My Current Thoughts About The Carolina Hurricanes

First, I want to say I like the Hurricanes team this year and have enjoyed the exciting games so far.  Last year, the games were boring and the team just seemed slow and lacking in effort and skill.  I look forward to every game and even the husband has been more positive about this team (instead of booing every bad play like last year).

Let's discuss Chantel McCabe for a moment.  I get it - you wanted a pretty young woman to put on camera.  As a viewer, I cringe every time she is on air: will she stumble over team names (or locations), player names or be hit by the door she is awkwardly standing in front of?  This is a great market for someone beginning a career because everyone is relaxed and friendly but before you give her an anchor desk on the main concourse of the arena (oh wait you already did that), make her earn it.  Have her learn the players, terminology and hockey references in general - it is her job after all.  As creepy as it is that Tripp Tracy sometimes knows what the players eat for breakfast, I have never doubted his passion for the game, his job or the Carolina Hurricanes.  I want to know that the person who has her job supports and loves the game and team as much as I do and I don't get that from Ms. McCabe.

This week, Washington Capitals player Troy Brouwer made disparaging remarks about Alex Semin.  I understand where the comments came from since I have heard the rumors, seen Semin's video of his slap fight and in person saw him go down with what looked like a career ending ankle injury only to have him skate back on the ice the next period.  The timing of Brouwer's quotes make him sound jealous and bitter.  That's right, Troy, everyone knows Semin has more skill in his little finger than you have in your whole body.  I won't lie - I had some concerns when the Hurricanes signed him for $7 million but he has quickly become on of my favorite players.  He is fun and exciting to watch and makes Eric Staal and Jiri Tlusty better every shift.  Just look at the stats through the first 18 games: that line is responsible for 45 points (goals and assists), Staal is a +10 and Semin and Tlusty are both +9.  From where I sit he is putting in the effort and as a fan I appreciate that.

Due to an emergency with defense injuries we are able to see Ryan Murphy called up from his junior team (the Kitchner Rangers).  While watching some of the World Junior Championship (WJC) U20 this winter, he looked a little shaky and I was worried about how he would handle the bigger guys in the NHL.  So far, so good - he looks confident with the puck and adds some much needed speed.  As an offensive defenseman he carries the puck into the zone and has even had some great shots on goal.  I think that is something we are missing with Joni Pitkanen injured.  I know there are some Joni haters out there but I think with him being out you notice what he brings to the table.  Pitkanen has a way of bringing the puck down ice, into the zone and slowing down the play to allow the forwards to get into position.  He plays a ton of minutes and although he's not always solid on D the Canes are a much better team with him on the ice.

I am looking forward to tonights Hurricanes vs Penguins game it will be nice to see Brandon Sutter again.  Sutter is a player I like watching play no matter what jersey he is wearing.  I have also read that Zach Boychuk has been a healthy scratch the last 6 games.  I really hope when the Penguins place him on waivers Mr. Rutherford finally understands this guy doesn't have what it takes to play in the NHL and leaves him alone.

Last and least there's Joe Corvo.  I will admit he is playing better but lets be honest - it couldn't get much worse.  I still won't applaud his introduction or stand for his goals but I have noticed after being benched he is playing with more heart.

Welcome back to the lineup: Skinner, Brent, Gleason and McBain!

                               Let's Go Canes!!!

Dairy Queen

Would really like a carmel cheesecake Blizzard from Dairy Queen right about now!

Red Hair???

Today was a scheduled hair appointment to cover all my grays.  I have been thinking about a change for a while and decided to have the under layer of my hair dyed red, leaving the top layer my usual brown.  I thought my hairdresser would have to bleach it to get the red I wanted but she wanted to try it without the bleach and although it isn't what I wanted, it gave me the idea to dye all of my hair the red next time.  It will basically look like my hair is a little darker brown with a red twinge to it.
I haven't made up my mind - I might want to have her bleach the back and dye it a bright red.  My next appointment is March 26th and I am already looking forward to it.

Where To Go and What To Do?

We're planning vacations for the year and we don't know what to do.  The husband was going to finish his quest of seeing all major league baseball stadiums but the friend he started with isn't available for when we wanted to go.  That leaves just the husband and I to pick a fun vacation.  I can't decide if I want to go somewhere for an event or visit a new city or just relax for a week at the beach.
I guess this is a good problem to have. I can't wait to have something new to look forward to.

Nice To Get Outside

One of my favorite things about North Carolina is that even in the winter the weather gives you breaks to get outside and enjoy a walk.
Today we went to a local trail and had a nice 4.3 mile walk.

I might even be looking forward to the time change when the husband and I start running again.

Whoops

I forgot to blog yesterday...my bad.
While catching up on a couple episodes of The Mindy Project recently she said something that I loved. The quote: "Best friend isn't a person, it's a tier."  I feel lucky everyday for my best friends.  They can make a simple dinner and chat around the table a perfect Friday night!  I hope they know how much they mean to me.
Well, this got a little sappy but I thought they should know.

Little Bit Of Whimsey

My sweet husband got me a subscription to Whimseybox for Valentine's Day and it came in the mail today.  Whimseybox is a monthly DIY craft subscription box and community.  Once a month they send me a reusable box with a little piece of art and some craft supplies to make something myself.  I am supper excited because I love my crafts and think this will provide some inspiration when looking for new projects.

It is like getting a present every month!

To my husband,

No, I don't want to tour the country in an RV.  I have many reasons: 

1. I don't trust you driving a vehicle that big when you don't even want to drive an SUV.

2. I don't want to drive around in anything that contains a bathroom.

3. I would miss my friends.

4. I would miss TV.

5. They seem easy to break into which is scary.

6. They are way expensive.

Just NO!

Update: Husband's Rebuttal

RVs are awesome - we would never have to get a hotel and we live wherever we are. We could see the whole country and hang out with lots of cool elderly folks. As for your reasons:

1. I'd get used to it and learn the ropes pretty quickly. And if I hit something, oh well - it's just an RV.

2. We'd get one of those new ones that have the waterless toilet. It just wraps up your pee or poop in a mylar bag like a diaper genie. Problem solved!

3. Our friends could come with us since we'd have room. And it's cheap.

4. They all have TVs now. We could even get satellite.

5. No easier than our house, which I forget to lock about a quarter of the time.

6. It's more of an investment. You wouldn't say our 401(k) is expensive, would you?

RV!

I Am Completely Unreasonable

Today we got a call from the car dealership where we bought our last car.  The gentleman who sold it to us no longer works there and some newbie wanted to touch base.  These calls make me laugh and sometimes it is fun just to listen to their speech and mess with them.  He let me know if we needed any maintenance or services that he is our new contact.  I said "we live an hour away and take it to a different dealership now, ok thanks, bye!"  I hear him stutter "no, wait...".  He proceeds to explain they are trying to increase used car inventory and looking to buy 2-3 year old models of my car (Altima)  and he could get us in a 2013 with no money down and even upgrade a little.  I am aware that this is a sales tactic so this is when I told him I hate the 2013 model since it looks too much like the Maxima and if we liked it we would have just bought a Maxima 3 years ago.  He was speechless.  After a few seconds he just said "oh ok, bye!"
That was fun but now I want a new car...I know I am completely unreasonable!
Another bonus: all this new car talk is making the husband squirm.

Watching Some Hockey

The Hurricanes are on tonight so of course we are watching that game.  They are playing the Montreal Canadians and on the boards is the Tim Hortons logo.  It brings back memories of going there when we went to Vancouver.  I could really go for some Timbits right now!

The Amazing Race

I have never watched a season of The Amazing Race before.  A while ago I heard Bates Battaglia was going to be on Season 22 (who knew it had been on that long?) with his brother Anthony.  Bates played for the Carolina Hurricanes, still lives in the area and owns a bar in Raleigh.  Local hockey playing brothers - what's not to love?
So far they are super cute and funny.  I am looking forward to cheering for Bates and Anthony to win it all!

Guest Blog - The Gamblies

Note: This is the husband with a guest blog.

I'm pretty pissed off with the state of gambling in the U.S. I'm a reasonable man who works hard and sometimes I'd really like to play a little online poker or place a bet on whatever sporting event I'm watching. I love sports but you know what makes them better? Having money on the outcome. Thanks to Congress, however, the only way I can do that is if I transfer money three times via a prepaid phone card and have it end up a shady offshore account in the Isle of Man. Nice job Uncle Sam! All I want to do is have a little fun legally and pay taxes on whatever I win. Gamblers are the only people who WANT to pay taxes and the government says "We are going to run out of money in 2 weeks and this would net us hundreds of millions a year but no thanks because our some people 400 years ago were probably against it." I bet the first thing the Pilgrims did when they got out off the boat was bet on who was the first dude to die of starvation and then the guy who took that bet parlayed that with "Will the cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving be jellied or the crappy kind nobody likes?" And that probably got them through that first tough winter.

I used to gamble online and while it wasn't legal, no one cared until they tacked on a part to a port security bill that cracked down on the banks that helped transfer the money. Then no one would do anything with the U.S. and I wasn't able to play anymore. I'm sure people would abuse it and go broke but some people drink too much or buy too many scratch-offs and no one gives a crap about them. I know that government said a couple of years ago that they wouldn't stop online poker so some states are doing stuff to make that happen but I doubt I'd be able to play in NC since they're against fun and think it's still 1825.

I also hope we get 50/50 raffles. Most hockey arenas in the NHL do these where they sell raffle tickets and then pick one winner per game who gets half of the total pot. The other half goes to charity so good job NC - I'm glad you hate children and love cancer because that's what I got out of it. Sometimes these pots gets pretty big and it would be awesome knowing that when the Canes stink and the season is lousy, at least I'd have a small chance of winning some cash each game. They sell lotto tickets at games but this isn't allowed?

Even third world countries have figured out to allow gambling of all forms in a way that makes people happy and gets tax revenue. My only consolation is that all the old people making the laws who are morally opposed to this while taking lotto lobby money will eventually get replaced by people who care about actual problems.

Weekend Plans

Relax.

Happy Valentine's Day

I had a great day with my favorite Valentine!

Look What I Noticed Today

While watching Full House today, there was a scene in Joey's room and they had the exact same old school Hartford Whalers pennant that we have in our Canes room.  I know Joey was a big hockey fan but it is always nice to see the Whale represented.  Brings back great memories of childhood hockey games.

Shout-out to Jen for finding this gem and getting it for my husband one year for Christmas!

They Still Make Phone Books

Today someone delivered a phone book to our house.  I don't remember the last time I used one.  Does anyone still use a phone book?  Isn't it a huge waste of paper and resources?

Carolina Hurricanes

Watching the Hurricanes vs Islanders game tonight.  Just a couple thoughts: still don't like this girl they got to do pre-game and intermission interviews (Chantel McCabe).  I can't take her seriously because in one of her first games she mispronounced Teemu Selanne's name. He has been one of the best in the NHL almost her whole life!  Not only that her nod and smile after EVERY question is distracting. I must not be the only one to notice that because now they crop her out of the picture while the other person is answering her questions.  If the intent of the Hurricanes organization was to make me respect and like Tripp Tracy more, it worked!
If the Canes hurry up and trade for a decent defenseman I think they will have a real shot at a good playoff run.  I definitely want Joe Corvo gone - I have no use for him, one decent game or not.  He can't keep the zone or clear the front of the net. You know, the job of a good D-man.  It also kills me to say this because he is one of my all-time favorite Hurricanes but Tim Gleason is not playing well.  He is outright getting beat and he seems to have lost a step.  I am hoping it is just the rushed season and he will be up to speed soon because I still love his toughness.
Semin has been really fun to watch.  His passing and sense of where the puck needs to be has made this team better already.  Jordan Staal also makes a big impact.  Having two strong lines and a solid powerplay is a big improvement over last season.  This team even makes my husband excited to go to the games and watch them on TV.
Looking forward to every game now. GO CANES!!!

Music

Watching the Grammy Awards reminds me how much I love music.  I am not musical at all (unless you count singing loudly and horribly in the car).  I have always admired anyone with the talent to sing, dance or write music.  Growing up my parents listened to music in the car or on the stereo but I don't remember them buying a ton of records (yes, I am that old) or tapes.  We did listen to oldies stations so I have some favorite tunes from before my birth.  My tween and teen years were filled with the usual Pop/Top 40 hits, some 80's hair bands and the occasional rap.

The songs from my childhood still hold a special place in my heart.  When asked, my all time favorite song my answer is always: Heaven by Warrant.  In the last few years I have spent a couple weekends away with my bestest friends to see NKOTB.  Music always brings back great memories and helps create new ones.

Growing up in New England, country music was not popular and I don't even know if there was a radio station for it.  After leaving home I began my current appreciation for the genre.  I love the stories they tell.  Country music writers have a way with lyrics that gets me every time.  It can be a sweet song about how much a guy loves a girl, an angry song about a girl getting even with her cheating man or a sad song about someone dying - I like them all.  I listen almost exclusively to country music now and although sometimes I feel out of the loop with pop culture, I wouldn't change it.

I think I will add a new little item to my blog about my current favorite song (when I figure out how).  My ringtone right now is Better Dig Two by The Band Perry.  I can't decide if she is sweet or a crazy person but it speaks to me.

Spring Is On It's Way

While out and about today we saw some of the trees are starting to have buds on them. It was nice to see and know spring is on the way.
Not as excited for the allergies I am already starting to feel but I would take them over the 2 feet of snow in Connecticut.

Grateful

Every time I checked Facebook or Twitter today I was reminded how happy I am to be in North Carolina and not in Connecticut.  Sure, I miss my family and friends but not enough to want to be trapped inside with a threat of lost power and forced quality time.  Sorry family and friends if that sounds harsh but I enjoy the freedom to make plans and not have them constantly in question because every few days driving could be hazardous and no one wants to go out.
On the flip side I am tired of FB and Twitter being consumed with Nemo - and not in the cute Disney way.
I hope all my friends and family are staying safe, having fun and please keep posting all those pictures of the snow since it reminds me we made the right decision to move south.

CT Update

At 11:30am, we checked in at NC State University Veterinary Health Clinic and Katie came to bring us to an exam room. She was great meeting our CT and letting him lick her face (I like anyone who will rave about how cute my dog is and love on him). We spent the next half hour recalling eight years of CT's ups and downs. After taking a full page of notes she left and came back a half hour later with Dr. Ward.   Today they did a full blood work up, 4 GI tests (to see how well his intestines are working and absorbing vitamins), an ultrasound of his tummy and intestines and fecal tests for parasites.
Thankfully we got to pick up CT tonight at 6:00pm.  The test results were mostly good but we are still waiting on a couple.  They do believe he has Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) that causes his chronic vomiting.  IBD can be caused by his immune system reacting inappropriately to food or other antigens in the GI tract.  I guess it was good that we changed him to a hypoallergenic food back in December.  With the new food and some steroids he should improve even more.
The diarrhea could be caused by a few other things - they don't think the two symptoms are connected.  They are testing for parasites and we should get results next week.  They are going to begin treatment for the parasites now anyway since it shouldn't hurt him.  Another cause could be a reaction to antibiotics.  He might have to be on Flagyl long-term but it should keep things under control.
Test results also showed a possible sliding hiatal hernia.  If the medicine doesn't stop the vomiting they will look more closely at it.
NC State University was great.  We really appreciate how much time they spent with us, how well they explained everything and how sweet they were to my special little dog.

Happy to have our CT home and hopeful things are going to get better from here!

Tater Tots

What is not to love?  How did I marry a man that isn't a fan?

Just Want CT To Feel Better

Poor doggie.  Good days vs bad days and now we are taking it hour by hour.  My little guy is so tough he doesn't let it show too often how uncomfortable he is and it makes me so sad when he does.
I really hope NC State Vet School can give us some answers. Counting down the minutes until his appointment on Thursday.

I Want To Go Somewhere

Last year at this time I was looking forward to a fun trip to DC with friends in March and a half marathon weekend in Virginia in April.  The only thing we have planned this year is a long weekend to Connecticut in April and anyone who knows us knows that isn't really a vacation because it is where we are from and we just visit family.  This time we are also going to the new Yankee Stadium for a game so that should be fun.
I can't think of any place to go or anything I want to see. I am just in a mood to go some place new.  Hope the husband gets the hint when he reads this and starts a-planning!

Super Bowl

Best commercial - the Budweiser Clydesdale one where the horse finds his old trainer/friend! So sweet!

Puppy Bowl Sunday

I know most people are looking forward to the Super Bowl but I love the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet.  It starts at 3pm so we have time to watch it before heading out to our favorite annual party.  This year I am excited to see Fitz and Trinka. That's right folks - I check online to see the puppies and pick out my favorites before the big show.
This year they are also promising that the Kitty Half-time Show is bigger and better than ever!
Should be a good time.

Ellis With The Shutout

The Hurricanes win and goaltender Dan Ellis gets a 1-0 shutout in his second start with the team.  Great game!  Semin, Tlusty and E. Staal finally started looking like a top line and Harrison with a solid game on defense.
Go Canes!!!