Short and Sweet Friday

Well, at least this post will be short and sweet. I hope your Friday is long and luxurious... especially after 5pm!

First off, thanks for all the great comments and responses to yesterday's Hippie-rific post! If you didn't get a chance to check it out, you will have to see what all the fuss is about. 

And why I am not poo-ing. 

Come on, you have to be intrigued now! haha. 

Lots of ya'll had some really awesome questions about the whole no-poo process, and I think I'll answer some of those and explain exactly what my routine is either tomorrow or Sunday. Sound good?! Hey, anything for healthier hair, right?!

OK, maybe not that healthy. It is so lively it is taking over her face!! AHH! (source)

Also, I am a featured guest over at Suitcase and Stilettos. Ms. Megan, an awesome bloggerette if you are unfamiliar with her, is so much fun and let me hijack her blog for the day. If you have some free time, check it out!


**Update, my semi craftiness from this post has actually inspired another blogger to do the same. Ali from The View from the Johnson's made her own adorable button monograms. Love it!

I am link-a-fied today!

Anyways, told you it was short and sweet. I rarely deliver on that promise. Hope ya'll are having a wonderful start to the weekend!

Do I Smell Incense?!

That was one of the longest breaks from blogging ever. Three days, and I am going through withdraws. Hands start randomly typing. I see something interesting around town and want to 'comment' on it. Sleep blogging.

Wait, no. Sleep blogging?! Now if I did that, that would be a great blog on it's own!

ANYWAYS, there hasn't been a lot going on here. I keep telling my mom that I am bored. I am not good at this whole 'cooling me heels' thing. I hate being that person that can't wait for the next big thing, but I am so excited to head to Finland I can hardly stand it!

Girl, feel yo pain! (source)

The hubs is saying nothing but great things about the team, the town and everything there. Even the hot weather. Yep, hot weather in Finland. I think hell has frozen over. Or has the north pole burned?? Confused.

As for me, like I said, not too much going on. Although, I have not been poo-ing lately.

Yep, you read that right, especially you boy readers. All 5 of you bloggers that exist :)

Of course I am referring to shampooing. Anyone who has done a bit of blogging has seen some hippie dippie mom touting this new way to wash-but-not-really-wash your hair.

For all of ya'll who really didn't read that right :) (source)

I'm not going to go into the whole details of the process (if you are interested, here is a good article), but essentially you stop using manufactured shampoo to avoid over drying of your hair. Shampoo can be a - according to some overtly outspoken ladies - 'vicious' cycle of stripping your hair of essential natural oils.

Kept stumbling over the articles and finally I thought "Hey, I got nothing better to do, why not!?!" Exciting life, right?

Here is a real short run down of my routine. I'm 'washing' my hair with a mixture of baking soda and water and 'conditioning' it with a very diluted mix of apple cider vinegar and water.

So far, I am a week in and still in a bit of a grease cycle. Blech, can't believe I wrote that. Don't get me wrong, the only person that can tell it is that way, is me. Otherwise, I'd be right back to the shampoo. It isn't as bad as some people have reported, but still. (Also, I cheated a bit and use some all-natural dry shampoo I have 'cause I just can't always stand it!)

BUT, besides looking like I should be sporting hemp woven clothing and reeking of patchouli, there are some really great benefits I am already seeing. Like this thing is actually working!

Peace. Love. And Good Hair?? (source)

Wow, maybe I should pick up a tambourine and a hacky sack just to make this transformation complete :)

So far, my hair is less frizzy and smoother looking, all without the use of any products. And my usually un-moosed up hair is quite flat (I have naturally blond...what? maybe not that blond, but pretty blond, geez...thin, straight hair), but with no shampoo, there is actually volume. Weird, right?!

Plus, and this is a big plus, my scalp is so much healthier. From time to time, especially when stressed, I can suffer from mild psoriasis. It is nothing too big, no one but me can tell, and really just annoying at most. But still. And since I have cut out the shampoo, there has been nothing. Like totally nothing going on up there! Great unexpected side effect!

Never knew I would be so excited about that (or the fact that I am sharing that, with like, everyone!).

Seriously though, I am impressed with how this is going. Now I have heard that the 'greasy' period can last anywhere from 2 weeks to a freakin' 12 weeks. Yikes! I am hoping that I am on the two week track.

But I guess if I break down, maybe I will use a 'natural' shampoo a few times a week. Any suggestions? Anyone try the no-poo thang? Anyone still reading?

:)

Hey, looky what I made!

Hey blogging nerds, don't lie, you know we all are :) Hope you had a great weekend!

It's been real nice being back in Tex-ass, doing not a whole lotta nothing besides relaxing and enjoying the time at home. Just don't to talk about the sweltering heat, and we are all guuuuud. I literally just started sweating talking about it.

So, I was in somewhat of a crafty mood this weekend. Nooo, not cunning crafty, but craft-tastic crafty. Like I wanted to make-some-shiznit-from-scratch crafty.

And I had just the perfect thing in mind. I stumbled across this tutorial a while ago, and couldn't wait to try it out. All I needed was someone to have a baby. 

And BAM! Wouldn't you know, one of my best friends from childhood had her precious baby girl this past weekend.

And for little Hannah, I made this:

Ug, not liking my camera right now, but you get the idea

Didn't it turn out great?!? I am always surprised when I do something like this and it actually turns out like I imagined. I had tons of buttons laying around, already had the frame, glue, and just had to buy the pink card stock and a few tiny rhinestones. So for next to nothing, I made something that she will (hopefully) cherish for a life time.

It really isn't too hard, just check out the tutorial and follow along. Here are a few of my tips to boot.

- Start filling in the letter with big buttons, then gradually get smaller and smaller. Rhinestones and shank buttons (no, not those used to kill prisoners in the yard, but rather those buttons with do-hickeys sticking out the back) also work great to fill in the spaces.
 
- I used a hot glue gun, and it looks as if everything is sticking on great. So far. Giving it a quality check before I gift it. Might take it for a test drive over speed bumps, you know, just to make sure they are really on there. 
 
- I felt it was necessary to use a frame that could have glass over it. I would probably be that person that gifted the choking hazard, so I just played it safe and framed it up.

It was so much fun, I never get to craft. I can't wait to do another one. Ok, who is going to pop out a kiddo so I can get to glueing more buttons!?!

It is Monday, after all, and I totally didn't want to leave you hanging on a "More You Know Monday". 

I decided to pick the ever exciting theme of BUTTONS! 

Oh, come on, you are going to love these little tid bits of info. Read on...

- Buttons, used as ornaments on clothing rather than fasteners, date back to as far as 2800 BCE.
 
- Functional fastening buttons first showed up in Germany in the 13th Century. Should have added that factoid to this list!
 
- Since the 17th century, when box-like metal buttons were constructed especially for the purpose, buttons have been used to hide and transport illegal substances. 
 
- During the World Wars, the storage possibilities in metal buttons were also utilized by holding miniature working compasses. 
 
- Men's shirts button on the right and women's on the left. This is said to be a tradition that started back in the day. Because most men are right-handed and dress themselves, they found it easier to fasten buttons right to left. Wealthy women at the time were dressed by servants, who found the buttons easier to fasten the other way around. It became convention and never changed.

Seeee, that wasn't too painful. Hope ya enjoyed! Have a great Monday, ya'll!

Until Next Year, Canada

(blogger, you are killing me! This was supposed to go up yesterday!)

Hey kiddos, it's the weekend! Celebrate it up.

Looks like our time is up in Canada. What a short visit that was! Too short, really. 

Summer, for us, is coming to an end. Just like many of the other hockey families, the great Euro hockey migration is beginning. 

Yeah, kinda like the Caribou. But more skates and less antlers. (source)

Houses are packed up, bags are stuffed to the gills, and everyone is ready for a new season. Yes, even those boys. I think even they are getting a little antsy for the hockey to begin. 

I am headed back to the states today (well, it was yesterday. Dang it blogger! lol). Got a long flight, paired with a long layover. No bueno. But whatcha going to do?? 

The hubs leaves for Finland tomorrow. I can't wait to Skype with him and see our place and see what he has to say about everything in the new town. Oh, and maybe to see him too. We tend to miss each other like a couple of saps these next couple of weeks. Sickening, I know.

So while I am making my way back to H-town, I'll leave you with something a little different. I did a fun interview about our time in Germany with Frau Dietz at Letters from Frau Dietz. It was an honor to do and a fun way to look back at all our times there. Check it out and you just might enjoy a change of pace for today!

Remember this?!? It is the last time I will shamelessly let it all hang out. But if you likey, then maybe I will take your 'like' on this page. 

K, I'm done. For reals. :)

Hope everyone is enjoying this hot, hot, hot weekend. I am sweating already!

Hello, 21st Century!

Well, we've done and did it.

We entered the 21st century last night. The hubs and I FINALLY saw a 3D movie. No wonder you kids had been ranting and raving about 3D movies. That shiznit blew our minds. Not to mention that it was Harry Potter and just an all around good movie to begin with (not like that over-hyped Avatar crap. Yes, de-friend me in bloggyland, I said Avatar was average...at best).

And the 3D glasses weren't that noticeable. (source)

 

Ok, you can't blame us too much for not seeing one before. It wasn't like we were exactly going to hop into a German movie theater and sit through a poorly German-audio-over-English movie just to see the effects.

But, being a little behind is like us. Call me crazy, but I don't buy into all the hype that comes with 'new' technology and devices. Heck, I don't even buy into the hype around the older stuff floating around. 

Unless it is this. This looks trust worthy. (source)

Case in point. Don't own a smart phone. Actually, I think my phone is literally making me dumber. It can't even take a picture. And I love it. While in North America, we jump on my parents plan, and overseas we stick with a pay-as-you go phone. Laugh all you want, after all, we do look silly with all that money sticking out of our pockets, don't we?!

Ohh, burn, burn double burn. Haha, just kidding, you know that. But if only I get back my old pink Nokia with this bad boy on it!

No one would beat me on this. NO ONE! (source)

And twitter...naaah (watch, I will end up eating those words). Trust me, I am not exciting. Like, not in the least bit. The last thing ya'll need to do is hang on my every ingredient I added in last night's dinner. Ewww, just reminds me of dumb facebook status updates.

I get Twitter for your blog, for a business and the like. But no way in hell do I need to know that Kayne "...makes awesome decisions in bike stores" or that he thinks "Fur pillows are hard to actually sleep on". True tweets, look it up.

Maybe I'm secretly like 60+ years old.

I'm thankful the hubs isn't into video games. No Playstation, X-Box or Wii. (although, there is a Nintendo DS we share). Think I have played Wii once. Maybe?

But meh, what do you do? A lot of it is due to our lifestyle. We are on the move too much to accumulate crap nice, pretty, useful things. And I think I prefer it that way. I don't get caught up with the latest app, or worry if my phone is out of date, we just make do and get on with our lives.

That is not to say that I wouldn't be all over that stuff if we lived full time in the U.S. Oh, I'd be hooked on it all like it was a drug! For reals. So maybe it is a good thing we live on the bare necessities of technology. 

We'd make this look guuuud! (source)

 Anyways, where was I? Oh, the movie rocked. And I think we might have actually enjoyed that new-fangled, not so new thing called 3D.

BTW, Ixy, from Illusion, Congrats!! You won the Texas/Germany/Canada giveaway! I can almost hear the audible groans of everyone else who entered. I tried to email you, but get a hold of me when you can. I will take full advantage of the fact that we are both in Canada right now and I can send that baby off for waaaay cheaper. (TexaGermaNadian (at) gmail (dot) com)

Schpanks again to everyone who wished me a happy birthday and entered the contest! You guys rock!

Ok, I'm wrapping it up! 

Last but not least, I am up for "Best in Life"! See, told you hubs, I really am :)

What? What's that?...Not like that? 

Oh, I guess they mean the "Best in Life" category for best blogs on FTLOB! Hey, I'll take it!

Life, of course, being a blogging category. Although I have my stuff together, not going to lie, in 'real' life too, haha.

Be a dear, and if you like the blog, like really, really like it, jump over here, find TexaGermaNadian and like it too.

Well, maybe not best in life, but damn good at making useless pictures!

I'm in a funny mood today, sorry :)

But I really would appreciate it!

Hope everyone is having a great week, and enjoy your hump day!

More You Know Monday - Birthday Edition!

First off, I can't tell ya'll how touched I am by all the birthday comments yesterday. And I know it was alllll just to win a little ol' prize.

Seriously, ya'll took the time and effort to write me some of the sweetest birthday messages I could have ever imagined. Thanks so much for being great bloggyland friends. I feel truly blessed!

I so would have done this yesterday if I had thought of it! (source)

I had a wonderful day yesterday. Here in Edmonton, where the weather has been less than impressive, it was finally sunny and warm! I got a very delicious ice cream cake, a super nice sushi dinner, and I have to say that the hubs (with the help of my awesome mother-in-law) did great on my presents. Spoiled much?!

:)

So, I am not sure who won the giveaway from yesterday just yet. Since it was through FTLOB, I believe it will be announced through their twitter account sometime today. As soon as I know, you'll know!

But onto another 'The More You Know Monday'!

This time, a birthday edition.

Has anyone ever heard of the 'Birthday Paradox'?

It is a 'phenomenon' that predicts that out 20-30 people it is very likely for two individuals in the group to share same birthday.

May come as a surprise to a lot of people. While most would assume that it would take many more people to find a common birthday, the probability of the shared birthday begins to climb at much lower numbers.

Now I won't get too into the mathematics of the problem, but if you are curious and a super smarty pants, you can check it out here.

Basically, if you ask someone randomly when his/her birthday is, the chance of the two of you having the same birthday is around .27%. Not great odds.

However, if you put 20 people in the room, it changes the fact that now each of the 20 people is asking 19 of them about their birthday. While each person has about a 5% chance of sharing a birthday with one person, they are asking 19 times. Hence increasing the odds of finding their own birthday out there. 

Ahhhhh, head exploding! (source)

A very good explanation can be found here. 

Confused??? Sorry, don't be! Why don't we just try this baby out ourselves??

I figured, I get around 30 comments per post (if I leave it up for 2 days). Just about the number I think it will take to find two matching birthdays

Here is what you do, leave your birthday (no year, I don't want any internet stalkers out there) and see how many it takes for us to get two of the same.

I'll even start mine off, my birthday is (obviously) on 7/17.

When is your birthday?? Think we will come up with two same birth dates within 30 comments?!?!

Come on, play along! :) You never know, maybe you will find your birthday twin!

Seeeee, they already did! :) (source)

Love from Texas, Germany AND Canada...and the best day ever!!

Hey bloggyland! It has been too long since a Sunday post, but you better believe that today's is a very special one :)

Since July 17th is pretty much the best day ever, I've teamed up with For The Love of Blogs to host a giveaway in their Summer Giveaway Bash!!

Why today?! Well it just so happens to be little ol' me's birthday!! Yep, I am the big 1-6 today!! Wait, that isn't right....

Would pretty much give my first born for one of these sets today! (source)

Anyways, if you hopped over from FTLOB, welcome! If you like what you see, I would love for you to follow along with my journey as my husband and I enjoy the worldwide adventure hockey takes us on. 

For all your oldies but goodies, you too get a chance to win a special goodie bag. But if you haven't checked out FTLOB, you really need to do so. What a great resource and site for your blog!!

Now, what, pray tell, am I giving away!?! 

Why only the best Texas/Germany/Canada Goodie Bag ever. Look at that swag!!

I know, I spoil!

You could win...

From the Lone Star State:

- The coolest "Don't Mess With Texas" bumper sticker. Ever.
- Texas-shaped cookie cutter
- Pecan Pralines

Aus Deutschland:
- My last pack of sauer Glühwürmchen (sour gummy worms), sooo good
- And you might remember the Kaufman's Haut und Kinder Creme from here. It really is the best stuff from Germany!

From Canada, eh:
- Mini Canadian Flags
- A Canadian Koozie
- What my husband refers to as the best 'Canada's favorite chocolate bar" Oh Henry!
- Some fun Canadian themed stickers
- A Canadian key chain/bottle opener

Anyone can enter, I will ship anywhere. Yes, even ya'll waaaay across the ocean there :)

The rules are as follows (and this according to FTLOB, not me ;)):

- You have to leave me a birthday wish! (Haha, nothing like begging for compliments on my day)
- JUMP OVER TO FTLOB AND LEAVE THEM A COMMENT SAYING WHERE YOU WOULD LOVE TO TRAVEL!!

- One comment per entrant. 

- One day to enter. 

- Winner will be announced via FTLOB's twitter tomorrow (July 18th).

Hope everyone had a very nice weekend, thanks for stopping by, and best of luck!

Now, I am off to get extra spoiled today :)

Frackin' Friday - By SaucyKodz

Happy Frackin' Friday! 

Have another great guest post for you. In honor (should I use honour?!) of our time up north, I have a great Frackin' Friday from SaucyKodz, a blogger out in small town Atlantic Canada. 

Hope ya'll enjoy!! Take it away, Lilly!

Everyone in their own little corner of the world, city or town use slang words – kinda makes words less formal, eh. Slang relaxes the mouth and allows for a more comfortable speaking process...breaking down or creating your own words, does take away from “speaking proper english”, however, who’s to say “our slang” isn’t “proper english”, or whatever language another might create slang words in, right?

I figure it’s all proper, no matter how you use it, and I would have to learn an awful lot of slang, if I were to visit you all, right. Adding “right” or “eh” at the end of your sentence is a wee bit of Canadian slang – instead of saying “Isn’t that right”, all you have to do, is add “right or eh” at the end of your sentence, right! 

Slang also allows for more of an identity of a person or place, when speaking, right. You can personalize slang and talk how you want to talk, as opposed to following standard English protocol. 

I really enjoy “Frackin’ Friday” and have some good giggles, and have taken some time to write down a few of ours. Hope you enjoy them.

From SaucyKodz 

"She’s a hard pill to swallow" 

Meaning: Rough looking girl 

"Givener wide open tonight boys"

Meaning: getting very drunk lol 

(love this one! haha)

"Uglier then a brush wire fence"

Meaning: Real Ugly 

(source)

"Shack Wacky" 

Meaning: Cabin Fever

"MISTER MAN, JUS (JUST) BETWEEN YOU N ME N DA GATEPOST"

Meaning: You are about to hear a great secret 

"Great day to set a hen" 

Meaning: It is a nice day out

And – just to add some colour, "So hungry could eat the arse off a skunk" 

Haha, I have heard "So hungry I could eat a horse" but nothing ever about a skunk. Ya'll must get real hungry up there! Thanks for the guest post, Lillly!

Real quick, don't forget about the FTLOB Giveaway I am hosting THIS Sunday, July 17th! It's my super, fun birthday and I'm giving away a Texas/German/Canadian goodie bag to die for! See you on Sunday, you are not going to want to miss this!!

'Bout that time of year again

Well, we are officially in countdown mode.

I haven't written about the hockey season in a while, so I thought I would give you a itsy run down on what we are getting ourselves into this year.

For those of you who are new to the blog or old but really bad at paying attention, we are off to Finland this season for a new hockey adventure! Eeee! I can't tell you how excited I am to be seeing a new part of the world.

Those 12 hour plane rides NEVER get old! (source)

The hubs leaves in a week and a half for the true great white north. I'm talking north. Same latitude as Anchorage, Alaska. Which is great, if hockey was played in summer months. But its not. Weird, right?! Had no idea it was a winter sport! I'm talking 4 hours of sunlight in the dead of winter. Yikes.

Keep repeating: It's an adventure, it's an adventure.

:)

Haha, no, that won't even deter my enthusiasm about this year. But if I seem grouchy by January, then you might just know why!

I'd look guuuud on one of these bad boys! (source)

The hubs usually heads over first. He gets settled into our new place and (hopefully) arranges everything we need in a new country - bank account, insurance, gets to know the lay of the city, etc.

A lot of ya'll had asked questions about our living arrangements. What do you do about an apartment? Do you have to buy furniture? What about a car?

Hockey overseas is set up differently than in the states. Getting to a new team and a new town means that (usually) a furnished apartment and a car are there waiting for you. It just comes with the deal. Which is nice, because I can't even imagine trying to go through the renting process without knowing the language.

As for me, I'm heading back home to Texas for 2 weeks, to see family, friends and to tie up all loose ends, and then it is on to Finland! Actually, I tell the hubs that it is to see friends and family, but really I want one last chance to lay by the pool and shop. Shallow much?!? Haha.

Which, thinking about it, is counter intuitive. Come on, you gotta know that Texas doesn't stock much clothing that would be useful in an Arctic country.

Doesn't hurt to look, right?!

This year will be a little different when I head over. Last year, the hubs got "Hubs of the Year" by making the 7 hour, each way, trip to our old town. Picked up all of our belongings and had them in Ravensburg before I was even overseas.

It will prove a little trickier this year. Not even sure if it is possible to get from Ravensburg to Finland.

Wait, just google mapped it, yes it is possible. And it would only take an estimated 1 day and 1 hour and a measly 2 ferry rides! HA. Yeah right. 

You've got to be kidding me, google maps!

You can see on the map that we were at the southern most point possible in Germany. Just to make things fun for this year, I'm sure. And you don't really realize how far up Finland is, and that it isn't really connected to any route that is useful for a multiple country crossing. 

NBD

We made a pact with ourselves that we would NEVER be that couple that left stuff in one place never to return. This is done in hockey all the time. People just leave boxes and boxes of clothes, kitchen supplies and other miscellaneous items behind. Either they have moved on to another country, retired, or just didn't want to deal with the stuff. Which of course means that someone else has to throw it away or riffle through the shiznit.

Hey, unclaimed stuff left behind is always up for grabs. We've picked up a DVD player, kitchen supplies, throw pillows and curtains this way! haha, trash diggers.

It comes down to that we didn't want to leave that to anyone. PLUS, and a big plus here, all of our winter clothing was left at a friend's house in Germany. All of our winter supplies is left in Germany. I mean really, there isn't much use for a down jacket in Texas in May.

Or January for that matter.

So, in early August, I am flying my butt over to Finland. Getting my feet on the ground and over jet lag. Then flying down to Germany to take care of everything we need to take care of. Packing up boxes to ship, stuffing suitcases to carry with me, and probably making a few trips to the dump. Fun times in Europe, right?!

It simply comes down to the fact that we need this stuff. There is no getting around it. And the cost of buying all new clothing greatly outweighs the (actually reasonable) shipping prices and airplane ticket.

And, to boot, if there is anything that I can't find right away in Finland at the grocery store, I can always pick up supplies in Germany. Wow, never thought I would be excited to go German grocery shopping again! haha.

Oh, and you better believe that I will be visiting these buddies while I am down there :)

So there is a not-so-mini run down, for all you inquiring minds out there. Anyone want to join me in Southern Germany to help me pack?! Come on, doesn't that sound like a blast?!

BTW, I mentioned something last week about the FTLOB Giveaway I am hosting. Well you better get excited for this Sunday, July 17th, my super fun birthday, because the prize package I am giving away is, for lack of better words, awesome. I'll just hint that it will include goodies from all three countries I have blogged in this year. Ooooh yeaaaah!

The More You Know Monday - Hockey Trivia

Hey guys, happy Monday! 

Just want to give one more shout out to all of ya'll that linked up to the Storytellers Blog Hop this weekend. What a great turn out, once again! 

I am behind on getting to all of ya'lls links, so I am on that today. Don't worry, I promise to make the rounds. :)

Feels like I haven't written about hockey in a while now. You might not feel the same way, though, lol. I'll have to give ya'll an update on our schedule and heading back to Europe sometime this week. The season is approaching quickly, and I am already excited for the adventures it brings with it. 

Anyways, will get to that later in the week. For now, another edition of 'The More You Know Monday'! This week, featuring good ol' random hockey facts. Hope you enjoy!

- There are more professional hockey teams in Texas than any other state in the union. Way to go, cowboys!

Hey, it is catching on! (source)

- According to legend, hockey was the first team sport to place numbers on the backs of sweaters. It's said that the idea came from Joe Patrick, an organizer of the Pacific Coast Hockey League in 1911. He saw a photograph in a newspaper from England showing a cross country runner wearing a number pinned to his back. Joe thought it was a good idea that should be tried in hockey. His two sons, who ran the Vancouver and Victoria teams, agreed. On opening night of the 1911-12 season, all players in the league wore numbers and within three years, numbered sweaters were adopted by teams in all leagues.

Ya'll remember these awful jerseys, right?!

- The English Governor general of Canada, Lord Stanley of Preston, was so impressed by the growing popularity of hockey in Canada in the late 1800s, that in 1892 he bought a silver bowl with a gold interior finish and decreed that it be given each year to the best amateur team in Canada.

Your generosity has left your name in history! (source)

- Total Number of Individuals Engraved on Cup: 2,163 (not actually sure if this includes Boston from this year?!)

- There are actually three Stanley Cups: the original bowl, the authenticated Cup, and the replica at the Hall of Fame. The original bowl was awarded to the champion until 1970, and is now displayed in the vault room at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.

The Montreal Hockey Club (Montreal Amateur Athletic Association) win the first Stanley Cup (source)

- The authenticated version or "Presentation Cup" was created in 1963. The NHL at the time felt that the original bowl was becoming too thin and fragile, and thus requested a duplicate trophy as a replacement. The Presentation Cup is the one currently awarded to the champions of the playoffs and used for promotions. Although the heads of the NHL felt that they needed to keep this 'new' trophy under wraps. This version was made in secret, and its production was only revealed three years later.

- The Zamboni was invented, not in Canada or some other cold climate, but rather in California. Frank Zamboni, a California rink operator, came up with the idea. The machine grew out of an experiment he conducted with a tractor pulling a sled across the ice at his rink. The one-driver Zamboni made its debut in 1949 and soon became the norm at rinks all over the world!

Don't know why they didn't stick with this original fancy design!? (source)

Hope you enjoyed this hockey tid bit. Even you non-hockey loving southerners!

Storytellers Blog Hop - July 2011

You know you want to click on this link from your reader. Do it, JUST DO IT!!

K, now that I got you over here that is out of the way :)

Good morning bloggers! (and damn you 'scheduled at' setting, we never get along) Thanks for hopping over here to join the link up this weekend! I am glad to have you.

I hope ya'll have been enjoying your week and you are ready for another Storytellers Blog Hop!!!

Ready to link up? Or are you new here??

If you are a newbie, here is the short and easy run down.


Wait, there is no run down! Just link up your site and don't worry about writing anything special.  It is a chance to show off your blog (your newest/favorite/best post) and let it be who it is!

<a border="0" href="http://texagermanadian.blogspot.com/search/label/Storytellers" target="_blank"><img width="190" height="190" img src="http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/ac89/lindseyleavitt14/storytellers.png"/></a>

Your blog is your story, so let it shine!
If you are feeling like it, spread the love

Only. One. Rule. Please, no sites that specialize in ads, coupons, giveaways, etc. There are many blog hops just for you, but today, this hop isn't one of them. Sorry guys.

Other than that, there are no rules, no 'follow' musts, only an easy outlet to stumble upon new and interesting blogs.

If you have the time this weekend - the hop runs until Sunday evening - , explore some of the great reads below. A new-to-you, good blog is just a click away.

I doubt you will regret it :)

Hope ya'll are having a fantastic weekend! I can't wait to see who all links up! 

What was my 6th grade self thinking??!?

You might not think that I got a lot done when I was back at home in Texas. I mean, with all the laying out, spending time with friends and frequent trips to Sonic for their awesome ice, I can see how you would think that.

But I did get a thing or two done in Texas, if it was even just tiding up things from my childhood. Organized old pictures and put them in their right place.

And even stumbled across a gem.

My 6th grade diary.

Oh yes, I had a diary (which really, a blog isn't so different!). Actually, I had one in 4th and 5th grade, but written in an oh-so-cool Lisa Frank journal. It had rainbows and a gumball machine. Jealous yet?! (Mollie, I know you are!)

Glitter and Unicorns!!! (source)

So, as I was reading through pages and pages of me sounding a bit too boy crazy and desperately wishing for my first kiss (hey, that should be a blog link up theme, tell the story of your first kiss...so bad), I came across probably the sickest sign off line ever. Ever.

First, let me preface this by saying that I started every entry with "Hi diary readers". Like WTF?! Who did I think took the time to read my diary?!I didn't have any siblings my age and I know my parents had better things to do. Who knows.

But the sign off, my 'signature' go to. Was this baby:

And I am seriously thinking about using it from now on. Heart. Ying Yang. Peace Sign. Every time.

Oh, and just in case you were couldn't read the very embarrassing caption...

"...dance with Micheal. I hope he kissis [sic] me. I hope my mom does not shaperone [sic...and sorry mom, I was 11]!!! Gatta [sic, idiot!] run, see ya!"

Told you, obsessed with this kiss thing. Uggg. Still embarrassing! haha.

Oh, and there was a little of this spiced in there...

Oh yes, that definitely sayings "Thinking of DEVON SAWA". And it wasn't the only time I wrote that as a sign off line.

Just to clarify, this was my boyfriend, Devon Sawa (duh) PRE-Final Destination and Idle Hands (and according to IMDB.com, that is about all he did!). More like the DS in Casper, Little Giants and Now and Then.

Swoon :)

Double swoon. (source)

Still heart him, at least how he was back then. Just a bit.

Who was your 6th grade crush?!

DON'T FORGET!! THIS WEEKEND - starting on Friday, July 8th - STORYTELLERS BLOG HOP!

After all, it is what all the cool kids are up to this weekend ;)