The Good, Bad and the Ugly

The emotions ran the full gamut this weekend all because of three different teams I happen to enjoy following.

First the Good:

The Chicago Cubs cliched the National League Central Title! Only one other time in the Cubbies history have they achieved this title two years or more in a row, back in 1906-08. This is the first step on our way to winning this year's World Series and it could not have happened to a nicer group of guys. We were at a tailgate (see below) when we heard the good news. Everyone around started hooting and hollering and screaming, "Go Cubs". This is really 'America's Favorite Baseball Team' now and (almost) everyone would love to see this team go all the way. (The picture above is my daughter and my puppy, Wrigley, both big fans of the Cubs). IT'S GONNA HAPPEN.

Now the Bad:

The Dallas Cowboys beat the Green Bay Packers, 27-16. This just isn't supposed to happen. I hated that the Cowboys won at Lambeau field. What makes this so bad to me is that it feels like the Cowboys are taking the status of 'America's Favorite Football Team' back from the Packers and that me very unhappy. Even if you've never frozen your butt off in Green Bay or watched season after season of Favre supreme quarterback madness, you probably secretly wanted to be a cheese head and own one of those cheese head hats. And, I am old enough to remember when everyone loved the Cowboys and those idiotic cheerleader costumes. (Back then, I loved the Washington Redskins, so the Cowboys were never on my fave list). Let's hope this love affair does not come to fruition.

And Finally the Ugly:

You guessed it: Arizona State University loses to Georgia 27-10. This was supposed to be like the game many years back when we were not supposed to beat Nebraska, but we did. We jumped the fence and pulled down the goal posts (not my finest moment), and it was fun. Having just lost to UNLV last week, all loyal ASU fans thought it must have been a fluke. Now, we do not know what to think. But, sitting out in 100+ degree weather, tailgating and looking like sweaty pigs is not my idea of fun. One interesting comment: leave it to the gorgeous Georgia female fans, they looked fabulous and I don't think they were even sweating. Unfair.

Puppies and College Tailgate Parties

Tonight is the first game of the season for Arizona State University. We are playing Northern Arizona so we better win this game. Football fans everywhere are filled with hopes and promise that this year will be a winning season. ASU should have a good year and I am so excited that it's football season again.

Okay, my excitement really has to do with with more than just the game of football. My favorite part is the tailgate parties. We have several great friends that we meet up with and bring food and drink to share. ASU tailgate people are a little crazy as the temperature is often 100 degrees and there is no breeze! Every year we discuss putting misters on our tent and talk about getting an AC fan, but never really get around to purchasing them. But we are okay because the beer is cold and the wine is good and the food is delicious.

Last year, we brought our golden retriever, Wrigley, into the family during football season and were not comfortable leaving him for so long. So, we decided to bring him to the tailgate party and I stayed out with him and listened to the game on the radio. He was a very popular with the students and other tailgaters! I think our husbands enjoyed the female students who flocked around this adorable, tiny puppy! He enjoyed stealing a hot dog from a child in the group next to us. I loved watching my children and our puppy play together. My daughter took Wrigley up for a picture with the team's mascot, Sparky.

I do not know if we will be bringing Wrigley along to the tailgate parties this year, seeing that he now weighs 80 pounds. But this will be one memory I'll remember for a long time.

GO ASU! Beat NAU!