That's Church

I had a meeting at the Mario Lemieux Foundation offices yesterday morning with Mike as we’re working to kick off the next phase of Make Room for Kids in the coming months (more details on that soon.)

As we were leaving, we noticed boxes of black t-shirts, and I immediately wondered if that was something I needed to steal.

We were told they were the shirts for the Mario Lemieux Foundation shirt sale and I have to tell you, I LOVE THESE.

Love the girl-fit shirt so much.

All of the graphics and the lettering on both the front and the back are actually raised and have a rubbery texture to them, to give them a distinct hockey jersey kind of look and feel.

If you want to purchase the shirts or perhaps the sweatshirts or caps for someone on your Christmas list and help the Mario Lemieux Foundation at the same time, you can browse the shop here. Shipping is included, but you need to order soon to guarantee Christmas delivery.

Tell them I sent you and THAT I DIDN’T STEAL ANYTHING-ish.

Psst. I have to whisper because I don’t want the universe to hear me and then jinx it, but the Pittsburgh Penguins have won 11 games in a row.

ELEVEN!!

Shhhhh!

Eleven games. They’re in first place in the Atlantic Division with the longest current win streak in the NHL, the largest goal differential in the NHL, and the most points in the NHL. Sidney Crosby leads the league in both points and goals, 10 points and five goals ahead of the nearest competitor, and 14 goals and 15 points ahead of The Kraken.

WOO!

SHHHHHHH!

Yay. Woo. Shh.

[air high-five]

Over at the magazine, I put together a little Pittsburgh-themed gift list that might help you with your holiday shopping, particularly those people on your list who are hard to buy for.

It’s a select list of eight of the most charming Burgh gifts I could find during hours of researching the web.

Awesome things like this Moleskine journal with 412 area code note cards:

Other Burgh-themed gift ideas include black and gold cufflinks, black and gold coffee cup sweaters, Pittsburgh note cards and more.

EVEN A DIPPY EGGS SHIRT!

Here’s one that didn’t make the list. A Pittsburgh skyline pillow.

How awesome is that?

Go check ‘em out. Buy them for me!

Or, you know, someone in your life you love if you want to be selfish like that. Hmph.

Update note: If an item is sold on etsy and listed as out of stock, you can either wait for the seller to relist it, as Cardamom Press does almost instantly, or you can email the seller and request the item be relisted. Often, the sellers will relist, i.e. re-make, an item if interest is expressed in it.

Here’s a little glimpse for you at the aftermath of the fire at Las Velas.

This used to be the office, a pretty big room though I know you can’t really tell by the pictures due to all the, you know, blackness and soot and ashes and charred remains of things I can’t identify.

Here’s the kitchen.

Notice the new skylight!

I joke, I know, but it’s how I cope with devastating things I can’t control.

Inappropriate jokes, comfort eating, and naps.

I’m super good at coping.

I’m going to write a book called, “How to Cope: When to stop joking and start cry-eating.”

Cry-eating is a thing, right? Or what the hell have I been doing for six days?!

Well, here’s an email that gave me pause.

The Dread Lord Zober suggested I friend Luke Ravenstahl on Facebook.

Thoughts:

1. Is this one of those “keep your enemies closer” things?

2. Is he suggesting it in a friendly way or in a Dread Lord “I will unhinge my jaw and swallow you whole if you don’t friend him” kind of way?

3. How ridiculously adorable is that profile picture? Gosh.

4. Do I friend him?

5. Will be accept?

6. If he accepts and I write something bad about him, will he unfriend me?

7.  If he accepts, will he “poke” me?

8. If he pokes me, do I poke him back?

9. That sounds dirty. I think I’ll not poke him back.

10. Unless he pokes me angrily, then it’s on like Donkey Kong. [awkward kung fu poking moves]