O, what a night!!!

Jessie Tate and I were background extras last night on FNL. It was a great night. All day, we had been hearing about the possiblity of severe weather happening while we were filming. So between our rain boots and ponchos and Jessie's interest in all things meteorological, we were as prepared as can be.

We got to the set with about a half hour to spare and the mood was awesome. a lot of the old timers had been booked for that night and there were lots of hugs all around. It was humid outside and thought it was still clear, you could feel things building out there.

After doing all the stuff we needed to, to get checked in and after eating some dinner, we finally went out onto the field. Our family was seated pretty much front and center. I wasn't feeling the greatest, physically, last night, so I was going from dozing to having to get up and move around as much as I could.

During one of these times I was walking around, Jessie and I saw Kyle Chandler. We caught his attention and he came over and gave me a hug and I told him that this would be so long for a while, as i was having surgery over the next few weeks. He asked what surgery and looked concerned as i told him. Jessie came up then and shook his hand and told him that this would likely be her last time filming as well. He asked her why and she replied that she was going to school. Kyle asked Jessie where she was going and she replied Tech. Kyle nodded and seemed to approve, which is a good thing, because how disappointing would that be if Kyle was not supportive of anyone going to Texas Tech? Kyle's daughter chimed in and was asking about her going to school on Saturdays like it was a foreign concept!! Jess said, yeah that people go on Saturdays and Ii said that if she was lucky, she could so some classes online and stay home in her bunny slippers.

After a few minutes, I pulled Kyle aside and told him that I had heard about his Pilot opportunity and i knew that he was going to have to make some tough choices for him and his family over the next few months. I told him that I would be praying for him and his family that they would make good decisions that they would be happy with. He looked touched and then smiled and said that he would just throw darts.

We went back to the stands and just relaxed while they were setting things up. It was the first game of the seasons and we were so happy to be there, but we were all mindful of the approaching weather and were curious about how things would be handled.
A little while later, Connie Britton and the young lady who plays Mindy Riggins were escorted into the stands. One of the P.A.s took a look at our family and moved us right below and next to the two of them. We got to talk to Connie, Stacie and brad for quite a while between scenes. Connie was concerned about the weather and we spent time talking about Texas' weird weather. All the while, the storms were getting closer and stronger.

We filmed for a few more hours, then were were told to change and move over to the other side of the field. While we were setting up, Jacob, one of the P.A.'s told us that if it were to rain, we would evacuate to a bunker on set. The show was trying to film as fast as they could. They were laying down and pulling up track as fast as they could and were rushing through scenes, trying to race against the weather. After a while, it was obvious that the weather had the upper hand.

The wind started blowing and the rain starting coming down and before we knew it, we were grabbing are stuff and running to this so called bunker. we ended up going into the Quality Inn and sheltering there for a little bit. While we were there, they fed us Subway and we were able to access WiFi, which helped us all keep up with the weather. The weather wasn't really bad at that point. It was really windy and spitting rain, so Jacob told us we were going out onto the field. We were walking back to our places when we saw this far off flash of lightning and just like that we were wrapped.

I have never seen production move so quickly. After we were organized in lines where we needed to be, we were out of there within 15 minutes from wrap time. we saw some lightning coming home, but honestly, I think this was a case of a whole lot of sound and fury signifying nothing. It was the first game of the season, and possibly my last for a good long while and I feel like it was quite the adventure and a good way to go out.
Clear eyes, full hearts....