starting line

Nor will my hate for kansas.

No, that's not a typo. I never capitalize kansas.

As you must know by now, I am a Missouri/Mizzou  fan to my core. I bleed black and gold! So when there is an opportunity for me to beat kansas, I will be there. And I was there on August 18th. The Rivalry Run 5K!

This is a race where every registration, every donation, and the overall finishers (top 3 in each age group) make up the final point total. Great turn out in Kansas City, but it was clear that there were more in favor of kansas than Missouri. They led in points before the race began.

First let me say I don't really consider myself a competitive runner. I'm not fast. I mostly run for the health of it; to keep fit. And if I'm being completely honest, I run because I like to eat dessert and drink beer. The races are what keep me motivated and make it fun. Just the title of this race made me want to be there! The course route started at the Sprint Center and took us up Grand Avenue to Crown Center. And when I mean up, I mean UP! That was a tough incline (I had to walk some of it). We then turned a corner at the Liberty Memorial then went down Main Street past Union Station. We turned another corner and got back on Grand for the finish.

the finish line

Do you know what's really cool about getting older? New age category! This was my first 5K as a 40 year old. Official results say I ran 37:01 which placed me 25th in my age group and 520 overall. Not bad considering I walked some of it. I bettered my time by 5 minutes from the last 5K, so I'm proud of that. Definitely have some more training to do before the next race in September.

25  Cheri Marks  Missouri   112   40   520   37:01.1  

Missouri has won The Rivalry Run for the past two years, but unfortunately kansas won this year 663 to 632. Sigh... Well, regardless of the winner, it was still a great time to battle it out against our neighbors to the west. I will miss that this year in college sports. I hope this race continues because I will be back!

day 18. inside

This was inside my race packet today.

The Rivalry Run 5K - Missouri vs. kansas

Details and pics about the race posted here!

day 17. faces

When I hear the word "faces," I immediately think of Mount Rushmore.

That's what my sister and I called the monument. I remember family vacation trips to South Dakota. We drove across the state and stopped at different places along the way: Wall Drug, Corn Palace, Badlands National Park and of course, Mount Rushmore. My mom had a friend from college that lived near Rapid City, South Dakota. We went to visit her and her family on those trips growing up.  My mom's friend had a daughter about the same age as my sister, and they became really good friends. 

The photo you see is a photo of a photo. It was taken on the last trip my sister and I took to South Dakota in 1995. It was fun to retrace the steps of those family vacations, but there was another purpose to this visit. Unfortunately on April 19, 1995, my sister's friend mentioned here died in the Oklahoma City bombing. She was living in Midwest City and had recently gotten married. She was at the federal building in the Social Security Administration reporting the change of her last name. Airman 1st Class Cartney J. Koch McRaven was only 19 years old. She was laid to rest in the Black Hills National Cemetery in South Dakota. We went to visit her grave site on this trip.

So now when I see the faces, in my mind there is a fifth face. A face of a young blonde girl whose life ended way too soon.

Well, I can't end a post on a sad note like that, so here are the two most important faces in my life on the first day of school yesterday. Time goes by so quickly, doesn't it?

first day of school

day 16. food

My standard lunch: sandwich, carrots with ranch, and an afternoon apple. All at my desk because I have so much to do....

Had to dress up the photo with a picnic-like border.  I made it with Photo Grid. Really great app for Android that creates collages. You can shake your phone to change the layout. Pretty nifty little thing.

Break over. Back to work!

day 15. ready

Someone is ready to go out this morning...

nose pressed to the glass and ready to go outside

She's always ready. Such a simple life. Feed me, walk me, love me, let me sleep.

The people in the house are busy trying to get ready for the new school year. I took a few days off this week to get the kids (and myself) ready. Where did the summer go? It went by so fast. I can nearly believe school starts tomorrow.

I think we're ready. Just a few more things to check off the list.

• Meet the teacher night - check
• School supplies organized and taken to school - check
• New outfits purchased for the first day - check
• Burritos made for a quick and easy breakfast - check
• Food items prepared for lunches - check
• Dinners planned for the next week - check
• Laundry done...
• House cleaned.... 

Hmmm, well... guess I should go get ready.

New Tunes Tuesday - Blackberry Smoke

Georgia-based Blackberry Smoke released their third studio album under Zac Brown's label, Southern Ground. After one listen, you'll understand why he would want to be associated with this band. My only complaint... why I haven't heard these guys until now?!? They are southern rock at its finest. Skynyrd would be proud. Their songs are gritty, real, and have funky grooves that hook you from the start.

I could hear "One Horse Town" on Country radio today, even though it doesn't really sound like Country radio today. But it fits the theme of living in a small town where generations of families live there, and people are known by the reputation of their last name. This little bitty town / it ain't nothing new / we all stick around / 'cause they all tell us to.

A stand-out track for me is the title track, "The Whippoorwill."  It's full of minor keys, bluesy harmonies, and steel guitar cries. It's hard to believe you're hearing the same guy, Charlie Starr, sing lead on this song as the other rocking tracks like "Ain't Much Left of Me." 

"Up The Road" is a favorite of mine and has a great message about appreciating what you have. The grass ain't always greener / just like we're always told / you may not have the winning hand / but you ain't got to fold / it just seems that much warmer / when you come in from the cold / 'cause things ain't always better up the road. The guitar solo at the end is pretty excellent too. Nice way to end the album.

This is sitting around the fire, having a few cold beverages, catching up with some friends kind of music. It could easily be found on repeat at my house. There's not a bad track to be found. Let me know if you feel the same way.

day 14. arrow

You've seen this logo a countless number of times, but have you ever noticed the hidden arrow? Look between the large E and the small x. Do you see it?

Now you'll never be able to look at a FedEx truck or box without seeing it. I know I can't!

"Baby Got Back" Sung By the Movies

This is quite possibly the most creative thing I have seen in a long while. So I have to share it.

The creator, dondrapersayswhat, has some mad editing skills. The only question is... how long did it take to put this all together?

Sir Mix-a-lots "Baby Got Back" sung by 295 movie clips??? Brilliant!

day 13. simple

The Swing
by Cheri Marks

How high can I go?
How far can I see?
Forever it seems
when I'm in my swing.

To the top of the trees
To the top of the wall
When I'm up this high
I can see it all.

Then I look down
to the ground below
Until I'm back up again
And away I go.

There are few pleasures from my childhood that compare to the joy of swinging. Whether it was at a park, at the school playground, or in my own backyard, I have wonderful, vivid memories of swinging.

It really is quite simple. No batteries required.

day 12. spoon

Don't take life, or yourself, too seriously...

last weekend of summer

Summer is quickly coming to a close. The kids will go back to school on Thursday. So how did we spend the last weekend of the summer???

At the LAKE!!!

The weather was a welcomed change! It was so chilly Saturday morning that you could see steam rising off the lake. It made a beautiful sunrise.

The weather was just perfect. The sun was bright and warm but not too hot. We spent the rest of the afternoon on the dock. I got a new high-speed camera app on my phone called Fast Burst that can take 30 photos per second. I had to try it out while the boys flipped into the water.

That evening we made a fire, drank some beverages, listened to some good music and made some s'mores. Life doesn't get much better than that.

Sunday morning there was a light rain falling. It was so peaceful! I enjoyed my coffee and breakfast out on the deck listening to the rain on the lake. Hadn't heard that sound in a long time. It's been a very hot and dry summer, but this weekend gives me hope that fall is right around the corner. 

day 11. purple

beautiful flowers in front of the Alpha Phi house

I called the Alpha Phi house "home" for four (okay... five) years while in college. Best decision I ever made. A lot of good memories were made in that house.... and many lasting friendships.

We didn't have flowers like that when I lived there. They are absolutely GORGEOUS!

Alpha Phi house at Mizzou

day 10. ring

On the Playground
May there always be
bright sunshine on the playground.
Laughter in the air.

day 9. messy

Thought this topic would be difficult as I'm not really a messy person. So I decided to look around outside and found this.... a neglected corner on our back patio.

Any bets on how long it will stay that way?

day 8. glasses

A few frosty glasses ready to be filled....

I think there are more glasses than food in my freezer.

Nothing better than an ice cold beer in a frosty mug. Well... the right beer, that is. Good beer is best served in a room temperature glass, in my opinion. That may be debatable, but it's my preference. Cheap beer tastes better really cold. I'll put a Bud Light in a frosty mug every single time.

Chilled glasses are also handy for milkshakes and ice cream sodas. How about a root beer float? Excellent in a frosty mug (if you like root beer). And the kids love to drink milk (plain or chocolate) from an ice cold glass. I will also put my wine glass in the freezer if I'm going to be drinking Moscato or Reisling. Especially in the summer. And of course your cocktail will stay cool and crisp longer if you serve it in a chilled glass. Try it next time. You won't regret it.

Do you chill your glasses? What's your favorite beverage to have in a frosty mug?

day 7. 8 o'clock

Those who know me well know that I am not a morning person. I dread the day when the photo a day prompt is 7 o'clock. You'll only see one picture from me when that occurs... a PM picture.

But 8 o'clock I can do.

my alarm clock

I have this rather fancy alarm clock where I can download apps. Here it is with my daily horoscope pictured. The kids like to play Tic Tac Toe on it. I like that it has a non-jarring chime alarm setting. Nothing worse than waking up to the sound of a bullhorn alarm blaring in your ears and ripping you from your dreams. Please wake me gently. I could plug in my iPod and have some soothing music playing, but I worry I may just lie there listening to the music rather than get up. So I'm sticking with the chimes.

Just in case, I also took a picture of the trees in my backyard. My thought was to take a picture of the same scene in the AM and in the PM. I think it turned out rather well.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

New Tunes Tuesday - Missy Higgins

I had never heard of Missy Higgins until this week. She was introduced to me through the photo a day challenge (see, you really should participate). The creator of the challenge, Fat Mum Slim, asked for new music suggestions on her blog, and Missy was listed. Apparently she's quite popular in her home country of Australia (home to Fat Mum Slim as well). So I looked up her album, The Ol' Razzle Dazzle, on Spotify.

On the first track, "Set Me On Fire", she sings "melody, you're the only one who saves me." Girl, you are speaking to my heart with those lyrics. After one listen, I was hooked.

Another favorite of mine is "All in My Head". It's a song about writer's block, but you could probably spin it a different direction also. I'm a chronic over-thinker, and my worries are almost always all in my head. Thankfully the song ends on a happy note.

The song that hit me the hardest was "Cooling of the Embers". "You're only half here / like someone left a frail body and took the rest / but I remember when you were strong / never wanted help from no-one / what you've become is not what I remember." The emotional decline is not a relationship but her late grandmother's health. It's powerfully visual and strikes at the deepest chord of my heart.

She sings with such a personal touch. I think we can all relate to at least one song on the album. Give it a listen.

day 6. writing

my journals

Writing has always been a creative outlet for me. Pictured here are a few of my journals from when I was younger. Inside are my thoughts, feelings, and memories from high school and college. I wrote PRIVATE across the top of one of them. I had to chuckle. Did I really think that would keep nosy people from reading it?

They are pretty entertaining to read actually. I wrote about my summer jobs, movies I saw, and getting my license. Preparing for college, trips I took, visits I made, classes I liked and hated. Going out with friends, getting mad at friends, making up with friends, and boys. Oh my. Pages and pages about boys.

Occasionally I would write a poem in my journal to describe the moment. I thought I would share one of my favorites that I found. It's about searching for the right words to say in a letter. Maybe the words didn't sound right or maybe I was just too afraid to send them. Maybe a little of both. I like the metaphor I used to visualize the scene, and I do remember this day very well. All because of my journal.

The Blizzard

(written June 1993)

I put my hands upon my desk and lean back in my chair.

Turn my head to count the time and hours I've been there.

I yawn and stretch and crack my neck and look around my feet.

My floor looks like a blanket of snow, each flake a crumpled sheet.

I rise and walk through snow made up of paper I have tossed.

And make my way across the room trying not to get lost.

I can't seem to put into words the feelings in my head.

So I click on my favorite CD and lie upon my bed.

Tonight I'll just close my eyes and try to get some sleep.

The feelings I have for you remain in the snow so deep.

The journals stopped after the kids arrived. Life just became too busy I guess. I wish I had found the time to write the memories down. That's one of the main reasons I started this blog: in order to remember. The photo a day challenge provides the topic, and then I fill in the content. My creative outlet is back.

Do you have a journal? What do you write about?

Mizzou Fan Day

Nothing like Fan Day to get you in the mood for some football! My son, Brandon, and I headed to Faurot Field today to gather some autographs and check out the new field....

It looks AWESOME!

27 days until kick-off!

Mizzou-RAH!!!