The City of Brotherly Love

I woke up before the sun came up Saturday morning, to a bunch of rain... but that didn't dampen my mood. Usually when I'm being woken up at 5 am, I'm not too happy... luckily it was so I could head up to Philadelphia. After getting up and getting myself and the dog ready, we headed over to my parents house. Jonas got to stay the day with his puppy brother, while my Dad and me set off for the City of Brotherly Love.

If you know me, you know I'm obsessed with hockey.. and more specifically, the Philadelphia Flyers. I even have a tattoo on my leg. Anytime I get to take the 5 hour trip up the Eastern Shore, I never hesitate! Especially when there's free tickets involved, and a promise to see Mr. Mike and Mrs. Barbara. Unfortunately we didn't get to spend much time there, but any time is better than none. 

Dad and I got everything ready to go and set out on the road to Philly. My Jeep got broken in for her first road trip, as well. I've done the trip to Philly a million times, but some how we got to talking and completely missed our exit to continue up 13. Things started to look pretty unfamiliar to us, so I whipped out the phone and pulled up google maps. Sure enough we were headed up 50 instead of 13. But no biggie, thanks to technology I just plugged in the arena address and we were well on our way. I think, however, we found a new route to head up.. to us it seemed a lot easier of a drive. Higher speed limit, less traffic lights, and fewer little towns to go through. I think we made a great find! 

We got up to the arena and parked, then headed in to get some Chickie's and Pete's. If you haven't had crab fries from there, you're seriously missing out. It's always a must have when I go to a game. After devouring some delicious chicken and fries, we set off to find our seats. I absolutely loved our seats! We were sitting behind the goalie (which is where our season tickets are at Admirals games) and 12 rows up off the glass.

The name says it all.

Cutlets and Crab Fries.. && of course cheese sauce!

Though the Flyers didn't win the game.. I couldn't be upset. Being here in Norfolk with an AHL team, you see a lot of players come and go and Saturday was no exception. A good handful of guys that won the Calder Cup here in Norfolk, were playing against the Flyers on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Though I definitely would have liked to see the Flyers win, it's always a great time seeing the boys of the past doing really well in the show. 

After the game was over we fought the traffic and the rain to go get a delicious cheese steak from Geno's. Yes, you can get a great cheese steak in a million places around the city.. but the two most famous are Pat's and Geno's. They are on opposite corners from one another and no matter what time you go, there is always going to be a line and lots of people. The pouring rain didn't stop anyone that day, that's for sure. I've had both Pat's and Geno's and I definitely prefer Geno's... but that's just my personal opinion. I never go to Philly without making a stop at Geno's. If you're ever in the area.. come with an appetite and try them both and see which one you prefer. But be sure to order right... or you will get kicked to the back of the line. Me... I prefer mine to be, "Whit Wit". Gotta learn the lingo before you go. 

I got my fat girl on with this one! Delicious.

After saying goodbye to Mr. Mike and Mrs. Barbara, we hit the road again to head back home. We made sure we paid attention to the roads and came back down the planned route (13). Everything was going along just dandy and we were pretty much traveling alone, no cars around us. Randomly my Dad looks in the review mirror and here comes an SVU barreling down the road. By the time I looked in the side mirror, I see the car swerving straight towards my back bumper and at the last second swerve back the other way and drive past us... inches away from my car. I was completely freaked out! I was screaming and trying to climb out of my seat. After he went past us, we saw him swerve all over the road and we were sure we were going to see him splattered across the road way, but thankfully we didn't. 

After making it home in one piece, I headed home to bed. I don't know why... but something about being in a car all day traveling makes me exhausted! I was just happy to be curled up with my dog and not sitting in the seat of my car anymore. 

Now I'll leave you with some pictures to look at since you've now read a novel! Hope you enjoy! Sorry the quality isn't that great, I forgot my camera... rookie mistake. I have tons of pictures of the game, but there's too many to post!

Going through some of my Flyer's jerseys.

I look horrible, but this is our drive up!

Chickie's and Pete's.

Our seats! Not too shabby right!?!

Mr. Mike! Love this man!

Look! He has a Flyer's jacket on!!

This made me giggle... Gudas and Downie!

Snow... I don't do snow!
Glad it was all melted.

Mayhem! But the glorious Geno's.

Told you it's crazy down there,
but here is Pat's.

Mrs. Barbara and Mr. Mike! 

Ray's Happy Birthday Bar.
I just thought the sign was funny.

Rocking my new Hartnell hoodie!

When Life Throws You a Rainy Day, Play in the Puddles!

"It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring."

I know that things have been dry lately, with little rain... but dang is it making up for it now! Rain for pretty much a week straight... That's no fun. All this rain makes me want to do is put some pjs on, curl up in bed with the pup, and watch movies all day. Unfortunately life doesn't stop for a little bit lot of rain, so on with life we go.

To cheer up my mood, I've been thinking about all the exciting things going on this weekend. Most importantly, HOCKEY COMES BACK TO NORFOLK! That's right, the Norfolk Admirals are in town for their home opener Friday night! If you don't have any plans, you should definitely go... you can buy tickets HERE! They are suppose to be having a party on the plaza before the game, but I'm not sure how it's going to work with the game. I'm also hoping kickball is cancelled so that my friends can make the game on time. I streamed the game from Saturday night online and the team was looking pretty good, let's hope they keep it up and get a win for the home crowd.

Saturday is clean up/grocery/craft day. My bright self evidently left the freezer door open all day yesterday... so now everything I had in there, is ruined. I guess that gives me a good reason to give the freezer a good scrub down right!?! I always plan to get up early on the weekends and do some cleaning...but it never happens. This Saturday is no different, I plan to get up early and get stuff done. Crossing my fingers that I don't just decide to be lazy since it will be rainy! Saturday afternoon is going to be spent doing crafts! Now don't get your hopes up for pictures of these awesome crafts I do... I'm not crafty at all. I want to make my house look a little more "homey" so I found a link on how to make an easy wreath. I decided that since it's hockey season, I'll try to make a Flyer's wreath. I'll be sure to post a picture so you can either laugh at my embarrassment of a "wreath", or be blown away by my awesome crafting abilities that I got out of thin air. I'm pretty much guessing it will be the first option! Hey, at least I'm going to try! Saturday evening will be spent at the Scope Arena to see home game #2 for the Norfolk Admirals. :) 

Sunday seems like the perfect day to throw something yummy in the crock pot and watch football all day! I'm trying to cut back on spending, so instead of going out and watching the game like a cool person... I'll be staying home making yummy food, and maybe even baking! I also will have to make sure I'm finished up with The Walking Dead Season 3 since Season 4 premieres Sunday night!!! I  want to start on the show "Orange is the New Black". I've heard a lot of good things about it.

What are some awesome shows that you would recommend me watching? What are you favorite things to do when it's rainy outside?

Photo Credit goes to the Norfolk Admirals.
To purchase an Anniversary puck just click here!

Preseason Meet N Greet

Today is the day that hockey fans have been waiting for... It's the opening night of the 2013-2014 NHL season. In celebration of hockey being back, my friends and me will be heading up to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the Caps/Blackhawks game! If you're in the area, feel free to come join us! I'll definitely be rooting on the defending Stanley Cup Champions... the Chicago Blackhawks.

Saturday evening after the Norfolk Admirals Exhibition game the season ticket holders got to the be Admirals that were there that night. Keep in mind that some of these guys will not be here for the regular season, seeing as how the final roster hasn't been released yet. I have names on most of the photos, but I don't remember who a couple of them were! Who's going to be your favorite Admiral this season?!

Really wish I would have remembered to take a better camera, Sorry! 

Now here are the boys! 

Chicago Fire!

Oh Heyyy. It's the night I've been waiting for, for a while now. Tonight is the Season 2 premiere of Chicago Fire!! If you haven't seen the show before, I suggest that you check it out! I never thought I would like it, but I ended up being glued to it! So you know where I'll be tonight at about 10! It comes on after The Voice, so if you're watching that... Just keep on watching, you won't regret it!

Hello Jesse Spencer && Taylor Kinney

In other news, today starts the training camp for the Norfolk Admirals! You heard that right... training camp is finally here in Norfolk. Don't forget that if you don't have anything going on this Saturday, you should totally check out their exhibition game! Make sure so say "Hi" if you see me! I sit behind the goalie on the Admirals side of the ice!

Photo Credit to whoever took this for the NorfolkAdmirals
Facebook page!! :) I'll put your name if I find out who you are!

Here is a link to the Training Camp schedule and where to purchase tickets.

My mind is all over the place today. Thankfully I don't have class tonight, so I get a bit of a break. I'm really excited to get home, seeing as how I have dinner waiting in the crock pot! YUM! This is my first attempt at making a pot roast, so we will see how it turns out! If it turns out pretty decent I will definitely post the recipe. :) 

Anything happening exciting this week for anyone!?

One Step Closer to Hockey.

Today marks a day I've been waiting for all summer. Training camp officially starts today, well the on ice portion anyways. It's been a busy week at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA this week. The rookies have been working their butts off to try to impress the coaches and staff. Today is when they really have to start showing off their stuff... cause the veterans are in the building.

Technically, the veterans were in the building yesterday. Yesterday was a day full of fitness testing, photo shoots, and media opportunities for the vets. Today is when things get serious though! 

Here is a look at the Training Camp Roster for the 2013 Anaheim Ducks.

It's always interesting to see who makes the cuts and who comes back down to Norfolk. I love being in a city with an AHL team. Most of the players here aren't snobs yet, I did say "most". The players here are still really accessible to fans and like interacting with them. I can't tell you how many times I've been to an NHL game and I've seen numerous players that have come through Norfolk at some point in time. It's a really awesome feeling seeing them make it in the big leagues. 

All I know is training camp is the first step to getting my hockey back!! The smell of hockey is in the air! If you don't have anything to do Saturday, September 28th... you should come check out the Norfolk Admirals in the exhibition game against the Charlotte Checkers! 

Tickets for the Exhibition Game go on sale Sunday the 15th, so be sure to go and get them in advance so you don't forget! I'd love to see everyone out there!

These would be my two favorite players on the Ducks:

Kyle Palmieri

Pat Maroon

...Until Next Time...