Helen Meidinger Jacoby 1913-2007

That's my grandma, my aunt Faye and me last Easter in Wilkie.

Grandma passed away today and I am missing her already. It was the end of a long difficult downward spiral of her health that began on Halloween when she fell and broke her hip.

My mom kept making plans for when her mom would be well enough to go home. Unforuntately, she was only home for two days before she had to return to hospital.

Soon it became obvious, her time had come.

She was an amazing lady. Talented and creative - always knitting or crocheting something for someone.

I spent many many of my Saturdays at their house while my mom worked. I would help grandma bake bread, buns, kucha (fruit topped bread-like coffeecake), donuts, and other yummy treats.

And no matter who else was there she'd always make sure to make three different kinds of butter tarts for the two in the family who didn't like raisins - mainly me and my mom!

Each year she'd plant a massive garden. She absolutely passionate about her flower garden - insisting more and more of the lawn be torn up for flower plots.

As the years passed though, she had a difficult time indulging in her favourite pursuits. So she spent her time doing puzzles and playing cards.

I am grateful to have her in my life. She was always a steady strong, though quiet, force. She had a will of steel. She often instigated the jokes and shenigans her children carried out - despite the fact that she denied this!

I am also grateful my kids got to know her on their many trips to my mom's.

As her health deteriorated these last few months I remembered the many blessings of my youth of being in her care. I'm so grateful I have such a rich heritage.

I'm sure she's dealing out the cards for crib right now in heaven and regaling Grandpa with stories... "Oh Father," she'll exclaim as she shakes her head... "you'll never guess what the kids have been up to...!"

Destiny

It just felt right, didn't it?

From the moment the Roughriders took to the field on Sunday, you could just tell it was going to be a magic day.

And why not? It has been a completely magical season.

Take the bottom of the barrel team - a team who despite having talent on their roster don't have enough chemistry to light a candle - add in a salary cap, a new rookie head coach, a new general manager and enough injuries to make even seasoned coaches wimper - and well, you have a recipe for a bucket-ful of disaster.

Instead, the combined guts and faith of Tillman and Austin managed to inspire this incredible green machine to take their game to the next level. And it started by marking one date on the calendar... Nov. 25.

They did it. One game at a time.

That's not to say it was easy. Winnipeg didn't go down without a fight.

[Aside: And huge kudos to Dinwiddie for starting in his first professional game and having a stellar night. Had he not kept his head about him, the scoreboard could have told a vastly different story. Now if they can teach him some patience and a dash of humility he might come out of this a darn-fine QB!]

In fact, it looked downright scary for the first quarter as the boys in green felt the full weight of the hopes of Rider Nation bearing down on them.

But a couple of key plays and they all managed to shake off those nerves and looked what happened.

James Johnson's FIRST interception run back for a TD would certainly be the first turning point of the game.

After that, as one of my friends noted, Kerry Joseph threatened to run the ball every play and holy cow... some football happened!

Even though the score was probably too close for most Rider fans... (We like our point-cushions big and fluffy, thank you! Too many times we've seen sure victories turn into defeat in the dying minutes of a game...!) ... but really the end result was never in doubt.

You could feel it.

Rider Nation would not be denied.

The Roughriders deserve every accolade we heap upon them. For the years of drought and doubt they've played through... for the years of stinging losses... for the years when hope seemed a cruel joke... they deserve to be 2007 Grey Cup Champions.

Now, the only question I have is... how many more days til training camp?

God bless Rider Nation, wherever she sleeps...

Banjo bowl, part II

This is baby Eve in her Rider gear. (Source: www.greenzonefootball.com) That about sums up the eager anticipation gripping the province from border to border, doesn't it?

I'm sure by now Toronto-ians are getting a first class lesson in football prairie-style. Can't. Wait.

Like Schultzy said after the game last week... Watch out Toronto... this is a Big friggin' deal!

I won't be watching this game between any fingers! I'll need them to grip the edge of my seat.

It's a full on rush as the Green and White will take for the field for what is being billed as the Banjo Bowl, Part II - in an historic first Grey Cup meeting with their long time rivals the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

My prediction: Saskatchewan by 14 points.

Sweet Relief

Do you hear that?

That's the sound of Toronto bracing itself for an invasion of Green!

By the end of the week, I predict someone will decorate the CN Tower with a Green and White flag.

We're headed to the self-professed centre of the universe, where we will spar off with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for all the chips, all the marbles, for the big honking trophy and bragging rights that come with it!

The game against B.C. was very well played, well executed and oddly enough well officiated.

Here's my picks for top three players of the game:

1. Wes Cates - Most consistent performer on the team. And he did so with a broken foot. He was a question mark for most of the week, but his named turned up on the roster yesterday. He managed to out-perform Joe Smith the league's leading rusher today... 70 yards to 35. Now that's what I'm talking about!

2. Kerry Joseph - He is one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the league and today he really shined. Took four sacks, btw and kept on ticking. Not only that but managed to toss for two touchdowns. He also didn't give up a single turnover. Which is part of the reason we won. B.C. on the other hand gave up seven sacks and four turnovers.

3. Andy Fantuz - Number 83 was definitely one of the most popular choices at work this week where Rider jerseys were being purchased for all on-air personalities. Very effective receiver with that long reach, but more than that... he can gain an extra eight or nine yards after a tackle before going down. Now that's the kind of grit that wins football games!

A sombre pack of Lion's said after the game... The Riders just wanted it more than we did.

The Riders came into this game banged up, but hungry.

The B.C. Lion's might have had the stats, the talent and the big name stars, but they didn't have the certain something something that wins. The attitude, the poise, the confidence, the grit, the Green Magic.

And ultimately the team of destiny got their story book ending.

The boys in green did us proud tonight. Enjoy the sweet taste of victory boys. It won't be your last.

Party on!

Heartbreak vs Destiny

Tomorrow the sun will rise and bring with it, the hopes and dreams of Rider fans across the country.

The Saskatchewan Rough Riders face their nemisis in enemy territory in what has to be a story book plot line for the perpetual underdogs.

It's fitting, isn't it? The Cinderella team having a Cinderella year faces their darkest foe... one more obstacle to football's highest glory.

It's even more fitting if B.C. loses. They haven't lost since early September, and I, for one, think they're due.

And wouldn't it be fitting for the Cinderella team to knock off the top ranked team?

I'm telling you... it's like Murray Wood said in his column yesterday it feels like destiny.

That feeling could quickly give way to heartbreak, I fear. So like many diehard fans I will be watch some of the game with my hands over my eyes.

As I told someone the other day, I've never so eagerly anticipated a game I'm not sure I want to watch!

I do want to watch. But the game I want to watch might not happen. I want to watch a game where KJ moves the ball skillfully, and Fantuz and DJ Flick have the game of their careers, and the defense stand up the Lions on every play.

So what will it be a heartbreaking loss after a season of renewed hope, vision and determination? Or the storybook ending with the underdogs handing the over-hyped top-ranked team a playoff-ending defeat?

My prediction: Saskatchewan will come out strong in the first half and B.C. will be fat and lazy after a week off. After the half the Lions will be down by several touchdowns and have to mount a comeback. But ultimately... Saskatchewan wins in the dying seconds of the game with a field goal by Congi. Conjuring up comparisons to Dave Robokicker Ridgeway and the '89 Grey Cup Victory.

Of course, I am a writer and a story book ending is what I live for!

For those that like numbers... Saskatchewan 34, B.C. 32.

GO RIDERS!!

WE WIN!

Well, Rider Nation has waited a long time for this...

19 years since their last home play off game.

31 years since their last home play off win.

And they did it!

Game comments:
If the D shows up for an entire game like they did in the first quarter, B.C. better order some extra stretchers for game day.

Corey Holmes rocks! Takes a beating and keeps on ticking. What a potent force he was yesterday! Even after taking a hard hit to the injured shoulder, he takes a breather for three plays and comes back in. On the first play he grabs the ball again.

Andy Fantuz is da man! Breaks four tackles to grab an extra nine yards after reeling in a pass from KJ. Takes five guys to bring him down and he still goes an extra yard with a guy hanging off of him! He looked very much like a young Matt Dominguez with his height and his reach.

Kerry Joseph... Impressive. He is tough, strong, and as effective as another receiver out there! But most important he has been the leader this team has needed. His attitude is humble, but positive. And he never says die. He had an outstanding day. Impressive, indeed.

Officiating... I will never understand how a league that has trouble defining what is and IS NOT a catch with the hands can award a catch to a guy that snagged the ball in his knees. Seriously!

And my second comment on the officiating... How in the world does Holmes get called for a penalty for passing a ball to a Calgary player after the whistle, but when that player rifles the ball back at him in anger it's not? Please, someone, save the CFL... get some decent officials!

Luca Congi... is awesome. Two field goals from 48 yards and 49 yards? Rock! Is it just me or did it remind you of another kicker from a long time ago... do we? ... is it possible we have another Robo-kicker in our midst?

And DJ Flick's opening run into the end zone is something Rider Nation dreams about!

Oh yes... and a special thank you to Scott Schultz for making Burris eat turf a couple of times. That was just so much fun to watch!

It was certainly a magical night, indeed.

Now the Green Magic gets ready for B.C.

Bring.

It.

On.

Oh yeah... and one more interesting tidbit... Last week Saskatchewan voters kicked out the NDP after 16 years of being in power. This is good news for Rider fans... The Riders have never won the Grey Cup with an NDP government in power.

Coincidence?

You decide.

And now for your viewing pleasure... check out the pandemonium at field level after the final gun...

Video here.

Seasons and taking a step back...

Since moving to our new house in July, I feel like I've been on a nasty unforgiving treadmill. One that keeps speeding up!

It seems like it's been one thing after another after another.

Especially this last month. Here's what we've dealt with in the month of October alone...

1. Got a new kitty.
2. Kitty got colitis and pooped bloody stools everywhere.
3. Hot water heater broke.
4. Spent one week with no hot water.
5. Spent money that would have been better used elsewhere to fix the thing.
6. Got laid off from a job.
7. Got hired at a new one.
8. Mikaela got head lice.
9. Washed everything we owned in hot water.
10. Logan got head lice.
11. Washed everything we owned again in hot water. Bagged a few extra things and put them in the freezer.
12. Kids got reinfested and I got a minor case of it.
13. Washed everything we owned again.
14. Treated everyone in the house.
15. Gave everyone hair cuts.
16. Grandma fell and broke her hip.
17. Happily hosted family here for a week.

Oh yeah and somewhere in there our downstairs toilet got plugged.

I'm so tired now I can barely see. I've never felt so spent.

There are seasons in our life that are like that, aren't there?

During them, no matter your plans, life keeps throwing you curve ball after curve ball.

And it's tiring. It's not fair. But there's no use whining about the things that are beyond our control.

God is still God. And we're still his children. Through all the drama lately, I've felt his calming hand on my shoulder. I've felt his arm around me as I've cried on his shoulder. And I felt him carry me, when I didn't have the strength myself.

I've felt his presence as I laughed at some of our adventures. And I felt his whisper on my ear when I needed encouragement to take just one more step.

He's calmed the fears. He's held my hand.

I will be attempting to take a step back over the course of the next few weeks. Stealing moments alone. Curling up on the couch with a blanket and overdosing on TV and movies. Planning time for some creative pursuits like writing, carding, and drawing.

And mostly just planning time for nothing. savouring some peace and quiet. Slowly, piece by piece, rebuilding my energy stores again.

The seasons of life - the ebb and flow...

Phooey...!

That was an ugly way to end the season. 41-13. Ick.

The game against Toronto this afternoon at Mosaic stadium, might have been meaningless, but still... the Green and White played like they were just starting the season and ironing out the kinks, not ending the season and heading into the first playoff game in 20 years.

Having said that here's something to consider...

The Green-machine is battered, beaten, with their fender draggin' on the ground. With so many injuries to key players, I'm really not surprised our defense had trouble gelling on the field this afternoon.

Half of them haven't played the entire season.

And it showed.

Zone defense wasn't working and oh boy... man-to-man coverage leaked like seive.


Back to the actual game. My notes:

1. I have become a full-fledged conspiracy theorist when it comes to games the CBC televises. It seems those games go spectacularly bad for the Roughies.

2. Definitely some of the worst officiating I've seen for a long time. Since when do they arbitrarily place the ball on the one yard line after a penalty. What happened to half the distance to the goal?

And what was that call just before the half?

I'm grateful Bruce didn't catch the ball for another Toronto TD, but I highly doubt the tackle from the Saskatchewan player was "unnecessary roughness after the play". Nor do I think it meritted a 15 yard penalty on the first play after the half. What the Saskatchewan player did was tackle Bruce. If Bruce can't hang on to the ball... I believe in football we say... Suck it up, baby. If that hit was penalty worthy then they're going to have to create a penalty box to house the numerous culprits each game. And while we're at it, each team had better add a few more to their defensive lines.

Pullleeease!

Another thing... CBC has got to have the WORST commentators in all of professional sports. Ho. Lee. Cow.

After KJ ran the ball for a brilliant pick up of 10 or 11 yards, the commentators offered glowing praise for what an athletic QB we have. One in particular went on and on about how we need to use KJ as an extra receive because of his speed and agility. Use KJ more was the general gist.

Very next play, KJ under pressure called his own number again, but this time it didn't work so well. The commentator then says that KJ shouldn't do that so often as it doesn't work and he can't be the only working man on the offensive line.

Seriously.

I wanted to throw something at him. Either KJ is brilliant or we suck. Mostly we suck.

This game anyway. Let's shake off this icky, sticky loss and set out sights on Hank and Co. next week.

Nothing would be better than to feed Henry Burris and crew a serious helping of humble pie on Sunday.

I want to end by saying God bless Toronto's left tackle Pearson who left the game with lower leg injury. The CBC described it as a broken ankle. It looked like a broken ankle. Like a very seriously broken ankle. They started IV right on the field - apparently to keep him from going into shock. Thanks be to God they didn't have the reverse angle on that play. (Shudder...cringe... wince...)

Yikes!

So God bless Pearson and his wife Melissa. Godspeed for a quick recovery.

Oh yeah! And GO GREEN!!

(For Grandma) If I ever change careers...

There is a fun game we have discovered over the last week at our house. This is a game where you torture your family members by making them stand for hours over a sink while you pull at hairs on their head and douse them with insecticide.

And then just for fun we washe every thing we own in super hot water and then dry it at extremely high temperatures. Or toss bags of stuffed animals into the freezer.

This fun games repeats itself once every five to seven days.

Whee what fun!

Yes. We have had an infestation of lice in our house.

Within the last 24 hours everyone has gotten treated again. Some of us for the first time.

Tonight we topped off this fun game with a hair cut. Mik's hair was starting to show damage and I decided scoping through tons of hair to find nits and lice for hours was getting to be not so much fun. Shorter hair is much easier to deal with.

So here is the result of their first hair cut by their mommy!

Logan looks rather glum, but he was really excited. I like to touch his head now.

And Mikaela "Loves her new haircut!"

Not bad for an amateur, eh?

Unpretty

Well, it certainly wasn't a pretty win at Commonwealth Stadium... in fact, in some spots it was downright ugly.

As I was watching with a bunch of friends last night, we began to debate whether or not we deserved to win.

So I've decided to address that here... because truthfully this is solely a Roughrider phenomena. You don't see Eskie fans wringing their hands in worry... did we deserve to win the Grey Cup?

Yeah, right!

Did we deserve to win that game last night?

P-shaw! WHO THE HECK CARES?

We won, didn't we?

Winning games we don't deserve to win is something new for us as a team and as fans. It's also the hallmark sign of a championship team.

That my dear green friends is not only a sign of character, grit, heart... green voodoo magic... whatever the heck you want to call it... that is a sign that we are right now cheering for a winning team.

GASP!

Did all the oxygen just leave the province?

It isn't always going to be pretty. Believe me, Edmonton in their day won more than their fair share that they didn't deserve. Quite a few against us, I might add!

So drop this perfectionistic attitude. It doesn't have to be a well-played, executed, planned or officiated game to be a good win. It still goes in the win column. And I for one, am not sad that Edmonton can now dust off their golf clubs and head south, while the rest of us dig out our parkas and mitties for the post season. Sign me up.

Now here are some other thoughts from the game...

1. While I feel for Flemming getting his 47-yard field goal called back due to holding, I've always said if it come down to your kicker for the win, the rest of your team has stepped on you.

2. Love, love, love that TJ Stancil hit on LeFors hit in the second quarter. Pops the ball lose - right into the hands of John Chick who ran 70 yards for a TD. Bet LeFors is feeling that hit today! And John Chick is having a friggin' fantastic rookie season, no?

3. Michael Palmer... where in the world has he been? Comes out of nowhere for over 100 yards rushing last night. Sweet!

4. Marcus Crandell makes me nervous, but he certainly won some brownie points this game. He never said die. He never caved in. He stayed in the game both mentally and physically and in the end saved the day.

5. To the D for holding Edmonton on 3rd and 1, not once, but TWICE... a great big hu-ha!

6. I love DJ Flick. This guy can come up with the plays when needed and take a beating and keep on running. He is the real deal. He has certainly stepped up to the plate since the Dominguez injury.

Speaking of Matt D... word is he had knee surgery on Friday here in Toon Town. Let's all send our thoughts and prayers to him for a speedy recovery and unremarkable rehab.

One more game to go, boys! Make Toronto feel it!

YES!! WE DID IT!!

Calgary lost to Winnipeg by like... lots... I don't know... cuz it doesn't matter now...!

The Roughriders have clinched a HOME PLAYOFF GAME for the first time since 1988!

Are you screaming and jumping up and down!

I am.

It's hard to type!

WOOHOO!

Super start to the weekend.

End of an era

Some of you may have heard already that my job at the non-profit I have worked for for almost two years, has come to an end.

I have enjoyed my time there. It definitely gave me a perspective shift that I wouldn't have gotten otherwise.

The timing, however, couldn't have been more perfect. Even as my boss was telling me they couldn't afford to keep on the payroll, I felt a hand on my shoulder and a calm voice saying, "Be at peace. Don't panic."

Peace was all I felt.

While I was sad to leave my job there, at the same time the centre was laying me off, the radio station was putting together a job offer. It officially came through yesterday morning.

I had several criteria of what I wanted in a job and these wonderful people offered exactly that and more. I got the exact hours I was looking for. Unfortunately, I don't get a lunch break, but I work 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Having worked retail for so many years before this I am still bewildered by normal office hours. And no weekends? Evenings?

And in three months I get into their shiny benefits package.

Um... benefits? What are those? I've never worked at a place long enough to qualify for benefits before!

While I titled this blog post the end of an era, endings always signal beginnings, too!

God has carried me through a lot over these past couple of years. I am so grateful for those times when I went to him with my knees bloodied like a kid learning to ride a bike.

And how many times he bandaged those scrapes and held me til the worst of the pain passed? More times than I can count.

And how many times did he prove my trust in him is never misplaced?

Again more times than I can count.

God has given us some very valuable lessons in patience this last year. And oh how painful they are at the moment. But looking back, I can see just how precious those lessons are!

Thanks to all who pray for us and read my blog. My message to you today is, God is never far away. His timing is always perfect and your trust in him is never misplaced. Don't be afraid to trust him with the things most precious to you.

God bless!

The blame

I'm going on record as saying the CFL is to blame for the fracas on the field in last week's Roughrider-Ticat game.

Why? you might be asking...

I've been thinking long and hard about this... why didn't Kerry Joseph just let go of the ball when Ticat #24 started clawing for it after the play was dead. Why not just give it up? The play was done, the whistle gone, etc.

I think it's for the same reason my heart started pounding the second he hit the turf...

KJ was probably thinking the same thing I was...

If Hamilton had gotten a hold of the ball... would it have been ruled a fumble? an incomplete pass? or some kooky weird clause of some bizarre CFL statute no one's ever heard of!? He probably didn't trust the officials to make the right call any more than you or I did!

I blame the CFL for this whole debacle. The reason being they haven't been consistent in years on what exactly constitutes a fumble, a catch or an incomplete pass. And if they could call those consistently maybe KJ wouldn't have had to endure a pummelling by the Ticats on the ground fearful of giving up the ball.

Yesterday, the league fined Eric Tillman and Kent Austin $2500 each for their comments this week regarding the Hamilton melee. What did they say that was so awful and offensive?

Why they asked for clarification on why exactly three of our guys got tossed from the game!

The audacity! The nerve! How dare they!

And what crime did the boys in green commit that was so heinous it meritted an ejection?

Piling on

Piling on? It's a freaking football game!

Jones and Abul-Mechrek were doing their job and protecting their quarterback. I, for one, am proud of them. (Of course, it goes without saying their conduct AFTER getting the boot was totally not acceptable!)

I am also equally proud of Tilman and Austin for standing up for our guys! If their comments were disparaging of the CFL it's only because the officiating in this beloved Canadian pasttime has become more than just a nuisance. It's become a disgrace to a game we all love.

What's disparaging isn't the conduct of two of the CFL's classiest coach/GM, it's the conduct of a league that refuses to adequately answer the valid criticisms leveled at it.

Instead, they fine and run. Don't ask these people questions, they are above answering for their mistakes apparently.

The only question remaining in my mind is... where do I donate to the Tilman-Austin CFL fine fund? Because at the rate we're going... this won't be their last...

And that my dear little green friends is truly sad.

So here is my open letter to Mr. Black, head of officiating...

Dear Mr. Black,

Read the rule book, please.

Thank you,
A Roughrider fan

What next?!

As if injuries on the field weren't bad enough (Eddie Davis out for half the season and Matt Dominguez out for the rest of it)... and as if personal issues doggin' DJ Flick's weren't enough...

Chris Szarka, #33, nearly severed two fingers yesterday in a table saw incident. Szarka is gone for the rest of the regular season, possibly the post-season too!

ARG!

The fullback has been a class-act all around and probably one of the most likeable guys in the CFL - not to mention possibly the best fullback in the game.

So...

Now what?

Knock on wood, we still have our quarterback, but perhaps some sort of rent-a-cop should be hired to keep him safe and healthy for the remainder of the season!

And for pity sakes, boys, don't operate any power tools til AFTER the Grey Cup, k?

So stinkin' close we can smell the beer from here...

We are 10 and 5 heading into the homestretch of the regular season. Our offense is clicking and our defense is managing (even in the face of losing two... mark that... three players mid-game... more on that later...), our receivers are finding space and our quarterback is finding the receivers.

And to top it all off, we are thisstinkingclose to a home play off game for the first time since 1988.

Do you love it? Or do you LOVE it?!

KJ threw several passes today that were nothing less than a thing of beauty. Fantuz's catch in the end zone... mark that... his THIRD catch in the end zone was absolutely breathtaking.

Honestly, the outcome was never much in doubt in this game, but it was still so much fun to watch.

The rumour is, that Fantuz (a native of nearby Chatham, ON) spent close to $2000 on tickets so that 90-some of his close family and friends could see him play.

Now I'm thinking if that's what it takes to get this guy to play this good (THE best showing by a receiver all year in the entire league!), then perhaps we should take up collection and get this group of people to attend all the games! I'm in. A worthy cause to be sure...

Now, of course, I can't blog about the game without also mentioning the fracas that broke out after Kerry Joseph ran the ball for a first down.

Now it could be just me, but I'm thinking once the guy is down, the ball is dead, the whistle has been blown, it's probably not worth it to grab the ball out of the guy's hands. After all the play is dead. Done. Over. He's got the ball and a first down. You don't. Back up and try again.

But nooooo...

Some Hamilton player has to keep clawing, keep digging, roughing up KJ in the process. Bad form people. Just plain undisciplined play. Stupid really.

What followed was equally stupid.

I do have some commendations to award:

First, to Austin for actively participating in controlling his players. Kudos on ya! Unlike some other coaches in the league who say nothing while his players beat, punch, knee, the opposing team and pin them to the ground with their foot... right, Wally? ... oh sorry... I digress...

Second, to Austin for actively defending his players, once they got ejected.

Both are signs of a good coach. Telling his players to check their emotions and then taking to the refs right up the butt to make sure they understand... You do not mess with my guys when they're doing their job!

Third, to Jones and Abul-Mechrek for defending KJ. It is, after all, their job to protect the quarterback. Granted throwing punches (and a helmet!) IS NOT!

Fourth, to the official who had to do what looked like some version of the hokey-pokey to get in all those penalties... I think he forgot to turn himself around, though! And that's what it's all about!

It will be interesting to see what the CFL does in regards to fines and suspensions. Though to be honest, if our defense functioned this well without two seasoned key players then perhaps I shan't be worried. Still, I hope we have enough guys left on the offensive line to actually form a line once the league gets done with them!

However... at the risk of sounding like a petulant sibling... HAMILTON STARTED IT!

How in the world, they got out of that bar fight without giving up just as a many players I have no idea! While I feel for the officials in trying to sort out that stupid mess - it looked like they were taking notes at point! - it wouldn't hurt if they could actually toss out the RIGHT players for once, without the league having to step in after the fact to right their wrongs!

I figure if a team starts it, we'll finish it. But at the end of the day, the team that started it had better be on the losing end penalty-wise.

But at the end of the day we won. And these fine teams meet again next week - which I'm certain will be hotly contested battle.

Can't. Wait.

One more game.

One more win.

And one more step closer to hosting a playoff game in Saskatchewan.

GO GREEN!

UPDATE: Give DJ Flick a round of applause people! He drove up from PA to make it to the game. He's practiced one day a week before each of the last two games. Last week he had a career day and this week ended up in the end zone again. Perhaps Kent should switch up his schedule for the rest of the season! : )

The saddest news for Rider fans...

For all the hand-wringers out there and those prone to panic, you may want to look away... cuz the news isn't pretty.

Dominguez is out.

Out for the season.

Wait...

Hang on.

Easy does it.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Quick! Put your head between your knees and breathe.

Whoa... Did I lose you there?

Tap the screen three times if you're all right!

Ok. So the loss of our number one go-to man is a bad thing.

A very bad thing.

Let's give kudos to Dominguez shall we... the guy was leading the league in yards when he was felled against Winnipeg. And for the third time in his career he faces a season-ending knee injury.

He'll have surgery and probably seven to nine months of rehab. And he's done this all before.

And through it all, all he wanted to do was play football for the green and white.

But it was not to be and we need to commend him for being such a consumate professional. Let us offer him our prayers for a speedy recovery and a killer season in '08.

In the meantime, the boys in green and white have something to prove.

Can they win without their number one receiver?

Ok.

I mean DJ Flick was awesome in the last game...

Wait...

His wife just gave birth to premature twins.

Wow.

Let us offer our prayers to DJ Flick and his wife, just in general, cuz when you got twins, that's a lot on your plate to begin with. DJ needs to be with his family now, so we wish him, his amazing wife and his two new additions well.

Ok. Back to football...

All is not lost. Sure our two top receivers won't be in the line up for Sunday's game. However, I think this team has proven they are not a one person train.

But we gotta get everybody on board for this one. NOt just this game. But for every game for the rest of the season. Yo Murphy, Corey Grant, they gotta get on board.

And the defense can not afford to sleep at the wheel ever, at all.

Hamilton has the worst record ever. They can play potential season spoiler here. I don't think they have a huge chance here, but they are not going down without a fight. Most of them are fighting for their next season. So don't count them.

I think it should be a good game.

Someone text me the score at church, will you!

It's about time!

I'm sure Rider Nation has been busy crunching the numbers and dreaming up senarios for the post-season ever since the delightful win at McMahon Stadium earlier today.

By the way, did anyone notice that half the stadium was wearing green? Just checkin'.

Now first off understand the win wasn't convincing, but we didn't exactly slide across the finish line either. A win is a win, right?

But this one was extra sweet for several reasons...

Eddie Davis is back. The defensive back is the backbone of the defensive line and having him out for nine games was almost painful.

He's not only back, but he brought with him that defensive magic the team possessed earlier this season. The defense not only looks like they woke up, they flipped on the switch to their brains too!

Now there were a couple of lapses. But did you see the way the team fought back from them?

A punt returner for Calgary finds a massive gap in the defense zips into the end zone, so the Stamps take a 7-6 lead.

Saskatchewan replies by marching the ball downfield 85 yards, six plays for a TD. Oh yeah baby!

Not only was ED back, but DJ Flick proved once again why I love him so much. Seriously, when you need a big play, toss the ball to DJ. He'll come through. In a big, big way. How many of the points on the board today wouldn't have happened if DJ hadn't been... on the ball? Literally.

So once again, the poise, that never-surrender-not-going-down-without-a-drag-'em-down-kick-yer-ass-fight attitude, that's what's winning football games.

Another thing that made this win so sweet is because it was against Calgary. A couple of games back, the Riders came absolutely unglued against the Stamps, so revenge is sweet. Or at least more palatable than another heart-wrenching defeat.

Now let me interrupt this little love-fest by once again, calling on the officials to take their whistles out of their butts and start calling some penalties. Since when is it ok to take a swing at a punter? Anyone? The Peders are lucky their boy didn't get tossed from the game for taking a swing at Jamie Boreham after Jamie kicked the ball. Like really... he didn't even have the ball anymore... Did he make a pass at your girlfriend after recess or what? Grow up!

Meanwhile, I'm seriously thinking the CFL referees should consider holding a one day seminar in Officiating 101.

But back to the sweetness... the most exciting reason we can all digest our Thanksgiving turkey a little easier this year, is because of Remembrance Day.

Say what?!

That's right. Remembrance Day. Mark this day on your calendar kiddies, cuz it's the day that play off football will return to this fine province.

Do you even remember what November football is like?

Perhaps we all forgot that it's possible to play past October. Let me sum this up for you...

We have five points on Calgary. Unless the wheels come off in the next few games for the green and white AND Calgary, somehow manages to find their butt with both hands, we can be assured that second place is ours.

Now... here's a senario that'll be keeping season ticket holders up at night... what if B.C. manages to lose their turnips? What if we not only play well enough to keep Calgary and Edmonton at bay, but also catch B.C. for first place in the West?

Do you know what that could mean?!

The Western final could be played on Saskatchewan turf!

It's the stuff of daydreams, people!

But let's get back to reality. I don't think it's delusional to start warming up the stands for a November 11 show down with the Esks or Stamps. (Warm them up now, cuz they gonna be cold by then...)

A home playoff game.

It's like Santa and the Easter bunny all wrapped up into one! And they don't even list it in the Wishbook!

Grateful Top Ten

I am grateful for so many things this year, but I thought I would share my top ten list: (in no particular order!)

1. I am grateful that I have a beautiful house to live in. It keeps me and my family warm and safe.

2. I am grateful I am married to one of the sweetest, most hard working, lovable, caring guys in the world. Just when I need a shoulder to cry on, he's right there. Just when I need a kick in the butt, he lends a boot, and just went I need to crank it, he turns up Def Leppard! : )

3. I am grateful for a little piece of the wild side that came to live with us last week. Mittens has given us hours of fun and laughter as she playfully attacks everything that moves... and a few things that don't. It's fun to watch a partially wild animal discover their new surroundings. Last night, for instance, she learned she can not stand on top of the table lamp. It fell over and the ensuing crash scared her, but not bad enough to keep her from exploring other new domains...!

4. I am grateful for the three writing opps I had this week. They were fun and though I am a little bleary eyed still, I made it through. I even managed to curb my most serious whining! I am also grateful for the extra money these types of opps generate.

5. I am grateful I got to party at Credit Union Centre with several thousand other people with two major bands from the 80's. Oh the memories!

6. I am grateful my son got to spend the night at his friend's house. He was so jazzed about it. It is so cool to see the things that make our kids light up!

7. I am grateful that God continues to provide for Richard and I to meet our financial needs. Getting this house was a huge undertaking. We knew it was going to be a rough go, but God has proven faithful each step of the way. He's provided on call times and overtime for Richard and a new job for me. I am grateful that we can lean on Him when we come to the end of our rope and that no matter how often I think *I* have it all figured out, He ultimately knows what's best.

8. I am grateful that through pure coincidence (and there are no such things as coincidences, right?) I ran into a very good friend of mine. She disappears once in a while and I had a heck of a time trying to track her down this last time. I prayed for her, thinking that perhaps this time I wouldn't be able to catch up with her. When I saw her crossing the street near Broadway on Tuesday, Richard pulled over immediately so I could race to her and give her the biggest hug. God is so good.

9. I am grateful for the amazing new job God has provided me with. I am grateful that I was brave enough to take a chance and try something new. I've discovered that I like it and seem to have a knack for it. It requires a combination of creativity and technical no-how that I love. As well as an eye for details and organization. I really love it. And I'm so thankful that the kind people at Magic 98.3/CJWW/Hot 93 were willing to give me a chance.

10. I am grateful that I get to go to my mom's for the weekend for turkey and stuffing and lots of family. I am grateful that while there I will get to recharge my batteries after my very busy week. I am also grateful that while my hubby is stuck at home working, there are friends who have so graciously adopted him for the weekend and offered to feed him turkey and stuffing too! We are indeed blessed beyond measure.

New addition

Everyone, this is the newest member of the Smith family...

Her name is Mittens. She is eight weeks old and she was rescued along with her momma and four brothers and sisters from living on the street.


She is ours for keeps. The kids have begged us for a pet for so long it took us forever to convince them that we were serious. We really could take the kitty home. For keeps.


As we drove away from picking her up, Mikaela asked, "So how many days is the kitty staying at our house?"


Tee hee.


It was fun to surprise them with this. And she's pretty cute too!

Woohoo!

A friend of mine was headed to the game at Mosaic stadium today. She asked me last night if she was going to see a winning game or not.

I said, yes.

Most likely.

I told her Montreal was playing like crap lately and we played better last week than we had in a long time.

Ergo... I thought a victory was pretty well assured.

We thumped 'em. Thrashed 'em. Pummelled 'em. In fact, we laid an old fashioned lickin' on them.

Which is a good thing. We needed it.

Corey Holmes needed to get involved in the offence. Two touchdowns outta do it.

Fantuz needed some confidence. I lost track of how many big catches he made, but one touchdown grab was enough to make him CBC's Warrior of the Game - which I predicted late in the second quarter.

But it wasn't just offence that needed to win. The defence came through in a big way thanks to the likes of Fred Perry and Scott Schultz.

However, my favourite play of the game goes to our trusty rusty punter Jamie Boreham. After a short punt that everyone is waiting for Montreal to touch, I see this green bullet move across the screen like a bat out of hell! He recovered his own bloody punt!

It was amazing!

This game definitely showed some creativity on the part of the riders. Plays were going to a wide array of receivers and every area of the team contributed to this win.

The last quarter still made me nervous - a better team might have capitalized on a noticeable softening of the defence. Hopefully, they get the defence to put together four quarters. Because if they ever do, God have mercy on the team we're playing, cuz they gonna get turfed!

Even still, a win is a win. A a decisive victory like this one, just feels good!

Eight and five, people!

My last post on the Rider game, I promise!

General manager Eric Tillman of the Riders has gotten into a nasty war of words with Lion's coach Wally Buono.

News story here.

Tillman says they are friends off the field and that he has a tremendous amount of respect for the man.

He added that B.C. won the game in Regina over the weekend with two players who shouldn't have been playing after the little bar fight broke out at centre field.

I just wanted to point out this one quote from Mr. Wally:

"It's usually after a loss, and let's put two and two together. It was a tough game and an important game and emotions are going to run high. But I don't believe it does anybody any good for team officials to go public, and now you bring it down to this because of sour grapes."

Is this the same Wally Buono that whined and complained to the CFL, the media and anyone who'd listen after Dave Dickenson suffered a concussion in the first meeting of these two teams earlier this season? (On a perfectly clean hit, btw.)

Now correct me if I'm wrong... Didn't Saskatchewan win that game?

Thought so.

To Rider Nation

Stop it!

No seriously. Shut. Up.

There is a lot of ruffled feathers in Rider Nation today. In fact, we as a collective group are downright grumpy.

And perhaps we have a right to be. 7 - 5 is not where we thought we'd be now. Or where we would have liked to be.

However.

I want to be adamantly clear here: Kerry Joseph is not responsible for last night's debacle.

Ok?

Got that Rider Nation?

Stop. It.

Our propensity to pile on the QB after a loss has got to end. The QB can't do his job if his protection decides to call in their game from the dressing room. The QB can connect every pass, move the ball effectively and yet still come up short if the defensive has an off night and allows the opposition to run wild.

KJ may not be the best ball tosser in the league. I don't even think he would argue with that. But he has developed a poise I haven't seen in one of our QBs for a very long time. He doesn't fold under pressure. He doesn't meltdown after a bad drive.

He goes out there and gets the job done.

He's not going to make every pass... or every play. But let's look at what he DID do last night, k?

Out of 36 tosses he made 23 completions. Not bad. For a total of 354 yards in the air and 40 yards rushing. What the freak is wrong with that? On most nights nothing. It's enough to win.

But when your defense stands around twiddling their thumbs looking for someone to make a play, nothing the QB does is going to be good enough.

No one in Saskatchewan would be upset at those stats had the defense not had a huge mental lapse in the dying few minutes of the game.

In fact, if we had won this game those stats would be looking mighty fine, don't you think?

So to all my readers who are Roughrider fans, take note: We are better than this. We are not Edmonton fans. We are not Calgary fans. So let's stop acting like it. Act like Roughrider fans, pete's sake.

You want to complain about something... how about the lack of leadership on defense! You want to complain about something... write the CFL about the chronically pathetical state of officiating in the league right now.

You want to complain about something... cheer for Hamilton! They got enough to complain about to last you all year.

Stop whining like a bunch of little school girls. Cuz, those boys in green and white just lost a heartbreaker on home turf. And I know KJ did everything in his power to prevent that.

KJ deserves better than this after each loss. It's time we as fans stepped up to the plate.

ARG!

The final score didn't tell the story of the game.

Here's my two cents... er... ok... buck fifty.

Two good things:

1. Austin finally found his friggin' challenge flag. Good, good. Nice to see him use it! Keep it up.

2. The third down gamble by B.C. inside their own 20 yard line will go as one of my favourite plays of the season - hands down! Sacked Jackson on their 15 to take over the ball. Would have loved to see Buono's face on that one. Hurts, don't it, Wally?

Kudos for our defense for coming through on that play in a big big way. No one was getting through the green wall that time!

Two things that were not so good:

1. Six times. Not once, not twice, not even thrice, but ... well... you get it. SIX FREAKING TIMES Jarious Jackson hands the ball to Joe Smith who walks around for a pick up of seven or so yards. Do it once and way to go, nice play. Big whoop. Do it twice and I think... well hey they found a weakness, go for it.

After third time I screamed myself hoarse!

Hello...! Defense...! You there?

Knock, knock. Anybody home?

I'm not very bright when it comes to football plays. But even I could tell you what the B.C. team was about to pull.

Seriously.

Could they not see him coming?

Did they think he was going to trip eventually or tire from carrying the ball all the time?

Come on, defense! Pick up the guy and haul his butt down. They gave you six times to figure it out. Pick up the learning curve a bit there.

Smith eventually carried the ball in for a TD. On the same freakin' play.

Six times.

I'm telling you...

2. Something I've learned this season... you don't ever throw a helmet. You never ever rip the helmet off of your teammate or an opposing team member. It is the ultimate in disrespect in football. Football is a violent game and their helmets are the biggest piece of safety equipment.

This is a dangerous sport and so you don't mess around with the helmet.

Ask the kid in college ball in the States who was told a few weeks ago he'd never walk again after a hit in a Buffalo Bills game just how dangerous. (A neuro-surgeon later said... oops, we jumped the gun on that one, he'll probably walk again...)

Don't even get me started on their cleats in those big pile ups.

That's why there are hefty fines and usually an automatic game ejection for a helmet violation.

In all my football watching career I have never seen such an objectional display of poor sportmanship and judgement on behalf of a professional sports team.

B.C. had better learn to reign it in because for the second time in two games they played with a man down because someone got ejected from the game.

That's not the story, though.

In fact, I initially thought the officials might have gotten the number wrong when they ejected #18 after a hockey brawl broke out on the field after Saskatchewan sacked Jarious Jackson.

I thought they got the number wrong because #55 went into the melee throwing punches. Yes, punchES in plural. And a knee.

And ended his little hockey outing by ripping the helmet off Scott Schultz who later had to be held back from ripping apart the offending player. God bless whoever held him back because as you may know... Scott's not a small guy and it wasn't easy.

In the end B.C. got off lucky that they weren't down two men. And what that says to me is their team is playing lose and emotional.

And that, my dear little green friends, is a very bad thing for Mr. Wally.

Because the team I saw wearing orange and black tonight was totally a beatable team. They didn't win because they played well. In fact, they played terrible. The only thing that kept them alive was Joe Smith. (SIX TIMES!) They squeaked out a win in a game that could have gone either way.

They got lucky on the ejection and they got lucky in the final point total. And as my grandfather used to say... Luck don't last forever.

So should we meet this team in the playoffs, I'll put money on my Riders any day of the week. Because B.C. showed today Saskatchewan might be the only team that can beat them. If for no other reason than that they lose their cool around us.

They are beatable. Trust.

But back to Saskatchewan...

Nice to see their back on the field and playing the game. In fact, I'd say all round improvement in every department. The game could have gone either way. If they can keep their head about them and not let this loss get to them they might actually be able to salvage the season.

The season is still circling the down the spout, but there's still time.

And again... I say if we meet B.C. again we won't be making the same mistakes we did tonight.

One more freebie:

If Geroy Simon wasn't so darned likeable I think I would actually hate the man. He's infuriatingly effective. Still... it was nice to see him drop a few balls tonight.

RIP - writing legend dies

James Oliver Rigney Jr, aka Robert Jordan of Wheel of Time fame, died today of a rare blood disease.

News article here.

He was was working on his 12th book in the series at the time of his death. (I hope he left notes!)

I believe it was he who said he would keep writing until they drove the nails into his coffin. I think he pretty much sums up how many writers feel.

How incredibly sad. Yet also how inspiring. He dared to share his gift of story with the rest of us and we are all the richer for it.

Even still we are pointedly reminded that we aren't promised tomorrow and we may not have much time to share the stories that are within us.

Bless you, Mr. Rigney. And deepest sympathies to his wife.

Second straight (just for Roy)

The game in Calgary stank to high heaven. Never in my life have I wanted to rip the radio off a wall so badly and toss it across the room.

Several observations... (some of it recycled from The Green Zone over at ckom.com)...

1. It is so sad to watch Henry Burris do so well. Mainly, because he used to play for the Riders. Mainly, because the previous administration let him go. Mainly, because I rather enjoy when Henry has to pick turf out of his helmet!

2. Have our defensive line gone on strike? Vacation? Taken a leave of absence? What gives? An 85-yard touchdown? Where the freak were they? Did they forget to get on the plane to Calgary? Somebody better fix that problem. And they better be fixing it fast.

If for no other reason than the psyche of the team... they were doing well... now they can't string together a touchdown drive for more than three plays to save their souls. If we don't start winning awful fast we're going to forget how to do it!

3. I would like to respectfully remind the CFL officials they ARE NOT PLAYERS! Therefore they should stop acting like they can influence the outcome of the game. Two calls last week were so bad the CFL sent out a news release saying they goofed.

I know. I know! Just two?!

(Btw, I think I heard pigs flying by at the same time...)

I am really sick and tired of lousy calls. Like DJ Flick said at the end of the game in Winnipeg... we didn't lose because of the officials, but they sucked!

(Though some could make a pretty good argument that lousy calls is interrupting the momentum of the team. I think they might have a point... )

Same deal this week.

And for the record... Kent, if you want to have any prayer of winning another game this season then you'd better find your damn challenge flag and THROW THE STUPID THING! I'm sick and tired of bad calls going against the green and white and nobody doing anything about it. Our boys are out there getting hammered with bad call after bad call... (simultaneous touch means no touch... what the?)... and you're not doing anything about it.

They've given us a recourse, Kent, so use it! Take a page from Wally Bouno if you have to... only with less snivelling, please.

All in all the Riders are in danger of losing the season... my prediction... if they lose to B.C. in Regina next weekend... they're done. Not because I am a fickle fan. I'll cheer for the green should they hire second-string high school players...! My point is if they lose one more, I do not believe this team has enough time to figure out what the problem is and snatch this season from the crapper.

They could prove me wrong. They do it all the time. But if they lose next week we'll have a record of 7-5. I just don't think we'd recover in time to do well in the playoffs.

So like I said... they gotta learn how to play some football between now and next Saturday. In the meantime, I'm glad I'm not wearing a jersey next week in practice, cuz I have a feeling Kent's gonna put a hurtin' on them!

Seven wins!

Riders just won a nail-biter at Taylor Field. Kerry Joseph runs in for the winning touchdown in the dying seconds of the game! How cool is that?

I was listening to the last bit of the game on the radio when the commentators got so excited they sounded like Mickey Mouse on speed. When I realized we got a TD I jumped up and down in the kitchen yelling, "Touchdown!"

My kids were sitting in the living room wondering if I had lost my mind. They had a friend over who also shared the same look.

Then I raced downstairs where Richard is watching the game "live" on TSN.ca. (They offer all the games for free on broadband.)

There is a built-in 10 to 20 second delay on the broadband broadcast. So I while I'm screaming "Touchdown!" Richard is like... "but they've still got 30 yards to go!"

Awesome heads-up play by KJ to run it up the middle like that. Very well-executed.

I'm a proud Rider fan today. They just keep impressing me with their poise, their confidence, and their unflappability. This is one amazing team.

For the first time in decades we could have a home playoff game!

So... where do I buy tickets?

Was it worth it?

A year ago last week, hubby and I had just suffered our first house-hunting disappointment. The house was beautiful - exactly what we were looking for in our price range and located right across from a school.

But it was not meant to be. And so began a long, horrible journey through every borough in Toon Town looking for a house that could measure up.

Four realtors later we finally found what we were looking for and closed a private sale in what was a simple discussion around a kitchen table.

As Richard and I have become more settled in our new house, I have often been asked... "Well? Was it worth the big long wait?"

It's a tough question and I'm not really sure how to answer it.

Was this big beautiful house worth the nine months of heart-wrenching disappointment and frustration?

I'd love so much to say, yes! But I can't. Not yet.

I am a product of our society.

I love the end product but not the process. I want the blessings, not the sometimes difficult journey to get them. I want the cure not the long treatment.

I want Insta-Fix. Not Slow-and-Steady.

But it's the journey that makes life so sweet. It's savouring the process of making a bubbling batch of homemade chicken soup that makes it taste so good. You can't get comfort food from a fast-food container!

Have we forgotten the value in those long processes? Those hours of tweaking and adding and stirring are usually just as enjoyable for the cook as the end product of delicious tasting soup.

But we neglect the process. We skip to the end. And we wonder why there is more depression, more anxiety in our society than ever before.

Could it be because we've forgotten the joy in less-than-instant processes? In every day things that take time to be of value?

So back to my question... was the nine-months of scouring the city for a house in the craziest, stupidest market in Canada worth it now that we have our big beautiful house?

It's still yes and no.

I learned a lot through the difficult path. I learned, for example, that patience pays off. I also learned I am not a patient person.

I learned that God answers prayers. I also learned that sometimes He doesn't answer them the way I want Him to. When I want Him to.

But I still look at that journey and wonder why? Why did it take so long? Why couldn't we have gotten into the market before prices rose to ridiculous heights? Why couldn't things have worked out sooner so we didn't have to be mortgaged to the hilt for the rest of lives?

Perhaps the tears of bitter disappointment are still too fresh. Perhaps in time, when the memory of the heartbreak is blurred by the distance of time, perhaps then I can look back and say... of course, it was worth it.

Right now, the bruises of the journey still ache. I'm looking forward to time healing those wounds. I'm looking forward to sorting out the lessons from the frustrations and finding the gems God has placed there.

It will just take time.

Hmm...

Perhaps I've learned a little patience after all.

Addendum to previous post

And Corey Holmes is back in green and white after a blockbuster trade with Hamilton!?

Is it Christmas? Santa, is that you?

I'm kinda sad to see Armstead leave in the swap, but for Holmes! It's rather sweet!

I'm certain he will receive a huge standing ovation as he hits the turf at Taylor Field on September 2. Makes we wish I would have purchased game tickets when I priced them out in the spring.

Welcome back, Holmes! Time to rock the house, baby!

In my lifetime...

the Riders have only held a record of 6-2 twice: in 1976 and 2007.

Saturday's night game in Regina, which included an hour long interruption from rain and lightning, convinced me of two things:

• Riders have the most fantastic, dedicated, (not to mention slightly crazy) fans of any professional sports team on the planet. Several thousand fans crowded under the stands - crammed together with strangers in pitch darkness - to wait for the power to come back on and the rain to stop at Taylor Field. I'd like to see that happen in Edmonton.
• Riders will play in the Grey Cup this year.

Now, as for my prediction of playing in the championship game... I say this because of something I see in this team that I haven't seen since... since... well... since Kent Austin QB-ed Green and White...

Poise.

Or call it confidence or consistency, I don't care, but this team possesses this weird, wacky polish I can hardly recognize.

A KJ toss gets picked? No big deal. Once the D shuts down the other teams offense we get the ball back and nab a touchdown. No problem.

The whole team is way less fragile than they used to be. A meltdown on a play - even a massive meltdown on a play - hardly rattles them anymore. They're back out there next play bigger and better than before.

And KJ leads the pack. I never thought I'd type the words of KJ being a leader on the team, but he's proving again and again that he can come back. Not just after a miscue on the field, but after that devastating loss in Edmonton a few weeks back.

You remember... the one where the team forgot to switch on their brains after the half.

This team looks confident, poised and ready.

And after seeing their fans dripping wet waiting for their team to come back and win on Saturday night, I have no doubt: This team is on a mission.

Get 'er done boys!

Weather

For those who might be hearing reports of flooded basements in Saskatoon due to rain of biblical proportions over the weekend, I thought I would put up a quick post to say all is well.

Our basement is dry and we didn't get anything more than handfuls of pea-sized hail. They were driven by high winds at the time, but we survived unscathed.

We did get winds, rain, and the longest, most intense lightning storm I've ever experienced. The thunder wouldn't let up for hours - it remained a constant grumble from about 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. interspersed with loud crashes and cracks, while the sky lit up like daytime from near-constant flashes. The power went off at least twice.

This occurred, not once, but two nights in a row. The second night our area (Dundonald) recorded six (6) inches of rain.

The storm sewer system was overloaded from Friday's deluge so I have no doubt that Saturday night's six dripping inches saturated even more basements.

Total precipitation over the week, as reported by various news outlets, roughly eight inches soaked some areas around Saskatoon.

We've been asked to curb water usage as the city is expecting more rain in the forecast and the sewer systems are already at capacity and have no where to drain to as drainage ditches and ponds around Saskatoon are brimming already.

Here's hoping the rain will pass us by over the next few days... or else someone should start building an ark.

Pictures of the new place

Here are pics of our new house, including our kitchen appliances which arrived yesterday. They are so pretty!

The Move

Our move could not have gone more smoothly. And we have dozens of friends and family members who helped make it possible. First and foremost are our kids... (aren't they cute little slaves?). Both Mikaela and Logan helped load and unload Lynn's van each day. We made one trip a day and it definitely helped on the final moving day when we had the truck.
Lynn's van came in very handy, although we both missed our "real cars".

I was trying to get a picture of Mikaela moving a box, but she wouldn't stand still! After several attempts I finally had to get them to stop and stand still so I could take the first one in this post.

After unloading one day, we were all impressed by the size of the bathtub and so these three goofs tried to fit in it... at the same time. This was taken on moving day when we had the big truck. It is also proof that our nephew Kevin actually works (sometimes). Though I'm pretty sure Melissa is telling him what to do.

We celebrated finishing the move a day early by inviting everybody over for a huge shin-dig at the new place. My mom catered with a huge spiced roast and salads. Everything was delicious and we all decided my mom can cater anything anytime anywhere!

Of course, we didn't get a picture of the 30 or so people in the place that night!

Camp

I'm finally bloggin' with pics today! Yay me!

I'll start first with our recent trip to Heritage Lake Bible Camp. Yes, that's right. Richard and the kids finally dragged me out with them to sleep in a tent for the very first time.

So here we are setting up the tent. Or as it is known... The Mansion. It has a foyer, two bedrooms and a common area in the middle. Oh and sky lights.


This is Logan helping to set it up and looking pretty darn cool in his new shades, I might add.

The kids are always very helpful when we're doing things. Here's Mikaela trying to get a stake to cooperate.

Mikaela is testing the water at the lake, which is notoriously cold from being so far north. It wasn't that bad this year and we did spend a very enjoyable afternoon on the beach. I got my nose burnt and Richard looked kinda lobster-ish for a few days... but what are holidays for, right?

Logan and Dryden are negotiating what to do with the dingy apparently... while Trevor looks on.
So what was my first camping experience like?

Other than the fact that it rain every night. And stormed most nights. And a rather close encounter with a spider on the first night, I rather enjoyed myself. The camp is nestled right in the midst of the woods and as such is very quiet and peaceful.

That part I like. The spiders I can do without.

Top 10 things I love about my new house!

I know everyone is wondering where I've been.

First we moved. Then went to camp for four days. Then went back to work. Then attended a farewell for a friend who went back to Korea. Then spent an evening helping friends of ours move (in between watching the game on Friday night - Yay, GREEN!). Then yesterday we spent 12 hours moving another friend of ours (into our old duplex).

Today we set up Logan's new bunkbed and unpacked the rest of the boxes in his room.

Now I'm spent. (And I have arbitrarily decided no one I know is allowed to move for a while!)

But I did want to share just how much we're enjoying the new house. We aren't just enjoying it... we're loving it! The longer I'm here the more I discover to appreciate about it.

The hardest part about living here so far is the location. But I'm sure we'll get used to that in time. It just means we plan our outings a little more in advance and try to group them together.

I thought I would share some of the things I love about my house...

(Pictures are forthcoming. I found the camera AND the cable to connect it to the computer, but now the batteries in the camera are dead. Sigh. So they are charging as I type this.)

1. My island
There is no other feature in my kitchen that I adore more. When baking it is an absolute joy to collect ingredients and measure, pour and mix with such a large amount of space accessible from all sides! I rolled out pizza bread the other day without having to put a single dish or bowl on the stove - a place I used as extra counter space sometimes, with often disastrous results.

2. My pantry
My pantry has it's own light switch! I've been known to walk in and close the door behind me. Just because I can. (Cool hiding place, too, when Momma don't want be found, if y'know what I mean...) Now it has big blue recycling bin on the floor, so I can't do that as easily. How have generations of housewives managed without one, I wonder.

3. My diningroom and kitchen area
This is my favourite new place to have tea. Even if the big beautiful windows only look out onto my backyard, it's a wonderful view anyway!

4. My veranda
No better place to watch the sunset. I definitely need to track down a rocking chair or a wicker chair to put out there. It's so nice and relaxing in the evenings. I haven't had much time yet to be out there, but soon...

5. My shower
Can not tell how absolutely spoiled I feel to have a hot shower in my ensuite and then jump into my pajamas and crawl into bed. It's an addictive habit.

6. Stairs, stairs and more stairs
It forces me to slow down and think before I go dashing off to a certain room to grab something. Sometimes I've gone downstairs to the basement to grab something, gotten distracted and found myself back up in my bedroom without said item. Two flights of stairs down and two flights of stairs back up gets tiring after a while! Slowly I'm learning to think ahead.

7. Wall colour
I love the colour of our walls. It's a very versatile taupe colour. I love that it's not white or off-white. And yet it's soft and bright and manages to complement most of our decor.

8. My washer and dryer
My laundry machines make so little noise, I have to watch for movement in the drum to make certain they are on! Mikaela spent about an hour one day watching her new bedding going round and round. Better than most of the stuff on TV! Another fabulous part about our laundry pair... I don't have to share them anyone else!

9. Bathrooms
I've mentioned the shower in the ensuite, but really having three bathrooms in the house is a blessing. No more rushing when everybody has to go at the same time (which happens with regular frequency in our family. How odd...)

10. No basement development
We can do whatever we want to the basement - set it up completely to suit our needs and fancy. It will eventually house our computer room/office, a family room and a laundry/utility room. Right now it's pretty much a chaotic mess! But the best part about having no basement development... NO TENANTS DOWNSTAIRS! Yippee!

Other cool features: lots of mirrors, windows and storage!

Listening to: Greg Sczebel
Pending assignments: some... not sure really...

Phone!

Our phone is no longer connected to the old house. So if you're trying to get a hold of us today, please use our cell phone numbers. Thank you!

The moving truck arrives tonight at around 5:30ish. Hopefully, I will have the rest of the house packed by then. ; )

See everyone soon!

AHHHHHHHHHH!

I yelled myself hoarse. Again.

What the heck was that?

This is the only team I've ever known that consistently snatches defeat from the jaws of victory.

I am sick. Frustrated.

Yuck!

Get. It. Together.

I'm taking a breather from Rider games... having hopes dashed too often is not healthy for this fan. Next Saturday we host Edmonton and I will be moving. So I'll be distracted with the moving truck, boxes, chaos... etc.

Go Green! Yeah... right...

Pictures

These are pictures from earlier today at the official handing over of the keys. That is me standing by the back door, while Richard and Sheldon check out something on the sprinklers. (All pictures by Logan)

That's Mikaela beside the new fence and our flowers.

That's Mikaela again pointing to the deck plate where our new deck will go later this summer. Right, Richard?

That was Logan taking a picture of himself taking a picture of our ensuite.

That is the light fixture in our dining room. Without a table underneath it Richard kept whacking his head.

This is our first picture on the walls of our new house. It was a gift for Richard and he unwrapped it at the new house. It won't stay in this location in our dining room, but this nail on the wall happened to be handy.

This is Mikaela peeking out of the storage area on the landing on the way upstairs.

This is our car parked in front of our new house. In case anyone is interested, the house next door (the one on the right-hand side) is for sale. $290,000.

Okay. That is all the pictures for now. Reality needs some attention before we can truly call that home.

Jubilation... and reality

We have keys!

We stood in our own house. Our house. Our very own house.

It was so exciting! I'll post pics as soon as I can track down the camera again.

It seemed even more beautiful than we remembered.

Unfortunately, I came home several hours later and reality came crashing back in.

Ah yes... there is a lot of work to do. There is more packing. Lots of hauling. More cleaning, wiping, scrubbing.

But it does feel so great!

Post-game blog post

Ok. Technically there was still 32 seconds left when I shut it off, but the game was done a while ago in essence.

The only good thing to come out of tonight's game was I learned how to watch TSN games on broadband. Worked slick, once we figured out where all the links were. (Check out tsn.ca if you want to try it!)

But back to the game...

Or lack thereof.

I can not make excuses for this team. They've got the talent, the coaching, and this year (for a change) a playbook. Yet they could not pull it together tonight. They looked like a bunch of rookies playing high school football for their first game.

There are no excuses left. We've seen what this team can do. And tonight they didn't just fail to live up to expectations, they failed to show up for the game.

And I think they can no longer afford to do that. They've given Riderville a taste of victory - not just scraping by and winning by a few threads on a football seam, but actually winning a game like we know what the heck we're doing and not many fans are going to stand for anything less.

Three things I was happy to see: Fantuz finally stepping up to the plate and CATCHING a ball. They need to get the ball to him when he's hot and open.

The second thing... Austin actually pulled the quarterback. I have screamed myself hoarse in previous seasons trying to communicate to the previous coach the value in changing up the playmaker.

However, those pleadings fell deafly on my TV as Barrett would often refuse to pull the QB until too late in the game to make a difference. What's the point in changing quarterback's in the fourth quarter when they have just 15 minutes to clean up a game's worth of mess?

Having said that, I do believe KJ should have been tossed back into the game when Crandell threw his first pick. The change may have kept some positive energy going, rather than letting it die completely.

And the final thing I was thrilled to see... going for it on third down! And it paid off more than once. The 3rd down gamble can often generate badly needed momentum and can change the entire direction of a game. (If used properly.) There's always risk involved, but hey... in a game like tonight could they have gotten much worse?

I see some tremendous potential because these things demonstrate Austin's creative playmaking genius.

However, I am completely dismayed at the team's lack of consistent effort.

Receivers need to catch the ball. Tossers need to toss.

And the gladiators... well.. actually they did a pretty good job. If not for their gritty play, the game could have been much much worse.

Inconsistency is the only consistent thing for the Roughrider fans for far too many years. So let's hope this one massacre at Mosaic Stadium is the only time we look like we're still trying to learn high school football.

Because this team can do better.

And has done better.

Because the fans deserve better.

Ack!

This week we had a rather unexpected turn of events regarding our move.

The sellers are moved out already and were concerned about leaving the house empty for so long. As a result they offered to move up the possession date - if we were ok with it.

We were hesitant since absolutely everything is already booked - moving truck, furniture delivery, utilities, friends, catering...

But we decided to take the leap. We just have to get the house insured right away.

So...

We officially take possession of our house in one week.

Seven days.

Eeek!

Nothing changes for those wishing to help us move. We decided at this late date getting a moving truck would be impossible. And the utilities - forget it. So while we take possession next Friday, it'll be another week before we move in.

Exciting, yet I find myself inexplicably scared out of my mind! LOL! Homeownership is a wonderful, yet daunting responsibility it seems.

I think I need someone to hold my hand!

Anyway... here is a picture of the chaos that is slowly engulfing the entire house.