First Hockey Game and the Unreal Halftime Entertainment

So, this past weekend I had a new first. I went to my first hockey game! Now, that I have some good friends in Columbus, I have actually stayed here on the weekends. I know- I can't believe it either, since I have been such the traveling gypsy the past year and a half of my life. Anyways, one of the first weekend Columbus adventures was a Columbus Cottonmouths hockey game at the Columbus Civic Center. They were playing the Lousiana IceGators. With those two team names, we knew it would be a good time.

In preparation for the night's events, I asked myself- What does one wear to a hockey game?!? With it being my first time, I didn't want to stand out in the crowd with a wrong outfit decision. (Oh the horror!) Also, was it actually going to be cold inside because of the ice rink? So many questions. I reluctantly decided on jeans, a black top, and neutral colored scarf. Simple color choices, as not to start a fan fight, and semi-warm, as not to get too cold if the ice rink affected the temp.

Adair, Clara, and I

This past Saturday night, we got to the civic center and asked the lovely ticket master for advice on what seats would be good for first timers. Then, we headed to our seats. With my luck, there was already a family sitting in our seats that we had to get an employee to kick out. Whoops! Oh well! Our seats were directly behind one of the goalies (not sure if that is the proper hockey lingo). The seats were protected from flying pucks with a huge net, which I was thankful for. Knowing me I could have easily been a target for one of those pucks. The game had already started, and the Cottonmouths were down by one. I quickly realized that hockey is a VERY fast paced game. Also, I had heard before that fighting was actually allowed in hockey. That was no joke. At one point, they had paused the game, allowed two players to remove their helmets and gloves, and we watched as they duked it out on the ice. The player for the Cottonmouths won. Yay! It was an intense moment of the evening though.

Action shot

The team excited that they won!

Hockey games really seem to bring out an interesting crowd. It was a family affair for some. For others, it was a chance to get drunk, bang on the plastic around the rink, and shout obscenities. One of the more interesting fans we saw sat right in front of us. It was a older, very metro cowboy wearing a stetson the size of Texas, and needless to say, his four sons came into this world wearing stetsons as well. It was so much hat that I couldn't fit all of them in the picture. Wow.

On to the half-time show! Well, we thought it was going to be the halftime show, but it ended up not being until after the game. The Cottonmouths won the game 5 to 4. Yay!

Now, that the hockey game was done, we could make way for the real entertainment. Drumroll please! Micro-wresting!!! What is micro-wrestling might you ask? Well, essentially, it is midget wrestling with a better, less offensive name. So, yes, we were about to watch midgets wrestle. Wow. I still can't get over it. While they set up the mini wrestling ring on the ice, we got to enjoy some lovely karaoke by some of Columbus' finest wannabe's. It gave me a little insight into American Idol tryouts. A few songs later, and it was time for the show. The crowd got a little restless, so they felt the need to shout "We want midgets" until the karaoke stopped.

Wow. Wow. Wow. It was like watching WWF staged wrestling on a much smaller scale. The first match was between one guy in camo pants and another guy in a black unitard, who referred to himself as a sumo midget. Yep. Another wow. Did I mention there was also a blonde midget referee with 3 foot long hair extensions? If Playboy ever does a midget issue, she would be a perfect candidate. In case you were wondering, the sumo wrestler lost! Shocker- the underdog won. The next match was between an average joe looking guy and a wrestler in a red unitard. This one got so heated that they actually pulled metal crash can lids out from under the ring. The match kept going on and on, so we didn't stick around to see the victor. By that point we had endured about an hour of fake wrestling and just couldn't handle anymore. I'd like to say that I made all of that up, but it's just too funny an experience that I don't think anyone could fabricate it.

Needless to say, this night had several firsts- first hockey game and first micro-wrestling match. I just had to share this experience. It was too funny not to share. We decided that we will definitely attend more hockey games after such an eventful evening. I can only hope that those games will be just as entertaining.

Fun Stuff

Pretty Eyes Hopkins....

True Life: I'm a Pinterest Skank

So, for the past few months, I've been having a great love affair with Pinterest. I honestly feel like it is the ultimate website that has been missing from my life for years. Whether it's by fashion, home decor, exotic travel locations, or humorous life quotes, Pinterest can keep me entertained for hours....Yes, I am completely aware of how sad that is.

I was a Pinterest skeptic at first. My sis Kelly kept raving about it, and I just brushed her off, thinking I had better things to do. Needless to say, I shamelessly joined one day and haven't looked back.

Several of my Christmas presents this year consisted of gifts from ideas from Pinterest. Crafty Laura is my new alter ego. I got so crafty I had to get a craft organizer. Pause for your laughter. It even rolls like those awesome rolling book bags. Pause for more laughter. Judge all you want-- Just be appreciative when you receive one of crafty gifts.

Here are some pics of my gifts. I had seen an awesome tutu picture to do for little girls, so Abigail and I took on the project as a gift for Matt and Kelly. I have pictures from the finished project and in the process. It was so much fun to have art time with Abigail, even though we completely demolished Mom's kitchen. The counter, the sink, and I were completely covered in pink paint by the end of it. Seriously, completely covered.

All smiles for art time!!

Are you sure you know what your doing, Aunt Laura? You do realize what happens when you give a 2 year old paint, right?

Oh, boy! That pink paint looks fun!

Hurry up, Aunt Laura. Let's get this thing started.

Practice- Round 1

We had 2 pieces of paper- one to play on and one for the real deal. Notice we also ended up shedding clothes to avoid ruining them with the pink paint.

The finished present (a little blurry because I took it on my cell phone)

Matt and Kelly loved the finished project. They are currently in the midst of redoing Abigail's baby room into a big girl room. The tutu picture will find its home in there.

Another Pinterest project that I did was for Nanny, Granny, Mama, and Kelly. Each got their own tailored for their own houses. It's a joke with my family how much I hate dirty dishes. I mean I really do. Doing the dishes and unloading the dishwasher are my least favorite household chores. I saw a little kitchen quote on Pinterest relating to dirty dishes, and since I have read it, I have looked at dirty dishes in a whole new light. Here is the quote:

Dirty Dishes 

Thank Heaven for dirty dishes.

They have a tale to tell.

While other folks go hungry,

We’re eating very well.

With home and health and

happiness,

We shouldn’t want to fuss.

By this stack of evidence,

God’s very good to us.

So, I decided to make the ladies a little quote of this to put in their kitchens. I did one for me to sit beside my sink, so I thought why not do one fore them. Here are some pics of one of the finished projects.

Mom's- Hanging on the windows over her kitchen sink

Mom's

Mom's

That is all my craftiness for now, but I definitely have some more projects up my sleeve. So, stay tuned.

Post Holiday Depression

It's like Postpartum Depression, except Holiday style. Thanksgiving passes, then Christmas, then New Years. All of the holiday goodies are on major clearance, and stores start stocking the shelves for Valentine's Day and Springtime. It makes me so sad!

This year my family was the center of my holiday celebrations, which was just right! Our Christmas together was fantastic. Mom, Dad, Matt, Kelly, Abigail, Granny, Grandpa, Nanny, Papa, and me. Oh, and Lexi and Koop de Doop. I could not have asked for a better crowd! I just love it when you are in a room with family, and you lose all sense of time! Opening presents, eating a Christmas day feast, watching the joy in Abigail's eyes...we were all just wrapped up in the awesome moments. I think my favorite gift was one we actually gave Grandpa (Dad's dad), even though it was a gift for us all. Dad is in the process of building a bridge between our properties Carr Farms and Kinchafoonee Forest. Well, the bridge had to have a name. So, we came up with "Stephen's Crossing." Dad wrapped up a mock-up of the sign for the bridge, and when Grandpa opened it, we all took a moment of silence for our sweet Stephen, who we all seem to miss even more than normal (if that's possible) this time of year. Before we all knew it and looked at our watches, it was well into the afternoon. Time for grandparents and Abigail to catch a nap. Time for Mom and I to start clearing away the boxes, paper scraps, and shiny bows. Christmas was absolute perfection.

With the  Christmas decor cleared away, it was time for New Year's Eve. I spent the evening with all my girls in Atlanta. We decked out in sequins and glitter from head to toe for the Buckhead Ball at the Grand Hyatt. It was a better time than I could have even asked for, ringing in the new year with the best friends a girl could ask for. I don't believe in setting yourself up for failure, so instead of making a new year's resolution, I'm making a new year's wish. A wish simply for something magical to happen this year. I love those rare moments in life where there is no other explanation other than God's magic...so, I have high hopes for one this year.

I hope everyone's holidays were as enjoyable! I hate we have to wait a whole year for them again, but I hope for a year full of laughs, smiles, hugs, successes, and sweetness for all.