Got Gauge

A Family Update

Thank you to everyone who posted and left a comment. I had a grand visit with all of my family last weekend. This week sped by and I'd hoped to post these pictures earlier.

On Friday I drove down to my Sister's house. I love visiting there. It's exactly what a visit home is supposed to feel like. Safe, loving and comfortable. On Friday night, she, my niece and I went to see Menopause the Musical. It was hilarious! The rest of the weekend was spent relaxing and enjoying each other's company. They have the coolest dog Nike.

Nike adores playing. Whether it's the Frisbee or the ball, he's all about it. That's his dog nephew that he's playing with in the picture. A rather interesting little guy. And Jake is up on the deck. He prefers to watch the action these days.

Sunday was Granny's birthday and she was in a GREAT mood. Very talkative and playful. My Oldest Cousin enjoys Sunday afternoon naps. So she was leaving and told Granny that it was time for her nap. Well, she left the room and Granny turned to me and said, "she says she's going to nap but I know better than that. She can call it what she wants." I said, "what?"  "I know she's really going to have special time", Granny said with a giggle and an eye wiggle. I nearly fell out in the floor.

Next she asked me why I missed her big party. And, at the very least, I could have brought some men to see her! Like I said, she was full of herself. I stayed quite a bit longer than I'd planned just because she was so there, so with it. All at 103.

Thanks for the comments, she enjoyed them! Here's a picture of us enjoying a good laugh.

I'm so blessed to have my Granny! And my entire family. I'm so very lucky.

Happy Knitting! Happy Family!

April 27 1905

It was on that day Granny was born and it's Sunday that she will celebrate her 103rd birthday. I'm going down and celebrating with a cupcake. I adore cupcakes. And she adores sweets.

Not sure how aware Granny is of the day. She's definitely at the end of the ride. It's rather sad. We all prayed that she would not ever suffer after living such a long life. I think we all thought physical pain and illness. I never thought about her body just not able to keep up with her. She's not suffering in the way of physical pain but it's not the way I want her to stick around. If you leave a message, I'll read them all to her on Sunday. It's not everyday your Granny turns 103!

Happy Kitting! Happy day!

A Good Run

I have pictures from last night's game that I will post when I get a chance. Our Caps did a great job this year and I'm proud to be a Washington Capitals fan. I'd be embarrassed if I were a Flyers fan. I'm not sure if I've seen such class-less fans and even players.

Did you see the game last night? It was a heartbreaking ending in so many ways. If you were a Flyers fan, why did you feel the need to liter our ice? Why? You won. Be gracious. Your team won in OT IN GAME SEVEN! That's not exactly a beat down or Getting Vengeance or any other term you wish to call it. It was a good, tough series. I'm proud to have supported my team all the way to overtime of Game 7.

To those Flyer fans sitting in and around Section 110, "get a grip on ourselves." Many of us turned around to say, "great series, good luck." You responded with "f yeah, you suck." And numerous other ridiculous comments. Are you serious? You threw bottles on the ice, you got up in a season ticket holders face whose been at every. single. game.

And Hartnell #19, he skated over to some Caps fans to make comments and gestures after shaking hands. Completely uncalled for.

I am disgusted that such a class-less team won the series. I'd rather support the team that lost in OT of Game 7 than the winning team that acts in such a manner.

Next season, we'll be back. Near the beginning of the series,  Joe Beninati said to me, every team has to experience heartbreak on the run to the Cup. This team hasn't had it yet. So this might be that year and another year they will get the Cup. Not an exact quote but the message is the same.

Happy Hockey! Happy Knitting!

Rock The Red Baby!

Can you believe it? We are heading to Game 7.  Last night's game was thrilling to watch. Wish I had the nerve to actually travel up to see that game but I value my life a little too much. I talked to 5 BIG guys at Saturday's game. They stayed in their seats until the stadium cleared out up in Philly because they were a bit scared to walk out. WHAT? Nice fans there.

I got a new Rock the Red t-shirt. It's fabulous. I am so tired of the female-cut shirts being pink. Why would I wear pink? My team certainly doesn't wear pink. Although Fedorov would look just fine in pink I am sure.

I actually bought this there and changed. When we win the Stanley Cup, I'm getting this tattooed on me. Shh, don't tell the Husband, he's not a fan of the tattoo. So I'm thinking I need to work in a bet somewhere along the way. I'd even cover the current one so I keep my total count at 1.

Penalty Box Party!

Thoughts from the box. Please stop teasing me. It's making me cry. Okay if I just start straight ahead, they will stop.

Well Dude, how many times are you planning to stop by and see us? I felt like I should bake him a cake or something.

On Saturday, I got to see Jasmine for a few minutes. And I got to play driver for the boys. One of which was a very sad boy. Good sport but sad fan.

I hope he's still sad at about 10 o'clock tonight.

ROCK THE RED! Unleash the FURY! Rock the Hawk! Let's Go Caps! C-A-P-S! Caps Caps Caps! I have 10 hours until the game. What am I going to do? I'm a mess. I can only imagine how the team  is right now. I'm pumped! If we go more rounds, I'm going to have to go get some meds or take up running. I already hit the gym for 600 calories this morning (spin class and 20 minutes on the elliptical). Maybe I should not have had the 8 cups of coffee. UNLEASH the Fury! And please, let that little sticked monster Briere come visit me in the box. I've baked him a special cake. Complete with HGH 'cause he needs it. He annoys me. And seriously, Briere has the shortest little teeny tiny stick in the NHL. And I need him to stop making goals with it. Put it away. No one wants to see your little stick Briere. I really don't like his looks. Never talked to him but I imagine Briere also has a little pipsqueak voice. I should go find an interview with him. After I make a replica of his itsy bitsy stick. I found some short match sticks that might work.

Happy Hockey! Happy Knitting! Happy Day!

Stupid Quiz

Robin over at Yarn Crawl posted this on her site. I couldn't stop taking the tests. First I did the Meyers Briggs type test. I can never remember what I was the last time. I know I'm usually an E (DUH!), N, T and I switch back and forth from P to J. I really am a P. Give me a good plan, I like order, and I'm happy. Although somewhere along the way I know I need to balance all that structure with a little spontaneity. Or maybe you simply never know what you are going to get with me.

You Are An ENTJ

The Executive
 
You are a natural leader - with confidence and strength that inspires others.
Driven to succeed, you are always looking for ways to gain, power, knowledge, and expertise.
Sometimes you aren't the most considerate person, especially to those who are a bit slow.
You are not easily intimidated - and you have a commanding, awe-inspiring presence.
 
In love, you hold high standards... for yourself, for your relationship, and for your significant other.
While it's easy for you to impress others, it's hard for you to find someone who impresses you.
 
At work, you are organized and good at delegating. You understand how to achieve goals.
You would make a great CEO, entrepreneur, or consultant.
 
How you see yourself: Rational, calm, and objective
 
When other people don't get you, they see you as: Inflexible, controlling, and overbearing.

I couldn't stop! I found out the I am a 1950's Diva. My personal slogan is "So Easy Phyllis Can Do It". What? Huh? Are you kidding me? Is this a recipe? Did someone ask my nieces and nephews to review a new iPod? Whatver. So I took another. The "Which Muppet Are You?" quiz. I don't know the the Muppets but thought it would be fun. Whatever.

You Are Miss Piggy

A total princess and diva, you're totally in charge - even if people don't know it.
You want to be loved, adored, and worshiped. And you won't settle for anything less.
You're going to be a total star, and you won't let any of the "little people" get in your way.
Just remember, piggy, never eat more than you can lift!

Miss Piggy? Are you serious? I just spent 2 hours and 15 minutes at the gym. I didn't do that to have some quiz call me Miss Piggy! And was she even on the Muppets? Whatever. Stupid quizzes. Now I have to go see if Miss Piggy was on the Muppets or if my computer can see me noshing on popcorn.

Happy Day! Happy Knitting!

Rent-A-Team Program

Most everyone who reads this blog knows about my rental kids. There are children of dear friends of ours we "rent" on occasion. Whether it's because we want to go see a kid's movie, need some perspective or just want to hang with some cool kids, we borrow them. Not sure how the term started but it's stuck. Need a hockey team to root for during the play-offs? Looks like the Caps will help you release your inner Angelina Jolie. Go take a read for that and a few other good quotes!

Are You Serious?

If you haven't already seen this you might want to go listen first. Next stop by Ted's blog and read the apology.

We've all experienced a slip of tongue at one point or another during conversation or presentation. Recovering by restating and agreeing to your comment isn't really a recovery. It's more of a reaffirmation. Can we say Freudian slip?

I'll be one of the first to admit, there was a time, the nickname "Crapitals" was fair. Here comes the big BUT. My Granny, just two weeks shy of her 103rd birthday, even knows the Capitals are far from that nickname this season. For a team to come back mid-season and HELLO have you been watching the last 6 weeks? One game, in the playoffs, doesn't make this team crap. The fact that they are IN the playoffs, Division Champs, it's been a successful year. This comment didn't come from someone who isn't in the industry. It came from someone whose fancies themselves a Sports Broadcaster. On a national network no less. Are you serious? If a 102 year old woman can more accurately describe the team you are supposed to be speaking about, I think perhaps you should consider doing something else. Mr. Mike Milbury, I'll teach you how to knit. And  you might want to consider styling your toupee in a "Rock the Hawk" style when we lift the Cup. Might not be this year but it will be soon.

I still knit and I have pictures to prove it! I'm making a Curlicue out of Noro Kureyon. I just started Section 3 while watching trashy Monday night television. The Bachelor is especially bad this season. I'm glad Samantha Who? is back on. I laugh so hard.

I'm just grabbing the next skein randomly. So far so good.

I stopped working on my v-neck top-down wrap sweater. It's a little snug. And it's too hot to wear now. So we'll see if I get skinny enough to wear it for the fall. I'm not casting on for any more sweaters until I can make a smaller size. I'm hitting the gym every weekday. Working out twice with a trainer, doing 1 spin class and cardio. I'm going to try adding the second spin class this week. I'm burning 600 calories every trip to the gym. If this doesn't get me into shape, I just don't know what will. I'm starting to see a little arm definition so I want to find a rocking cute tank pattern. Any idea?

Happy Hockey! Happy Knitting! Happy Tax Day!

How I Came To Love Hockey

I started responding to a question on one of the Washington Capitals Forums I belong to and realized my response made a better blog entry. The question: for your girls who SO, BF, or whichever is a Caps fan how did you guys meet? was it Caps related?

Our "how we met" story has nothing to do with hockey but the wedding gift has everything to do with hockey. And I'm guaranteed up to 41 (or more) date nights a year with the husband.

I purchased our season tickets as a wedding present for the Husband. I was working at AOL at the time Ted bought the team and he did a big promotion. I thought "wow! what fun." I knew NOTHING about hockey. I bought two full  season tickets in section 106 (behind the goal) and felt pretty darn happy with myself for coming up with such a cool wife gift. I put the receipt in the wedding folder for safe keeping.

The Caps were doing the meet the team party pre-season that year. I told the future husband we had to go downtown to meet the pastor who was marrying us for dinner near Gallery Place. He HATED going downtown. Parking, metro, blah, blah, blah. I planned to unveil the gift on the way down there. About 2 days before the meet the team party, future husband went into the wedding folder to figure out the food or something. I was afraid he'd seen the receipt so I figured I'd go ahead and tell him about the tickets. He had been belly-aching about going downtown and I had had enough of that. So I asked him to guess what would be the BEST wedding present EVER! He first said Redskin tickets, the second guess was a new guitar, I was getting seriously bummed at that point and refused to hear the third guess. I said, I got you Caps tickets. He said, "really, to which game?" I said, "all of them. At home at least." He said, "I have to lay down."

Fast forward about 10 games into the season and those darn tickets were going to be part of the divorce settlement. Part of the reason he didn't guess Caps tickets was that he knew I knew little to nothing about hockey so why would I consider buying HOCKEY tickets. I'd been to a few games previously and only once really enjoyed it because I got to see The Great One's face smashed up against the glass. I was the most annoying person to attend the game with during those first few games. "what's happening?" "why did the whistle blow?" "Icing? is this a cake?" "Why can't I come down the stairs until the whistle blows?"  "I'm so confused." "Why is he going into the box, he just hit him before and didn't get into trouble."  "No, I don't remember what my question will be in 19 minutes and 12 seconds." "why can't you answer me now." "why can't I hear those guys on tv? they kinda help me know what's going on."

Thankfully we had tickets to the Johnnie Walker Club. Even bigger luck is that Joe Benenati is a great guy and willing to help a newlywed stay that way. He helped me learn hockey. It was a fun season learning the game. Some nights we would have quite a group discussing the night's action. With the help of Joe, Craig Laughlin, other season ticket holders and sometimes a player or two, I learned the game. Not only did I learn the game, I fell in love with hockey. It's the best game you can name!

About four years ago, I sacrificed a little bag and shoe budget to upgrade the tickets to the second row. It was the soonest the first or second row became available. If that's not love, I am not sure what is!

So that's my hockey love story.  I'm lucky to live in a market with a great owner and the best play-by-play announcer in the league. If it wasn't for Ted Leonsis doing the promotion, I'd never thought to buy the Husband the tickets. And if it wasn't for Joe Benenati teaching me the game, I'm not sure the Husband would have wanted to renew the tickets.

Happy Knitting! Happy Hockey!

Game One of the Playoffs

This has been a busy and GREAT weekend, so far. Friday night was a fabulous game. I was a nervous wreck and thought I was going to have go lay down on the ice to cool down and chill out.

Highlights included WINNING, a great Red Out in the stadium, a rocking "Rock the Hawk", ticking Briere off in the penalty box, the Husband met Chris Clark and we won.

Rock the Hawk. Best one in the place.

I think Briere got a little upset at us in the box. He came over and tapped the glass at us. AND there was the whole puck over the glass that almost took my head off. I so hope he's in the box today. I have a bottle of Midol for him. I can't help it that he does have the shortest stick I've ever seen. I bet it has to be a seriously altered custom made short man's stick.

Unlike the real men on the ice. Can we all say Napoleon?   

Got to run! Going to Clyde's before the game. YUM!

Happy Knitting! Happy Hockey! LET'S GO CAPS!

Happy Beautiful Spring Friday

TGIF just doesn't seem to cut it today. It's a glorious day. A perfect spring day. I have the windows and doors open enjoying the breeze and the sunlight streaming into my office. Wow! Fresh air really makes work so much better. Companies should seriously consider windows that actually open.

When I was in 2nd through 4th grade, I was in a really old school building and the windows opened really wide. There were no screens and sometimes people would get in trouble for throwing paper balls out the window. I still remember how cool it was in those rooms on the hottest of days. The teacher would always turn off the lights but the fresh air just made everything better. I am still that way.

Yesterday was a glorious weather day too. I went and had lunch with an old friend. I haven't see this friend in about 9 years. It was very interesting because in some ways we picked up exactly where we left off.

I spoke to Granny's care giver today and she's hanging in there. Still at home, bedridden but not so bad for someone who will be 103 on the 27th of the month.

I worked out with my trainer this morning. I'm doing personal training sessions twice a week, a spin class on Tuesdays and working out on my own on Thursdays. I'm loving it! I used to love the gym. It was a great place to work out the stress. Somewhere along the way I forgot how good it felt to be healthy. I'll get back there.

Tonight is the first Play off game for the Capitals. I'm so excited. Take a look at some pictures from the recent home games.

Happy Spring! Happy Knitting and LET'S GO CAPS!