Celebrating Joe

There always comes a time when kids are too busy...

thank goodness that my nephew isn't there yet.

He's busy, but still willing to hang out with his silly aunt.
One of the things that I love about January is that
I can plan a special birthday "Day of Fun" for Joe.
He a cool kid.
So what would help make this cool kid a cool birthday?
Hockey!!
(Yep, I went there.  It's cheesy, but I'm cheesy. It works)

Joe and I love Hockey.

Okay, we don't know much about the game really.

All we care about are the fights.

There's something really thrilling about chanting,

"Fight! Fight! Fight!"

with thousands of people...

And it's encouraged!

Bonus.

We like that...A LOT!

Thankfully, this game gave us plenty of times to chant 

for someone to punch the other out.

Not our usual chanting, 

but it's fun.

After the game, it over to my house...

and The Murph.

As soon as Murphy sees Joe,

I don't exist anymore...

He LOVES Joe.

And who wouldn't blame him?

He's a pretty awesome kid.

After a little slumber, we off early to breakfast at one of my favorite spots...Genie's

If you live in Portland and you don't head here often...well, you should.

It's delicious!

With our tummies full,

we head over to Pacific Pie Company for slices to go.

Joe has a busy day planning basketball, 

but no birthday can be complete in our family 

without a little birthday pie. Yum!

There are so many choices, 

but somehow, 

we managed to find a few treats for the afternoon.

So there it is, a complete birthday celebration.

Hockey, fights, delicious breakfast, and local pie...

Happy Birthday Joe!!

Perspective and Hockey

Disappointment is a part of life.

That doesn't mean that I like it, and I don't.

When I go to specific places I have expectations. 

Hanging out with friends? I'll laugh...hopefully snort because it's so funny.

Going out to eat? I'll pick something delicious.

Going to a hockey game? I will watch a good fight.

Yeah. All I want to is see a good fight.

Is that too much to ask?!?

I don't think that it is.

But obviously it was for Friday nights' game.

I know...

You must be thinking?

"Did I just read that right?
The girl who loves kindness, joy, cute kittens and puppies WANTS the players to fight?!?"

I know...weird right?

Don't worry.
The world is still turning on its axis.
The end is not near.

I just really like hockey fights.

It's the one place that fighting doesn't bother me.

Maybe it's the ice?

I don't know.

But I do feel like its okay.

I mean, they're wearing padding...a lot of padding! 

Plus, it's not like the fight is going to get too out of control.

They will be stopped, so it's okay in my book.

In fact, I like the drama of it all.

Stick dropped. Gloves thrown. Helmet off.

It's all so dramatic...especially when they're wearing ice skates!

I think it's the tough guy way of proving that they're never going to be in an ice skating competition.  

'Cause they thrown it down.

But this was not my night for a good fight.

Was there good hockey?

Yep.  

It was action-packed excitement.

We're my friends awesome and funny?

Heck yeah!
They're my FFF family!
How could they not be?!

Good fights?

No. None.

But that's okay, because as a group we had Fences For Fido 

up on the jumbo-tron.

That way other people can checkout our awesomeness and volunteer.

In fact...YOU SHOULD TOO! 

Who cares about hockey when there are dogs that need to be freed from life on a chain?!?!

You read me raving about it, so go sign up.

It will, literally change your life while you change another.

That's a promise.

FENCES FOR FIDO

www.fencesforfido.org

I didn't see this coming...

Happy Birthday Joe...Part Two.
This is the second part of Joe's Day o' Fun and fights...

many, many fights.Not with me or Joe,

but with Hockey.

I didn't see this coming...Hockey.


I had forgotten how fun it was to anticipate
the players wailing on each other!
Now, this is where the first line fits in...
I really liked it.
A lot.
I didn't see that coming.

Especially since I really don't like violence.
I spend everyday trying to keep fights from erupting,
but there I was encouraging...
hoping...egging the guys to hit each other.
Mad at the refs when they pulled them apart!
I shake my head at myself,
a bit ashamed.

But, it was super fun.

And, oh this is bad...super bad...should I say it?
Yeah, we're friends.
I really wanted more fights and a bloody nose poring onto the ice.
(Ashamed.)
I really liked hockey.
See, I really didn't see this coming.
I had been to hockey games before, but I don't remember it being so fabulous.
They really go after each other
AND it's encouraged!
Expected.
Seeming required to have a complete game!





Plus, after they hit each other...the players seem fine with it.
Frustration?
Totally dealt with.
Problem?
Solved...with their fist. Eek!

Now the real lesson here and the only why that I can feel okay about it is this...
Time & Place.
These things are really important.
It's not okay to punch a dude walking down the street
or when they steal your parking spot.
Not okay people.
It's not okay to yank on someones clothes when you want them
to move out of your way so you can get your can of soup.
See, still not okay.
And, it's not okay to take a stick and place it in front of someone else while they're moving swiftly. Then continue to hit them with the stick while kicking them as they slide into a wall.
Tisk-tisk...that's really not okay.

But do you know where it's totally fine?

Encouraged and expected?

You guessed it!

Hockey.

Gloriously fabulous hockey.

Where you feel better by just watching them hit each other violently.

Somehow, the world is a bit calmer.

It's more in place. In check.

Yep...checked, but slamming a player into the wall.

I don't know about you, but I feel better.

I really didn't see this coming...

Hockey was relaxing to me.

Huh.

It sure surprised me.

Who would've thought that?!

Sometimes things do that.

You know what else?!

I want to go again...soon.

And this time there better be a nose bleed!

Come on guys! (Throwing my hands up!)

Yikes...I didn't see that coming...

It must be the cold, dry air on January getting to my brain.

Wait. I need to think if another excuse for February....ice.

I'm blaming it on the ice. It's cold and icy around the rink.

Yep...that's it.

With an excuse on hand, I'm going to plan another hockey adventure.

Who knows, maybe I'll surprise myself again!

Friends, please promise me that if I start thinking

crazy crocked or missing teeth is hot, get me help!

Hmmm...though...thinking about it...it kinda is.

Oh no...Eek!!