My brother is what you might call a character. He’s just as mischievous now as he was when he was 14, and he has never ever in his whole life met a stranger. In fact, if he met you right now, he would ask you question after question until he figured out a person the two of you might have in common. And then, when he discovered the common friend, he would say, “Don’t you remember when she lived in that house on Oak Street? You know, the one that the So-And-Sos lived in before they moved to Illinois in 1975 when their grandmother passed away and they inherited that baby grand piano that they donated to the church and then Miss Burnett played “Standing On The Promises” at the piano dedication service and forgot the notes when she got to the chorus and we all got REAL tickled? Yeah. I loved that house.”
A character.
Well.
Saturday morning after breakfast the little man and I walked down to Brother and Janie’s condo because we were all going swimming together. We were sitting around waiting for everybody to gather their stuff when my brother said, “I think I’ll run to the grocery store real quick and pick up some turkey for lunch.” Janie and I looked at each other and grinned because, well, my brother LOVES to grocery shop. LOVES IT. Maybe it’s the 21st century equivalent of hunting and gathering. Maybe it’s the side of him that likes to take care of people. But for all of our adult lives, if anybody needs anything from the store, Brother is the first one to jump in the car and go. In fact, I am firmly convinced that one day when the Good Lord calls him home, Brother is going to ask if he can have just a few more minutes so that he can run by Fresh Market. And then he will tell God that Fresh Market’s meat REALLY IS THE BEST.
So Brother set off for Publix in search of turkey, and Janie and I speculated about what else he might pick up while he was there since it’s never just one thing with him at the grocery store. He’s always going to find a new kind of barbecue sauce or stock up on his favorite mustard or see some special kind of seasoning that looks like it would be really good on steaks. The whole thing just fascinates me. My personal theory is that because Brother is a successful businessman whose work tends to fall on the extreme side of MIND-NUMBING PRESSURE COOKER, the grocery store relaxes him. Transactions are simple there. Nobody wants to negotiate.
Janie and I took the boys to the pool, and after about an hour and a half, Brother joined us. And he brought a bag of gifts with him.
As he was opening the bag, he told us how he’d gone to the grocery store and gotten turkey. And, well, some bread and Cokes and a tomato and a head of lettuce and some mayonnaise and Provolone cheese and Pringles. And then he saw a store in the same shopping center that specialized in SEC spirit wear, and they were having a sale, and it was sales tax-free weekend, and he thought they might have some Ole Miss shirts for his boys.
Yes. You read correctly. Ole Miss shirts. Because he and Janie both went to Ole Miss. And Sister and I, if you remember, both went to Mississippi State. As did D and my daddy. The Bulldog / Rebel divide can make for some tense Thanksgivings, but by and large we all try to be (relatively) good-natured about it. Janie is actually the best-natured of us all and will actually send congratulatory texts when State has a big win in football or basketball. EVEN AFTER THE EGG BOWL.
I’m just not that big of a person, y’all. Keep in mind that I still haven’t seen The Blind Side.
Anyway, Brother told us all about the store with the SEC merchandise and how the owner said business had really been tough this year. He thought he’d look around and see if he could find a few things, and while he was buying for Janie and the boys, he picked up some stuff for Alex and me, too.
Doesn’t that just warm your heart? The Rebel season ticket holder of 20-plus years bought MSU merchandise for his Bulldog-loving sister and nephew. AND SOMEHOW THE WORLD CONTINUED TO SPIN ON ITS AXIS.
Alex is crazy about his hat, and I have to tell you that those flip-flops made my whole day. I’m going to WEAR THEM OUT this football season. And maybe – hopefully – I’ll be wearing them out while I’m receiving congratulatory end-of-game texts from my sweet sister-in-law because the Bulldogs are at the top of the Western division and headed to the SEC Championship game.
Remember: football season hasn’t started yet. All forms of championship-related optimism are still perfectly permissible.
It’s good to have a dream.
Oh, I NEED some of those!! They are adorable…and I just have to tell you that we JUST had a conversation at our house last night that went something like this “Yes, when we win the championship we’ll buy a bulldog….” To which my kids said, “THIS YEAR?” Oh, our dreams are big…huge even!! (BTW, the Shrader clan en masse will be at the MSU-KY game…can we see you there?!)
I love that he got you those flip-flops! That is such sacrificial giving. I do hate to burst your bubble, though, about that championship game dream…..and maybe I can pick up some Razorback flip-flops for you to wear when we’re in that game!!……just sayin…..GO HOGS!!!:)
Those flip-flops will keep you mighty comfortable on your trip to dreamland….everybody knows the HOGS are gonna win the SEC west this year!!
Dear Bulldog Mama,
This reminds me so much of wearing a NY Yankees cap as a teenager. People would comment on it all the time… especially if the yankees were having a poor season… I usually smiled and nodded, too sheepish to admit that I was not a NY fan, any team’s fan or a baseball fan for that matter… I had bought the cap because I liked the color!
Love,
Glad The World Kept Turning in NE
OH my. So much here.
Football, Heaven, family, food, and Standing On the Promises…
Now I am REAL tickled.
Well, you DO know your brother well!!
Thanks for the sweet words! ;-) I am LOVING my OLE MISS flip flops too!
Had THE BEST time!!!
xoxo
This post just made me smile, as I have engaged in some sacrificial giving myself recently. Oh, yes ma’am, I did…A die-hard Ohio State Buckeye, I purchased several University of Michigan outfits for my little brother’s sweet baby boy, my beloved nephew…at a local garage sale. (No sense in paying full price for Michigan stuff…I mean you have to draw the line somewhere! =)
Ha! That is so sweet of him. I would not have understood the rivalry between the two teams if I hadn’t seen the Blind Side. My goodness!
It’s funny how deep the rivalry goes in the South…we don’t have much of that up here in the Northland. I LOVE football, though. I am in the house on Sundays watching football and my hubby is outside playing with the kids. :)
Don’t stop believin’, BooMama.
Oh my…. I may end up with some of this around my house if baby girl decides to head to Miss State. She’s leaning that way.
Brother is a better person than I. If I saw fsu merchandise there’s no way I’d buy it for my favorite cousin who is a seminole, no way at all.
You must see The Blind Side. You will love it. Trust me on this.
And, finally, just two words:
GO GATORS!
this IS the year!! Go DAWGS!
Oh, what a sweet brother you have!! But I do have to add……GO REBELS…..Hotty Toddy!!
But I do L.O.V.E. your blog!
In some ways, this is the best part of the year, when we can all believe our team is the best b/c we haven’t lost a game! Nothing against your bulldogs, but WAR EAGLE!!! I so want to go to that game in Starkvegas, but it’s on a Thursday night and hubby’s got meetings that day (his boss is Ole Miss, ’nuff said about that).
PS B’ham is my hometown, but I love Jackson too.
Awww …. You make me laugh!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who refuses to see The Blindside because of the Ole Miss connection.
Awww…what a guy.:o) In our family, everyone roots for a different team, from MS State to Ole Miss to Tennessee to Florida to Alabama. It’s a very confusing time for me since I am SO into football and I want everyone be happy and just get along (insert eye roll). But my husband has taught me to say Roll Tide, so that’s what I say.
Roll Tide!
Your brother sounds like a real character, and a very thoughtful one too!
Oh, your brother sounds like a treat!
Aren’t pre-season hopes the best? Every year at this time I just KNOW the Hogs are going to win the west. Hope your Bulldogs do well (outside of Nov. 20th, of course)!
I am cracking up, because I JUST now realized why you haven’t seen The Blindside! Haha! I don’t love Ole Miss either, but that’s just because I am a MAJOR Razorback fan- and we have some issues with our dislike of Houston Nutt… :)
Woo Pig, Baby! I am SO, SO ready for fall and football!
If bacon had been mentioned this well could have been the *perfect* post.
Thank you for making my day!
I can’t believe he brought himself to spend money on Mississippi State merchandise. I mean, if I spent a dollar on a UGA hat, I think my Georgia Tech family would simply disown me! But then…perhaps, in trying times, if I were supporting my local Publix, MAYBE my Daddy would forgive me…
http://www.laundryandvodka.com
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!
I had some white MSU flip flops last year and they are now gray. I LOVE those and I loved every second of that video!
Oh Boomama… I’m so sad that you haven’t seen the Blind Side yet!!! I admit that, being from CA, I have no clue about how hard it would be for you, but I have faith in you that you could just PRETEND that every time they say “Ole Miss” they’re actually saying “Mississippi State” and you would be okay because it is the best movie I have seen in so very long. Just use your imagination, girlfriend and you’ll be okay! : )
My southern born but Iowa raised daughter has chosen to return to her roots and attend the University of Arkansas. GO HOGS! However, she still loves her Hawkeyes and can’t resist buying up some Iowa clothing before she heads south. She thinks that won’t be a problem since SEC and BIG Ten are different conferences. Bless her heart. They might run her out on a rail before she gets moved in!
House divided, eh? I can relate. I went to Oklahoma State University, THE university of Oklahoma…and my husband went to OU (I can’t even spell it out, it pains me too much). Even though my beloved OSU ends up quite often on the lower end of the scoreboard during the Bedlam football game…I still cheer them on, each and every time, and will continue to do so.
I got some houndstooth flip flops that I can’t wait to wear in a few weeks. If you haven’t been to FlipFlops and What Nots in Cahaba Heights you are truly missing out. They have every type of flop you can imagine….from wedges to foam ones, Dr. Shcolls, etc. Such a cute shop!
3 words – ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!
Oh, the pre-season hopes and dreams! I am a UT fan (the real UT-Vols!) and to say we’ve been through the wringer is putting it mildly. Rationally, no Vol fan should be particularly excited about the upcoming season. But, what SEC fan is rational?? I’ve got to get some orange and white flip flops, stat!
Oh how I love this post! The talk of football just warms my heart! I do have to say Go Rebels, but my dad did go to State, so I try to be sympathetic.
I am expecting a baby in 8 short weeks. My husband keeps counting down to football games. I have to remind him that we are also counting down the delivery of a baby boy!
Oh how I LOVE the SEC!
I’m just super impressed that he knew your size for the flip-flops! ! ! Go Brother! ! And I have to say YAY SEC! ! !
haha! There is nothing better than SEC rivalry in the fam – makes the whole season so much more fun!
Oh, and uh … WAR EAGLE! See ya on the field Sep 11th :)
oh I NEVER could or would have purchased the “school up north’s” merchandise. Never, ever, ever. I’m getting worse in my old age. Look forward to seeing you in Oct., well maybe. Might be bannished from my home for that wkend or I might get lucky enough to play airport taxi at least one time.
Your sister-in-law is indeed a better person than me. I want TSUN to lose every single game they play. I can come closer to pulling for BAMA than TSUN. Love the flip flops, I actually have a pair (one of my 4 pair of MSU flip flops) Love my DAWGS and hope springs eternal in the preseason.
You must come for Ladies Football Camp next summer–too much fun. Also love that first comment on this thread is from Carol–I do love how many mutual friends we have :-)
BOOMAMA, YOU MUST SEE THE BLIND SIDE! I was totally prepared to hate it, but doggone it, it was super. Even Sandra Bullock, whose acting abilities I normally would not call stellar, was great.
When Greg’s Bulldawg season tickets came in the mail last week, he looked like a child at Christmas!! Just a’grinning!! But you really must see The Blind Side. Even if they are Rebels, it is a wondermous movie. And tear provoking. And heart tugging. Dang it, I may have to watch it again.
When I read that he stopped at a SEC Spirit shop, I thought he’d found a store that sold church shirts.
Delurking to say we are serious as a heart attack about this stuff in my beloved ACC too! (but no one in my family would dare go to the “Enemy” school!)
p.s. You would be able to get through the Blind Side. I think they talked less about Ole Miss and spent more time hatin’ on Tennessee. As long as you aren’t a Volunteers fan you will be ok. :-)
What a wonderful brother!! He sounds like my oldest son. It would be a riot for the 2 of them to meet. It would be an all day event but hilarious just the same. There is no doubt in my mind that, within minutes, they would know several people they both knew. Too funny!!!
Tiger bait!!!
What a special brother you have! My husband won’t wear anything red or blue, and we have not watched The Blind Side either!! And no congratulatory texts are ever sent to any of our friends that are rebel fans, that’s for sure! Anybody who does can’t possibly be a true State fan!!!!!!
My ENTIRE family consists of Tennessee fans, except hubby and I. We are DIEHARD GATOR FANS. We cannot wait for college football to begin (and bring some cooler temps!)
I was raised a Rebel fan while the rest of my dad’s family are State peeps. Every year after the Egg Bowl the winner gets to call the loser and brag just a little. My Aunt took it a little further one year when State “happened” to win and got my dad a special Christmas present. It was a stuffed bulldog that played “Who Let the Dogs Out”. It was hilarious! The next year when the Rebels won, my dad gave her the dog back.