Leafs Lost

I remember the tradition of watching the Leafs with family and friends. There would be food, hockey chat, drinks and a whole lot of yelling. I imagine that as a kid a lot of stuff went over my head but what stuck with me is the fun of the get together. Lately we have been reviving the tradition both at home and at the group home. With the Leafs win/lose record we try to emphasize how well we cheer rather than the actual game. When I go back to work I can count on one of our guys saying "What happened to our Leafs?". That gets hard to hear after a while. One of the good things about watching the game is the comradery that happens whether we win or lose. A good tradition all in all.

I like all the talk that goes on during the game, jumping from one topic to the next, doesn't matter if it is hockey related or not. It is nice to have a flow of talk that has no external pressures on it. Sort off topic I finally got to see a real Hi Definition hockey game. What an amazing sight! We watched a stray nose hair of Darcy Tucker wave in and out and had marveled about that for quite a while. One day I will have that too!

TV Shows, Slippers and Hockey

To end out December I have several points before the end of the year.
First, slippers are meant to self-destruct before Christmas. That's why we need them as gifts. Feet cannot be that powerful that they can destroy a pair of well-made slippers but some how slippers come out on the losing end of the deal.
Second, even though I keep saying I am so over an incident that happened at work (it involves a betrayal). It is not totally resolved and I keep going over it. It is like a sore that you keep picking at, never letting it heal. I am ready to let it go but it makes such a good story. (which also makes for good gossip which is not soul enriching but does satisfy that wicked part of me)
Third, I am enjoying the writer's strike. I was starting to feel like a slave to my shows. With all the reruns I can listen to my Podcasts, read and relax. I have more time for other stuff.

Then there is the Toronto Maple Leafs. Our gang at the group home loves the family get togethers' to cheer on our team. Kind of hate the losses but the cheering is fun. We have a saying, it is not whether we win or lose but how well we cheer. While I have a few days off, it is nice to see the entire game and not have to work and see the game in spurts. It seemed that every time I left the room they scored. A superstitious mind would put a spin on it but since I am not like that I will enjoy watching the games in their entirety.

Lastly, I hope everything goes well for all for the end of this year and the year to come.

Our Christmas Party

Thank goodness that the snow didn't happened till after our party. I shoveled snow till my face felt like it was a cold rubbery mask. Then the plow came. Although I am thankful that the plow actually did our street, sometimes I feel it is a rare treat, it means I have to dig out a spot for the van to get out.
Back to the party.
Louise gave massive help with the setup and sandwiches. Everyone helped with the setup and afterwards the cleanup. The gang looked wonderful thanks to Natasha and Manny. We had food and treats for all. Ken helped himself to many a butter tart. I don't remember sitting down except once to have a bowl of bean salad. Nice and garlicy!. It was nice to chat with everyone, I just wish I had more time to do so. We had our fake fireplace going as well as the singing Santa. We also had the Leafs game on for the gang on the big TV in the livingroom. Something for everyone. An amazing night and thanks to all that made it possible.

Leafs Skate

We went to the Easter Seals Leafs Skate at the ACC on December 2nd. For us not skating it was $25.00 per person, which included lunch. Jen raised a respectable amount for the privilege of skating with the Leafs for the Easter Seals campaign. She's the one in the red vest near her favourite Leaf, Kyle Wellwood. He is definitely eye candy with that cute baby face and a group home favourite. The rest of us were behind the bench taking as many pictures as we could for each session. The Leafs signed autographs while on the ice and the skaters had their picture taken with each of the group of Leafs that were on the ice. What a nice Sunday.