Condors Mar. 28th

The Condors played the Las Vegas Wranglers last night. Awesome game! The Condors handily beat the Wranglers 7-4. After the game was "Meet the team night" for those with weekend plans or are season ticket holders. Since we have the weekend plan, and two young ones with us, we went to the meet the team event.
We had to wait for them to shower, talk with the coach, and 'suit up'. This made it a very long evening. Austin [7] got the autographs of all the players, and his picture taken with his total fave: goalie Fukufuji. I got my faves autographs on my Condors hat; Derlago, Ianiero, and of course Fukufuji. Fuji was really cool, he signed our stuff in Japanese and English.
To see the pictures of Austin, go to: http://www.flickr.com/savedbygrace6634 , he's gotten his picture with both mascots and now the number ONE goalie.
This game puts us only one point out of second place in our division, behind the Wranglers.
Only 2 more regulation games left; next weekend. April 9th is the beginning of the play-offs.
GO CONDORS!!

Condors Mar. 27th

Headline from "Condors Press Release: Condors Filet The Salmon Kings". Absolutely! I was there. The game was action packed, full of fights, and goals. The Condors embarrassed the Victoria Salmon Kings by beating them 7-3. They didn't take it well either, that's why there were so many fights. Win or lose, I love my Condors, but watching them thrash a team that's supposed to be WAY better than us is just wonderful!
There is another game tomorrow night, Saturday 28th, against the Las Vegas Wranglers.
GO CONDORS!!

Wednesday Mar. 25th

The new mattress is perfect. I haven't slept better in years. My pain level went from a 9 [out of 10] to a 3 in one night. Thank you God.
I went to bingo, and had lots of fun chatting with my friends. I hadn't seen them in 3 weeks, because of the pain. I didn't win at bingo, but the fun and laughter was the high point.
I went to church after. It was very interesting. The associate pastor spoke a little about apologetics, while going over John 16. After the service, which ended at 8 pm, Will and I hang out with Pastor Bob discussing many things until 10 pm.
May God bless Pastor Bob with health and continued blessings for his kindness, patience and understanding.

Condors Mar. 25th

The Condor fired a season high record of 55 shots on goal, but still lost to the Victoria Salmon Kings. Victoria has 81 pts. to Bakersfield's 67 pts. So losing to Victoria 5-3 isn't embarrassing. The team tried very hard [55 attempts to score], but Victoria is just a better team.
The two teams play again on Friday the 27th. I will be at that game rooting for my team.
GO CONDORS!

Pain was getting worse

With my muscle spasms and pain not getting better, I decided it was time to do something to help the problem. My mattress died about 3 years ago, and has continued to get worse. With my spinal disorder, clearly that was NOT helping. So, I decided this morning that I would "bite the bullet", and buy a new mattress. When I arrived at the only furniture store in my area, I was pleased to see a very large sign, "Mattress Sale".
I found a Serta mattress for less than $172, and that included delivery! When I tested the mattress at the store, I had no spasms, pain, or pinched nerves acting up. I am sooo looking forward to a good nights sleep.
I know that God loves me.

The storm hit

Early this morning it started raining with really high winds. Then it turned to sleet with high winds. In the daytime it was snow with high winds.
When Buddy wanted out to tinkle, I had to force him. The spray from the sleet at 50+ miles an hour really hurts, I know, I had to go with him. He usually stays outside during the day, but he wanted right back in. Me too.
The hight temperature for the day was a blistering 41* with the low at 20*. I refuse to look up the windchill factor, it will make me feel colder, lol.
For obvious reasons, I've had my woodstove going since last night.

Condors Mar. 21st

The Bakersfield Condors were playing in Stockton tonight.
The Condors started out ahead 2-0 in the first stanza and 3-1 in the second stanza. The Thunder were able to tie the game at the end of the third and last stanza, forcing the game into OT [overtime]. Overtime didn't last long, the Condors scored in less than a minute. This win puts the Condors in 3rd place in our division, ahead of the Stockton Thunder!
We really needed to win this game to secure a place in the play-offs. The play-offs aren't a guarantee, but it sure looks good for the Condors.

A storm is coming

According to all sources [NWS, local news etc] there is going to be a snow storm here tomorrow on Sunday, with snow down to 4000'. Oh goody. I get to drive my super bouncy 4x4 again. Of course, it could be worse. I could have NO truck and be stuck. So, I bounce up and down my dirt road in the snow and mud most of the winter.
When friends ask, "Are you going to be here 'such and such". I answer, "God willing, and the creek don't rise", and I'm NOT kidding.
Pray that God keeps me and my 'fur babies' safe till the weather clears for the season.
Thank you. God bless all.

Condors Mar. 20th

The Condors jumped out to a roaring start in the first period, putting three goals up on the board. The Condors rolled to a 4-1 win over the Utah Grizzlies in front of 5,311 fans at Rabobank Arena Friday night.
Bakersfield has won 15 in their last 20 games, and 9 in their last 12 home games. The victory put the Condors in a tie with Stockton in points, but just one win behind them in the standings, setting the stage for a pivotal matchup on Saturday Mar. 21st in Stockton.
Above is from: Condors - Press Release March 20th, 2009
We need to continue winning to make it to the play-offs. GO CONDORS!!

Condors Mar. 18

Condors triumph over Utah 4-1. The Condors have won 14 of their last 18 home games, and are presently in the running for the play-offs. This win should increase our chances for the play-offs.
Quote from Condors Press release 3-17-09: "PLAYOFF OUTLOOK: The Condors currently hold down the final spot in the National Conference playoff picture, with a .018 win percentage cushion over the Phoenix RoadRunners. Phoenix is in action tonight in Las Vegas.
Bakersfield trails the Stockton Thunder for the third place spot in the Pacific Division, just .023 in win percentage behind, with one head-to-head meeting left in the regular season, this Saturday at Stockton Arena".
Go Condors!!

Wed. Mar. 18th

I didn't go to bingo today because my neck and back were in spasms.
Better to save my strength for church. Will, went to church with me again [for the 3rd week in a row]. We both brought goodies and snacks, good idea since the person signed up to bring snacks was out sick.
I was a very interesting service. We were studying Jeremiah chapter 9. I learned so much, and was taught how to apply it to my life. That helps soooo much. It is really amazing what the old testament can teach us- now.

Today is Buddy's birthday!

Today [yes, St. Paddy's Day], is Buddy, my hound dogs first birthday! I got Buddy when he was 4 mos. old. He has lax ligaments in his legs, and cannot be hunted. For a purebred Treeing Walker Hound, that is bad. A hunting dog that is not able to be hunted is usually killed. So, I rescued him. He is such a joy. He gives gentle kisses on my cheek, plays fetch, and comes when called. He doesn't wander, which is good, I have 2 -1/2 acres and no fence. He has turned my 11 year old dogs into playful puppies again. It is so much fun to watch them all play. Buddy is a hyperactive breed, so he sleeps in a crate at night. He is worse than a child, no kidding. I can't let him loose in the house for 5 seconds before he is destroying something. So, he was sleeping outside, but it literally got too cold this winter. Even under the patio, in a doghouse with blankets, he was shivering. A friend brought me the large dog crate, so he could sleep inside. Buddy loves his crate. I think it's because he gets to sleep inside where it is warm, and where the rest of his "pack" is. We enjoy having him inside with us too.
Happy birthday Buddy. Have many, many more! I love Ya'.

Condors Mar. 14th

The Condors did not have it together last night. They were not working as a team. Which is sad, because when they do, they are undefeatable.
The Condors started out pretty good, but the defense fell apart quickly. Allowing the Utah Grizzlies to score and get the lead, which the kept through out the game. The Condors almost tied the game at the last minute, but failed.
The Grizzlies Won with 4, the Condors 3.

Condors Mar. 13th

I made it to the Condor's game last night. It was amazing.
The Condors came out blazing, and quickly had the lead 3-1, in the first stanza. In the second stanza the Utah Grizzlies wanted revenge, and got it. In less than 10 minutes, the score went to 4-3 Utah. McKee our 2nd goalie got pulled out, and Fuji [my fave] was sent in. Fuji succeeded in preventing the Grizzles from scoring anymore. The Condors, on the other hand, scored 3 more times. With One of our players [Ianiero] getting a hat-trick and the 100th goal of his career in the final stanza. Way to Go! This brought the final score to Condors 6 v. Utah 4.
Go Condors!

Wed. Mar. 12th

I didn't make it to bingo yesterday. I have "spinal stenosis" [a spinal disease] in my neck, and it has been causing me all sorts of trouble for two weeks. It goes from spams to pinched nerve with spasms; what fun. This is caused by weather changing. It has been like a roller coaster lately; pouring rain one day, bright sun the next, snow two days later, and then sun the next.
My friend and helper, Will, was going to church, so he took me with him. Saving me the pain of turning my head all over the place, while driving and watching the road. He is such a help and a wonderful friend. Thank you God for sending him.
It was a great service and I learned a lot. It's amazing what you can apply to your own life from just one chapter of the bible. That is why I enjoy my new church so much. I have been going to Calvary Chapel for two years. Before that I went to First Baptist for many years. Calvary Chapel teaches the bible, "chapter by chapter, verse by verse". Just like in the bible days, "line upon line, precept upon precept". I learn so much more this way.

Bible Time

Proverbs 3:5-6 [NKJV]
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

This was my very first "memory verse". I was told to choose a paragraph in Proverbs. When I first read these two verses, they reached deep inside my heart. They are almost directions on, "How to live the Christian life". Today, 18 years later, they are still my favorite verses of the Bible.

Buddy - My 11 mos. hound dog

Today, Buddy went missing. All day long. I was worried sick that someone might have picked him up, because he is a purebred Treeing Walker Hound.
Buddy doesn't normally follow vehicles or bikers or cyclists. This morning some guys with mountain bikes were going up the mountain, instead of down. When they go down, they tend to go very fast. Apparently, they were going slow enough that Buddy went with them.
They tried to throw rocks at him to chase him away [Buddy thinks that is a game], but he continued to follow. He followed them all the way up the mountain and back down the other side. They kept a hold of his collar when they were on the highway, so he wouldn't run into traffic. When they got to their first truck, they put Buddy in the back of it with their bikes. Then they drove to their other truck. Then they very kindly drove 2-3 more miles to bring Buddy home.
I am very grateful that they kept him safe and brought him home. Not all people are so considerate.
I think after his 12 mile jog, that Buddy will have no trouble sleeping tonight.

Condors Mar. 7th

The Condors played in Ontario [Calif.] last night. After a 6 hour drive from Stockton to get to Ontario, they were not at their best. With Fuji [goalie] still out with an injury, and McKee playing in his place, made it tougher. The Ontario Reign is a very good team, and they beat us 7-3.
The rest of the games this season are home games. We need to continue to play good there are only about 8 games left. I don't think the loss to Ontario hurt our standings. So, hopefully they continue to play really good, and make it to the play-offs.
The first half of this season the team really did not play well at all. They pulled themselves together in January, and have worked hard and played their heart outs. They deserve a chance at the play-offs.

Condors Mar. 6th

The Condors played in Stockton tonight, against the "Thunder". The Condors scored 2 goals in each of the 3 stanzas, maintaining a nice lead throughout the entire game. With "Fuji" the primary goalie out with an injury, McKee filled in, and did a great job allowing only 3 pucks get past him. The final score: Condors 6 v. Thunder 3.
The Condors have a real chance to make it to the play-offs.

Wednesday March 4th

Will, my friend and helper, came to bingo with me. He was lucky and won a game. Which is great, he only comes once a month or so. Way to go, Will.
I, on the other hand, only got close or "on" [1 away] practically every game. Getting on is like a cardiovascular workout. Your heart just pounds, thinking, "I got it, I'm gonna win".
After bingo, Will and I went to church. We had a wonderful visit with friends. We were able to take communion. The service was fascinating. We had so much to talk about, we stayed afterwards chatting with the Pastor for 2-1/2 hours!
Then, I had to stop on the way home to switch from my car to my truck. Goody. It has been raining and snowing. With the promise of more. I really hate getting stuck on the mountain in my car, with my 4x4 down the hill. So, I would rather have my truck up here and not need it, than to have my car up here and get 2 ft. of snow.
Will, Kati [my Service Dog] and I, bounced up the hill in my truck with overload springs. Picture springs that are way too tight. No spring effect.
We all made it home with our joints still in place and all of our teeth. lol.

Condors Mar. 4th

The Condors played the Utah Grizzlies at home in Bakersfield. Another rookie netted his first professional hat trick [3 goals]. Helping the Condors to, "Trounce the Utah Grizzles 8-4". Another win for the Condors. Way to go team!
The coach is back too.

Condors Feb. 28th and Mar. 1st

The Condors played Saturday Feb. 28th and Sunday Mar. 1st.
Saturday was in Phoenix. The Condors won, with a 6-3 score against the RoadRunners. One player even notched his first hat trick [3 goals in one game].
Sunday was a home game in Bakersfield against the Las Vegas Wranglers. The game played to a tie in regulation, and continued into OT [overtime]. Still they were tied 3-3. So it went to a SO [shoot-out] where "Fuji" our goaltender let nothing past him, while our players scored. To make the final score Condors 4 v. RoadRunners 3.