Doodles and Basketball!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

It all began with a basketball game.  My aunt is here from Indiana celebrating the holidays with us.  This is the first year without my Uncle Bob and it feels so different, but we are so glad that my aunt made it out here.  Even more so since our 70 degree weather at the beginning of the week turned to a nasty snowstorm on the day she was flying in.  It’s a good thing John is not a meteorologist because he kept saying the snow wouldn’t stick because of the high temperatures we had earlier in the week, but when we went to walk the dogs, I noticed a lot of white stuff on the roads and all around us and I was certain it was not cotton candy. 

 

The problem started on the way home from the airport when my aunt reminded John that his alma mater, Purdue University, was playing in the Maui basketball tournament at 5 pm.  My aunt is a huge Purdue fan and they both agreed they wanted to watch the game.  The second problem happened when I confused my dogs by sitting in the living room with John and my aunt pretending to be interested in the game.  My dogs know I do all my TV viewing back in the bedroom and they must have sensed something was very off, because no one was screaming, “no, don’t make me watch this stupid program,” while John flipped channels. It is just better if the adult occupants of our house split up at TV time and I have long wondered about couples that watch every show together.  Either one of them is drugged or had a lobotomy early on in the marriage so there would be no power struggle for the remote.  I cannot stand the constant channel flipping and it is important that I show no weakness or preference while he is flipping, because if he even sees one twitch, hears a gasp, or senses in any way I do not want to watch a show that is the one he will stop on.  I have tripped myself up several times and had to leave the room after he stopped on a show about Wildebeests and another time on how boxes were made and if you are thinking maybe John is hoping I leave the room, you would be right.  We have not been married this long by watching TV together or not understanding the subtle signals given off by our mates.  You don’t have to hit me over the head with a brick to know that John is sending me a message when he stops the TV on a turkey hatching show right after I get done saying, “what goofball would find this show interesting?” 

 

So, the dogs must have been on edge as I sat in the living room being nice, instead of periodically yelling out, “oh for God’s sake, you aren’t even watching this snoozefest, give me that remote.” What the dogs did not bank on either was my aunt’s enthusiasm as she watched the game.  I made a mental note while the game was going on to never EVER go with my aunt to a sporting event without first making sure we were not sitting together.  She is the kind of person at an event that would make me want to cry out, “PUT A SOCK IN IT, LADY.”  My poor dogs were so on edge because they would just nod off and she would scream, “DEFENSE!” and jump up from the chair as if she was right there under the basket waiting for a rebound.  Vern went to the farthest dog bed in the living room and put his head on his paws and stared at her wide-eyed.  Fudge jumped up on the couch next to me and kept looking at me like “what are we doing out here with these nuts?”  If I went in the kitchen, both dogs followed me and I kept telling them it would all be over soon.  Unfortunately, the worst thing happened that could have happened and the game went into overtime.  I only knew that from my location in the kitchen because of the screams and hand clapping coming from the living room.  At that point, I started mentally debating with myself as to whether or not 6 pm was too early to say I was going to bed.

 

It got really scary in the last few minutes of the game because we got the ball with seconds left and needed one basket to win.  I could tell by the way they both stood up and approached the TV that the TV was in extreme danger if the game did not go their way.  I tried covering the dog’s ears, but two hands did not cover four ears.  At one point, I asked if anyone would mind if I turned on the white noise machine to drown out some annoying noises, but I not sure anyone heard me because my aunt was yelling, “come on, boys…NO FOULS…don’t let him have the ball,” and you get the picture. In the future, I plan on ordering the dogs and me black and gold earmuffs and monogramming them with PU so everyone either knows we are quietly supporting Purdue or just thinks we think watching a basketball game when a Hallmark movie is on stinks.  

 

Vern slept with us most of the night, which is rare.  I would wake up to him putting his paw on me, I guess to check that he really was awake and the scary basketball he had been dreaming about was only a nightmare.  Fudge didn’t sleep with us because Vern was hogging most of the bed, but she stayed nearby.  I said a prayer that my aunt didn’t get as worked up with the football games played on Thanksgiving Day or my dogs were going to need thunder shirts to get through the weekend and John and I were going to need a bigger bed. The really funny thing was when the basketball game was all over, my aunt turned to John and said, “did Purdue win the whole tournament?” and he told her that was only the runner up game and the championship game was next.  I think she said she wished she had known that, because she wouldn’t have gotten so excited.  The dogs and I were in agreement that we wished she had known it, too!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you, Hallmark Channel. Peace reigns once more.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

DJ, Thank you. Poor Chance. Fudge and Vern are sharing our house with two Frenchies and Fudge is ready to send them home :)

Bonnie, LOL...we have been watching as many of those Hallmark movies as we can.

Leslie, Be careful...Halas has already tried to kill you. Do not make him mad again :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

As well he should, Leslie. He for whom Halas was named is rolling in his grave. 

[Leslie and Halas]

I love imagining this! LOL. I have to be careful around Halas. I think he gets offended when I talk about how bad the Bears are.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Oh my goodness, Laurie! What a dramatic visit from your aunt. Phew! I am sure your household is infinitely calmer now that we have that game over with. But then who is John watching the tournament with? I hope you and the dogs can hide in your bedroom with Hallmark movies playing one after another.

[DJ & Chance]

ROFL, I love this and know as a Purdue graduate what Hoosier Hysteria is first hand.  Fudge and Vern reacted much as Chance did when, over Thanksgiving, he had to share my sister's house with 5 strange dogs, assorted animated conversations provoked by the ghosts of childhood, and quite a lot of fermented beverages.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jane, LOL...I remember those days clearly when Megan played volleyball. Like you, I was a great ref from the bleacher seats :) FL would love to wear pom poms. LOL

Linda, Thank you! Glad your Seahawks won. It's been calm around here until the Indiana/Purdue game and Purdue lost. LOL

Janie, The funny thing is when I went back to my room, Vern followed :) He almost always stays with John.

Karen, In your case, I agree about the TV. At our home, I disagree....LOL! My lips are sealed!

Joanne, I never noticed those noises, Now, I probably will. Thanks, Joanne! LOL

BG, I actually like basketball on TV....but, I don't get as invested in it as others in my household :) We have recovered.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I truly don't get how people can get this excited about a game on TV.   I will admit that I'm kind "over the top crazy" when I go to the grandkid's games....I'm often so hoarse after a close game that I can't talk for an hour or two....precious hours to DH.  The parents from the other team have been know to point and whisper....can I help it if I need to point out to the umpires that there are cheaters on the other team.  You will be the same way at Archer's games....no on second thought you will probably bring FL along with you with pom poms and a megaphone.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Funny blog Laurie!  We are Seahawk fans so were thrilled Thanksgiving when they beat SF (19 to 3)!  But I am with you, I can take it or leave it!  My DH always has someone to watch football, basketball & golf with - Charlie Brown will stay right by his side and watch game after game.  They do not even notice that Beau and I are in another room - me on the computer and Beau under my desk!

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Hysterical! I think I would have crept away to my own tv! It's a wonder Vern didn't try getting you to take him for a walk!