Barn Photos....

Silly Dog Jive.....

The Barn Itself....This is where I lived.
Rosie, who was having none of getting her photo taken.

All the hay for the horses.  Yes, I walked in my high heels out here.

Enjoy the Laughs

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Photos of Round Two: How Sweet It Is!

Bridget, Shannon, I & Kim decked out in ZAG gear and celebrating the WIN.

Yes, we are #1!

The very best display that I have ever seen. 

The Team at Half-Time.

Ray, Matt & I at half-time.

Kim and Shannon sporting some awesome bulldog tatoos.

Luck Held out for One More Round....

Yesterday morning I woke up with a text message from my friend Ray stating that they had a ticket for Round 2 for me.  You see their friend got sick and couldn't make it to the Gonzaga vs. Western Kentucky Game.  I could not believe my luck. Little did I know that I would be witnessing one of the closest basketball games of my life.  I arrive the Rose Garden at 2 pm yesterday giddy at a chance to watch not only our basketball game, but also the UW vs. Purdue game.  I left the Garden at 8 pm exhausted, hoarse and thrilled.  I was there when Gonzaga defeated Western Kentucky in a close game made it to the SWEET SIXTEEN!  

Once the win was secure the ZAG fans in Portland celebrated in true fashion.  As a basketball fan, I couldn't have asked for more.  Oh, did I mention that I watched UW lose right before our game. Talk about perfection.

The next game is on Friday against UNC Tarheels and if the team that I know and loves shows up, we have a very good game ahead of us.  I plan on recovering my voice at some point in the next day or so. Until then, I plan on enjoying this sweet victory.

GO GONZAGA! G-O-N-Z-A-G-A!

The Hero of the Day!

Gonzaga's Demetri Goodson, center, is hugged by teammates after scoring the winning shot against Kentucky during the second-round men's NCAA college basketball tournament game Saturday in Portland. Gonzaga defeated Western Kentucky 83-81. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Round 1 Photos!!

Right before getting into the arena.

The Bulldogs ARE Battleproof.

Claire, Spike & I

Sue and I at the social.

The Beer that Started it all....

A Bulldog Can Beat This Right?

The Mascot for WKU, our opponet tomorrow.  I have no idea what it is, but a Bulldog can beat it....right?

Round One: Recap & Photos

Yesterday started all too early for me.  Just couldn't sleep.  Remember Christmas Day morning when you try to keep your eyes closed just another 10 minutes in order no to annoy your parents?  That was me yesterday... I woke up at 8 am ready to take on the day full of basketball.  

After fueling up with both coffee & food, and some mighty fine beer samples at lunch (See the photo below.) we headed to the Alumni Pre-Game Social at the Oregon Convention Center.  Everything a true ZAG needs: a photobooth (like the kind a a circus or fair), free shirts, the cheerleaders & band...food and more beer.  Surrounded by my "people" I was in heaven.  The best part?  Being surprised by Shannon & Barney at the social.  I turn and all of a sudden they were there.  Talk about good Zag karma.

Off to the game, in a mist of fans from all across the country I was quickly reminded that this is the BIG Dance: NCAA.  The game that counts for everything.  And then, I got nervous.    I became the worst version of myself.   I became the uber fan.  As the game progressed, I didn't see a moment of joy or completion until 13:00 left on the clock (in the second half no less) did I see the team that I know and love finally show up.  The playing at the point to the end was beautiful and clean and actually fun.

After our game completed in a big W (thank you very much) we decided to stay and watch the following game Illinois vs. Western Kentucky.  Well, here is another highlight of my day: sitting 3 rows behind the basket.  Here's how: Travis (my darling and lovely friend) is the coach for the Seattle University Cheerleading squad and is close to the GU cheerleaders.  They invited him down to sit with them to watch the final game of the day.  Being the friend that he is, Travis brought me along. 

I ended my day three rows behind the basket at NCAA game.  Not a bad way to spend my night, right?

Tomorrow the ZAGS play Western Kentucky and the most  ridiculous mascot in NCAA.  If we thought a silly kangaroo was bad, wait until you see tomorrow's mascot.

Enjoy the photos everyone.... :) 

GO ZAGS GO!

The Prized Tickets

Be Jealous...be very jealous.

I am One of the Lucky Few

Somehow, some way I was able land tickets for today's game against the Akron Zips in Portland, Oregon.  On Selection Sunday I told myself that if the zags get Portland I would go tickets or not...through the magic of Stubhub.com me and a few other committed zag fans will be joining me for the Madness today.  To say that I am excited does not begin to cover it.  This is my first NCAA tournament since I stopped working on ships.... then to be able to go to one of the games at a very "home court" advantage scenario...what more does a girl need? 

Look for updates, photos and more tomorrow as I fill everyone in on today's game.

GO ZAGS GO!  BEAT THOSE ZIPS!!

Problem Posting?

Is it my lack of posts causing my low number of comments or is there a techincal error?  If you have submitted a comment to the blog, it wont automatically post as I have to moderate each comment/post.  That might be why you are not seeing instant gratification when comes to the posting... 

Even the President Does It...

Are you not buying to the Madness of March? You might be the only one. Even President Obama did a bracket.  Hmmm...Gonzaga at Sweet Sixteen, not bad. :) 

Although President Obama does have UNC taking GU out of the Tournament in the 3rd Round, who know...anything is possible, right?

 Have  you filled out your bracket yet? If not, click here for a printable version. 

Yes, I am Knitting a Blanket.

The barn life is finally getting to me.  I am knitting a blanket.  Yes, a blanket... what the hell am I thinking?  This thing is going to take 5 years to complete.  Grrr.... nothing like a challenge, right? Oh well.  Below you will see the yarns as well as the progress of where the blog is currently at. 

My Poor Yaris

My Sunday Morning Sucked….

I woke up yesterday to a fresh blanket of snow falling on the ground.  Hooray.  Mother nature threw a wrench in the plans for me, apparently winter is not quite over yet.

Well, I had a shift at the Banana Republic store in downtown Spokane at 12:15, so I got moving and ready to walk out of the barn at around 10:30.  (It doesn’t hurt to be super early, right?)  So as my little Yaris was going down the hair pin turns she decided to go straight rather than turn so she landed in an embankment.   Fantastic, right? Now bear in mind that this is a road that approximately 75 vehicles travel down per day….and to top it off on a Sunday morning.  What a great way to spend my morning. 

Fortunately, I wasn’t injured (TG for seat belts) nor was my car or my shoes.  I had to use both hands to open the car door with a heavy push.  I know that I am not the strongest person, but it was slightly scary.  The car was sitting very precariously on the side of this embankment.

I called 4-1-1 for a tow truck and of course I went to an answering machine (remember, Sunday morning?) Then at that moment a 4-runner drove by with a man and his girlfriend who were willing to give me a ride back to the barn in order for me to call a tow (and stay out of the cold.)  These Good Samaritans saved me from a good cry session in the middle of the country. 

Long story short, I called a tow and then my friendly barn neighbors Bob & Jane to see if they could drive me back to my car so I could wait it out.  1 hour later my Tow Truck had arrived, this 60 year old man looked like my knight in shining armor.  

I thought the scary part would be getting out of the car, but Ron told me I had to get back into my little Yaris to turn the wheel!! What?  Are you serious?  He looked at me blankly and said, “Yes, I am serious.  Your car is not going anywhere….it is winched to my truck.”

Right.  Okay.  I climbed into my car nervously following his instructions, “Left. No, your left.  Hold it there.”  Five minutes later, my car was free from the embankment with mud, snow and debris but overall unharmed in the process.

Lesson learned: When it says 20 MPH that’s what you should go.

And to prove my point, I included photos....

Oh, in case you were wondering being early to work actually got me in the long run.  Because my car was stuck on the side of a hill, I missed my shift.  Talk about ironic.

Spring is Finally Here!!

The snow is melting and although the grass is mucky being here on these beautiful sunshine days reminds me of how beautiful Spokane can in fact be.

My days with wildlife spotting is hardly over however.  The deers are out and about, and although I haven't had an collisions with these fine animals I have had numerous close calls....with fog, snow and ice all as factors in a potential crash.  Thank god my Yaris has managed to go here and there without hitting any deer. 

You know what kind of wild life I just don't "get"?  Squirrels.  Carrie Bradshaw said it perfectly when she said, "Squirrels are just like rats but with cuter outfits."  Walking to work today I was admiring the bright beautiful morning when I almost ran into a squirrel.  Seriously.  It just ran right into me.  Almost colliding with a potential rabid animal (this Michael Scott's "fun" run) made me squeal just like a little girl.  Great way to start my Friday, right?

Do I have to mention GO ZAGS at WCC this weekend?? I am ready to watch some pretty sweet basketball...all to lead up to the NCAA! 

Woo-Hoo, A New Update!

This is going to be a long post, as it is LONG over due.  (I know it is bad when I am getting phone calls from people asking for blog updates.  Wow, I feel so loved and popular.  Thanks Bridget for reminding me!) 

So let's see what is the new news from Spokane and the Barn?  First and foremost I am still knitting in fact I am knitting a blanket.  Why? Just  for a new challenge.  I keep telling myself that a blanket is just a large scarf.  I found a pattern on a knitting website to which I belong to (yes, I am a knitting nerd) and I thought I would give it a shot.   I will have to take photos and let you know how it all goes.  So far, so good. I figure it will be done by the time a friend of mine has their first child.  (Note: At this time, none of my friends are expecting.... so I have at least a year to finish this thing out!)

The basketball season is coming to a close, at least for home games it is.  Tomorrow marks the last game of the season at GU and of course I have tickets.  The game should (note the word should) be a cake walk, but Senior Night is always my personal favorite of the season.  Then the team is off to Vegas for the WCC tournament.  Now, I have to let you know I have received much criticism for not attending the tournament in Vegas.  To set the record straight, I have way to much fun in cities without 24 hour Chapels, Casinos and Buffets. If I went to Vegas I would return to Spokane married, broke and 10 lbs heavier. 

The snow is finally melting here in Spokane which allows me to wear my beloved shoes without fear of snow or muck all over them.  I have not resorted to feeding animals in my high heels however as it is still slightly unpractical. Trust me....

February has been full of trips and visitors as well for me.  I headed to Seattle for Caroline's birthday as a surprise President's Day weekend and we were all able to see the Lion King as a family.  (For anyone in Seattle....the show was AMAZING.  It is still running. Go and see it.... You will be happy that you did.)

The week following, Ray came to visit me for the basketball game on Feb. 21st against Pepperdine.  We had a great time including watching Slumdog Millionare.  (I went to see it before it won best picture.  What a psychic, right?) If you have not seen it yet...go and do it this week.  Alone or as a date, it is a fantastic movie.   One of the best I have ever seen. (And I have seen quite a few movies...)

Another development is I am participating in Gonzaga's Relay for Life April 3-4 and would love friends and family to consider supporting this great cause. Each of us, directly or indirectly, has been impacted by cancer in our lives.  

This walk will allow me to celebrate the lives of those individuals who are survivors and how blessed I am to have them still in my life.  This walk will also allow me to remember and honor those who have lost their lives to cancer, especially my grandmother who passed away when I was only 2 years old. 

I know that times are tough, but $10 is better than nothing.  Consider giving up your lattes for one week and donate to an excellent cause.

To Donate and Help me Reach my Personal Goal, Click Here.