Sad hockey news

I just read that the 18 year old daughter of former NHL player Pierre Turgeon was killed in a car accident this past week. How incredibly sad!

Pierre Turgeon was (and probably still is) my absolute favorite hockey player growing up. I followed him from his rookie years in Buffalo...to his stint on the Islanders.....and jumped for joy when he became a member of the Blues. He was a great player and, I won't lie, I also had a mega crush on him.

My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. What a crappy thing to have happen. :(

So proud of our Rams!

I realize to most people, a 7-8 record is not considered good. I get it. You've lost more than you've won. HOWEVER.....when that 7-8 record belongs to a team that went 1-15 last season, it sounds downright impressive. And this is where we find ourselves with the St. Louis Rams. A team that could actually make the playoffs. Seriously. I'm not gonna say next weekend's game with the Seahawks is a guaranteed win, especially given the Rams history of not playing well there, BUT, you gotta like their chances. The Seahawks lately look like your 10 year old's peewee football team could beat them. While not perfect by any means, the Rams looked pretty good yesterday, beating the 49ers (and as I correctly predicted, the Niners head coach Mike Singletary was fired after the game).

It's well documented that I love Rams QB Sam Bradford. In fact, all of St. Louis does. However, my favorite Ram is wide receiver Danny Amendola. And not just because he's hot (and he's really, really hot ladies!). I think he's been the best player on the team...he's been consistent throughout the entire year. He's so little and feisty out there-I love it! And yesterday he played his little heart out. That 86 yard punt return had me jumping up and down in my grandpa's living room-for reals!

I'm realistic enough to know that IF the Rams manage to get into the playoffs, they will probably lose their first game as they will most likely be playing the Saints and, well, the Saints are the reigning Super Bowl champs, but still.....if you had told me a year ago that the Rams would even be fighting for a playoff spot this year, I'd have told you you're nuts. So, no matter what happens next Sunday, we need to be proud of what our team has accomplished this year!

Exciting times in STL kids, exciting times!

Merry Christmas ladies!

If this is what they got goin' on in the Dominican Republic...count me in. From left to right: Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Marmol, Starlin Castro and Aramis Ramirez.

Why hellooooo, gentlemen. I spotted this Cubs pic and had to post.  Sori-what big guns you have. Rami-what an, um, big belt buckle you have. Marm-what the hell is on your shirt? Starlin-are you sure you're legal?

I'm starting to get baseball fever folks, and this pic was just what I needed to tide me over.......MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Ok, so I'm a couple of days early, but I doubt I'm back on here until Monday, so.....MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! It's hard to believe it's already  Christmas again! I've already celebrated with my immediate family, but tomorrow night will be the celebration with my extended family on my mom's side and Christmas Day will be with my dad's side. Fine family fun all around!

It's supposed to snow here in Missouri, I'm not sure about other places, but please be safe and have a wonderful holiday.

HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY to my cousin, Rachel

Happy, Happy birthday, baby cousin! I remember when you were born....you were a day old and your mom was able to get out of the hospital and bring you to the family Christmas Eve festivities. I can't believe that was 18 years ago!

I hope you have a wonderful day kiddo. I love you much!

Christmas came early!

Had a great weekend at home with my family! We had our little family Christmas on Saturday. My brother has to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, so we decided to bring Christmas to him....a week early.

Of course, the part we most looked foward to was my niece's reaction to the whole thing. At 20 months, she was more apt to "get it" than she was last year. And "get it" she did. Once she realized how fun opening presents was, she was on it. One gift was a bunch of clothes and she took them out of the box saying "oooooooo!" (she's totally a girl, huh?). When she discovered the Elmo book I got her, she yelled "Momo" repeatedly and she insisted on having all of her Little People stuff opened. But....the greatest gift for her by far was the Dora tent/tunnel thingy my parents got her. When she opened the box, she yelled "Dowa, Dowa, Dowa!" and we had to immediately get it out of the box and set it up for her. They have something similar at her day care and she apparently loves it. Now she has her own.....and absolutely loved it. I won't lie, I think we all enjoyed it and her daddy and grandpa even got inside it with her (which she really didn't like. She yelled at her daddy......). SO much fun!

I got some awesome gifts from the fam, it was just a great weekend overall....yay! Now we have Christmas Eve with the extended fam on my mom's side and Christmas Day with my dad's side. Love fine family fun!

Happy Christmas Week!

Rams-Chiefs this weekend. Cross-state rivalry?

It's not really a rivalry. I mean, we think all Chiefs fans are fat and white trash, but other than that, it's not a rivalry. ;)

Who could ever imagine that we'd be discussing meaningful football games for the Rams in December? Certainly not me. But indeed, this is the case. The Rams-Chiefs game on Sunday is big for both teams. I'd like to thank the San Francisco 49'ers for all but dropping out of the NFC West race after last night's shellacking by the Chargers. Now, if the Seahawks would just go away we'd be golden.

Those of you in St. Louis, if you get the chance, you MUST listen to the Fastlane on 101.1 ESPN radio. It's on from 2p-6p and is freakin hilarious. The hosts are former Ram Demarco Farr, Randy Karaker and Bob Ramsey. This week has been particularly funny because they are ALL ABOUT making fun of the Chiefs and their fans. In fact, any time someone says anything about the Chiefs, you can hear a "moo" sound effect in the background. They're saying all Chiefs fans are "heifers". It cracks me up.

So, I guess for this weekend, it IS a rivalry. I soooooooooo hope the Rams come out on top.

GO RAMS!

Woody is coming home!

It appears Kerry Wood is coming back to where his MLB career began (and will probably end). Sources say Woody and the Cubs have agreed to a 1 year, $1.5 million deal that will bring Kid K home where he belongs. I see no negatives with this move. For the Cubs, they get a solid setup man for Marm and at a relatively cheap price and for Woody, he gets to come back to the team that he started his career with, which is apparently his preference because he and his wife make their home in Chicago. Win-win. I'm excited to have him back. He didn't look good in that nasty Yankee uniform.

Happy 83rd Birthday, Grandpa!

Folks, today is my beloved Grandpa's birthday, send him some love, would ya? He's 83 and, all things considered, in pretty good health for an 83 year old. Sure, he talks too loud at church because he can't hear...and he tells the same stories over and over and over again....but, he's otherwise healthy as a horse. Although he did tell us last weekend that he does NOT want to live to be 100. Um.....ok.

My Grandpa is my favoritest guy on Earth. I am so blessed to be able to spend most Sunday's with him. Although he drives me crazy sometimes, I try to remind myself to treasure those moments because they won't last forever. So, if he wants to rant about Reggie Jackson-I let him. If he wants to rant about how the Droid phone can kill you-I let him. If he wants to rant about how stupid it is that people make birth announcements online and how back in his day people actually picked up the phone-I let him. My Grandpa is hilarious and super cute (just ask the old ladies at church that fawn all over him-"Oh Bob, you're so funny!". Gag me.). I hope Grandpa has an amazing birthday and I hope we have many more with him. Maybe even to 100. :)

Our St. Louis Rams are in the playoff hunt with three games to go!

Rams head coach, Steve "Spags" Spagnuolo making sure Rams QB Sam Bradford's helmet is on pretty.

I love the Rams. I do, I do, I do. Yes, I watched them during the lean years (you know, like last year's 1-15 performance), but this year has been exciting. Sure, they're under .500 at 6-7, BUT....they are also in first place in their crappy division. With three games left. And their fate in their own hands.We must assume that Arizona is all but out of the race, San Fran in theory could do something but already have 8 losses, Seattle is currently tied with the Rams (but the Rams have the edge b/c they've beaten Seattle), but two of their three remaining games are against really good teams in Atlanta and Tampa Bay....and their last game is against the Rams.  The Rams toughest hurdle will be Kansas City this week and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Matt Cassel is still out on Sunday (a girl can dream, right?). You'd think this was a big, huge, cross-state rivalry, but it isn't really.  I mean, I hate the Chiefs, don't get me wrong, but this stems more from going to college near Kansas City and having to endure the obnoxiousness of Chiefs fans for four years. That, and they play in Camarohead Stadium. But I digress.

I've mentioned before that I have a crush on Rams QB, Sammy Bradford....and wide receiver Danny Amendola. What I haven't mentioned is that I also have a crush on the head coach, Spags. I think it's his Boston accent that does it for me. Seriously. I need to get out more, don't I?

Dear Cliff Lee

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for not selling out and becoming a Yankee. Granted, some call the Phillies the Yankees of the NL (according to Jason Stark this morning on Mike and Mike In The Morning), but still, they're NOT the Yankees.

For the last few years, the Phillies have been my alternate team (it all started with my love for all things Chase Utley), so I am obviously stoked about this decision. Of course, this means the Yanks and more likely the Rangers will be going after Matt Garza, meaning my precious Cubbies won't be getting him. Garza was a pipe dream anyway.

The Phillies starting rotation can be summed up in one word: FRIGHTENING. Granted, there are a couple of NL teams that have fantastic rotations, but Cliff Lee AND Roy Halladay? Are you kidding me? The 2011 season is gonna be a good one.

As for my precious NL Central, veeeeery interesting indeed. With the "stellar" moves the Cardinals have made (getting rid of a great defensive SS for, well, Ryan Theriot and planning on putting 107 year old Lance Berkmann in the outfield) this off season, I anticipate a 4th place finish for them. Seriously. I see the Reds winning the division again...the Cubbies could, in theory, finish 2nd, but most likely won't. Then again, given the only other options are the Brewers, Astros and Pirates, I suppose it is a possibility. I'm not sure, depends on whether or not the Cubs kids can pull a Tampa Bay Rays and actually be good with a bunch of nobodys. We shall see.

Yes, it's only December, but I'm starting to get excited for baseball again. :)

The Amazing Carloseseseses.......

Carlos Zambrano. Carlos Marmol. Carlos Silva. Carlos Pena.

Just how many Carloses (Carli?) does one team need? Is there a limit? Someone check the MLB Guidelines or ask the players union, cuz the Cubs have themselves a shit-ton of men named Carlos.

Hell I don't care what their names are, as long as they play halfway decent in 2011.

Is it just me......

.....or does Cubs new 1st baseman, Carlos Pena, look like Nelly (the rapper from St Louis)?

Carlos Pena in the middle of a douchebag sandwich (agent Scott Boras and Cubs GM Jim Hendry)

I mean, seriously? To be honest, I don't know much about the guy, I hear he has mad crazy power but also batted under .200 last year. The 1 year, $10 million deal sounds horrendous, but it should be noted that half that money is backloaded, so it's not like he's getting all that this season. Hendry's known for some boneheaded signings....but this appears to be a decent one. The next rumor is that they are looking to get Matt Garza from the Rays. I'm on board with this. But, you know what? I'm also on board with them giving Brandon Webb a chance. Sure, he hasn't played in nearly two years, but, and this is a big BUT, if he can return to his 2008 form,  it'd be an absolute steal for any team that is willing to give him a chance. The Cubs are gonna suck in 2011, so really, they have nothing to lose.

For you Cubs fans fantasizing about Albert Pujols becoming a Cub....don't hold your breath. The Cardinals will find a way to get him signed for life. If they don't, I will be absolutely shocked. Also, the Red Sox are gonna be crazy good next year. That is all.

My niece is 20 months old today!

Wow, she is closing in on 2!!! How did that happen? Our girl is getting so big. I hate that she's growing up so fast but at the same time, I am fascinated by all the things she is learning...on a daily basis. She is definitely more interractive now-she can tell you what she wants. She still prefers to grunt and point at things, so you have to make her use her words, but she is definitely coming along. She still can't (or won't, we're not sure) say my name, her Uncle Tim's name, or her grandmas names. But she did poke me in the chest and call me "meee" on Sunday. It's a start. She LOVES her pawpaws-all of them. It's very cute to watch her with MY grandpa (who she also calls "pawpaw"). She loves to run up to him at church and give him a big hug. Repeatedly. Melts my  heart every time. She is SUCH a funny kid and I think she knows how charming she is. She still loves, loves, LOVES football and also hockey (when she sees it she yells "booooooz" for "Blues", and given how they've been playing of late, the "boo" part is appropriate....). Aunt Kerri is babysitting tomorrow night and I can't wait to hang with my favorite munchkin! I also can't wait for Christmas. The bulk of what I've purchased is for her, of course. It's so much fun buying kiddo stuff! :)

Sammy B for President!

I realize for most a .500 record isn't all that exciting. Well, the Rams and their fans aren't like "most" folks. A 6-6 record is a downright miracle given that they won six games in total the last THREE YEARS. Think about that for a second. Right.

So, a 6-6 record is pretty damn exciting and the Rams finally beat the Cardinals yesterday to maintain their hold on first place in the NFC West. Now, I'm not deluding myself, I know the NFC West is the worst division in the league...or possibly, the world. But...I don't care. The RAMS are in 1st!!!!

Sam Bradford continues to get better-which should be a scary statement for the rest of the league. Seriously. This kid is one of those once in a lifetime players. And we have him. So there. Will the beat the Saints this week? Ummmmm.....prolly not. But they still have the chance to win the crappiest division. And that's something.

We'll never hear "Aww geez!" again....RIP Ronnie Santo

I heard the announcement on ESPN radio this morning on the way to work..........and cried like a baby. Cubs legend and current radio announcer, Ron Santo, passed away yesterday after complications from bladder cancer. It was also well known that he battled a severe form of diabetes most of his life and was often in poor health. Still.........there's a new void in Cubs Nation. Ronnie famously has been slighted by the Hall of Fame Committee for years (and it's really gonna irk me if they vote him in now after he's gone and not here to enjoy it), he was a great Cub and maybe an even greater Cub announcer-not necessarily for his announcing skills, but for sheer entertainment value. Ronnie was hilarious. I loved talking with my blog friends about Ronnie's latest rants-he loved the Cubs more than anyone....but also got madder at the Cubs more than anyone. Shouts of "awwww geeez!" made me giggle every time. All he wanted in life was to see the Cubs win it all. Now, he's hanging out with Harry and hopefully from where ever they are, they can guide the Cubbies to a much needed championship.

I had to break the news to my friend Michele (Harry's daughter), who knew Ron well. I was sorry to ruin her day with this news. Michele said you'll never meet a nicer man than Ron Santo. He will be missed.

The ESPN.com article on him sums it all up nicely and made me teary-eyed all over again:

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=5878406


Rest in peace, Ronnie. We love you. I hope you and Harry are getting reacquainted and laughing it up right now.

Vaca round up and.....Riot traded to the Cardinals? LMFAO!

Why is it that the weeks drag on and on, but a week of vacation flies by? It's not nice. So, I was on vacation all of last week.I was actually in my hometown from 11/19 to 11/28. And I miss it already. Work sucks. Just sayin. I had a great time off.....saw the new Harry Potter movie with my brother, attended a surprise 30th birthday party for my brothers BFF, Travis (also known as "other little brother") and had lots of QT with the fam.

My dad accused me of sleeping until noon every day-in reality it was like 8:30, but to him that is noon since, for reasons unknown, he gets up at the butt crack of dawn. You're retired, sleep in already! :) We put up the Christmas tree together and on Tuesday I went with my dad to help out at their church getting meals together for needy kids in the area. I, on more than one occasion, attempted to go for jog.....not real easy on gravel, folks. Just sayin. Oh, and I had to wear a hunters orange vest. True story. You see, it was still deer season last week and my father was concerned I'd be a moving target while jogging.....so he made me wear this hideous orange hunters vest. I, of course, took a pic of me in it and posted it on Facebook because, why not? It was funny. And I'm happy to report that I did not get shot. Amen.

We actually went to St. Louis for Thanskgiving Day. We went up early so we could spend time with my sis, brother-in-law and niece. That Kendall is a piece of work. She is so cute and so funny...and a blessing for all of us. I'm telling you, a silly toddler who likes to put smily face stickers on her (and your!) face is sure to cure what ails you! Turkey Day dinner was at my Aunt Cheryl's house....everything was great (I even tried the duck and it was YUM!), including the wine we drank from the glasses that were as big as our heads. I got some QT with some of my baby cousins which was way fun...and watched some of the kids learn how to gamble (my aunt has a working slot machine at her house). You're never too young to develop a gambling habit, I always say. ;)

Last weekend was fun because my sis, brother-in-law and wild child niece came to Salem so we could all celebrate my dad's birthday. Yep, dad turned the big 6-0 on Monday....we knew he wouldn't like a huge party, so we had a low key weekend. We had a 2nd turkey dinner on Sat (because my brother's employer gave him a turkey....) and a birthday cake that said "Happy Birthday PawPaw" (awwww!). Instead of a big material gift, my siblings, mom and I donated money to my dad's favorite charity benefiting the people in Haiti and presented him with a nice certificate they sent us letting him know the money was donated in his honor. Pretty cool.......and I think he really liked it. Of course, let's not kid ourselves, what he liked most was having his grandbaby there. I mean, she LOVES her pawpaw! Even wakes up from her naps saying "pawpaw? pawpaw?". The feeling is certainly mutual.

Man, 19 month olds are fun! Of course we think Kendall is the greatest, smartest, funniest, most beautiful little girl we've ever seen (bias aside, she may truly be all of the above). She certainly entertains us all. And now I must publicly apologize to my sister and brother-in-law, for I didn't know what the consequences of my actions would be. So....I bought my niece this cute pair of jammies that have Dora the Explorer on them. I was going to give them to her for Christmas, but she found them last weekend and ran down the hall with the box yelling "Dora!" repeatedly.....so I just went ahead and gave them to her. Well.....apparently every day since then she has insisted on wearing them....and when my sis laid out other jammies last night, Kendall threw them in the hamper, went to her dresser and demanded "Dora!". They also have to wrestle them off of her in the mornings when they're trying to get her dressed. Uh oh......Aunt Kerri is sorry! It should also be noted that my mom needs to find better hiding places for her Christmas gifts because Kendall discovered the tent/tunnel-thingy my mom got her....that has Dora on it (of course) and she proceeded to drag it out of the closet and yelled "Dora!" . Ya think the kid likes Dora?

Anyhoo....Sunday we watched the Rams game, although my brother-in-law and I had to leave at halftime to get back to STL....so we got to hear (not see) the Rams nearly give up a 20 point lead in the 4th quarter. I felt like hurling which wouldn't have been a good thing considering I was driving, so it's a good thing they held on to win. They are now 5-6 and..........in first place in their division. I'm happy and sad all at the same time.

So, on to other matters. Yesterday it was announced that the Cardinals had traded Blake Hawksworth (a cutie) for Ryan Theriot....former Cub. Now, don't get me wrong, Riot seems like a great guy and he's pretty cute....but he is a mediocre short stop at best. I find it entertaining that Cardinals Nation thinks this is an awesome trade and they're all excited about him because he's "fast". Yes, the Ragin Cajun may have some wheels, however, you may also want to count up the number of base running mistakes he makes throughout the season. It's staggering, I can assure you. And if you're a fan of singles, he's your guy because he ain't hitting anything for extra bases, I can tell you that right now. One Cubs blog even suggested that this trade made the odds of the Cubs beating the Cards a little bit better now....which made me LMAO. Yes, congrats Cards, you have yourself an average (at best) shortstop who will hit maybe .275-.280 for you, he will have no homeruns and will have about a million singles. And a lot of outs caused by baserunning errors. Um.....good luck with that.