Hossa goes down, and Torres goes out.

Tuesday's game was awesome. The first period hit on Hossa was a beauty. Yes, he was taken out on a stretcher, but I suspect it was all for a show. The Hawks fan, and many sports announcers  thought that Smith was a good actor.... well maybe Hossa is too. Who knows, he saw the hit coming and he thought... "hey, I can take a break and just lay there. It'll be a good show. And Torres will be kicked outta the game.... And we win." Well guess what.... WE WON. Yes, we went to overtime again... an Boedker showed up and gave us a win.

For the fans and critics that say Torres' hit was dirty, well.... maybe it was. His feet did come up from the ground, an from that momentum his shoulder hit his jaw. Yeah, I get it. But Shit Happens. It's hockey. Hockey is physical. There are good hits, there are bad hits. Some go right, some go wrong. People fight, people lose. These players know that when they decided they want to be a hockey player. It's the perks of the job. Hockey is hockey. Torres didn't look like he was trying to hurt the guy. He just finishes his checks. And that's a Coyote thing. We finish what we start. And that includes hits. We don't half ass it. We are in it to win it. We will do what we have to (and not saying to intentionally put someone on a stretcher) to win, and get a Stanley Cup. So... we won. That game.....

And yesterday's game. The first two period's were slightly boring. Not that they weren't playing good, but we're just so evenly matched right now, and we're tired. But I can't forget to mention a Biznasty fight in the first period. Biz rocked it. Minus having her jersey pulled off after the fight was over and getting a game misconduct.... which I don't see how that works....The other guys pulls the jersey off of him purposely to get him thrown out of the game. Shouldn't the other guy get thrown out? He pulled it off. It's not like Biz pulled it off and threw it to the ground. Oh well... that's the rules. But even with out Biz, Hanzal, Korpi, and all the penalties we caused or didn't cause....Doan scored. And then Pyatt scored a beautiful goal 44 seconds later. And then, as always.... The Hawks score because we get exited and lose focus. But it's okay... we're still up.... And then, like a repeat of ever game... Hawks score again late in the third. AND WE GO TO OVERTIME FOR THE FOURTH TIME!  It's intense. I was so nervous. I mean, this is the fourth game in overtime, and it can go either way. We are missing key players, and we're getting tired an losing focus. But here comes Boedker.... yes, boedker again! He scores the OT game winning goal... AGAIN. How awesome is this kid? He needs a raise! Hell, the whole team does because we DOMINATED the Blackhawks on their own turf. And they were quiet as can be. No cheering, no assholes, no trash thrown in their own arena. Losing is a bitch.... but we won. And we're going to bring it even harder on Saturday.

I said we wanted Redemption.... I said we were going to bring the heat. And look... Blackhawk's feathesr look mighty singed. I don't know if their poor little wings will make the flight for Saturday's game.....


We Believe.

5.5 Seconds......

Well.... We went the the game on Saturday. It was our first Play Off experience. I made White Out Shirts, we were pumped. PUMPED! We got there early and actually enjoyed the Arena with it a little less empty. There was a special air about the place. It was ready. It was poised. The ice was calling to the Coyotes. It was a beautiful feeling. All the seats had a white pom pom on it. People starting filing in. So many people wearing white.... (not everyone though. I will exclude the Blackhawks fans... but Coyotes fans... really? You couldn't get a cheap white shirt to wear???) They came out and practiced. You could see their play off beards. Intensity. The first period starts..... we're playing okay. Started a little slow, Blackhawks scored first. The fans were obnoxious. It was one goal and they're cheering like they won the Stanley Cup. That's cool though. It was still the first period, and we are the ultimate underdog. We overcome. And we do. We scored. Every puck Smitty stopped was unforgettable. He flashed the leather. He made it known he got the puck. Everyone was on the edge of their seat. By the second period we were 2 to 1. It was looking good. They scored. But a little over half way through the game, Smith goes behind the net to play the puck and Shaw comes around a throws his shoulder up and makes direct contact with Smith's head. He falls. Everyone stands. He's hurt. He's hurt bad. Labarbera jumps on the ice and stretches, waiting, preparing. This could be bad.... seconds feel like hours as we watch Smith get up. He pours some water down his neck and shakes it off. No one was expecting that. Shaw got a 5 minute major and was kicked out of the game (and he was suspended for three games today!) So we rallied and scored on the power play! We showed them! So by the third we're up by one and it is looking great. We came out with a vengeance. Smith was as good as ever. He made some great saves..... 15 seconds left. The crowd stands, waiting to scream with joy. 10....9....8....7.... Blackhawks are in our zone. They pulled their goalie....6...5....5.5..... And the Blackhawks score......... And their fans go crazy. It was ridiculous. They didn't win yet. As everyone gets up to stretch their legs, all the Blackhawks fans get in all of our faces and start talking all kinds of crap. It was just childish and disrespectful. They were in OUR house. They were almost fan fights. It was going to get ugly. Overtime starts and we are fierce. Many of the childish, younger fans are flipping off the players. I mean, really?  We are fighting for our lives. But it's not good enough.... a bad line change, and a bad pass and the blackhawks score. And the fans go wild. They are screaming and they start throwing they're trash down to the lower level and to the ice. It was just rude. They didn't win the series yet. It was one game! ONE GAME! They acted like they won the whole entire thing. They were the most disrespectful fans.

I wanted us to win.... but I was okay with the loss. We played a great game. Hanzal got hurt in the first period and didn't play... and then we get a cheap shot to our goalie in the second.... and disrespectful fans throughout the whole game.... but we still played a fantastic games through all the disadvantages. And I'm not saying we need a pity party, or for people to feel sorry for us, because we are better than that.

What I'm not okay with is the way the fans of the Blackhawks acted. It was wrong. It was childish. It makes the team look bad. It makes hockey fans look bad. It was rude. And completely unnecessary. Who knows what else these fans will do... maybe riot and burn their city... oh wait that was the Canuck's fans.....But they could be next. I do not care for the Blackhawks, or their fans. You fans are the worst of the worst. And remember, we are loyal to our pack. If you mess with them, you mess with us.

But remember this..... The Phoenix Coyotes are resilient. They overcome. They rise above. They are the underdog. They persevere.

 And the want redemption....

So get ready Chicago... We are bringing the heat tonight.... and you're going to burn. 

Chalkboard paint.... SUCCESS!

It was a success! I was surprised. As I stirred in the grout I wondered how in hell it would really work. I felt that I would need to put a whole cup of grout in the the paint.... but alas.... it worked!

 I had to practice on something before I ruined the vases I got for the centerpieces.... I found this sitting on the top shelf in our coffee cup cabinet. I got this for an unnamed asshole in my previous life...

 And this is our wedding centerpiece prototype. The picture doesn't really do it justice. It might need a few filler twigs or something to balance it out.... but I'm waiting for Hobby Lobby to make it 50% off again. Ha! That stuff is expensive.....

 I figured we could do table number on them....

 My little yellow paper roses. Which I love, and I don't care if no one else loves it.

So I like them. I like that they are simple, rustic, handmade, and special. And mostly cheap and easy to make. And unique. So suck it to anyone who doesn't like them or get them. It's my wedding, and I will do what I want to do. I have to get that in my head before I just totally give up on the whole wedding thing, which I am close to doing. It's so stressful. And overwhelming. And expensive. I pay for people to celebrate MY wedding. People should pay for their own meal damn it. I'm getting to the point where I'd rather just go to the court house and get it done, and then have a nice lunch at Flancers. (suddenly had a craving for it....ha) But... I have so many ideas, and I want the dress, and I have shoes, and I want to see Chuck's face when he sees me in the dress for the first time, and I want my dad to wear a suit with a zombie bandana and walk me down the aisle. It's just a lot. And I have to find a photographer that I like, and want to spend my money on. Ugh.... and we still  need to find a place. And figure out a budget. Oh geez... I feel a panic attack coming on. Oh how I wish Jeannie was here to hold my hand through this. Now I know what she felt like planning her wedding.....

Friday.... Where have you been all my life?

It's friday morning. I have exactly 4 hours and 15 minutes until Charlie gets home from work, so I had to get up early today to have some day off alone time. Not that I don't love Charlie, but when he's home, I don't like to be cooped up in my craft room ignoring him. I want to spend time with him and talk about how the Coyotes WON LAST NIGHT IN OVERTIME! I will admit though, I was the one falling asleep at the end. I guess I should have taken a nap too, but I've never been a napper. I'd rather just keep sleeping than wake up to go to sleep later. And I think that when you fall asleep in the chair or couch, minus your arm falling asleep and hurting so bad because it is holding up your head, it's the best sleep you can get. :) Anywhoo..... The game was great! Chicago scored the first goal, leaving us trailing behind until the second period and Cutie Pyatt comes through and scores a goal to tie us up! We finally start playing play off hockey! And then Vermette scores another giving us the lead 2-1. SO we get excited. This is it we say. We're going to win. We can do this! Third period, late in the game, with less than 30 seconds left in the period, Smith let a goal go by. It was devastating. We were tied. We were going to over time. I woke up from my brief nap to be upset with Chuck, and waiting for OT to start. The great thing about Play Off games is that there is no shoot outs. It's just 20 minutes of over time. So.... half way through the 20 minutes of OT, Aucoin takes a shot...... Slow motion.... the puck flies through to Hanzal who redirects it into the net past Chicago's Crawford..... AND WE WIN GAME ONE IN OVERTIME!!!! I was woken up by Chuck's cheering. It was great. And I got to see the replay, so it was like I was awake for it to happen. (Sorry Yotes... I get tired past 9pm.... I am an old lady, but I sure as hell watch the high lights!) So our beloved Yotes rallied together and play hockey the hard way. We even had a key injury in the beginning of the game which could have really set us back in this round. Vrbata was hit against the glass and banged his head. He was out for the rest of the game.... but they boys pulled it together and won for him. Because if the Coyotes know how to do one things, it's being the under dog, and coming back to show you who's boss. This is a team that wants to play hockey. Just pure and simple hockey. They want to be a team. They're not in it to go where there's money, where there is a sure hope of winning a Stanley Cup. They want to win it on their team, with their family, with their fans. They want Phoenix to have the cup. They are true gentlemen, team mates, players-- you name it. Phoenix is not about show boating, or having their name in a rap song, or being on an NHL commercial, or having their picture on the cover of NHL13. These guys just want to play hockey, and win. And that's what athletes should be about. The love of the game. But today, everyone wants more money. More fame. More greed. And I will say that that is not the Coyotes. And it makes me proud to be a fan, to go to their games, to support them even when they are losing because they support us. And you can't ask for a better team.

So I say.... I believe in you.... Doan, Yandle, Whitney, Vrbata, Pyatt, Aucoin, Smith, Labarbera, Bissonnette, Torres, Hanzal, Rozsival, Morris, Vermette, Langkow, Ekman-Larsson, Schlemko, Chipchura, Boedker, Brule, Gordon, Korpikoski, Klesla, Stone, and Summers.

WE BELIEVE YOU BELONG IN PHOENIX.

PLAYOFFS, BABY!

Today we play the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the playoffs. I. AM. SO. EXCITED. AND! We're going to game 2 on Saturday night. Oh, and did I mention that the Coyotes were the Pacific Division Champs--- FIRST TIME IN FRANCHISE HISTORY!!! Beyond words exciting! Sooo.... To celebrate the White Out 2012.... I am making t shirts. That ways ours rock, and the cheap ones the usually give out will be over shadowed by our awesomeness. But that's only if what I'm doing works. So, I found a lot of tutorials on DIY Screenprinting. And I'm using this one to do our shirts.... So far I have the design traced and letting the mod podge dry, and hopefully tonight I'll touch up some spots and tomorrow morning I can finish!

 

 And... while Charlie is napping before the game (he has to get up at 2 am now for work, so poor baby needs a nap to stay up and watch the game.... hehe) I mixed the chalkboard paint that I've been wanting to make for awhile that I got from here. I wanted to make it for our wedding centerpieces that I have been working on slowly. Picture to follow... if the whole chalkboard thing actually works. I am a little skeptical. Then I did my mom's taxes. And now.... who knows. I could start making dinner, but I want to keep making things. Or drink a beer. 

I haven't decided yet.

Open House, Closed Door

Today kinda sucks. From 6 to 8pm tonight, the place that I'm pretty sure I want to have the wedding at is having an open house. We've known about it for a month now, but Chuck is closing at work tonight, so he couldn't go. Which is cool,I asked my parents to go to check it out and then I would set up an appointment for Chuck and I. Well, my mom suddenly got bronchitis. I'm not mad at her, so when you read this mom, DON'T BE UPSET. I'M NOT MAD! :) So, now I have no one to go with and it just made me think of Jeannie. If this was happening there or she was here, I could call her and say Hey, I need a plus one and your awesome opinion, can you come tonight? And she would. But 1800 miles apart sucks. It just makes me miss her even more that I can't ask her to come with me tonight. Yes, I could go by myself... but if anyone knows me they know that I like to be alone when I'm alone, but need someone to be with me when I'm not alone. I just didn't want to do it by myself. Anxiety and all. SO.... here I sit at home, waiting for Charlie to get off work at 10, maybe going to crochet a bit. Maybe watch a movie. Maybe read a little. Maybe work on my book blog. I dunno. Mostly, I'm just exhausted from this last week. Lots have happened. Charlie's birthday, Inventory, making a cake for an ungrateful bastard, Charlie's brother's birthday.... Just tired. SO maybe this was a good thing. We can always just schedule a private appointment to see the place. I can spend the rest of my night looking on Pinterest for screen printing because I found a tutorial, and now I REALLY want to do it.

Oh! And Jeannie got the special box that asked her to be my maid of honor.... and she said YES! But I already know that. I guess that just makes things a little more real now.

Anyway... I'm gonna go be a zombie for the rest of the night because I haven't really relaxed all week.