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!

Sweet Summer Time

Hello there! I'm back again. And since I have no life, maybe I'll be able to keep up with this thing again... we shall see. 

Well I think that the weather decided that we didn't need a spring season this year. I mean we went from 50's to 80's... and today it's suppose to be 93. Oh and not to mention tomorrow is suppose to be like 100! What in the world is going on!?! Luckily I work in an office with some nice AC blasting. :) 

Lots to look forward to this summer! 

In exactly a month Momma and me will be going to see Train and Gavin DeGraw.

And can I say how awesome my Mother is... pretty freaking awesome! 

Thanks to her I'll be getting to meet Gavin DeGraw again. 

I can definitely go without meeting Train again, they aren't the nicest guys.

But at least they put out some really good music!

Then in two months I'll be headed to Nags Head for a week with the family!

For once, all 5 of us will be down there together!

We didn't get to go last year since we went to Alaska so it will be nice to get back to our yearly tradition.

My little slice of heaven. 

I'm finally not coaching kickball this summer, so I will have plenty of pure relaxation time. I love kickball and all but I stress out over it too much. Luckily my cousin decided he'd take it over for me. Poor boy, I don't think he knows what he's getting himself into to. I use to love coaching but after 3 years, you kind of get burnt out. So now I just get to go out there and have fun! Maybe it'll spark my love for kickball up again!

Well tonight starts a very intense next couple of weeks. 

It's Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Boston Bruins and the Chicago Blackhawks.

As well as it is Game 3 of the Calder Cup Finals between the Grand Rapids Griffins and

the Syracuse Crunch.

I'm pulling for Chicago and Grand Rapids.

I'll be glued to my tv and my laptop tonight watching both games! 

Saddening that hockey season is coming to a close though.

 VS

VS

Well time to actually try and get some work done! 

....Until Next Time....

It's My Favorite Day of the Year!

No no no... not because it's Friday. 

Though that is nice too.

IT'S THE START OF HOCKEY SEASON.

And that's a very big deal to me.

Last night was suppose to be the opening night for NHL teams.

My lovely Philadelphia Flyers were suppose to play the Boston Bruins.

Would have loved to watch that game.

Tonight however is the Norfolk Admirals home opener.

Last season the Admirals had a 28 game winning streak to end the season.

In the playoffs they won 15 of 18 games.

&& Ended up winning the Calder Cup.

BIG DEAL FOR US FANS IN NORFOLK!

Norfolk Admirals Baby!

However, the Tampa Bay Management decided they no longer wanted to be affiliated with us anymore. So they packed up shop and most of the boys who just won the cup, and headed to Syracuse, New York. Bummer I know! In return we now have the boys who were playing in Syracuse last year. Instead of the Lightning being our parent team, we are now under the wings of the Anaheim Ducks. Yes, bring out the QUACK QUACK QUACK! (I legit want to get a duck call for the games.)

I call this the year of the come backs. Why you ask? All three coaches that we have this year were here at various times. Our Head Coach Trent Yawney was the coach here in Norfolk when the Admirals switched from the ECHL to the AHL. We were under the Black Hawks at that time. Every one of the five seasons he was here, we made it to the playoffs. Our Associate Coach Mike Haviland took over the coaching roles when Trent Yawney went on to bigger and better things. Every season under his belt, the team made it to playoffs as well. Marty Wilford is our Assistant Coach actually played for the Admirals to start off his career.  Not only are the coaches come back kids, some of the players are as well. Jay Rosehill, Matt Smaby, and Jordan Hendry are all players who have played here previously.

The team this year is looking really good. It's a different style of hockey then what we saw last year. Yes I know, these aren't the guys who made the streak, and they aren't the ones who won the Calder Cup, but guess what... it's theirs to defend. I'm glad to hear that they understand that the streak and the cup are theirs to defend. It's big shoes to fill but I think these guys have what it takes. It's not the name of the back of the sweater that matters, it's the logo on the front. Even if it is a whole new group of guys, they are the Norfolk Admirals and I will support them 100%. 

Puck drops at Norfolk Scope tonight at 7:30... where will you be?