Well, I have returned from Nashville sans dress with rhinestones. There just wasn’t time. I guess I’ll have to break out my bedazzler and make myself my own dadgum dress with sparkly roses. And, yes, I said dadgum because it’s what Loretta Lynn would do. WWLLD. Perhaps I will start a whole movement.
Anyway, Nashville was so much fun. I’ve only been there a handful of times but it has quickly become one of my favorite cities ever. Don’t get me wrong, we are all TEXAS FOREVER (more on that in a moment) at our house, but I do think Tennessee is absolutely beautiful. Sophie and I spent a large majority of Friday being filmed while riding around in a van and if that sentence doesn’t kind of make you want to come to the .Mom Conference in September then I don’t know what will.
Not coincidentally, Friday is also the day I officially ruled out PROFESSIONAL ACTRESS as a career option because you know what I struggle with? The ability to pretend I’m surprised or frightened or to cry on demand. Even though I used to be very good at crying on demand between the ages of 13-21. I was a real treat back then.
But the best part of the trip was getting to hang out with some friends on Friday night after all the filming was over. We laughed until we cried and then we started all over again. My friend Kelly made homemade pasta (like real pasta from scratch that she made with dough and a Kitchenaid) that changed my life. My only regret is that I neglected to get a picture of the pasta hanging on plastic coat hangers all over her kitchen. It made me so happy. Good times.
Could the lighting in that picture be any worse?
No. I didn’t think so either.
I flew out early on Saturday morning and was happy to get home to my people. P texted me a picture of Caroline on Friday night while they were eating dinner and on their way to a movie.
I had three thoughts:
1. When did my baby start to look so pretty and grown up?
2. How can she eat a hamburger while missing that many teeth?
3. Why is she wearing a dress made out of black velvet in July?
Needless to say, I missed them terribly and was glad to be home. They entertained me for approximately one hour and six minutes before announcing they were heading to the Alamodome for the Texas Trophy Hunters Extravaganza. Key word: EXTRAVAGANZA. Not just a convention or a meeting or a show. AN EXTRAVAGANZA.
So as soon as they walked out the back door, I ran to the DVR to watch the series finale of Friday Night Lights. ****SPOILER ALERT*****
Y’all. It was so good.
I started crying before the opening credits even rolled and didn’t stop for the next hour and a half. I cried when Matt proposed to Julie in front of the Alamo Freeze. I cried when Tim Riggins brought little Stevie to football practice. I cried when Coach told Jess he’d already considered letting her shadow him. I cried when Mindy and Billy brought Becky home. I cried when Tim Riggins told Tyra that maybe someday their dreams might merge. I cried when Coach and Tami took Julie and Matt out to dinner.
And I SOBBED when Coach found Tami at the mall and told her to take the job in Philadelphia.
(I am not kidding when I tell you I haven’t cried that much at some sort of entertainment since I made the mistake of watching Marley and Me and couldn’t pull myself together for thirty minutes after it ended. P told me he didn’t understand why a person would put themselves through that kind of emotional wringer.)
(I’m very sensitive.)
I really thought I’d be disappointed if they didn’t end up in Texas, but it totally worked and felt right. Coach needed to get out of Dillon and have a fresh start. Tami needed the chance to live out her dream. And Tim Riggins? Well, he needed to drink a beer with Billy while they built a house on his land. TEXAS FOREVER.
If you watched it, I’d love to hear what you thought or what your favorite part was and if you think it’s normal that I had to go through half a box of Kleenex before it was all over and will miss Coach and Tami like they’re my favorite next door neighbors who just moved to Philadelphia.
***SPOILERS OFFICIALLY OVER***
P and Caroline made it home from the Texas Trophy Hunters Extravaganza and I was forever grateful that they brought home some of those cinnamon pecans because they’re my favorite. And then we picked up Italian food for dinner and spent the rest of the night just hanging out.
Sunday morning we went to church and then came home to watch the U.S. Women’s team play for the World Cup. In case you don’t know how it turned out, they lost. They lost during the penalty kicks and, personally, I think penalty kicks are a dumb way to end a game. You wouldn’t end a basketball game with free throws. But FIFA didn’t ask for my opinion.
I’ll just take comfort in knowing they didn’t lose due to a lack of patriotic soccer spirit at our house.
Yes. I let Caroline paint my face red, white and blue with a soccer ball on my cheek. I don’t know why. The World Cup enthusiasm got to me. Plus, it kept her entertained for at least thirty minutes.
All I know is I bet the girls would have won that game if Coach Taylor had been their coach.
Oh, and if you need me tomorrow I’ll just be here trying to get the red paint out of my eyebrows.
I watched on Netflix months ago, but because we have no cable I couldn’t rewatch this week. Your recap gave me goosebumps and made me cry. Why oh why can there be a million stupid star trek seasons and spin-offs, but the Taylors had to go?!
It. was. perfect.
Satisfying.
If it had to end, well, this was the way to end it.
I had only seen the first six episodes of the season, so this afternoon I had myself a FNL marathon,watching the remaining episodes back to back. I thought after watching that Kyle Chandler so deserves the Emmy this year-his acting has always been superb, but this season was special. I also found the story arc concerning Vince’s Dad and the recruiting to be very well written and acted.
As for the finale, I loved Matt rehearsing his talk with Landry, and Grandma Seracen getting out her wedding dress. I was going to be upset that we didn’t see who won the state championship and was delighted we found out by seeing the rings on the players fingers, and the sign at East Dillon. Mindy crying when she took Becky home was certainly a kleenex moment, too. Loved coach saying “Clear Eyes, Full Hearts” at the new school, then, “We’ll work on that later”.
Was Lyla mentioned at all? Buddy referred to her in his defense of Tim, but I was surprised she did not come back. I never felt like she and Tim really broke up when she went to college.
There is so much junk on TV today that it’s a real shame that the really good stuff like FNL can’t last longer.
Texas Forever
Loved–LOVED–the final episode of FNL. But, I am still In denial over the fact that this gem of a show is done.
The writing was superb; I was thrilled how well each storyline felt some sense of being complete. Wish there would have been more concrete feelings that Tyra and Riggins were together, although I’ll just choose to believe they are. 😉
Yes,–what about Lyla?! Even if she had showed up as a face in the crowd to support her brother’s football team…
Also, the ‘8 months later’ ending means that Billy and Mindy’s twins would have been born– would have loved to see the twins!!
Oh, FNL. I just wasn’t ready to quit ya.
I’ve never seen Friday Night Lights but I wanted to tell you that I cried at the end of Marley and Me like no one else. I went to the movie knowing full well how it ended (I’d already wept through the end of the book) and was slightly embarrassed to walk out of the movies with my eyes all puffy. I haven’t cried like that until two weeks ago when we had to put one of our dogs down. Bug, big ugly.
WWLLD – I’d buy a bracelet.
Me too.
FNL – So sad that this is the end. But, it was a great ending for sure. Sigh.
.MOM – Will this footage be available online somewhere?? I seriously want to go just so I can get BigBoo live and in person. Sadly, I live on the other side of the country and airfare would definitely cost more than $15.
you are just too darn cute
face painted & all
love your top & your cute hands on the knees pose.
one day i will meet you “live” and i want a picture like that.
i will even learn to make pizza dough & hang it from something
😉
I am so sad that Friday Night Lights is over. High school football was one of the best things about living in Texas and that show helped me not miss it so much. As far as the last episode, the scene in the mall was the best of all. I just wish they would have shown more of the actual game-especially the ending of the game. I wanted to see the crowd go crazy! I’m so glad you wrote about it so I could respond. I don’t have many friends who can relate to my love for football and this show-except my sister and she is refusing to watch the last episode because then it will really be over!
FNL- I am still deeply upset today that the show is over. I may rewatch all the shows again to put off admitting that it has ended. If I had to pick a favorite part , I really couldn’t, I like that they wrapped up everyone’s story lines. My favorite line from the show, was Riggins to Tyra “Maybe, someday our dreams might merge” Or her saying to Riggins, “I have loved you since I was 5 years old” Priceless!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this post. The finale of FNL was pure perfection. This show couldn’t have ended any better!!! Gahhhhhh, I’m gonna miss it so stinkin much!!!! 🙁
I agree that FNL ended perfectly! I cried too, it was a great show and maybe it can help convince my husband that if we can’t move to Texas we should at least retire there!
I bet if Caroline was your make-up artist, you’d have no problem with professional acting. With high quality make-up application like that, how could you not fall in love with your craft?
I’m going out on a limb here and admit that I have never seen Friday Night Lights. But your recap and enthusiasm (you seem as enthused as I am about Project Runway, which is a lot) have me reconsidering. Maybe I’ll find that cable channel that is showing the reruns….
Very traumatic weekend for me – the end of Firday Night Lights AND the last Harry Potter movie? All in one weekend? I just needed Terms of Endearment to complete the trifecta!
Love, love, loved them both!
Didn’t cry, but when I was about to post on FB, ” Going to miss you, Coach Taylor….” I stopped myself!!
THESE ARE NOT REAL PEOPLE, girl!!!
Loved it! 🙂
Sounds, and looks, like you guys had a great weekend!
Yep. Definitely cried. Probably would have cried more if my husband hadn’t been there. I knew that if he saw actual tears rolling down my face he would have made fun, so I kept distracting myself to keep from going into the ugly cry. Such a great show. I also thought it was a little heart-breaking when Becky sent Luke off to the army. Such a great show!
Cried, yelled at the TV, watched at least 3minutes of it through my fingers – on the edge of the couch viewing.
Cried – when Becky went home. Yelled at the TV – when Vince let go of that ball in the end “no, no – catch it! catch it!” Woosh, it was just soooo good all over. BAWLED when they did the 8mos later. Ugh. What will I do on Friday nights?
I, too, can’t believe it’s over! My husband and I were sitting there both pretending we weren’t crying and sureptiously wiping away the tears. I loved Tim and Stevie at football practice, seeing all the Lions coaches at Panthers practice, Jess at her new school with her new team, seeing Landry again (I admit, I really liked him and Tyra and Tim and Lyla – wish she would’ve come back). Oh and every scene that had Coach and Tami talking simultaneousy – those are my favorites! I will miss them!!!
Oh yes, I cried. My favorite too, was Coach finding Tammi at the mall. Love that man!
ESPN Classic is running FNL season 1 episodes if you need a Tim Riggins fix…
oh girl there were tears here too! believe you me..my heart hurt for a few days after the viewing ! i bought the dvd series early cause i couldnt wait this long to see what had happened..im gonna have to rewatch it this day..oo gracious taylors you will be missed! and um yah what about lyla..ill never know what happened to her??? not ok!!
Loved it! I was so proud of my self since I only got misty-eyed during the majority of the show. When they showed Becky kissing Luke Cafferty in his ARMY uniform getting on the bus to Fort Sill…I. Cried. Like. A. Baby. Such a great show, I’m gonna miss it! Good thing I’m a high school counselor and get to live some of it everyday!
Oh, I had forgotten about Luke in his uniform until Debra mentioned it. (I broke down and watched the last three episodes on DVD a couple of weeks ago.) I waited until all my people were in bed because I knew I was going to be doing the ugly cry. I love those people, bad life choices and all. And I knew without a doubt that Coach Taylor was going to do the right thing in the end…it wouldn’t have been Coach Taylor if he hadn’t. I am tearing up again just thinking about it. So sad to lose them, but so grateful for five years of perfect entertainment.
I cried and cried and cried. Best show ever. I loved the Tim and Stevie, Grandma and the dress and ring, at the mall with Santa, Luke saying goodbye. All of it. SO SO good. I’ve got to rewatch it all on netflix because I can’t say goodbye. And Lyla should definitely have made an appearance with Tyra.
well i bawled like an ol’ baby through the whole thing. same parts you mentioned, including grandma saracen and the ring, oh my. i just savored every second. my word it was bittersweet! i, too, started crying when the opening song came on. i just kept thinking about how it was the last one. and then i wondered if i was crazy for being so invested!
I welled up so many times during the finale, but the first Cry I had was when Eric found Tami at the mall and told her to take the job, and to take him with her. The second Cry (and lasted longer) was the montage at the end. Such a well-done show from start to finish, everything a TV show should be.
I cried from beginning to end Both times!! I cried as much as when I saw The Notebook and Marley and Me! Now that’s a lot of tears for a fictional event! I told Big the minute it was over that we were going to get a call from Nena asking who won the game. About one minute later, she had her friend, Jo, call me because they both wanted to know who won the game. I experienced laughter through tears! Looking forward to seeing you soon!
I watched the show on Saturday morning as I did not have the emotional wherewithal on Friday night. I too didn’t want to watch it knowing it was the end, but forced myself to endure.
And it was absolutely BRILLIANT. That’s the best ending to a series that I’ve ever seen. Did we want to know more? Yes. Did we know enough to smile through the tears at the end? Yes.
I started crying during the opening credits too knowing that I would never hear the ‘theme song’ again on television. And cried all the way through. Connie Britton amazes me. Her line last week (I’m going to extend to you the grace that you’ve yet to extend to me and say congratuations) and then her performance this week, especially at the restaurant and during the late night conversation with Eric, and then Julie, just amazed me. She is 100% Texas Woman in this show!
Oh, and is it pathetic that even while reading through these comments that I got goosebumps over and over recalling the scenes that were already mentioned (that I loved as well!)?
God Bless Dillon, TX – the ‘town’ and it’s ‘people’ have brough me much joy during the past 5 seasons.
Clear Eyes, Full Heart, Can’t Lose.
Texas FOREVER.
YES! Tami’s line was my favourite of the whole episode. Her performance was amazing. What an actress.
First of all, I would totally wear a WWLLD bracelet!
Second, The FNL finale is one of the most satisfying I’ve ever seen. It wrapped everything up while staying true to the show. You felt like everyone was going to be okay without the whole “and they all lived happily ever after.” And no matter how many times I watch it, I cry every time.
I was already reeling from the last Harry Potter movie EVER so I was a bit worried about my emotinal state headed into the finale of FNL but I have to say I did a good job of not completely LOSING IT. They ended it so well. Seriously the best finale ever. I will miss them all so much, like if my best friend moved kind of miss them. If you haven’t read this article about FNL you need to! http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/6766070/clear-eyes-full-hearts-lose
I have never seen Friday Night Lights, I loved the movie but never took the time to watch the shows. You have me reconsidering this though! Happy to hear you enjoyed your trip to Nashville. Once again, even though I am not a mommy…yet I would love to attend the .MOM conference. I think you will be an awsome speaker!
First, real pasta? Yum yum!
Second, I love the black dress on C. Classy kid!
Third, You look young painted like a crazy USA fan! 😉
For the record, I loved FNL like no other tv I ever watched. And, since we’re on the record, I watched the entire season a few months ago on netflix so this is a little stale. Please don’t hate me, but I did not care for the finale. I loved FNL because it was so real, untidy ends and all. But except for Tim and Tyra, everything tied up in too neat of a bow. Or maybe I just couldn’t accept there wont be any more of it. Either way….
oh, i hear you bigmama! deep depression has set in at our house! we love the taylors and the riggins! what in the world? why does a great family show have to end?! so sad. texas forever!
I watched it, and cried as well. It ended the way it should, stayed true to the show and characters, and I was happy about that. I can’t pick a favorite part; it was all so good. Though, I really did like it at the end, when Coach Taylor was talking to his new team and said, “Clear eyes, full hearts…” and they did not respond with “can’t lose.” When he said, “Will learn that part later” 🙂
Not being much of an animal lover, I completely surprised myself by crying through the end of Marley and Me, I went in not thinking I would like it much, but ended up thinking it was a really great, sweet, and super sad movie.
And FNL…..so sad here too. Although I felt like they pretty much wrapped everything up with a pretty bow, I still loved it. I loved that Matt and Julie ended up together, but loved Coach and Tami’s reactions to it too. Billy and Mindy dropping off Becky was a highlight for me too. and I loved seeing Landry when I didn’t expect him. I kind of wish that they would have at least referenced the whole Landry/Tyra thing and I still think that Lyla should have been back for Tim since that was kind of the focus for a few seasons of how he was so in love with her. I kind of liked how it was fairly open ended with Tyra/Tim. If it had to end, I really liked they way they chose to do it. Would love to see someone get an Emmy out of it too!
I didn’t watch it but my husband did. He said that he was really glad that he was by himself when he watched it. He’s really sad that its over with.
It was a tough weekend for me – FNL ended, the US lost the world cup and I went to see the final Harry Potter – I was emotionally drained by Sunday night!
I cried the same way during the final episode. Every moment, especially with Coach towards the end, that I saw as the “last” made me cry. When it was finally over and my husband looked over at me crying I managed to say “They’re goooone”. It’s probably good for me to admit they’re gone and because I live outside of Philadelphia and I was a little too excited to think that the Taylor’s were living nearby!
Since then I’ve been reading article after article and watching clip all about making of the show. THere was one video that was dedicated to Tammy Taylor’s y’alls – it was priceless!!
I SO want to see that Tami video! Love her! Is it on YouTube?
Here is the link, let me know if it doesn’t work!
http://youtu.be/vihYkEAQ_DY
Just recently started watching Friday Night Lights (thank God for streaming on Netflix!), and am so addicted. We’re into season 4 and are torn between wanting to know what happens, and knowing that the end is quckly approaching. Can’t wait to watch it all, then start over at the beginning!
This is where I admit I saw the last episode months ago because the day Season 5 came out on dvd I had to have it. I then proceeded to spend the next week in FNL heaven. Oh the end. Sigh. All the scene you mentioned…. and the end as you saw each of the characters doing their thing…. and the end with Tim and Billy. Sigh. The whole episode was a great goodbye. I do however miss the characters and started re-watching from season 1 on netflix. Because I needed those characters in my life. I love them so 🙂
I then sent the dvds to two of my dear friends who live in different states so they could watch and then we could talk because I was dying to chat about it all with someone!! Now that everyone has seen it I just love hearing everyone’s thoughts!
Love the last show so much. My favorite parts were aplenty but I have to say the final pass that ended with a fast forward to the future where we get a glimpse into everyone’s life now. I have to say I cried when Mindy and Billy took Becky home and I cried when Coach Taylor told #5 that he would never know how proud he was of him. Got me right in the heart!
I was not one of the fortunate ones to watch FNL from the beginning. In fact I’ve only seen the last two seasons. Needless to say, I will be watching ALL of the other seasons so I can really appreciate how it all ended. Why do the really good shows have to end but like another reader said… we can watch Star Trek for another hundred years?
On a parting note, I gotta admit I daydreamed about living in Texas someday…and then I remember the heat.
I have no idea what I will watch on TV now. seriously. It was the only thing left worth watching that doesn’t come on Bravo.
My daughter and I have watched it from the very first episode. We are so sad that it is over. Totally feels as though good friends have moved away never to be seen again.
And yes, even though it is *just* a tv show, all the people on the show were fabulously real to me and my daughter.
Clear Eyes, Full Heart, Can’t Lose.
Texas FOREVER. ( I don’t live in Texas but maybe someday!)
I not only cried through the entire episode, I just cried while reading your recap.
Seriously, how can NBC end this show!!?? AND Seriously, why am I so wrapped up in a TV show!!?? That’s just not normal for my 40 year old self. 16 year old self, totally logical, 40, not.
Just wanted to tell you I saw Kyle Chandler perform when he was a UGA college student. It was at an amphitheatre in Jekyll Island, Georgia. The show was “Oklahoma.” He didn’t even have a lead role, but every time he walked on stage, all (female) eyes were drawn to him. He’s even more handsome in person. I was thrilled when he was on “Homefront” and then FNL.
Now you must know that I adore your blog, but you and I do not agree on much. (I’m liberal and think maxi dresses are hideous.) (For example.) But WWLLD?? That’s a movement I would join in a second! Brilliant idea! 🙂
Oh FNL, you are missed! Reading all these comments describing different scenes has made my start crying again, I loved the ending, I loved when Coach showed up at the mall, I loved the final scene with the Riggins brothers building Tim’s house. It was perfection and now, through the magic of Netflix, I will start over with season 1.
To answer your questions about Caroline…
1. They grow up in the blink of an eye. It happens when you’re not looking and even when you ARE looking.
2. They manage to eat anything no matter how many or few teeth they have in their mouths.
3. Black velvet in July=staying with dad.
Memaw
Huge FNL fan. HUGE. And I loved the last season and episode. I agreed with Tammy that it was her turn to live out and explore her dream. HOWEVER, am I the only one who took issue with her attitude and how she interacted with Coach about it? To me, she was pretty bratty, juvenile and rude. That said, I was glad it ended the way it did — it was the right decision. I just thought her delivery and approach could have been shored up some. But then again, I’ve never been a Coach’s wife. Maybe if I was I’d totally be on board.
I must say I really thought your re-cap of your weekend with Sophie would have included some sort of marginal Mexican food experience. I almost counted on it. I guess Italian needs a good shot every once and a while.
FNL, I am in mourning. I have wore black all weekend just to remind myself of the loss.
My falling apart movie was Steel Magnolias. Hubs was gone and the clerk at the video store (do they have those anymore?) said “OH, this is a GREAT movie. It’s so FUNNY. You’ll LOVE IT”. I was sobbing so loudly I woke my then 10-year old out of a dead sleep. I could have slapped her when I took the movie back.
Oh, my goodness, she looks just like you!!! Sorry, that’s just the first time I actually saw a picture with you in it! Please tell me I’m going to get to meet you at SSMT celebration 2012?!
The principal at my daughter’s high school says dadgum all of the time. I am not sure what that says about him. My daughter just shakes her head. 🙂
I love Nashville too. My husband went to Vandy and we try to go there for homecoming.
Oh, and I am going to start watching Friday Night Lights. I am not sure why I never did. As soon as I find out if we have ESPN classic I am going to record it. Or I may have to get it on Netflix. That is if we decide to keep it when they raise their rates.
Well, I’m glad you enjoy Nashville. I live here and love it. And because I’m a blog stalker I saw over at Boo Mama that you visited Trader Joe-fave store ever!
I finally got to watch the final FNL tonight. Seriously. So good. Did not see Luke heading into the service coming at.all. Sob. Cried through the whole things and loved every second. My only sadness was that I did not get enough Landry. I love that kid.
My kids are still ankle biters, so I’ve been looking around for a high school football team to adopt!!
My husband and I are neither from Texas (Maine, in fact) or care about football, but we loved, loved Friday Night Lights. Now, that’s a testament to a super quality show, especially since we don’t agree on a ton of television shows or movies. We both love Star Trek though.:)
Just finished watching the DVR of Friday Night Lights and I just had to come and say “Texas Forever!”
Thank you for the recommendation of the show, it has been a joy!
Going to miss those Taylors.
I specifically watched the final episode because I KNEW you’d post about it today!
Is it weird that I started crying when the Lions played their final game? I don’t even LIKE football, yet knowing that it was the last time they would all play together under Coach Taylor brought tears to my eyes.
And the moment when Eric sneaks up on Tami as Gracie Belle’s getting her Santa photo? Pure perfection. I was so sad that she gave up and said “I’m never going to win this fight”, so for him to then turn down the job at the Panthers super team and agree to move to Philadelphia was awesome.
PS my favourite line- Tami saying “I’m going to say to you what you have not had the GRACE to say to me: Congratulations, Eric.”
She delivered that line perfectly! Fabulous acting.
Ha ha – I mentioned that exact line above! Best line of the entire series for her character IMO!
I agree that the finale was perfection. I also was WAY AGAINST them leaving Texas, but since I live in Pennsylvania (and only about two hours away from Philadelphia), I am now living in the fantasy world where I might run into the Taylors on the street some day. as they are now almost like neighbors to me! I have a fertile imagination/problems separating fiction from reality. I am sure you understand.
I just watched the FNL onDemand. I waited until the hubs would be at work and I’d be alone because I knew I’d have the UGLY CRY and no doubt I did. I’m with you- I cried when Matt proposed, I cried when Tim talked to Stevie. I cried when Coach talked with Jess. I bawled when we see Coach running down the escalator to Tami (and when he asked if she would take him with her). I cried when Becky left to go home. And goodness gracious I BAWLED during the montage at the end- Luke enlisting, seeing the rings, Julie and Matt, Tim, and of course The Taylors in Philly. I’m crying now (then again I watched it 10 minutes ago) recapping it. GET IT TOGETHER SELF, I need to go run errands! Such a good show. Determined to put up a Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose sign in my house.
Cried seeing life go on in the 8 months later… without the Taylors- but how fitting it is that none of us are indispensable. Cried when Coach at the mall said “please take me to philadelphia with you.” Loved seeing Jess coaching. Loved the parallels between a couple starting out looking toward marriage and compromise, and the couple having done it for 18 years. Cried while recapping it to my husband, who could care less about the show 🙂
What a fun and busy summer you are having! And THANK YOU so much for the spoiler alert on FNL. We are only beginning season 3 now, and believe it or not I actually scrolled through your comments on the finale, but it did make me want to go and have a FNL marathon, so I could get to the end and come back and read your take on the whole thing!
I agree, USA would have won the World Cup if Coach Taylor had coached. Seriously! Yes, I cried through FNL, it was ugly; but I am so proud to be a Texan. Texas Forever!