the NHL likes me

Yesterday, day #3 of my customary 3-day weekend, was very successful. In the morning-- and talk about shopping on a budget here-- this is what i got for less than $25: 

-a CD and 2 hardcovers from Borders (Everything in the store was <$1 for their going-out-of-business sale. It almost felt like I was stealing. I even got "The Talent Code," which I've been dying to read.)

-a mango smoothie and spinach-artichoke souffle for breakfast from Panera (The apple granola breakfast cobbler I attempted to make in the crock pot was a fail. I set my alarm for 1:30 am to turn it on, and it was still overcooked by the time I woke up. Keep reading, though-- I conquered that crock pot hours later...)

-and Nike headbands, an official Jonathan Toews Blackhawks t-shirt and a street hockey ball at Dick's. (Ok, I admit, going to Dick's is always a bad idea. But now that I can legitimately root for the Hawks, after the Wild of course, I needed a way to live up to my nickname of Ms. Blackhawk (long story- for another day). My t-shirt-- on clearance in the boy's section-- was a bargain, and I needed a street hockey ball to work on my stickhandling SKILLZ in the driveway, which I have determined is a good way to meet the neighbors.)

What a morning, eh? 

my most exciting purchase of the day--and it's neon, heck yes

I spent the rest of the day lounging on the deck, sipping a Mojito (the Crystal Light version, not the alcoholic one), working on my last-minute late-summer tan, and brushing up on shoulder surgeries and hand/wrist neuroanatomy. Then, my weekend culminated at Riverview Ice Arena, where I gloriously stepped on the ice after 4 long months of subpar workouts on dry land, and kind of dominated. Goalies would have been a nice touch, but with 3 subs on each bench, I got my workout in alright. There was quite a range of competition, and, as expected, I was the only girl. But I had a blast, made lots of new friends, and unofficially claimed the title of "the best female that has ever skated in Monday night pick up." And to top the night off, I indulged in what was hands-down the best meal I've ever cooked for myself: chicken breasts + craisins + an onion + Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce, after 5 hours in the crockpot. By the time I got home, the chicken was so tender that it pretty much shredded itself. Absolutely delicious-- as was Novak Djokovic, as I watched him win the U.S. Open. What a night.

a few of the guys I skated with played in the USPHC this year-- but didn't claim the Golden Shovel like we did.

Alright, so I'm finally getting a hang of this Twitter thing. (I eliminated the #s and @s of the following paragraph for your viewing pleasure.) Today, I was inspired by the NHL's prompt to the Twitter world: "You know you're a MN Wild fan if..." I spent my morning in between patients thinking of witty comebacks, and came up with a few. One was even "re-tweeted," chosen by the NHL for the whole world to see--You know you're a MN Wild fan if you've burned a CD with the Wild anthem. (What I didn't tell them is that I burned a whole CD of Wild-themed songs for the 2002-2003 playoffs.) Another of my jabs (Jack, I know you'll like this) that quite a few people liked: You know you're a MN Wild fan if you're still scratching your head, trying to figure out how/why Kuba was ever an all-star. 

almost 700,000 people read this? I'm touched.

Here are three of my favorites posted by other contributors: You know you're a MN Wild fan if...

...you chose to watch the home opener at the X rather than the Twins/Tigers game 163. (guilty as charged. Mom watched the Twins game in the restaurant at the X, while I watched the opener from our seats--she texted me updates.)

...you got scared that Gaborik would hurt his groin while taping his stick. (yes, this crossed my mind)

...you spent the entire Stanley Cup playoffs this year telling everyone "told you so" about the Canucks. (which I proudly did)

t-7 days until NHL hockey. xo

After spending 1.5 hours of my 2 hour lunch break basking in the return of NHL hockey via Twitter (preseason game 1 = next Tuesday night!!), I next signed a "photography model waiver" because I'd had my picture taken posing as a patient and doing exercises with Dave this morning- supposedly I'm going to be in a magazine. To finish off my lunch break, I devoured the rest of my BBQ chicken-- my appetite was in full force after waking up at 4:45 to get to boot camp at 5:30 am before work. It was great. I'm pretty sure I heard, "Messerly, you're a glutton for punishment." And Tyler, I took that as a compliment.

Even though our last patient is typically at 4:30, I stayed later than usual today to see a guy at 5, which paid off in the form of 3 free guest passes to the ridiculously massive (I'm talking easily 7 times the size of my LA Fit at home), over-the-top (health club + spa + water park) Peak Fitness, which just so happens to be located a quarter mile from my condo. Rumor has it the chairs in the lockerroom are made of cherrywood (I'll see for myself and report back). I then cooked myself the second best meal I've ever made-- Homemade Italian Mac & Cheese. It sure hit the spot after a 13-hour day (workout included). I'd upload a pic (of the BBQ shredded chicken, too)-- that is, if there was any left. It's always nice to come home and relax, where the most pressing question becomes wine, beer, mojito or rum punch? 

a random fav, dating back to two Septembers ago. love you two!