The 111th Army-Navy Football Game

I love this football game; it encompasses all I love about college football. It's a big ol' dose of God Bless America and a good old fashioned football grudge match where all the bragging rights are up for grabs. For many players on both teams this is it, there is no pro contract waiting after graduation, no agent greeting you after a game or scouts watching you play. There are a few Admirals and Generals, Secretary of the Navy and Army and occasionally the President, but in essence they all work for the same company you are soon to join. When these football players walk off the field, they put their uniforms back on, maybe have the night off in Philadelphia and then it's back to school, finals are the following week. This year it was a bit different, both schools are headed to Bowl games. Navy plays San Diego State on December 23 in the Poinsettia Bowl and Army will play SMU in Dallas at the Armed Forces Bowl. (Seems to me that the two bowl games Army and Navy are playing in are more home games for the opposing teams). But first, let's talk about getting to the game. We drive up Friday afternoon before the game and stay with our friends, the Arcaro's. Here is a great shot of Buddy Arcaro(Den dad of 29th Company), Ralph, Tom Williamson (just back from a three year tour as Naval Attache in Poland) and Brad. Brad and Ralph were Naval Academy roommates, and quite frankly watching the two of them hang out together is hilarious. Luckily for me, Ralph married Amy and I love her. You might remember Ralph and Amy from an earlier blog about our trip to Citizen Bank Park and the Phillies baseball game. As luck would have it, this trip also involved a trip to 'the Bank' since the VIP Tailgating party was on the Club Level. After enjoying some delicious food and drink we headed over to 'the Linc' as in Lincoln Financial Field, which is across the street. Since we had regular security (i.e. no presidents) we got in and were able to see the Leapfrogs and the Black Knights do their jumps as well as the players run on the field and fly overs. I will say the Navy has a much better fly over with jets than the Army with their Apache Attack Helicopters. The game itself was great this year; Navy had a little turnover in the opening drive, but then Army turned it back over and next thing you knew Navy was on the board with a field goal. Navy's quarterback, Ricky Dobbs did not have his best outing but in the end it was another Navy Victory. The funny thing about the Army Navy Game is not always what happens on the field as much as during the game, in the stands and after the game. We all have our stories so here are a few of mine from this year. The first is this, we sit down and I chat with the guy next to me, turns out he is there with his good friend, who happened to have gone to the Naval Academy. "No kidding" I say my husband went there too. The next question of course is 'what year?' Turns out the magic year is '85. I am constantly surprised at who we meet and run into during that weekend, every year. During half time we went out and met my cousin, Gary Oakland. He's in his second year at West Point. Piper was thrilled to see him, since he had missed the cookie bake in Bellevue over Thanksgiving. Then the game ends, and I talk a Mid into giving me his beanie hat with a yellow N* on it. (USAA swag bag gift in each Mid and Cadet's seat), although I did have to talk him out of a trade for my fur hat! Finally, the best part of every game but especially the Army-Navy Game, the singing of the Navy Blue and Gold! It brings a tear to my eye every time I hear it sung.

Something New That I Like~ Minus 5

The Las Vegas trip was a lot of fun, this time there was one new place I wanted to visit. It was Minus 5 Ice Bar in the Monte Carlo Hotel and so we did! It is only open in the evenings until 1 AM and you have to buy either a $25, $50 or $75 package and that includes a long parka, gloves, and a drink. If you upgrade you get to wear a fur coat, fur hat, you get more drinks, and free pictures.
We stopped by the desk before we bought a package and were given extra coupons for free shots. So here we are sitting in the ice bar with our drinks. Oh here is the other catch, you can't bring anything in with you, no phone, camera, video, nothing. Thus, I did have to buy these pictures. Here is one with our new Penguin friend we met in the Ice Bar. Quite a character that penguin!


Finally, here is a cute picture of Julie and me. We had so much fun together on our yearly trip to Vegas...with Brad. Although this picture is us with the friendly penguin, Brad didn't really hit it off with the Ice Bar host, ha ha.

I think Minus 5 is pretty fun. We stayed in there about 30 minutes and had 2 fruity vodka drinks. Brad could compare Minus 5 to the actual Absolut Ice Bar in Stockholm...there is no comparison. But for Vegas, worth it.

Three-peat in Denver Raiders 59 Broncos 14

Did I expect the Raiders to win? NO! Did I expect them to win in Denver for the 3rd year in a row? Heck No. They didn't even know who the starting quarterback would be until late Saturday night. Up until then the punter, Shane Lechler, was taking snaps under center, as the 3rd string back up. Almost every sports analyst got it wrong and Vegas had the line at 8 points (a little more than home field advantage for Denver). I took the bet, what the heck it's my Raiders.Before the game we met Ken and Eydie Mellin and tailgated before the game. Eydie had a great spread and it was delicious. There were two other Raiders fans around us so I was happy. I had some Raider fans, good friends and yummy food and drink.





So at the appointed time, we headed in and I ran into more like minded and well dressed new friends. Seats were awesome, we were on the 50 yard line, up and behind the Raiders bench. Raiders won the toss, elected to receive and then low and behold before I knew it they drove down the field and Jason Campbell led them to a touchdown. Then he did it again, and then the defense recovered a fumble and another score!! Before you could blink it was 21-0 and basically game over! By half time the score was 38-0 and Brad was still smiling. As you can see from the picture, the smile may be a bit forced, but still it was a smile. By the end of the game Brad had drifted to his 'Happy Place' and I was in disbelief, I mean no one could have predicted this outcome.




Here I am celebrating and I will add that Eydie had to take the picture with the scoreboard in the background, Brad wouldn't do it.


Now, lets jump ahead to Monday and we are at the airport. There is a Raider fan I walk by and fist bump (still pretty happy with the win) and I check out the front page of the Denver Post.
I told Brad I thought we should buy it but he just shook his head and walked away, okay I admit I laughed at that point. Luckily for me, when we got on the airplane, the Raider fan I had fist bumped was sitting behind us! He had the paper and allowed me to see the sports special edition section, I can't believe I didn't buy it. I asked Brad to take my picture with the paper and he again, said no. I think by then he had realized the magnitude of this win (or defeat for Denver depending on what team you were cheering for). Once again, a fellow Raider fan came through and took my picture instead. I may never see another Raider win like this, so I plan to enjoy it and smile about it for a LONG time.

Manilow??? You Bet!

Did you really think we'd spent all our time at Thomas and Mack in Wranglers, boots and watching bulls? Well think again because this was Brad's birthday weekend and we had to see Barry Manilow! Let's set the stage, a fabulous and delicious dinner at Stack Restaurant in the Mirage Hotel.




Julie and I were all dressed up and Brad was wearing one of his favorite (note the blue and orange color) Thomas Dean shirts. These shirts may look familiar, they have become quite famous because Cam on Modern Family wears them too. After dinner we headed to the Paris Hotel where Barry was playing. The theme of the Paris Hotel is obviously old world Paris France and the auditorium reflected that as well and was a perfect place for Barry to do his Vegas show.
Since this was a Vegas show, as opposed to a regular concert, he shared a little about his life and growing up in Brooklyn. He told us how his grandfather would take him to Times Square and make records for a quarter. He said his grandfather would try to get him to sing Happy Birthday for a cousin and he wouldn't do it, until one day there was a pianist there to accompany him. He played us the recording from back then of him singing Nat King Cole's Nature Boy; it was amazing and then he took over and sang it live. Barry went from one amazing song to another, accompanied by a great quartet of back up singers and dancers and a fabulous band. I will say this about Barry Manilow, he brought it and had a fun time entertaining us. Barry showed us video of his first time on television, on American Bandstand, and he sang the AB song. He danced, played piano and had at least half a dozen jacket changes.



All in all, it was the other end of the Las Vegas experience to PBR Bull Riding, but another great evening. Barry Manilow is worth the price and one of the best shows currently in Vegas. A living legend.

Las Vegas and the PBR Finals

This was the third year that Brad and I attended the PBR Finals in Las Vegas. It is a really fun week and, although it helps to have an interest in bull riding, even if it is your first time you can't help but get excited watching the rides. (or lack of if they get bucked off before the 8 seconds are up). Our friend, Julie, came too she was introduced to bull riding by Brad two years ago when he was in LA on business. Julie is hooked just like us, so it makes for a fun weekend.

I have a few favorites, as does Julie, but I am going to introduce you to Valdiron de Oliveira, he finished 4th in the world this year and 3rd last year, I hope he wins next year. We were at the Fan Zone for PBR club members on Saturday and enjoyed the meet and greet with the riders and all the sponsors too. In addition to the Fan Zone there is a Marketplace where we considered investing in some bulls but in the end renewed our Nationals Season tickets instead. I figure it's a crapshoot either way, and maybe the bulls might be more fun, maybe next year. Let's face it, a bull has almost as good a chance of making it on the Build Ford Tough Bull Riding Series as the Nationals do winning a pennant right? Anyhow, I digress, here are Valdiron's Brazilian bull riding friends...
When we attend the evening rounds at finals we always do the same thing; take a cab to Thomas and Mack, walk in, head to the Tequila Station for jumbo margarita's and then Brad talks us into standing behind Justin McKee and crew so Piper can see us on television. She loves it and she gets a kick out of seeing us in Las Vegas. Here is what the Versus stage looks like.


This year during the rounds we were treated, as always, to some wonderful comedy and crowd pleasing entertainment (as well as creatively placed ads for all the big sponsors) by Flint Rasmussen, who has been a PRCA Barrel man of the year, and now exclusively with PBR for a number of years. Flint was also at the Fan Zone on Saturday and I had a chance to catch up with him and send him my folks regards, he has been a friend to Ellensburg and our family for a number of years. It was nice to see him again and I got lucky that the line wasn't too long. The past few years I have been too lazy to stand in line to just say hi, especially with hot Brazilian riders around.


Now, back to the bull riding finals, like said, every show was great. Valdiron had a 91.5 point ride on Spitfire to win the 2nd round and the 4th round was won by Robson Palmero, and he called his bull pick in for the 5th round from the HOSPITAL! He ejected off Hustlin and landed on his head/neck/shoulder and scooted out of the way and then just laid down. The EMT's took him out on a backboard, turns out he was okay, banged up but able to ride round 5 and the short go too. These guys are tough!
In this picture you see Renanto Nunes, he won the entire event and was crowned 2010 PBR World Champion. (Yep, another hot Brazilian).

So, you've heard all the details now let me show you a few things that made us chuckle. Take for instance this picture of Brad, he graciously posed with this Cooper Tire photographer so she could win the competition between photographers at the Fan Zone. Isn't he the best?





How about these shots? This Chickie literally hanged out on the opposite side of the arena from where the bulls were bucking every night with that sign. She played with her hair, stood around and waved at people in the stands. please note what her sign says though, it says 'Bring the Noise' it shouldn't be so difficult for her to raise it up and use it to get the crowd to cheer right? Rock star drinks was the sponsor that had that idea. She did end up raising it when a rider got 90 points or more, but otherwise, she just stood like this.


Finally, one of the most well known bull contractors is a guy named Chad Berger, he owns Bones, Code Blue and a few other well known bulls. This year his bull, Bones, was named 2010 World Champion Bull. That is a pretty impressive feat, and he did it bucking off 2008 PBR World Champion Gilhereme Marchi on Friday night. Here I am with Chad after he handed me a pink signed case with band-aids inside. Cute marketing idea by Cooper Tires to tie in with Breast Cancer Awareness month.

And that is our weekend of bull riding in Las Vegas. Stay tuned for our other exploits that weekend. Oh and please note, I was delighted and thrilled to be wearing www.cowgirldivaz.com jewelry the entire weekend. Lynn's jewelry was so much better made and stunning compared to what everyone else was wearing.

Harry Husky Handing Over the Job to Harry Junior

Capital Teas...one of my favorite things

I think you all know me as a Starbucks gal...I have their stock, drink their coffee daily, travel with the awesome new VIA instant packets and know when Gazebo blend comes out in the summer, Anniversary blend in the fall and Christmas blend, etc. you get the picture. Brad and I even have a standing yearly date to have the first Pumpkin Spice Latte together when it comes out as well as the Eggnog Latte in November. But I like tea too and one of the best tea places around for all your wants and needs is right here in the greater DC area. It's called Capital Teas in Annapolis with a new store in National Harbor. LOVE IT!

The store is owned by friends of ours, Peter and Manelle Martino. Pete is a USNA classmate of Brad's. Here is Manelle's story from their website: www.capitalteas.com

Capital Teas, owned by Manelle and Peter Martino of Annapolis, Maryland opened in summer 2007 in historic downtown Annapolis. The quaint and historic building where it started selling teas is in reminiscent of an old English tea shop that might be found in the South Kensington or Chelsea areas of London. This flagship store is also just one block from the Maryland State Capitol (depicted on the logo), the nation's oldest Capitol in continuous use.

Tea has always been a part of the owners' lives and Capital Teas is an extension of their interest and passion for the wonderful benefits of tea. Manelle Martino's family has been involved in the tea trade for five generations. Her family tradition started with her great-great-grandfather, Francis Van Reyk (pictured below), a Dutch tea planter who managed the well-known Diyagama Estate in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in the late nineteenth century. Among the over 100 types of loose tea we sell today, Capital Teas is proud to offer Great-Great-Grandfather's tea, a BOP tea, from this very Sri Lankan estate. The family tradition is also alive and well with a variety of teas supplied to us by a wholesale tea distribution firm in Australia owned by Manelle's uncle.

Capital Teas specializes in providing our customers with a comprehensive selection of the freshest and highest quality teas from around the world, and a variety of both traditional and modern tea accessories. We source our teas from the world's finest growing countries and regions, including India, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, South Africa, and Kenya. Additionally, our fruit and herbal infusions, and many of our blended Rooibos teas, are masterfully crafted in Germany. Finally, we offer several of our very own unique tea blends.

Check them out, you won't regret it.
6 Cornhill Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: (410) 263-TEAS [8327]
Fax: (443) 926-9109
Website: www.capitalteas.com
Inquiries: Inquiries@CapitalTeas.com

Capital Teas' Winter Romance (contains alcohol)

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups chilled Cinnamon Orange green tea
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 ounces vodka
1 ounce brandy
Splash of Orange Juice
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 cups crushed ice
Recipe:
1. Mix all ingredients in a blender, placing crushed ice in first.
2. Blend 2 minutes on medium speed.
3. Pour into brand snifters and garnish with cinnamon; serve immediately.

The Ellensburg Rodeo 2010

As always for over 40 years I have attended the World Famous Ellensburg Rodeo. I know you find that hard to believe because I really only look about 29, but it is true for over 40 years now. On top of that for over 20 years I have had the pleasure of being associated with the rodeo and Central Washington University as one of the on air television commentators for the parade on Saturday morning. This year I thought I would watch it but Kurt Newman called and I didn't hesitate to say yes. I love announcing the parade and seeing all my friends that participate in it as they go by. This year I had the pleasure to work with Jamie Virden, who is the 'lady in waiting' and will assume the duties of Miss Rodeo Oklahoma in January. I also love having Piper come sit on my lap for the ending and being a small part of it.





I would love to post all the pictures but let me show you the highlights, and then I expect you will want to come next year too. Piper loves the rides, she went with Cole Sullivan and had a blast. Here they are getting on the roller coaster for the third time. Then after the rides we went over to check on Lynn Sullivan's jewelry (www.cowgirldivaz.com) at the Old Mill Store in the Western Village and Piper and Cole found a new ride...









Saturday is a fun day at the rodeo, you get to start with a pancake breakfast in the Albertson's parking lot (or at my folks, depending on what your motivation level to get to a table with breakfast on it). Then there is the parade, the rodeo and finally Extreme Bulls. This is the second year Extreme Bulls has been the Championships and taped to air on ESPN later in the month. Here is what I like about Saturday of rodeo weekend, I like watching the rodeo from my family's box with K.sue and the girlies. Then I loved that we had some time to rest and watch the Washington Huskies play football in luxury accommodations at my parents house.


Here is my friend, Gary Rempel, he is one of the best pick up men in the business and has been for a while. Gary is married my friend, Jody and they met right here at the Ellensburg Rodeo. She and I became friends in 1987 when I was Ellensburg Rodeo Queen and she was Miss Rodeo Washington. They are great people and I only wish we could see them more often. I love that we can stop by and say hi before Gary goes to work in the arena and Piper can sit up on one of his horses. Soon enough I hope she is riding and maybe I will to too. I miss it.





Like I have stated before I could go on and on about this rodeo, but I think I will end with two pictures from the Gold Buckle Party. This party used to be called Stuart Anderson's party, it was private, by his invitation only and always on the Sunday night of Labor Day Weekend. Although the party barn and ranch are now referred to as Springwood, it is still Stuart Anderson's place, at least to all the old timers. We have these rodeo friends that we only get to see over Labor Day Weekend, this year they are very happily married newlyweds. What drew us together you ask? Well here is how our conversations always start, them, "The Buswells!!" us, "The Bagwells!!" laughter and then more laughter. Total bonding moment, every time.

Did I tell you Crown Royal is a BIG sponsor of the rodeo? Gotta love a rodeo, gotta come to Ellensburg and see this one, they don't call it the Greatest Show on Dirt for nothing you know.

My Little Girlie Starts Kindergarten

Five and a half years ago I gave birth to my little girl, and today I sent her off to Kindergarten. She is still my little girl, despite the fact she continues to tell me she is a big girl now. I will add that the first time she told me this she was about two and a half and we were discussing the fact I didn't want her touching everything in the tea store in Annapolis. I think the conversation went like this, "Piper don't touch those cups they will break. What I say goes, I am the mommy and you are the little girl." Piper, "big girl, I am the big girl." I can laugh at it now, but there she was, sitting in her stroller on the sidewalk arguing with me. Where was Brad? He was standing behind her LAUGHING at me!! Here is my baby as a baby; and here she is today. So grown up and ready to go and learn, make new friends and embrace life.


We have to drive her everyday and this week we can walk her into the gym and drop her off. After that it's stop at the curb and she gets out and walks in on her own. For me, it was totally overwhelming in the gym, there were so many kids from all the grades waiting to be escorted by their teachers to the classrooms. But, as overwhelmed as I was, she was totally unfazed. Here is Piper with her very proud Mama and Papa. There was no crying, not by Piper and not really by Brad or myself but it was more a feeling of sadness because she really is a big girl now and not my 'little little baby baby girl' like I always tell her.
She sat down with her classmates and started making friends right away. I was never like that, I am sure you are surprised but I was always very quiet and shy until I got to know you. She is clearly not like that, at least with her peers. And there she goes, off to class for 4 hours and we got a smile and a wave. Next week it will be full day, who will chat with me and have lunch with me??


The morning was filled with some odd retail therapy with Brad; we went to Lowe's and picked up toilets, vanities, lighting fixtures, grout, 2x4's...not exactly the retail therapy I probably needed. Thus, after we unloaded all of that, I had to replace my workout watch at Target, luckily I saw an end cap filled with honey BBQ chips, so I ate 2 small bags...then I felt better. (And worse all at the same time, I should have just insisted we go to Nordstroms)! However, when I saw her smiling face I knew we'd chosen the right school for her. Here she is with her teacher, Mrs. Barrick. Here is another picture of Piper with her good friend, Noah. He was in preschool with her last year and this year he is in the other kindergarten class. They will all get to play together and see each other at lunch, recess and church and who knows, maybe next year they will be in class again together.


All in all a good day and after lunch she and I went swimming one more time at the pool. We spent a good hour in the deep end, and most of it underwater. She is more like Ariel at the moment but I am keeping my fingers crossed for another Dara Torres or Natalie Coughlin. I love her.