A Christmas Poem From AM~Erica

So anyway...

I penned this in 2006 to be a children's nativity play. I thought it would be fairly easy to track down a version of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" with a spin of the telling of the Nativity Story to be adapted into a narrative children's Nativity play. To my shock...there wasn't. So, with a copy of the original poem, a plate of pumpkin pancakes & some coffee at IHOP, and opening myself up to His Word & guidance...I just wanted to be a vessel in His storytelling. And this is what happened. And we did a play that year.

And I wanted it to have the same kind of feel of being gathered around the selected family member to read the story of the night before Christmas by the fire, everyone in their jammies getting ready for bed in anticipation for the following morning...

So, I have made it an annual thing to share it with anyone who is willing to read it.

As your Christmas season winds down, don't forget what was actually going on that night. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

(a few revisions to wording from it's original debut...still the same story)

I bring to you now, "'Twas the Night That was Christmas":

~~~~~~~~~~

'TWAS THE NIGHT THAT WAS CHRISTMAS

‘Twas the night that was Christmas, when all through the stable,

not a creature was stirring beneath the barn’s gable.

The signage was hung outside the inn with care

with the statement of “No Vacancy” there.

Poor Joseph, with Mary about to give birth,

traveled to Bethlehem to pay up their worth.

Only a stable stall left to shelter Mary from danger

so she could bear a son and place Him in a manger.

***

The shepherds were resting upon the hillside

of Bethlehem’s outskirts, where their sheep do reside;

after making sure no wolf was around,

they took a nap right there on the ground.

When all through the skies, there arose such a clatter!

The shepherds sprang up to see what was the matter;

they each picked up their staff and their sash

to see that an angel appeared in a flash!

“Please, don’t hurt us,” they shouted and prayed;

the angel of God said, “Do not be afraid:

I bring you glad tidings with good news to tell!

The Savior is here in a manger knell.”

Then heavenly hosts joined in from above

to help deliver this message of love:

“Glory to God in the highest, and peace on the Earth

to all whom His favor rests,” was sung of the birth.

“Now run, see the babe in swaddling clothes –

you will find Him in the stable where the large starlight shows.

We give you our word, and on angels’ wing

your flocks will be safe as you bow to the King!”

***

Now there were magi from the Orient, afar,

who studied the skies and found a new star.

They told this king, Herod, by name,

and he sent them to follow after making this claim:

“If this leads you to the ‘King of the Jews,’

please come tell Herod so he can praise the little King, too.”

But the magi knew (because they are wise)

that what Herod wanted was the baby’s demise.

So, off they set, with no plan to return,

bringing with them gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh.

The journey was long to find Joseph and wife,

and the baby boy Savior, who would change every life.

That star shown brightly, much more than the moon;

a spotlight for the One delivering God’s people soon!

The stage is now set for those who come by

to listen to the mother sing a soft lullaby.

Now lay there, the babe in the manger stall,

being adored by those who received the great call.

So tiny, yet regal, in such a low place,

adorning a halo surrounding His face.

God chose to come to the Earth as a child –

(to be with, and like, the ones that He’d styled)

as a sweet baby boy in a place so lowly,

to arise so divine, and perfect, and holy.

The time has now come to worship and sing

that Jesus Christ is crowned Savior and King!

Now the Savior is here to save us from strife!

So…Merry Christmas to all, and to all, eternal life!

~~~~~~~~~~

Merry Christmas, everyone! May it be merry, bright, meaningful & thoughtful.

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica Makes a Shameless Plea

So anyway...

I'm just going to come out & say it...
YOUR VOTES ARE NEEDED!!

Not a lot of build, not a lot back story (OK...maybe some), but I am asking for your support for a good cause. And I will plead a case for it, too.

Here's the deelio:
Teen Girl's choir from #Truman is in a #ChristmasChoirCompetition (oops...creature of the hashtag habit...explain in a moment) for a local radio station, 99.7 The Point. It's a big deal, yo! It's for a $5,000 prize for the school's choral department!

After sending in a recording of a song they did for their Christmas concert, the field of high school choirs were narrowed down to a top 8...in which they made! Yea!
And after lots of text voting & hearing a clip of them singing on the radio each day, the field was narrowed to the top 4...in which they made! YEA!!!

Here's where it was getting tougher...
Not only are they drumming up the popular public vote thru texting, but they got to sing live in front of the judges! But this was no small hoop to jump thru. It was SO COLD OUT!!! Yes...they sang outside! BRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

But I will tell you this choir was AMAZING! So proud of how they did!

Impressed? You should be!!

Now, beyond this performance...it's time to plead their case for your support:

1. They have made incredible strides. Their director, Kim Evans, is only in her 2nd year here. She has been amazing for this group of talented singers!

2. Truman is the only public school on the Missouri side. The others are an all boys private school (anyone in the area knows what school that is), and then two schools on in the Johnson County area. You figure this out.

3. While other schools dream of using the $5000 on big trips to far away places & brand new equipment (because they already have decent funding of sorts), Truman would love to have a budget & be able to use it for things like continuing to have concerts & cleaning their robes. Maybe even to pay for bus transportation for the regional choir competition. Funding for the arts, at Truman, continue to dwindle to move funds to a football team who can't win a game. It's a shame. The $5000 would be substantial for this choral department.

4. They kept hearing about having the best day of their lives on Wednesday. Come to find out, Wednesday morning, the $5000 will be awarded to the winning school along with the band, American Authors, to help deliver the check & to include the winning choir in their next music video. I'm serious, people!

Does this help at all? If so...here's how you can help this group of young & super talented group of singers:

1. By texting...a lot! Til your fingers hurt & your phone starts smoking! Send the word PATRIOTS to 47183. 

2. You can use #Truman on Instagram & Twitter. Oh...also...a lot. Also use #ChristmasChoirCompetition with it. (Look familiar?)

The top 2 left in the competition will be announced at 7:10 AM tomorrow morning! Hopefully #Truman will still be in the #ChristmasChoirCompetition!

Get voting, people! The judges are watching...

Please help if you can...and stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

**********

Update: 12/16/13

Thank you to all who voted & supported this fantastic group! The announcement was made this morning...and...
...the two Johnson County schools are the ones left in the top 2.

So sad & disappointed for Truman. They needed that funding. Badly. But alas...the local judges still are biased to money. You know the adage of you need money to make money? Yeah...that. Apparently.

Still very proud of how Truman's Concert Choir did. What an awesome choir they are!

But, alas, no more voting for them. *sigh*

Oh...and congrats to the other schools & stuffs.

AM~Erica's Grown Up Christmas Wish

So anyway...

The tree is up & decorated...OK, actually 3 are up & 2 are decorated. The stockings are hung, there's been some snow around already, the holiday music has been blaring for longer than most would like, and many are attending Christmas events, as well as buying & wrapping presents for under the tree. And, for many of us, our Nativity Scene is in a prominent place.

It appears that it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Wouldn't you agree?

I have been taking the last several early mornings & late nights just admiring the tree in our living room. It's a 9 foot tree that has white lights, colored lights, and a few of them slightly twinkle. There's a small handful ornaments left from the first tree my hubby & I had together, along with a collection of newer ones from pretty much each year. There's bows & candy canes, there's bells & poinsettias. Father Christmas, our very first & still favorite tree topper, holds some of the colored lights in his hands as he pulls them from his red velvet bag; sheer white ribbon spirals from the top to the bottom of the tree with a swirly snowflake pattern. It all sparkles, shines & glitters as the ornaments reflect the different light effects dazzling from them. The shiny paper & ribbons of the gifts under the tree catch the soft glimmer, too. It's an amazing sight.

Even though our tree is artificial, it still smells like a Christmas Forest in here. Being in Colorado, for a week over the summer, changed us. It just did. But can you blame us?

Our view from the balcony of our Colorado townhouse we stayed in
...it was our glorious view every single morning

And we made the decision to enjoy our artificial tree, but wanted the scent to waft thru the house, too. We have a Glade plug-in with the holiday scent of Sparkling Spruce. Very fitting for our tree, I must say. So just taking in the scent & the sights in the calm, peaceful & still moments (there are a few) of the early morning & later evening is so blissful.

*****

Several weeks ago, I found a pair of shoes that I had been shunning for a very long time. I'm not sure what it was about fuzzy moccasins that repelled me so much, but they just did. I had seen that they have been & would be a big trend, but I didn't get it. However, Teen Girl was wanting some so badly. Figures. So I saw some on sale, plus I had an extra discount...so...we went to get some for her. And as she was looking at them, giddily, and trying them on, I became more drawn to them. I joined her in trying some on...and that's all it took. I had to have a pair, too. With that, I have worn them nearly every day. Seriously.

But Wait! There's More!

As I was researching the pricing of these moccasins, I also saw some brightly colored ones. I couldn't seem to find them in store...but I know what size I wear in them now. And there was a pair in Chiefs' colors!!! Umm...of course I needed those. Amm-i-rite? So of course I ordered them! So I now have two delightful pairs of this comfy footwear! I highly recommend them. Seriously.

*****

Several years ago, when the family took a trip to Springfield, MO, we visited the Bass Pro Shop there. I'd been before, but something about this trip stuck with me. What was it?
Was it the boats? No.
Was it the fashion sense? Um, no.
Was it the great prices? No.
Was it watching someone feeding the giant fish? Not necessarily.
Was it the wildlife museum? I don't think so.
Was it the food? Meh. Huh-uh.
Was it the hunting gear? Not a chance.
Was it the strategically placed taxidermy? Ye...uh...no way...
Was it the decor? Ah...now we are onto something...

It was the lodgey decorum of the Bass Pro in Springfield that made me want that cabin feel at home. And I began to search out how to work it. But I didn't want big, bulky chairs & antlers everywhere; instead, I wanted the feel of a lodgey inn, but more contemporary & elegant. We've made strides toward that look in our living room. It's evolved here & there, but it's our general basis.

Because of this, we are so drawn to the rich & bold pattern of the red & black buffalo check look, and we see some beautiful plaids that make us swoon. I purchased a bright red plaid throw at a fantastic auxiliary thrift store years ago...and it's been used so much. So when we see other blankets/throws, throw pillows, etc. with these plaids, we stop & admire the decor & decide if it's something we could use &/or should get.

Jump ahead to about a month ago...
During one of our routine Walmart shopping trips, my hubby & I came across one of the most beautiful throws we have ever seen! It was a rich red & black plaid. The plaid side was so super soft to the touch, it felt like a heavenly cloud (or what I might imagine that to feel like). The reverse side was a faux lamby, fleecey sherpa material that seemed so warm & cozy! Sadly, we couldn't get it in that visit...but maybe in a future one...

As the fall began to let winter into it's time frame, the thought of being curled up by a fire with one of those throws sounded good. And then we got some sicky peeps in the house...and, with hubby being one of them, was begging for one of the throws. So I went to get some medicine & a throw...but, with the wide array of patterns, I could not find the gorgeous plaid. Hubby said not to worry about it until we could find the one we wanted...

On a different outing, we excitedly went looking for our red plaid throw. But...no luck. We did find a really pretty green & blue plaid though. It was the only one! So we got it. And, in just a couple of days, everyone seemed to be fighting for its use! It's like being wrapped in a warm, heavenly cloud. So, we decided we needed another one...

As we went to find the original red plaid, or to find a match to the green plaid...there was no luck. Geez, these are getting harder to find! But...we found only one of a pattern so striking that we couldn't pass it up! It's a red, ivory & navy (with some gray) wintery, Nordic look. It's kind of fantastic. So we nabbed it!

Our sherpa throws: Nordic & Plaid

There are a lot of hideous patterns in these throws...but if you can get one...DO IT!!! They are disappearing very quickly!!

*****

Folks, it's a beautiful Christmas-spirit moment to be able to have the lights turned down, a fire roaring in the fire place, watching the tree twinkle while smelling the Christmas Forest it could have come from, wearing fuzzy moccasins that are getting quickly worn out from the use, and wrapped in this delightful warmth of the sherpa throw. Even better when you have a hot drink in your mug (like coffee, hot chocolate or cider) with your hands cupped around it. Yep...that's the stuff, people!

So, my grown up Christmas wish is nothing like Steve Martin's (if you are familiar with his SNL skit about this).

Not a great video of it, but it's still his holiday wish. 

*has adult themes, yo*

But it would be more like wishing everyone could have an artificial tree with manufactured pine scent (so there's very little work involved), a pair of fuzzy moccasins for warm & comfy feet, and a sherpa throw to feel like you are cuddled up in warm cloud sent from Heaven. It's the winter combo of the angels, I tell ya!

And, just to make it more clear about the shoes & blanket:
I am appalled by the Snuggie. I cannot even fully put into words how much. However...if there was one done in the sherpa throw style...I would wear it out! Really. I would easily be a "People of Walmart" as I grocery shop in my sherpa Snuggie, flannel pajama pants, thermal shirt, and fuzzy moccasins. Oh yes...it wouldn't be attractive, but I'd be warmer & more comfy than most other shoppers. I'd probably be happier, too.

So, just to be very clear, I'm wishing you all:

*Peace on Earth & Goodwill
*Fake Tree with glimmer & Manufactured Pine Scent
*Fuzzy Moccasins & Sherpa Throws
           ...which leads to...
*Comfort & Joy

Glade Plug-in (see it?), sherpa throws & fuzzy moccasins...
...and an artificial Christmas tree
This is a pic of Comfort & Joy, people

Merry Christmas..and God Bless us...everyone!

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica Has Some Crazy-Talented Friends

So anyway...

I love trying to be creative. With my dance & theater background, my draw to fashion & costuming, and the most recent one being cooking/baking (with a blog of it right HERE), I love putting it all to use. I sing a little, I draw a little, I write a little...but I just tend to put it together in my head & see what comes out. However, I'm creative-not-crafty. If you have me try to actually make some kind of decoration or kid craft...you'll realize it was not a good idea.

However, I have friends who are like me...plus ones that do so well things that I would love to do...but I'm pretty wrapped up in a lot of other things...motherhood included. But I have friends who cook well, write well, sing well, sew well, crochet/knit well, and sculpt well, paint/draw well...you get the idea. So many things I wish I could do, or do better...but I have these fabulous folks to live vicariously thru.

**********

Just over a year ago, I volunteered to help out a high school friend who is an absolutely amazing artist! She was looking for folks to just do a "quick" sitting (of 3 or 4 hours) so she could hone her skills in being a faster painter. I volunteered to be a test subject...

The time I set up to sit with her, it was the day after the funeral & burial of MY FRIEND, RENEE'. I was in a very melancholy state of mind that day. Being able to just sit, listen to music & reflect about what had just happened & not having to do a thing was actually very therapeutic for me. Plus...it was a very low-pressure setting. And...it was awesome to see & spend some time with my friend, Tina, again. When all was said & done, I couldn't believe how the "practice portrait" turned out:

Very pensive & impressive. I love knowing people like her! And would love to sit for her again if we can work it out.

**********

There's also this awesome chic who blogs & crafts...and is a suburban princess. Some of you may know her as The Mother Freakin' Princess. (Facebook page HERE; blog HERE) She is pink-haired & awesome! She has done this thing where she would send out mail to some of her BFF's (how she affectionately refers to her subjects...or followers/fans...or BFF's). When I got my real mail from her (which was super exciting) and I opened the envelope to find this:

Glitters & colors, and a big giant 'E'...all for me...from a princess. And she is all crafty & stuffs, too! She just joined Etsy...so I encourage you to check out her stuff & get stuff made from a princess, yo!

**********

I have another friend who I worked with (at the same time as Renee', actually), and she always cracked me up. She's gonna laugh (hopefully) when she sees this...but Louise was always the blonde joke waiting to happen. Some of my favorite times would be when she would tell crazy stories on herself AND act them out! Those are times that rate up there as some of the hardest...like...almost peeing our pants. And she was always so much fun to shop with, too!

There is another talent she possesses...it's art, also. I had seen pictures she'd drawn and photos of her murals & things. I was always amazed by what she could do. She recently opened her own Etsy shop, and she has been working on painting Christmas hat boxes. They are so adorable...in the pictures.

I got a message on Facebook, in the last few days, from my adorable friend wanting my address so she could add it to her Christmas card list! YEA!!!

Today, as I got the mail, I noticed a package on the porch...it had my name on it...and it was from Louise!!! Awwww...I was quite surprised as to what might be inside.

I opened the box & there was a precious note from her, addressing me as one of our rotating pet names that would make you shake your heads, then apologizing for fibbing to me but that I would end up on her Christmas card list, and that she saw this picture & wanted to paint it for me. It was on a hat box, I could tell that. The colors I could see (on the bottom part of the box) made me wonder if it was some Halloween or autumn scene. So I took off the newspaper that covered the top of the hat box...and I couldn't believe what was looking at me! Seriously!

In that moment, I was overcome with emotion as to what was in the box. Floored. Because, I was staring at me...

Is this work breathtaking? My hubby was more than impressed when I showed him, too. Teen Girl was dumbfounded as to what she was looking at. And you might recognize the picture if we are Facebook friends.

This is the picture that inspired her to paint me a hatbox! Oh. My. Goodness.
And...like a true friend...she obviously used the airbrush technique. LOL!

**********

I am delightfully surrounded by amazing people. Amazingly-talented people. I am inspired by them all the time! Even ones I haven't met face-to-face [yet]. Pictures & ideas they post on Facebook & Pinterest of what they want to try or pictures of their actual projects amaze me. So if I ever find out that I inspired them at all...I become this giddy fangirl. I get giggly ridiculous...and emotional. Usually it's shock, awe, and emotions.

The amount of respect I have for my folks who are the actors, singers, musicians, crafters, knitters, sewers, painters, writers, drawers, and most any other kind of artist...you all amaze me. You all inspire me...all of the time. And I am humbled by the lot of you!

And, in the meantime...please go check out these amazing friends of mine! Get some of their stuff! I am in awe of their talents...

Tina Garrett - Professional Artist, Tina Garrett

The MFP - Art Unglued

Louise Irvin - Lou's Paint Shop

Then...they might inspire you, too.

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

All AM~Erica Wants to Do is Give Thanks

So anyway...

HALLOWEEN HAS COME & GONE, and as usual...that means the onslaught of Christmas music, decor & food.

I have said it before, and I want to say it again...
I'm very sad about the diminished & disappearing November holiday.

Last year, I talked about the shocking disappearance of a particular "holiday". (read it HERE)
And, if you read it, you will see it's not the one you might automatically think of.

But, it's worse this year. And it makes me sad.

If I were to take a poll of a lot people right now, and I asked them to choose between a big meal with the family or to spend it in a crowd...most folks would SAY it might be the family time. But that's talk. Isn't it?

The concern of the dwindling holiday of Black Friday is disheartening. Why? Because it's not on just Friday. "Black Friday" has now become just a term for holiday shopping. But there is a bigger issue with this:
What is happening to Thanksgiving? That's a real question!

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THANKSGIVING?

It's enough that each family gets together to decide that "dinner" is at noon, or 2:00, or 4:00...or an actual dinner/supper time of 6:00. Not sure why that is...but eat some breakfast or a decent brunch to lead into the gorging of the feast later in the day. That's all I'm saying. But there's a reason I point it out. If Thanksgiving was already set apart to plan on the eating & the get togethers...then why are we so willing to give in to giving it up?

I still blame KMart. The being open on Thanksgiving to shop is just sad. But they've done it for a long time...and it's pretty much the one gimmick they could hold on to. But now that so many other retailers have jumped on that bandwagon in the last couple of years...I sense this could be the absolute demise of KMart. They did it to themselves...killing themselves ever-so-slowly.

And while KMart is slowly dwindling...so is Black Friday...and so is Thanksgiving.

Now that there has been an outpouring of backlash to the additional retailers jumping on the Thursday "Black Friday" opening...more retailers are making their employees give up a time of thankfulness with loved ones to be ready to slave away on their registers with less-than-thankful customers who only care about the greed of getting stuff for themselves.

Wow...sounds so warm & fuzzy...(yes...that's sarcasm, folks)

People, I implore you: please treat Thanksgiving with the respect it deserves. Eat with your friends & loved ones to be thankful for everything you have; or go help serve meals to the less fortunate. Do NOT...DO NOT...under ANY circumstance give in to the Thanksgiving Black Friday. Because if you do...you are part of the problem.

How soon is it that most stores will open at 6:00 AM on Thanksgiving for their Black Friday sales (which even aren't the real sales anymore, btw) to try to "beat the meal"...but really it will end up having staggered sales (like Walmart is gonna do at dinner time as it is) and the ONE item you want is on sale at 4:00? Then what?

I'll tell you. Thanksgiving will be an oxymoron term for the beginning of shopping, and then Black Friday will be the oxymoron for the rest of the shopping days.

This makes me sad. The greed is greater than the pausing for giving thanks. Shame on you for anyone who is justifying their Thanksgiving shopping! Facebook, Twitter & texting have all given way to the lack of communication as it is. Let's just give another reason to spend time with folks you don't know while being awful to those total strangers...all while ignoring those you should be spending time with...face-to-face...having actual conversation & sharing & laughing. *sigh*

So...it's almost totally official that we are giving the bird the bird. SERIOUSLY!

If anyone takes in the sales...then it's worse next year...
...and so on...
...and so on...
...and so on...

Maybe we need a reminder. And the retailers need the reminder. We all need reminded of Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation:

Click on the photo to take you to easier-to-read text. The overall message is quite important.Oh...and it's pretty much law & stuffs...so...yeah...take note.

What has society turned this into? I can answer that: greedy chaos.

Kelly Ripa (who honestly needs to be a best friend of mine...she just doesn't know it yet) pointed out that she has Thanksgiving dinner at a "normal time" of cocktails at 5:00 (because it's a fancy get-together & stuff) & dinner at 6:00. She pointed out that they have a little lunch to hold them over..."like normal people" (I have to talk to her about that ugly "normal" word). She questioned the chaos of the retailers opening on Thanksgiving & wondered if folks would just enjoy Thanksgiving dinner at the JCPenney restaurant or how it's not the same at the food court.

People who think that TV is worth missing dinner with the family that they camp out in front of Best Buy in a tent & think they should put in an order for someone to bring them dinner should be out the dinner. They made the choice. A sad one...but that's extra greedy!

Not sure at point this would happen at this point.
But I would if I wasn't crashed on the couch...in a food coma.
(pic posted by several friends from LAUGH OR CROAK page)

Folks...while many of you are receiving "Black Friday" *cough-cough* ads, via email/text, I place it in front of you, again, to make plans to enjoy Thanksgiving around the table, enjoying our bountiful lives & loved ones...or get perspective by helping those less fortunate. If it's anything beyond that...you might be part of the problem. We need to make the Thanksgiving shopping phenomenon stop here! Don't give in to the temptations...(trust me - better sales come later) Take back Thanksgiving as the holiday it was meant to be!

Who's in?

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica Still Reveling in the Undefeat

So anyway...

Just as a reminder: I love my Chiefs. In times of good & times of bad...they are my team. Period.

Even thru the last few season that were bleak & sad, I was still cheering for them. It was difficult, but I was still on the bandwagon after so many had hopped off.

Last season? Last season was embarrassing...but the positive thought in the whole thing was that we would get the first pick in the NFL draft! The year before, we needed that first pick. We were on the road & in the "Suck for Luck" race. (Remember that?) But, Todd Haley got us thru JUST enough wins that we could n't even get that. At a 4-12 season, there were worse teams than us...like the Indianapolis Colts who could do nothing without Peyton Manning. So...they sucked enough to get Andrew Luck. And they are doing OK. It certainly didn't help the Chiefs. Figures.

As Andrew Luck seems to be working out just fine in Indy, and after the wake up fiasco of KC trying to make a move for, BUT FAILED TO GET PEYTON MANNING, the ugly season of 2-14 was proof that major changes were in need! So...THE CHANGES BEGAN...

With the mega changes made (i.e. - head coach & coaching staff, general manager, some team, etc.), we were getting hope of possibly a better season. We should be able to better the 2-14 record...even in [yet] another rebuilding year. (How many times have we heard that in the last few years? Geesh!)

The excitement from our new coach & our new GM was intoxicating & contagious! Kansas City was starting to see a resurgence of red jerseys & arrowhead logos again. All in anticipation of a better season ahead! And I'm not kidding when there was such an energy around Truman Sports Complex (home to Kauffman Stadium - home of the Royals, and Arrowhead Stadium - home of the Chiefs) that you could feel in the air when you drove by on the highway. I'm not kidding!!! Even my "who cares about sports" daughter could feel it.

Of course, we didn't want hopes up too high...but anything had to be better than what we had already gone thru...amm-i-rite?

And then, even though overall preseason wasn't great, the official season had begun...

And...the Chiefs won their 1st game...

And...the Chiefs matched what they did last season...

And...the Chiefs won more than they did last season...

And...the Chiefs won as many games as their new coach did last season with his other team...

And...the Chiefs won more than their new coach did last season with his other team...

And...the Chiefs won to match the number of wins they had in the previous 2 seasons combined...

And...the Chiefs won again...to make them the only undefeated team left standing at 7-0...

And...the Chiefs won...

And...the Chiefs won!

The Chiefs stand at 9-0. The only undefeated team left in the NFL as we enter into our bye week to rest up.

Take note, haters: KC is proud of their Chiefs! We have hope again! We know our team hasn't played well...but we've been winning. Regardless of the schedule we were given...we've been winning.

Not only are we the only undefeated team left standing, but the Chiefs haven't gone 9-0 in a decade. Yes...a full decade. And, in this time...we became the loudest stadium in the world! We are the home of the 116; achievers of the 137.5. Just want to put that out there...and it was done in an outdoor stadium built in the 70's...without sound-enhancers. All human-powered noise, baby.

The deafening & beautiful Sea of Red...it's an amazing vision...it's an amazing experience!

We have been so happy with everything going on. It's even brought on something that I had suspected...but was greater than I'd ever thought. Halloween came around...but so was fan costuming throughout the league in stadiums where Chiefs had some away games:

Yes! They play dress up of our now beloved Andy Reid! Some of them need a double take. A quick glance on TV in the stands can look like Coach Reid hanging with the fans. It's pretty incredible!

Plus...the ad team doing the Chiefs Kingdom commercials, ever since we got our new coach, have been so incredible that it can bring chills to a Chiefs' fan.

This is Chiefs Kingdom from Julian Bickford on Vimeo.

You get the idea. There's a couple others I could not get on here...but trust me...they still give chills like these others!

Now then, hubby & I have been observing & talking about what the haters are saying. They are trying to tear the worst-to-first team down now. They argue schedules & weaknesses...and attempt to throw bogus or twisted stats out there. You know what? Those stats might come in handy for game films to research...or for fantasy football. Other than that...the only stat that matters is what the scoreboard ends up: it shows who won & who lost. Simple as that. It's not always pretty. The quarterback is given all the credit for the win (much like a pitcher getting the glory or the blame for baseball wins & losses). It's not that simple. It takes a team.

Not only does it take the team...it takes the fans. It's a winning combination. Especially when you throw in the world's loudest stadium, the Sea of Red...and amazing smells of barbecued tailgating.

And those who have hopped off the bandwagon are trying to catch up & jump back on. And this ship is sailing & gaining more passengers along the way. Why?

So come aboard & brace yourselves. We aren't sure that the streak will last...but we can hope it can. Let's get rested up so we can take on Denver!! You know...the other Manning we need to beat. BRING IT!

Yes...this is totally how I looked going thru Denver (skyline behind me) as we were heading home from vacation...
Sorry Terry...*winks*

Last season, we heard that we were the best worst team out there; this season, we hear we are the worst best team out there. Guess what! We'll take the latter, if this is the case. Because we're WINNING! (sorry for the Sheen reference)

In the meantime, we have a celebratory locker room...with our very own Kool Aid man making his entrance every week...

Maybe the greatest GIF ever

And even though we keep it close every week, no team has scored more than 17 points against the Chiefs so far this season.

So...in the words of our fantastic & more-than-welcomed head coach after he enters the locker room of his winning team:

"How 'bout those Chiefs?"

Yes...how about them? They are in first place. And it feels good! And it's exciting since we will end the season with a winning record no matter what happens now. WOOT!!!

Just proud of my Chiefs. So I had to take a moment to rejoice. It's been a long time since we could feel good about cheering for them...so...

GO CHIEFS!

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

AM~Erica's Choice for Ofrenda

So anyway...

As I enjoy keeping Halloween sorts of things going as long as possible (Right? Click HERE to begin to be reminded.), I stumbled upon one of the greatest cultural celebrations ever, about a year & a half ago! It falls on November 2nd, and is the Mexican holiday of Dios De Los Muertos (aka - Day of the Dead).

It's a little frightening, yet beautiful. It celebrates & remembers those who have gone before us. It's like the All Saints Day that we have come to know it, but with great celebration! Celebrating our loved ones (family &/or friends) is an amazing thought.

There is also beautiful attire for it. There is this fabulous thing called "sugar skull." It is decorated skeletons & skulls. You make yourself look like one, and/or do it by decorating in bright flowers & beautiful colors.

Some of you may or may not be surprised that I tried my own hand at making myself into a sugar skull for the sake of celebration last year:

I have totally become fascinated by this. The whole thing. I started a Pinterest board on the celebration, too. You can have a gander at it HERE. No really...go check it out! It's my board with the most followers by far!

There is also something called "ofrenda"...or the offering for your passed loved one(s). The ofrenda includes things like favorite foods, pictures, drinks...things to remember those who have gone on before us.

Yesterday, I came across something while shopping at Target...

My hubby & I were glancing around at the Halloween stuff on clearance. As we gazed & were still thoroughly entertained by things we were finding, I came across something...

This made me smile...and then giggle...and then I pulled out my phone to take a pic so I could text...it...to...

...oh...wait...never mind...I just started crying instead. Seriously crying. No pic taken of "Trick Arrrr Treat" to send on the Pirate's Booty Halloween pack. Because my instinct was to send it to my friend, RENEE'. And I remembered that I couldn't. It's been just over a year since she passed, and I was ready to send her that pic. And I just stood there crying as I stood next to my hubby in Target. It was ridiculous, but I was really missing my friend in that moment. Thankfully my hubby redirected my attention with his crazy-witty humor as we moved along to the Christmas candy aisle to cheer me back up. Because I really wanted Renee' to get as big of a kick out of that moment as I did. Because I know she would have...

And now, here we are: November 2nd. It's Dios De Los Muertos...and part of my ofrenda had been placed in front of me for my friend. So I got 3 boxes worth. And they are perfect. Not just for the ofrenda that makes me think of Renee', but also because when I got a couple bags of the snack for ITLAP DAY, I discovered that Lil Guy really likes it, too! Now I just need to get Naked (the smoothie drink, folks) to finish off that part of the ofrenda in remembrance of my friend.

 I also want to add Starbuck's, chocolate & sushi to this iAltar to my friend...covered with pink flowers

I will also be remembering MY GRANDMOTHER, who left us 2 & a half years ago. I still get several reminders from her, too. Like the sweet little lady who joined our church recently...
Her man is Santa! And she is his Mrs. Claus...that resembles my grandmother so much. When they joined our church...it shook me to my core at the resemblance! From her stature, to her smile, to her facial structure, to her gentle spirit...yeah...so much.

I want to use this pic of Will Ferrell as a part of my
ofrenda choice for my grandmother. Not only because of the butterflies,
but she would have found this funny. It's right along the lines of our family's humor.

So, today, November 2nd, Dios De Los Muertos will be semi-celebrated as I remember my grandmother & my friend. Love them & miss them so much.

May you, too, take a moment today to remember yours, too. Eat &/or drink something in their honor. Or have something Mexican or Mexican-inspired (here's a few ideas HERE or from my Mexican food Pinterest board HERE).

Also...keep those who have left the Earth before us close to your heart. Like a makeshift ofernda display like I did here:

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica