one little word: grace

despite not feeling the drive to reflect on last year's goals and set out a list of specific resolutions, i do feel compelled to choose a word for 2012. i'm not sure why, but i do.

i've mulled over it a few times these past few weeks. i've made lists and was pretty sure i had a word. and then it hit me...two weeks into the new year. i was totally off-base and the word just showed up. which is kind of what i would expect it to do. so when it did, i didn't really question it. 

my word is grace. 

strangely enough, i always thought of this word as a characteristic of a person ("graceful"). it wasn't until the last year that i started to understand it in a biblical sense. the act of grace. 

other words that i considered for this were adequate...but they were either action words ("balance") or implied searching for something ("contentment"). but grace...grace has already been given to me. everyday. by Him. 

my struggle is granting myself grace. (and accepting grace of others.)

i read something this week that really hit home for me. it was about subtracting things from our lives at the new year, rather than focusing on what we can add*. the last thing i need in my life right now is more. 

but i do need more grace...given to me, from me. 

yes, i have struggles and things to work out. but in the grand scheme of things...my life is good. and i need to remember that. one reason i can't see it is because i can't get past the flaws and the faults and the mistakes of everyday life. 

so in 2012, i will grant myself grace.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

2 Corinthians 12:8-9

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

in case you are curious...

last year's word was focus

in 2010, i began my year with the word strive

but then changed it mid-year to balance

**************

if you are unfamiliar with the concept of *one little word* i recommend checking out ali edwards' blog here: one little word

**************

*oddly enough, what i read that inspired me was also written by ali edwards. appropriate. it was part of her newsletter series. highly recommend signing up (it's free). 

moving forward...

i started writing a post reflecting back through 2011 and how i did with the goals i set a year ago. but in reality, my heart wasn't in it. i've also contemplated a long post of goals for 2012...and again, my heart is not there. it's not that i don't care about my past or my future. but i'm busy, and have been for awhile. and i'm pushing along in survival mode. 


i wish i was able to blog more, but when i do blog... i want my heart to be there. so, i didn't do a recap of my goals or favorite photos or highlights of 2011. i'm just rolling on...


i do have some things for 2011 that are top of mind and i'd consider "goals". i don't have a formal list, but they are in my mind and my heart. oh, what the hay, i'll go ahead and throw out a quick list...


organize. purge. home projects. balance. project life. pinch pennies. cut calories. move more. communicate. love. kindness. intentional. grace. 


really, it's not much different than any other year. 


here's to a (late) start to the new year. cheers.

right now {5 things}

five things i'm totally loving right now...

:: edamame. even though it's a vegetable, i'm not sure that it's OK to eat this much of anything. i love that coleman knows how to eat it in the pod and one of my favorite things is for the two of us to cuddle up in the recliner with a bowl of edamame to share. 

:: garage fridge. for years i have wanted a refrigerator in the garage. the main reason we didn't have one is because it was always too messy. after our last cleanup a few weeks ago, we decided it was time. we got lucky and found a great yard sale deal. yesterday i loaded it up with all of our drinks - just in time for summer. i'm giddy!

:: coleman's vocabulary. it is adorable and so much fun to watch coleman learn new words and phrases. it keeps me smiling everyday!

:: pinterest. if you haven't signed up for pinterest yet, you have to go now. it's just the coolest thing ever. my boards are still growing, but you can find me here. oh, and they have a new app now too. 

:: the weather. it's warm (ok, sometimes it's hot). but it's not miserable yet. the evenings and mornings are quite pleasant. lots of outdoor time with my favorite little person. 

today...

:: today i couldn't be more proud to be an american

:: today it didn't "click" when i first heard the news. 

:: today, on the way to work, it "clicked". 

:: today i said an awkward prayer, not knowing if it was ok to thank Him for taking a life

:: today i thought of all the lives lost because of the evil and wondered what He thinks of it

:: today a twelve-old told me it was 'not cool' that everyone was celebrating a death

:: today i agreed with him and was glad that we had a moment chatting about why it felt good, even though it shouldn't. 

:: today i am so thankful for the courageous military that made this justice possible. 

:: today i am even more thankful that no american or innocent citizen lives were lost. 

:: today i hope that families and loved ones of the lost are able to shed one more tear, this time laced with just a tiny bit of closure.

:: today was full of mixed emotions...but ultimately, relief.

God bless the U.S.A.

{15 questions}

one of my favorite blogs is marta writes. when i see a new post show up in my google reader, i get all tingly excited. (yes, i'm a dork like that). anyway...she went on vacation recently and lined up a ton of guests bloggers who all filled out this questionnairre. i thought it would be fun to do my own version...

:: no matter what mood i'm in, i can always go for a: mexican food & music (not necessarily together)

:: my favorite go-to outfit would have to be: for fall/winter it has been jeggings, boots and a comfy but cute top. i'm excited to see what spring brings. i need to go shopping.

:: a good source of inspiration is: etsy.
:: am so glad my parents taught me: (mom) crafty goodness and to value honesty (dad) love of photography & jimmy buffett

:: a song i like to dance to is: anything by usher!

:: i wish everyone knew about: God.

:: the best thing in my makeup bag is: my cover girl simpy powder compact. i don't actually apply it in the morning, but it's perfect for covering yucky spots during the day.

:: my dream spring break vacation spot is: since we're dreaming...a quaint bed & breakfast in tuscany.

:: this may be a surprise, but i am passionate about: i'm not sure that i'm very surprising. what you see is what you get.

:: a favorite book that changed me for the better: the bible (obviously), more recently one thousand gifts by ann voskamp. but i also have to say that i started reading john grisham in high school. i'm pretty sure that lead me to choose my major, consider certain career paths and brought me to my current love of crime dramas (tv, movies, books).

:: one of my pet peeves is: people that drive slow in the left lane.

:: my favorite daily ritual would have to be: morning coffee and quiet time

:: i am trying to be better at: patience. patience. patience.

:: the most recent rad thing i found online was: pinterest

:: i can't live without: my family (if we're speaking materialistically, my camera)

right now {catching up}

as you  may have noticed...i haven't been around much. i thought it'd take a few minutes to catch you up on my life as it is right now.

<> i am learning to live with allergies - something i have never had before. a couple of weeks of exhaustion, several days of sneezing & watery eyes that were previously foreign to me, combined with a couple of sleepless nights eventually led me to my doctor's door. one shot in the rear and two prescriptions later, life goes on!

<> as you know from my multiple postings, i am now the proud mother of a two-year-old. with that came lots of party planning over the last several weeks. and a house full of friends and family this past saturday.

<> on sunday, i hosted a bridal shower for matt's niece (yes, you read that correctly. two back-to-back parties at our home). lots more planning and decorating and another day full of guests.

<> four days later, matt and i are still trying to reclaim our home. we are getting there. slowly.

<> work has been insanely crazy. it's good crazy, but so ridiculously busy.

<> my mom has been suffering from some pretty severe back/shoulder pain lately. many doctor and hospital visits, tests and plenty of meds. she is trying to mend and we're happy to learn it's nothing super serious (though that doesn't make it any less painful for her).

<> i am three episodes behind on american idol. blasphemous, i know.

<> i am reading one thousand gifts and participating in the online book club. i was staying on track until last week. right now, i think i am two or so chapters behind. i'm ok with that. i'm really trying to take my time with the book, the videos, and my own personal journaling. i'd rather be behind than to rush through it. i've also started my own list, working my way to 1,000.

<> above mentioned book has taken over most of my morning quiet time. this means i have not made the desired progress in finishing up the Bible. though i wanted to stay on track with that, this book is good and it's not always feasible to devote the time during other parts of my day.

<> coleman has turned from an early riser to a ridiculously early riser. though there are still some days when he may not wake until 6:00 or 6:30, it has become all too common for him to wake anywhere from 4:45 to 5:15. there does not seem to be any correlation between his bedtime, medicines, etc. we are fresh out of ideas. this, too, is interferring with my morning readings.

<> we have had some beautiful spring weather during the last several weeks and we have been enjoying it immensely. this week is a bit chillier (highs in the 50s & 60s), but we will survive.

<> spencer's baseball season is in full swing. he is tackling both a travel ball team and a recreational team at the same time. he currently has practice 5 out of 7 days a week. matt and i think it's pretty insane, but we will see how he does.

so, there you have it... my life in a nutshell. no pictures. no fancy words. just life...

<> my *celebrate february* post is ready to go except for pictures

<> i'm really behind on my photo process. hope to work on it some over the weekend.

<> coming soon: my february goal progress and march goals.

<> since i missed *dieting for dummies* this week, i'll just play catch up on sunday.

one little word {focus}

as in years past, i decided to stay on the ali edwards bandwagon of choosing one little word. i knew my word early this year, but i wanted to live with it for a short while before sharing it. (you might remember that i changed my 2010 one little word mid-year). i mentioned it back in early december and surprisingly, it hasn't changed yet. (sidenote: ali even has a year-long class to support this idea now.)

so, yup...that's the word - focus. it's not a very exciting word in and of itself. but it's packed full of meaning and intent. let's start by looking at it's actual definition:

fo·cus   [foh-kuhs]

–noun: a central point, as of attraction, attention, or activity

–verb: to become focused.

—synonyms: center, heart, core, nucleus.

i was a little disappointed that the dictionary definition of my dear word wasn't more exciting. and then i saw the synonyms. and it all made sense. it was perfect. focus is about the heart, the core. last year, i strived for balance and was able to eliminate some less important things from my life. things that were stealing time from the core. now that i know what matters most, it's time to focus, focus, focus.

it can seem like a harsh word but that's not how it feels to me. it feels right. it feels like hugging a child or lounging with my family. it feels like pushing aside the grocery shopping so we can hang out in the front yard (something i did this past weekend). it's connotation is actually comforting to me.

and just in case there was any doubt about my word, as i went onto the smashing magazine website recently to choose my free monthly desktop wallpaper, i ran across this....

so, here we go -- 2011 -- the year of focus.

cheers.

goal update {january 2011}

in early january, i laid out goals for the month based on my goals for 2011. my plan is all about taking baby steps to tackling bigger things and was partially inspired by the concept of 3 in 30, as presented by ap freewriting 101 and the tuckers take tennessee.

my concern was tackling eight mini-goals in a month might be too much. so, let's see how i did...

{organization}
purchase and implement a system for organizing coleman's toys in our den. complete.
we are considering the addition of a toy box also, but right now, this is working well. my other small organizational project was the dresser in our bedroom.

{time management}
master using my new organizational binder and daily calendar. complete.
i have spent the month using these things daily. i absolutely adore my moleskin weekly notebook. it is truly perfect (particularly for work). though my new binder is bulky, it has been incredibly helpful to have everything together in ONE spot. i am thoroughly enjoying both pieces of my new process. i plan to post more detail on this now that i've tested it for a while.

{blog improvement}
choose a digital kit to use when re-designing the blog. complete.
i purchased a kit, at a great price. the colors are reflective of my *color crush*. as for blog content, i seem to be struggling the most with weekend posting. this is partially a good thing because it means i'm living life and enjoying my family. but i'd like to get better and scheduling posts to come out on the weekends.

{scrap studio}
re-claim the room from the havoc reaked during the holiday season. sort of complete.
i have worked on tidying up this room. a couple of times. and then it falls apart again. it's definitely in a better state than it was during the holidays, which is good. the bad thing is that i'm now planning two (back to back) parties in our house at the end of february. this room will become the "catch all" for party supplies and planning so i need a way to keep that organized and tidy!
as for scrapping...i didn't. but i did order a photobook from shutterfly of our december family photo shoot. i also ordered prints from snapfish that completes coleman's first year.

{weight loss}
this is actually going to be more of a three-fold goal. instead of just saying "lose 5 pounds" in january, i want more tangible & specific goals that will hopefully lead to weight loss. complete +.

1. do the elliptical four times
2. go on a walk four times
3. brainstorm healthier meal ideas with matt

i did a lot more in this area than i set out here. i joined weight watchers and lost 6 pounds. i did the elliptical machine exactly 4 times (though it wasn't consistent each week, as i would prefer). i nixed #2 because it's just too darned cold. and, amazingly i got on my bicycle once (for a very leisurely ride) for the first time in probably two years! i can't say that we accomplished much with #3...i am eating healthier but not doing such a great job of working with matt on that.

for more details on my weight loss adventure, check out my weekly *dieting for dummies* series: january 16 + january 23 + january 30

{faith + spirtuality}
read 4 chapters of the New Testament every weekday morning. complete.
as of today, i've read through the Book of John and i'm currently in the Book of Acts.

{financial}
put together a realistic monthly budget and review in detail with matt. complete.
this one got put off to the very end of the month. but, matt and i did finally sit down and review our february budget. we have vowed to discuss our finances more openly and consistently (instead of just letting me deal with everything). we also made a "wish list" together of bigger projects/purchases and prioritized them. as a bonus, we had our taxes done on the last day of the month. Wooohoo! nice to have that out of the way so early.

{writing}
finish reverb 10 prompts here on the blog and write four journal entries. complete + half complete.
i did complete writing based on the reverb prompts, but i actually only completed two journal entries.

reflecting on the month:
i took a long look at this list after about 3 weeks into the month. i realized that i had done a great job in most areas. so, where was i struggling??? financial, scrap studio and writing. those became my priorities for the final week of the month. it's good to know my weak spots so i can make more effort next month.

coming soon: february goals

looking back {2010}

last year, i posted a pretty long list of goals for the new year, and then provided an update in july. you can read the original posts here: look forward 2010 and mid-year update.

with 2010 wrapping up, i figured now i have to fess up on how i did... i will try to keep it brief (as opposed to the original posts!). a post with 2011 goals is forthcoming.

{project 365}
did as much as i felt comfortable and considered it done. moved on.

{coleman's first year album}
carousel is completed. actual album is in progress but not done. as this point, i'm hoping to have it done by his birthday. shame. shame.

{patience + attitude}
i still have a long way to go with this

{balancing}
this became an even bigger deal after i started going into the office everyday again. i'm getting better.

{scrap studio}
no progress. big goal for 2011.

{library of memories}
very little done. not a priority, but still a long-term goal.

{creative outlet}
not much scrapbooking done. minimal creative things accomplished. still a big priority.

{weight loss}
nope.

{couponing simplification}
i think i did a pretty decent job of reducing the complication i'd created here. my big thing is allowing myself to not *feel guilty* any time i shop and don't save a ton.

{refocus at work}
yup. new job responsibility helped significantly.

{spirituality}
new church home - failed miserably. daily time with God - check!

{financial}
not so good. jumping back in for 2011.

{friendships}
getting better!

{this blog}
posted more consistently but didn't make some of the bigger scale improvements that i would've liked.

see...i told you i'd keep it short and sweet.

{lots of nothing}

it's 9 a.m. I've been up for 3 hours. Coleman and I have accomplished absolutely nothing. I'm not even sure if the nutrigrain bar and grapes I gave him actually constitute breakfast. And I know my 3 cups of coffee don't. Matt is sleeping (he worked last night). Spencer hasn't woke from the dead yet. Our morning has included lots of cuddles in the recliner under my favorite blanket, CMT, and iPhone play (for both mommy and Coleman). It's been so unproductive that Coleman hasn't even had a temper tantrum or been put in time out yet. And so lazy that he's starting to act like he's already ready for a nap.
I am pretty sure this is what a vacation day is supposed to look like.

{happy thanksgiving}

happy. happy. happy thanksgiving!

yesterday, matt and i were both not feeling very well. so, this morning, we are thankful for feeling better and being in better spirits. i'm thankful that coleman is napping right now (before we head out) and that we have family with which we will celebrate this day. i am thankful for our plans for this evening and looking forward to welcoming the christmas season officially.

in honor of this day, here is the final installment of my gratitude list...

if you missed the first two, you can find one through fifty here and fifty-one through one hundred here.

(101) glue

(102) umbrellas

(103) books borrowed from my sister

(104) harris teeter

(105) matt's recliner

(106) white wine cake

(107) flash drives

(108) deviled eggs

(109) antique stores

(110) macy's thanksgiving day parade

(111) guest posting

(112) mucinex-d

(113) writing prompts

(114) calendars

(115) highlights

(116) spencer being old enough to watch "adult" shows with us

(117) spencer liking the same types of shows as us

(118) being able to return things you've bought

(119) journals

(120) hygeine products

(121) flashcard app on my iphone

(122) evernote

(123) good doctors

(124) throw blankets

(125) lady antebellum

(126) fleece

(127) awards shows

(128) christmas music

(130) baby wipes

(131) gloves

(132) insurance

(133) ziploc bags

(134) dried cranberries

(135) steak

(136) cell phone chargers for your car

(137) chapstick

(138) horses

(139) cuddleduds

(140) christmas lights

(141) cameras and photographs

(142) fantastic photographers

(143) game shows

(144) pretty jackets

(145) airplanes

(146) country music

(147) free desktop wallpapers

(148) you tube

(149) sunflowers

(150) all things cowboy/western

i apologize if any are repeats. i tried not to, but didn't check the first lists to be sure. and i could definitely keep going. so blessed. so much for which to be grateful.

i hope you and your family are celebrating your blessings and gratitude today.

happy thanksgiving.

gratitude {the list continued}

so...i thought after i knocked out 50 things pretty quickly in the original list, that any subsequent *grateful* list would be more difficult. i was wrong. here's another 50 that were pretty easy!

(51) bags. totes. pocketbooks. handbags. purses.

(52) scarves

(53) lotion

(54) organization

(55) CMAs

(56) nice people answering phones

(57) roasted pumpkin seeds

(58) chocolate

(59) dry erase boards

(60) flickr

(61) men and women who serve in our military

(62) an important win for spencer's baseball team

(63) coaches that will fight for their team and what is right

(64) my red wraparound sweater thingy

(65) gamecocks pulling off the win to become division champs

(66) lady antebellum

(67) wagons

(68) my car - ford edge

(69) lowe's free delivery of appliances

(70) my two favorite coffee mugs

(71) mobile RSS reader app

(72) quality family suppers

(73) my warm, cozy bathrobe

(74) bubble baths by candlelight

(75) a kick-butt coworker

(76) groupon

(77) southern savers

(78) coupons

(79) having supper ready for me after being stuck in traffic

(80) programmable coffee pots

(81) bagels

(82) cream cheese

(83) GLEE music

(84) digital music

(85) search engines

(86) fall colors

(87) target dollar spot

(88) fun socks

(89) red shoes

(90) sharpies

(91) pasta sauce that isn't mostly tomato

(92) powerpoint

(93) rite aid

(94) eye glasses

(95) facebook

(96) color printers

(97) dishwashers

(98) pacemakers

(99) cuticle oil

(100) ups and fed ex and the usps

gratitude {the list}

as part of my attempt to focus on gratitude this month, i thought i would start with the basics...listing things for which i'm grateful. i will continue (randomly) throughout the month to see how long the list can grow. these lists will include anything from the *big* to the *small*, *important* to *not so much*. i'm sure this first list will be one of the longest.

today i am incredibly grateful for...

(1) my growing faith

(2) our home

(3) technology that makes staying in touch so easy

(4) a kick butt sister that watches coleman a lot

(5) discovering inspired to action and implementing my morning quiet time

(6) my hubby that loves me despite my muffin top

(7) the gamecocks having a decent season (even if they did just get slaughtered by arkansas)

(8) friends that we can rely on no matter what

(9) cute shoes

(10) having a wonderful woman that watches coleman when we can't

(11) my iPhone

(12) music

(13) that my toddler loves music as much as i do

(14) travelling safely to and from cleveland last week

(15) water

(16) cute note pads

(17) texting as a source of communication when chatting isn't an option

(18) my laptop

(19) clearance finds at target

(20) hot tea

(21) blogging

(22) coffee

(23) pumpkin spice creamer that is available in grocery stores

(24) good neighbors

(25) having so many boys coleman's age on our street

(26) spencer being such a good student

(27) free digital scrapbooking classes

(28) having a job in this horrible economy

(29) my husband having a job in this horrible economy

(30) awesome coaches

(31) microsoft excel

(32) fun little notebooks

(33) color. color. color.

(34) microwaves

(35) flash drives

(36) mcdonalds french fries

(37) a cool mom who makes me fun stuff like aprons!

(38) a family full of scrapbookers!

(39) gray

(40) rubber-like covers for my phones that absorb the shock of crashing to the floor

(41) sticky notes

(42) the internet

(43) DVR

(44) Glee

(45) good books

(46) the Bible my father-in-law bought me several years ago

(47) blogs

(48) for a washer that lasted 9+ years and only cost $250

(49) for a dryer that only cost $250 and 9+ years later is still working

(50) online shopping

ok, i think *50* is a good place to stop!!! i guess i should feel blessed that it was easy to hit 50 and i could easily keep going!

music monday {thankful}

i feel like november is just beginning for me...last week was such a whirlwind. granted, we should all be thankful for our blessings everyday, i do enjoy focusing on gratitude a bit more in november. i don't have any *grand plan* for doing this. my brain is nearing the point of being completely fried so i'm not even going to try something overcomplicated. i just want to focus on gratitude as much as possible and i will use my blog as the means of documenting it.

as i was thinking of the month and gratitude, the first song that popped into my mind was kelly clarkson's thankful. so, that's what we have for today's {music monday}.

apology {m-i-a}

so, today is the day that i finally acknowledge that i've been totally *m-i-a* here in the blogosphere (by the way...i hate that word). other than the late {music monday} post i did earlier today, i haven't posted since october 16th. that's 10 days. a week and a half. ugh! but please rest assured that i have been thinking about you and my dear (lonely) blog.

in attempt to catch up, without repeating things that will eventually be captured on my (late) {this week} posts, here is holly's recent world in a nutshell:

• after the big gamecock win over alabama, we lost to kentucky. it was utterly depressing. but we beat vanderbilt (though it shouldn't have been as hard as it was). we are now ranked #17.
• coleman turned 20 months old
• coleman and i spent a weekend down with my mom, sister and her crew (they had their annual pumpkin carving party).
• work has been insanely busy

• i bought coleman some more one-piece PJ sets. we put him in these as often as possible so he doesn't scratch his legs at night :( i was also able to go ahead and pick up christmas PJs for both boys while the selection was still good.
• i've continued planning the upcoming 60th anniversary party
• my husband started putting my camera in the kitchen cabinet. as a result, i've been taking less pictures. we need to have a little heart-to-heart on this topic :)
• spencer received his first middle school report card (three As, 1 B). pretty good...especially since he's been struggling with math a little. very proud!
• i have bought a few christmas gifts and i'm working to get my brain in that gear of gift shopping
• we found my dream comforter at target (though it's actually a coverlet). of course this happened after purchashing another comforter elsewhere. trying to debate whether to splurge and get it.

• i've continued doing HOA junk until we have our transitional board meeting next month. ugh.
• i am almost a month behind on my {this week} posts, and photo editing process.
• i'm putting together an order at Old Navy online and wonder if i'll actually hit the final "order" button. i'm always shopping online and never order!!!
• i think i may have figured out a "master plan" for our family photo shoot this year. yay!

ok, let's say that's it for now...i'm sure i could go on, but i'm doubting anyone out there is screaming "no, please don't stop rambling! my day will be so incomplete!"...

{and she feels like rambling...}

at the risk of sounding cheesy and cliche...tgif!

my zac brown band playlist isn't long enough. only six songs. it's on my to-do list to download more.

i'm drinking coffee and eating an (incredibly fattening) breakfast from mcdonald's. a friday treat, i suppose (whatever excuse works, right???). i love when they have monopoly. i have no idea why. i've never won anything. which is crazy considering how much mickey d's we eat (shhhhh..don't tell the "mom of the year" judging panel).

i'm wearing new black heels today. i love them. they are super cute and comfortable. a little piece of footwear heaven (oh, and they were only around $30 on sale!). i've been looking for new black heels for a long time. probably close to a year! i knew i wanted a mary jane style and it's been pretty hard to find. then *boom* they were everywhere. i guess i just needed to wait until fall. this picture is similar to mine, but not identical. mine don't look like a dead animal.

spencer has junior cotillion tonight. he totally flopped at doing his "homework". we need to figure out a better way to explain the demons of procrastination to a twelve-year-old. or we could try flying around the moon and would probably be more successful.

what did you think of the duet-themed glee this week??? i liked it (you're shocked, i know). my favorite was definitely the sam/quinn duet. what's up with puck not being on? i didn't even get the heads up about that happening! is anyone keeping track of how many barbra streisand songs have been done? two upcoming issues. first of all - it's not on next week, GASP! second...not sure how i feel about the whole rocky horror thing. but to get in the spirit, matt and i may rent it sometime before the glee episode airs because i've never seen it, DOUBLE GASP!



i'm super excited about the weekend. why? i'm supposed to be scrapping tonight with a neighbor. the weather is supposed to be gorgeous and we are planning on visiting the pumpkin patches. then, of course, there is gamecock football. good stuff. but mostly...because i actually get to see my family!