Over Heard on a Tuesday Night

(During the 1st Hockey Intermission)

Ms. Bean dials the phone:

"Hello Susie"
"I called to say goodnight"
"I love you, too"
"Mommy and Daddy are watching the Hockey Game, and it is tied, but right now, the Caps are all taking their naps"
"OK, See you tomorrow".

OH CANADA!

In honor of Canada Day, we send a very special "Hello" to our friends on the North!

Congratulations Wings!

I was looking for a video to summarize the playoffs, and the euphoria that one feels when they see a Pennsylvania (which is litered with Hunters) Team loose to the Red Wings! I found one ................ and it was posted by no other then CapsChick! Thanks for a great season! D

Something other then the Caps

My friend Patty mentioned the other day that my blog has recently been a little "hockey centric" . It hasn't been an intentional transition, I assure you, there simply hasn't been anything else on my mind. I have "red fever".

However, not wanting my loose one of my five loyal readers, I turned on the Sunday Morning talk shows looking for something to blog about that didn't involve hot men growing beards. Since I am amazingly bored of the upcoming Pennsylvania election, and have even less interest in the Popes Visit, not much kept my interest ................. though the last few seconds of Tim Russerts show perked me up ............

Playoffs, Game 2 ................

......... did not go as well as game 1. But, the "425 family dinner" was a delight.



Ted was in the booth next to us, and some guy was dining on the other side of the restaurant. Does anyone remember his name?

Why I love this game

There is a lot to love about Hockey. The screams of enthusiasm that the sea of red fans bring to the Verizon Center on night 1 of the playoffs. The thrill that you get when you watch a veteran like Federov play like a 22 year old Rookie. The amazing goals that players like Ovechkin and Green make, seamlessly. And most importantly, the thrill that lifetime fans get, when they convert new hockey enthusiasts .................

Next Fall on the Lifetime Network

You couldnt have written a Hollywood script any better.

A team with a small but loyal following fails for 5 years to make the playoffs. It is the 10 year anniversary from their only appearance at the Stanley cup finals. They acquire a young star from Russia and re-outfit their team, colors and logo around him. But for the first 50 days of the season, they are the single worst team in their conference.

On Thanksgiving Day, after a week of crowd chants to fire their Coach, they finally let him go, temporarily promoting the Coach from their farm team in Pennsylvania. He wins his first game, and slowly they begin to work their way up in the standings.

There are setbacks. Their Captain has a season ending injury, along with their first line center. But, they go into the all star break with pride and dignity not recognized in previous seasons.

After the all star break, they return to their mediocre ways.

At the trade deadline, the General Manager brings in a few free agents that change the team around. A goalie that, for in intents and purposes, replaces the last beloved player from their only Stanley Cup appearance, and an aging icon who destroyed the teams champion dreams 10 years ago, by beating them on their own ice.

Together, this team climbs the standings one game at a time, winning the Southeast Championship in the final 2 days of the season, in front of a sellout crowd dressed in the new logo.

Who'd of thunk it?

Catching Up On The Mail

The Caps:

SouthEast Division Champions! More on them in another entry, but thanks to my readers for your support of the most amazing players, team, and Coach in Washington History! It is a GREAT time to be a Caps fan. I will be proudly displaying my Ovie Bobble head in my office, and plan to wear my new Jersey to work tomorrow.


The Tudors:

YES! I have been watching with great interest, and really appreciate all of the comments that I have received on last years "Tudor Series". I do enjoy the way that they are (rather accurately) portraying Henry's tyrance emerge as he becomes more obsessed with Anne Boleyn. I also think that they are doing Thomas More justice by their portrayal of his character. Anxious to see how they handle the Jane Seymour affair later in the season.

Charlton Heston:

Dead. Good Riddance! Your ideas about Gun Control (or lack thereof) were barbaric, dangerous, and irresponsible. As a mother of small children, I can not forgive your using your celebrity for such evil.

Promise to blog later. Off to feed the kids.

Rock the Red

I really hope that I didn't jinx anything, but yesterday, I purchased a red Ovechkin Jersey! At the beginning of the season I said that it would NEVER happen. After the Thanksgiving Massacre and amazing rise of of the "young guns" I began to reconsider. I stated publicly that I would purchase one IF they made the playoffs. Yesterday, I decided that they were close enough, and I really want to wear #8 tonight!

Regardless of what happens tonight ................ its been a great ride!

Great 8 - puts us at #8

Whether you’re a brother or whether you’re a mother,

You’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive.

Feel the city breakin’ and everybody shakin’,

And we’re stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive.

The Bee Gee's

Stayin Alive

I LOVE being a caps fan! And, I LOVE a good Steak!

Get out your wallets Papa Jeff and Hockey John! I'm ready to PARTY!

Men, Men, Men

Saturday night is fan appreciation night at the Verizon Center. It might also be the last game of the year, though the Caps stand an excellent chance of making the Playoffs. I wonder which of my "men" will ask me to be his "date" that night.

THE FATHER


Jeff is the likely candidate. He seems to love me, doesn't appear to have a better date, and at this time has an extra ticket (and it is a bobble head give away night,someone must not have seen that on the schedule). Hopefully he will be willing to forgo the diet that evening and drink beer with me.

MIKE

While a long shot, Mike is the runner up. He has taken pity on me before, and might want to make up for having the flu the last time that I used his extra ticket. Of course, it is a weekend and he has his own daughter. Hillary will probably bump me.



Then there are the real long shots .......... Hockey John? Amanda from OIT? DAVE? Anybody? Anybody?

One things is for sure ....... this man will not be joining me. He will be on Kid Duty that night. Poor Tom. Maybe I'll let him play with my Bobble Head.

Catching up

Sorry for my noted absents. I have been sick, the kids were sick, and we spent a few nights at Jeff and Susie's house while mine was being painted. So there was little time for blogging. In addition, baby-bee has been testing all of our panic buttons as evidenced by a dislocated elbow and 4 burned finger tips in the same week. I am now completely grey and require monthly color treatments.

Catching up:

The Caps:

Fedorov is a Capital. This delighted Jeff, who is already planning his visit to their Arlington practice arena in his Russian Jersey to get it signed by the great one. I question the wisdom in picking up a 38 year old, unrestricted "legend"(albeit we got him for almost nothing). Tom suspects that GM is bringing Federov to DC to mentor Ovie and Semin. Regardless, he will sell tickets, and it is always good to see a crowd at the Verizon Center. I just hope this doesn't effect season ticket prices.

Kolzig is still in DC. Good! With all he has been through with the Caps, he deserves to retire on top. Additionally, Huet is a Cap. Johnson is under contract next year? 3 Goalies in DC? I don't think that will last.

Agitator Matt Cooke is playing for DC? Cool.

Bye Bye Pettinger. Can't say that I will miss you, but I wish you the best.

The Diet

Well, I have not gained from my original 7 pound loss, but I haven't lost anymore either. I have been feeling crummy and didn't want to deprive myself of chocolate. I need to get back on the wagon again, as evidenced by this mornings discussion with Ms. Bean:

Sarah "Mommy, your Tummy looks like it has another baby in it"
Me "Gasp. I'm sorry honey, but there isn't a baby in my tummy. Are you disappointed?"
Sarah "No, but Mommy your really Fat then".

I really need to get serious. I have to complete a 1/2 marathon in less then 8 weeks, and have not put my running shoes on since October. Anticipate about an 8 hour finish.

The Girls

Amazing as always. They switched bedrooms over the weekend and now reside in the "princess tower". They are so grown up!

Both of them chatter endlessly about the Plants and the stars, discussing the fact that Pluto is the smallest and Saturn has "wings". It is hard to believe that they are only 2 (almost 3) and 4. I think that my brother and I were 6 and 8 before we had those types of discussions. I quietly stalk their door because I cant wait to hear what they have to say.

Sarah is in love with the Janie B. Jones Books, and asks me to read them over and over again. She is loving ballet, and requested that I get her a tutu just like the girl on the cover of "Ballerinas are beautiful". Her favorite color is still purple, and her favorite person is still "her Susie". Some things will never change.

Baby Bee is a sensitive, inquisitive, and outgoing little person with an amazing sense of humor and a contagious smile. She loves to play the piano, look at rocks, dig in dirt, sing about sunshines, and climb on Papa. She is also completely in love with her sister, and she looks out for her 24/7.
"Mommy. Sarah's calling you."
"Sarah, here is your kitty".
"Sarah, I brought you your music box".
"Sarah, hold my hand. "
"Sarah, please play with me".

Ms. Bean appears to take it pretty well, and I hope that Baby Bee adores her sister forever.

Get Well Soon Zed

“We shouldn’t have finished the game. I saw the replay, that it was my skate that hit him in the throat. I’ve never seen anything like that. There are bigger things than [finishing the game]. It was terrifying.”

Panthers’ Captain Ollie Jokinen

Live Blogging

9:31 - No longer #1. Its Mikes fault. He decided to WORK instead of sit in his assigned seat -- row 425. Because he was not there, the Caps had no reason to try. It's hard being a Mike Fan.

9:15pm - 9:43 to go - SCORE! 2 to 1 - we have ourselves a game.

8:20 pm - Right now, right this second, the Caps are #1 in their Division and #3 in their conference! Right now, they are "the Miracle on 7th street". They went from 30th to 3rd, since Thanksgiving.

Right now, they are also down 2 to Carolina, with 7 minutes left in the 2nd period. They look like shit.

Tomarrow, they will most likely be 2nd in their division, and will not be a contender for the playoffs. It is REALLY hard to be a Caps Fan.

Where will Pennyfeather be at 7:00 pm this evening?

It’s been a bit more than two months since the we faced the Carolina Hurricanes, and a lot has changed in that short period of time. With only 1 point between the Caps and their Southern, Southeast Division neithbors tonight will be a GREAT game.

So, unless it is a "free give away night", Jeff probably has at least 1 extra ticket. Do you think he might invite yours truly? I am home, waiting for the phone to ring ............. like on prom night ..........

Caps 2 / Maple Leafs 1

It was another great night at the MCI center. We got to see a decent game with a great finish, and as a bonus we were entertained in the 2nd intermission by a HOT DOG EATING CONTEST! It was also "dollar dog night" but none of us benefited as Jeff is on a diet, I am pretending to be on a diet, and Mike elected to purchase a $12 deli sandwich instead.



We got there early, so took our usual spot near the color commentators to watch the warm-ups. And, why would a working mom who misses her girls every second of the day, give up an additional hour with them to watch the Caps warm up? Ummmmm. Here's a hint ....................



Thanks Dad for another great game. It is always a treat to spend an evening in section 425.



And, most importantly, we saw good ......................



triumph over Evil!




Congratulations Boys!

What a Great Week to be a Caps Fan

Wednesday I sat in my usual seat in Section 425, sober, and completely enjoyed an exciting win over the Avalanche.

Last night, Ovie signed a 13 year, $124 million contract. My only regret is that I chose not to attend the Fan Appreciation Party where the announcement was made.

Go Caps!

Caps 5 / Carolina 2

Baby Bee started to cry as soon as we sat down. Screamed from the National Anthem on. We left after the first period, and watched the rest on TV.

Undefeated under Bruce Boudreau (who Tom is sure was seperated at birth from Dr. Bunsen Honeydew ).

Caps 4 / Flyers 3

First overtime win of the season. Baby-Bee says that she would like to attend a game. Corner Turned?

THANKSGIVING

Just a short note to wish my readers (I think that we are up to 6) a Happy Thanksgiving. Tom and I are very lucky and blessed to have such good and supportive Friends and Family in our lives.

I have many things to be thankful for this year;

Bean and Bee are strong, healthy, and smart. They are both growing up so quickly I feel like I am missing their childhoods, even though I am with them everyday. Over the past year they have become kind, funny, and articulate people. I like them.

Tom and I started dating 12 years ago today. Meeting him was a blessing. Marrying him was the smartest thing I ever did. He makes me laugh at least 5 days a week. That's really cool.

My parents are amazing and I get to see them every day. I have had several good friends for well over 25 years. My list could keep going ................. but I will spare the casual reader my sappy commentary. So, on a lite note ............

THE CAPS FINALLY FIRED HANLON. That makes me grateful. I just hope that they didn't throw this season by not doing it earlier. The associated press said that "Hanlon was told of the decision a day after loud boos and chants of "Fire Hanlon!" echoed through the arena." I am proud to have been one of those chanters. Bye Bye Bye.