{"id":17885,"date":"2012-09-01T12:12:15","date_gmt":"2012-09-01T16:12:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/?p=17885"},"modified":"2012-09-04T03:08:47","modified_gmt":"2012-09-04T07:08:47","slug":"10-commandments-of-football-fandomkickoff-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.janicefergusonsews.com\/blog\/2012\/09\/01\/10-commandments-of-football-fandomkickoff-11\/","title":{"rendered":"Kickoff ’12 and 10 Commandments of Football Fandom"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Legendary Tim Tebow spending a little time with Robert, Laurel and two of their lucky friends.<\/p><\/div>\n

Finally, it’s here. The 2012 SEC college football season started Thursday night with the South Carolina (W) vs. Vanderbilt game. Friday night, Tennessee (W) played\u00c2\u00a0 NC State.\u00c2\u00a0 Bob and I were hunkered down in front of the tv for those games, our appetites whetted for today’s Gator game against Bowling Green.<\/p>\n

For the past nine months, we’ve waited for kickoff. Around the country, and especially in the South,\u00c2\u00a0 the date of your team’s opening game ranks in importance way above Halloween, which is now reckoned as the most popular secular holiday in America.<\/p>\n

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my children and their spouses Swamp bound–off to the game<\/p><\/div>\n

In the Ferguson family, it is a date to which we have been counting down since\u00c2\u00a0 January.<\/p>\n

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Six year-old Laurel taking a half-time break<\/p><\/div>\n

Judy, Merry, Amy, Mildred, Sophie and other readers know what I’m talking about.<\/p>\n

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Amy made this for her little Georgia Bulldog fan, Kennedy.<\/p><\/div>\n

Those of us who love sewing can find projects for all the important components of our lives:\u00c2\u00a0 our families, our churches, our homes and for some, our football passion.<\/p>\n

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A little Tiger fan received this from Amy.<\/p><\/div>\n

For tailgating, I embroidered aprons for the “kitchen staff,” which included all the ladies, even this student from our hometown.<\/p>\n

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cute tailgator design from Embroidery Library<\/p><\/div>\n

Even off season festivities warrant some Gator stitching.<\/p>\n

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3 week old Laurel at her first Gator football event, held by Coach Zook<\/p><\/div>\n

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Laurel attended the summer Gator Club gathering wearing this little outfit, with matching cap embroidered with her name and the same bluebirds and orange ribbons.<\/p>\n

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I’ve made or embroidered Gator gear for everyone in my immediate family (starting at birth for the grandchildren), including maternity shirt<\/p>\n

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DIL Shelly, 6 weeks before Robert’s birth, with Laurel at her second Gator Gathering. Pique and pima cotton gingham were used for Laurel’s outfit.<\/p><\/div>\n

I’ve stitched team gear for some in my extended Gator family, including my physical therapist (and former Gator football player) Roger who supervised my rehab after knee replacement.<\/p>\n

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Roger’s size 3XLT shirt<\/p><\/div>\n

And our veterinarian and his family,<\/p>\n

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Our vet and his family, including his granddaughter Alysha.\u00c2\u00a0 All of whom have worn Gator shirts that I embroidered for them.<\/p><\/div>\n

including my godchild Caitlin (Baby Alysha’s mother, not pictured), and others.<\/p>\n

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Alysha’s shirt<\/p><\/div>\n

Tonight, I am embroidering new Gator shirts for Laurel and Robert to wear to the season opener on Saturday night.\u00c2\u00a0 Alastair’s shirt is in the stack. Last year’s outfit is too small, of course.<\/p>\n

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Getting their shirts ready is as much a harbinger of fall as cooler (slightly!) temperatures and color in the Golden Rain trees.<\/p>\n

Adding to the interest and excitement of another college football season was a\u00c2\u00a0 recent Southern Living article.\u00c2\u00a0 I loved it.<\/p>\n

10 Commandments of College Football Fandom<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n