My Time with FNL

Recently, I had the bitter sweet privilege of filming the final Austin games for the show, Friday Night Lights. This show has been a huge part of my life for the past four years. I'm a fan of the show, but I'm also a background extra. I started out getting booked in the hopes of meeting Kyle Chandler. That turned out to be just the beginning of an amazing chapter in my life and my family's life.

The first scene we filmed was a church scene. The cool thing about that was, that it was REAL! A real worship service going on while we were filming. How cool is that? When my kids and I showed up, we met the most interesting people and were introduced to a culture that I never knew existed. It was like dropping in on another planet. I was hooked.

The next filming was also a church scene. I actually found the nerve to tell a production assistant about my son and his cancer and ask if there was any possible way we could meet Kyle Chandler. After we were done filming, we got to meet him and he was beyond gracious.

And from that point on, I, along with my family have been devoted extras. We've done football games, church scenes, restaurant scenes. I've been a wife to numerous men and and a mother to numerous children. I've laughed and cheered at pep rallies and I've cried at a funeral. I've worshipped in at least two churches and have eaten my way through many restaurants in Dillon.

I've met celebrities, aspiring actors and folks who love the show, and like me, want to support it in the most tangible way possible. How many people get to actually work on the set of their favorite show, alongside their favorite actor? It's been one of those unusual blessings in life that I thank God for often.

That's not to say that all is perfect in Dillon. There have been some times when I wonder why I'm doing this.

The process of being an extra is very much like the military. There have been some report times as early as 6:00AM. You show up on set half asleep with wardrobe in hand and are immediately herded into a sign in line. Once you're signed in, you fill out your voucher, then you wait in the wardrobe line. The wardrobe line is reminiscent of my days in basic training. The wardrobe lady looks at what you have, inspects you and tells you what to wear. After that is all done, then you hurry up, get changed and then......you wait. and wait and wait and wait. Then just as you get lulled into relaxing, the production assistants come in and start barking orders. You're then told where to stand, when to walk in and what to do as often as it takes to get the scene right.

There are times when the weather is not on your side. In Texas, the weather can go from 90 degrees to 50 degrees in a half hour and you have to stay in the cooler clothes for the sake of continuity. The call times can be hard to deal with. I've had early morning call times and I've driven home from filmings as late as 5:AM

There are extras on the set that are so ambitious and competitive, that they'll gladly step on you on the way up the ladder. The lying, tattling and pot stirring could rival any soap opera. And conversely, there are extras that are just there to either meet Tim Riggins, or get an easy paycheck for little or no work. It's amazing how shocked some of these folks are when they realize they actually have to work to get that check.

All in all, it's been an unforgettable ride. I can't believe it's been four years. This experience has changed me in ways that I never thought possible. I'm not afraid of little things anymore. I'm not such a homebody anymore. I have more confidence in myself and I'm more willing to try new things. This show has really taken me out of my comfort zone and for that I will always be grateful.

Some really cool memories...
Meeting kyle!! What an awesome, humble person he is. He has made me and my family feel special and for that, he will always have a special place in my heart. What a treat it has been watching him do what he does best. I've gotten to watch him turn into Coach Taylor. I've gotten to watch him fool around on set and show us his food and throw a football around like a big kid. I've gotten the opportunity to share my faith with him, tell him how I feel about him, that I pray for him and his family, and that I'm thrilled that they are all here in Texas together. I wish Kyle the best and i'm so glad that he was Coach Taylor.

Showing up on camera!! OMGosh, this was the one thing that always surprises me. I never go into a scene trying to get on film, so seeing myself is always a special treat. First time i showed up on camera was season two, sitting right behind Landry. You could see me for a whole five or ten seconds. I was floored!! I've showed up a few more times since then and it never fails to make me all giddy inside.

Being a fan on the set. I'll never forget filming a dance scene on a Friday Night, watching Friday Night Lights in the holding area while waiting to film!! I have no words to describe how surreal that was.

Friday Night lights and my faith. I'm a born again Christian. Since this show came on the air, i have felt compelled to pray for the cast, crew and the show in general. The fact that my first booking was a real church scene, just showed me how this show can be used to connect Hollywood and God in a real and powerful way.

The friendships. I have met so many different kinds of people through this show. Before FNL, My circle of friends and aqaintances were either military spouses like myself, or friends from church, again, like myself. I've met people from this show that I never would have met otherwise. I'm so blessed by the friendships that have been formed over the past four years.

Friday Night Lights and life imitating art. My son is a junior at Judson high school, a football powerhouse here in Texas. Before this show, he had no interest in football or FNL. After watching a few episodes, he became a fan. He opened his eyes to the world around him and started to show an interest in high school football. Today, he's the Judson athletic photographer, and an aspiring film maker. His  biggest influence? FNL creator, Pete Berg.

The cool factor. I can't tell you how many people think i'm just the coolest person on the planet because i'm on Friday Night lights. I have to admit, it's fun having an instant ice breaker at parties. I really do get a kick out of hearing people say that they've seen me on TV.

So that's been what the past four years has meant to me. People have asked me if I'm sad about this show and this chapter of my life coming to an end. I am sad to a point, but then i think back to an interview with one of the producers. He said something to the affect of there was a story to tell and when that story was finished, the show would be finished too. I have every confidence that this story will have a good ending. I'm so blessed to have been a part of it all and I'll never forget it. Clear eyes, full hearts....

What a week(end) i've had. I was supposed to go in friday for my day surgery. its a D and C and an ablation. it's a day surgery that is under sedation that is supposed to lessen my period flow. I went to the preop on thursday and was told to report to day surgery at 11:00 this past friday. Rick and I walked into the hospital friday and it was as quiet as can be. It turns out that because of memorial day, it was a down day at the hospital and day surgery was the only clinic open.

There were two people ahead of me. A man who was already in when I checked in and a lady who's appointmen was an hour before mine.

They started my IV, got me into a gown and told me to wait. We we waited and waited. then the docs came out and told us the man had complications and they needed to keep the OR open so my case would be delayed a bit. So we wait some more. In the mean time, my period started and between the cramps and the gushing everytime i stood up, it was getting to be a nightmare and I just wanted to get this done.

So a few hours went by and I had nothing to eat since the night before. It was getting really tense. Then at about 5 or 6, the docs came out and told me i would not be getting my surgery that day because the man had to be opened back up three times and was now on bypass. I couldn't get mad at that because that poor man was probably dying and one of the other patients saw his family out in the waiting room crying, so what could i do, but just pray for this family.

So my surgery is rescheduled for 7 June, this Monday. In the meantime, this weekend, I had the very worst period ever. I could barely leave the house, it was that bad. The good thing is, if i had any second thoughts about getting this done, this weekend just strengthened my resolve. There's no way on this planet I will go through another period like that if i can help it. Not much new with FNL lately. Between my kids, my other job and this surgery, it's barely on the stove, let alone the back burner. I think this week, I'm going to focus on my kids' last week of school, get my preop stuff done(again) and just relax.

Lots of stuff...

Life has been pretty busy lately. Last saturday, my doctor called. My ablation surgery has been scheduled for May 28th, which is perfect. It's the Friday before memorial day, which give me plenty of time to rest and get back on my feet. i'm looking forward to getting past this and moving onto a healthier life.
My oldest, Josh is now a licensed driver. He went in and took the test about a week ago and passed with flying colors. Oh the freedom!! He's really enjoying driving himself to work and being able to choose where to go at will. I'm enjoying it too. He's a good driver and it's fun watching him be so grown up!

Rick and I spent this weekend on the set of FNL, filming football games. The first night bordered on unpleasant. Between the humidity and the mosquitoes, and our confusion with the call time, it was a little bit stressful to say the least. Saturday night, on the other hand, was the perfect filming experience. The school we filmed at had an air conditioned holding are. The weather was perfect and the field was pristine. rick and i got there super early, were able to sign in, eat and were sitting outside relaxing while our less fortunate counterparts were still stuck in line.

It's amazing what a difference a little bit of experience can make. Rick and I have been doing this so long that we have figured out the ins and outs about wardrobe, signing in, comfort items and so forth. I actually felt sorry for the folks who hadn't done this before. They were the ones who ended up waiting in line after line, hot back aching and frustrated while rick and I hardly waited at all that night. The crazy stuff we see people trying to do on the set is just amusing.

My real job, up at the church has been just awesome. Last weekend, I was blessed to have picked up some extra hours and just loved it. Between toddlers and my threes, I've been getting plenty of cuddling opportunities. It's funny how things have switched up for me. I used to be all about filing, filming, filming. And childcare was great, but it wasn't filming. Now, I find myself on the set, wishing I was up at CBC being with my kids. I guess i'm finally seeing things for what they are. This whole "acting" thing has been kind of a selfish whimsical pasttime, while my heart really is with my preschoolers. It amazes me how many background extras, props with a pulse, who have never really "acted" are all about themselves being serious actors.

 I mean, who wants to crush their dreams, but my goodness, the way some of them act, it's like they think someone is there that night to discover them. You have these little things that dress all sexy because they're sure tim riggins is going to sweep them away, to ladies my age that go on about "the business" and get all dolled up, trying to strut their stuff because they're sure this is going to be their big break. And some of these women are competitive!! Heaven forbid, you get a camera time and they don't! LOL It's kind of funny. or it would be if it wasn't so sad.  I mean, hello!! You're NOT an actress, you're NOT ACTING! you're JUST a background extra, a dime a dozen, GET OVER YOURSELVES!! Definitely NOT how I want to spend a whole lot of my time. I guess it's  not a bad thing FNL is coming to a close. I've had fun dipping my toes into the shallow water of show business, but i'm ready to dry off and get back into the real world.

This and that....

So yesterday was a red letter day for my oldest. He got the camera he's been pining for, for months and he passed his driver's test and is now a licensed driver. I picked him up from school early yesterday and had a couple of hours with him before all this exciting stuff happened and I could feel all the excitement inside him. Way to go, Josh!!
This weekend is going to be all about relaxing. Josh and I will be working childcare, but when we're home, we're just going to chill. It's been ages since we've had just a weekend to hang out, read,  play games or do whatever. I'm so looking forward to some downtime. I'm so looking forward to the summer and having my kids home for the most part.

In the latest episode of "As The Uterus Turns"....

I just talked to my OBGYN, who is very much on board with doing an ablasion in the next couple of weeks. My blood pressure seems to be doing what it needs to on the meds and an Ablasion would be an outpatient surgery as opposed to a hyster. And if it doesn't work, we can discuss the hyster option. So, I'm waiting to hear back on a date and all that. I'm hoping it's soon.  

~~~~HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY~~~~~~

So, this week has been a rollercoaster. After being told that a hysterectomy would not be a good idea because of my high blood pressure, I went to my primary doc and was put on a low does blood pressure medicine. During this time, I've been thinking long and hard about the hysterectomy issue and i'm starting to feel like it's not such a good idea. Both my doctors seem very much against it and really, at this point, I'm not sure I'm in a good place to have something that radical done at this point.

So, I'm thinking about option number two, the endometrial ablasion. I'm not opposed to having NORMAL periods. It's just this heavy duty stuff that's really hurting me month after month. So, this week, I'll be calling my OBGYN and telling him that I'll go with the ablasion in good faith, but that if it doesn't work, then the hyster discussion will be back on the table. I'm not going anywhere. My doc isn't going anywhere. My uterus is obviously not going anywhere, so I have time to try other options.

In other Zello news, Friday was Relay For Life. Benji raised $105 for our adopted team, friday Night Lights, tacklinf cancer. He got a certificate for being the youngest survivor and he got to carry the flag, along with the oldest survivor across the finsih line of the survivor lap. My other son, Josh stayed home that day and finished moths of hard work on the video for the luminaria ceremony. It was a great, but tiring night. yesterday, I spent most of the day on the couch nursing sore legs. That'll teach me to not get in shape before relay. today was about the most perfect Mother's Day i can remember. I wroekd with my threes today and ministering to them while their mommas got to go to church was the best Mother's day gift I could have given myself. I actually told my boss I wanted the summer off on sundays, and then got put back ON the schedule because these kids are just grtabbing my heart ever Sunday. I'm so blessed.

This week is going to be a relaxing one. No filming, thank goodness. I love it, but I really have stuff to catch up on and not having to drive up to Austin this week will be a well deserved break.

Today was a great day!!!

Gasoline for the trip to BAMC----$3.00 per gallon

A Smoothie for Benji for being such a good patient---.5.00

Magazines for mom in the waiting room----$2.50 each

Lunch for all of us in the hospital dining hall----$5.00

Hearing your child's oncologist say, "Everything looks good, don't come back, unless there's a problem"---- PRICELESS!!!!!

This moment and other moments like this, is brought to you by a God who answers prayers and gives us miracles!! Thanks to all the prayer warriors out there!!! Seven years!!!!!! And he's cured!!

After his checkup, we had a hot dog at the hosptial, went to Best Buy to play with iPads and then had smoothies together, while facebooking each other. it was what Benji wanted to do and it was a blast. A great way to celebrate!!