Category Archives: Sports

Mar4

Cleveland Monsters Game

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Cleveland Monsters Game

Hi!! I don’t know about all of you, but Johnny and I had a fantastic weekend! On Friday we had our nieces over for a slumber party and on Saturday we discovered our new favorite thing: Hockey. We had the absolute best time going to the Rocket Arena to see Cleveland’s minor league team, the Monsters, playing against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. My brother, Andrew, was going with a couple of his friends and we were delighted when the offer was put on the table for us to tag along. Andrew is a HUGE sports fan and we love attending minor league baseball games together. The Monsters game was the same vibes but on ice and I have a feeling this will be the first of many Monsters games in our books!

After arriving in downtown Cleveland we made the short trek to the Rocket Arena for a four o’clock hockey jamboree. We loaded up on snacks and drinks and made it to our seats just in time for whatever it’s called when a hockey game starts. The puck off, perhaps? Lol. Just like that, the game was SO on and it was nonstop fun for the next two plus hours. Andrew and I were the odd ones out cheering for the Penguins but we rep Pittsburgh pride and refused to budge for the Cleveland Monsters. Even if they did end up winning the game two to one! For the entire game we were cheering, heckling, and reveling in the FIVE fights that broke out during the game. It was fast paced, action packed, and there was no telling what craziness was going to happen next!

Just like the minor league baseball games we go to, minor league hockey featured so much more than just a sports game. During pauses there were contests with audience participation like stacking Oreos with hockey gloves on and musical chairs. There were breaks to dance and get rowdy, a drum performance, and a dance team that put on a show too. It was a full on spectacle and if every sport had games like this, I think we would actually find a way to learn the rules of football lol. We might not know the ins and outs of hockey but we definitely know a good time when we see it. 😀

Of course, everything that transpired on the rink was exciting but the atmosphere at the arena made it so much better. There is nothing like being in a big crowd where everyone is just enjoying themselves whether that be with clapping and whooping or heckling! We had a great view of the rink and I truly think we got the best seats in the house. A group of guys a few rows behind us spent the entire game heckling with the most hilarious sentiments we have ever heard. In the midst of all of the cheers, these guys would follow up with “Rip his ankle off!” or “We’re so disappointed in you!”. I’ll tell you what, we were all on pins and needles to hear what they were going to say next!! Hockey freaking RULES.

My only regret about the Cleveland Monsters game is that we haven’t attended one sooner. It’s better late than never, though, because I am already dying to go back for more!

Do you like going to hockey games? Does your city have a minor league hockey team? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb19

4 Ways Investing In A Boat Can Seriously Enhance Your Summer

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4 Ways Investing In A Boat Can Seriously Enhance Your Summer

Let’s think of the ideal summer’s day. You’re probably outside somewhere, surrounded by nature with your friends and family. You spend the day jumping in and out of a cooling body of water, and wrap up the evening with a delicious meal.

That is an idyllic day that sounds like a dream, but actually, if you live near a lake, then it might be more within reach than you think. If you have a boat, then all of those things could be on the table, and not just on one day, but all summer long. 

Still not convinced that a boat is right for you? We’ve put together a list of just some of the ways that buying a boat can be a game-changer for how you experience the summer months:

It Gives You Easy Access To a Good Time:

The summer months can be fun, but it doesn’t happen automatically. On a sunny day, you still have to make something happen. A boat provides an easy and convenient way to make sure that you and your family have a day to remember. Most people have to go on vacation to make the most of the summer months — if you have a boat, then you’ll have a vacation-worthy experience readily available all summer long. 

It Provides Plenty of Water-Based Fun:

It can be fun to simply spend time out on the water, but you can also use your boat to engage in water-based hobbies. While most boats are multipurpose, some are designed with a particular activity in mind. Remember how we mentioned at the beginning of the article about eating a delicious meal? Then take a look at Smoker Craft boats, which are excellent for fishing in both shallow backwaters and large lakes. If you’re looking for a boat that’s fun for the family, then a wake boat can be a great option — these high-speed boats are awesome for wakesurfing and wakeboarding, among other watersports. 

It’s a Great Hangout Spot:

Having a boat might just make you the most popular person in town. The reason? Everyone loves spending a hot summer’s evening on a boat! They’re great for socializing; all you need to do is pack some snacks and drinks, head out onto the water, and simply enjoy being together in a beautiful environment. If you’re looking for a way to bring your loved ones together this summer, then a boat will more than do the trick — and not just this summer, but for many years to come.

It Brings Adventure:

Many of us are infused with the spirit of adventure when summer rolls around. Normally, that means taking a vacation somewhere. When you have a boat, you’ll have adventure right on your doorstep. Boats allow you to explore during the hot summer months when the days are long. Maybe you’ll discover a hidden gem of a beach, find fun caves to trek through, or discover that you can easily reach the next town over by taking a shortcut over the water. 

Make a huge splash this summer with a brand new boat. Adventure awaits!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jan5

Best Ice Skating Session EVER

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Best Ice Skating Session EVER

Hello! I was a competitive figure skater for close to a decade and it was a (mostly) wonderful experience. I haven’t gone skating as frequently as I would like in my adulthood but I think that is going to change very soon. Ever since I learned I was going to be an aunt to my first niece six years ago, I have dreamed of taking her skating. My niece told me that she would like to start learning when she was eight but then she changed it to six after talking about it. Yay because this past weekend we went skating for the first time together and it was nothing short of magical. Also my dad chauffeured us and that made it extra special too. Let’s discuss:

We visited the indoor rink in Canton, Center Ice, for our skate date and the open skate was buzzing with people enjoying their holiday vacation. This did not deter my niece from wanting to give it a shot and I was incredibly proud of her for being so brave. It can be intimidating to try something new when there are a lot of people around and I love that she just went for it. With the provided walkers to help beginner skaters at the rink, we made our way to the ice and my cold bitter heart began to swell like the Grinch.

During our first lap or two around, my niece worked on the old March, March, Glide and really got a feel for being on the ice and moving her feet. Then, she would take a quick break and sit with my dad while they watched me bust out some jumps and spins for the one time. After a few minutes I would ask if she wants to join me and we would go back to the ice together. About twenty minutes in, she even asked me if I would just skate around her and the walker so I could guide her through traffic jams if needed and she could DIY. Her confidence on the ice from start to finish raised infinitely and one lap around turned into two turned into three. It was absolutely amazing.

Not only was it a dream come true to skate with my niece for the first time, but it was pinch myself worthy to have my dad there too. My dad took me to almost every one of my skating practices. My mom would handle all of my competitions because my dad was too nervous to watch lol. It was the perfect tradeoff and I always loved that. I know that my dad being there for his granddaughter’s first “practice” was something he was looking forward to too. My dad introduced me to the joy of skating and now he got to watch me do the same for one of the little ones in our family. It was a full circle moment and I will cherish it forever.

I cannot wait to hit the rink up with my niece again if she would like to. If not, that’s okay! After this skate, I want to make an effort to go at least once a month and that seems like a great extra New Year’s Resolution!

Did you play any sports when you were a kid? Do you still play it now? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug15

Pool Party

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Pool Party

Hello! Swimming is easily the best summer activity and, unfortunately, I can’t tell you the last time I actually went swimming. I’m not talking the wading and treading water like I normally do but swimming for real. My hair has not been my natural color since my mid teens (I honestly have no idea what my natural color is at this point lol) and swimming + dyed hair is a recipe for disaster. Because I refuse to sully my funky colored tresses, getting my front and back stroke on is just impossible. However, I was determined to go swimming with my nieces and nephew when we went on a mini family vaca to Idlewild Park and SoakZone a few weeks ago. Our hotel had a pool and the water park looked like a blast and I wasn’t going to let anything stand in my way – my beloved freshly dyed hair included.

At the time, I had what I thought was a genius idea: Get a swim cap. My hair would be safely tucked away and despite a swim cap being the least cute accessory I can think of, at least I could swim. As soon as we got to the hotel after a day at the park, I made a beeline to the bathroom to get in my swimsuit, put on my cap, and hit the pool. Listen, I have NO idea how swimming enthusiasts get their caps on with ease because my experience was about a bitch lol. My bright purple cap was skin tight and I had to enlist the help of my sister to get it on and tuck away any loose strands. After wrestling with the cap for what felt like an eternity, it was time to put my idea to the test.

As soon as I got in the pool, I made use of the countless swimming lessons of my youth and it was absolutely delicious. I was doing laps with different strokes like nobody’s business and it felt SO good to be fully immersed in the cool water after a long day in the heat. I swam for a solid half hour or so solo and then went back into the hotel to gather the littles and swim altogether. I also couldn’t wait to see how my handiwork with the swim cap paid off. Let’s just say that it didn’t lol.

When I took my cap off, my hair was drenched. Not just a little damp but soaking wet. My hair was bleeding red, orange, and blue profusely and I all but destroyed several hotel towels. I had no idea where I went wrong. Maybe I wasn’t wearing the swim cap the right way? So, I gave it a Google and learned the hard way that swim caps are not meant to keep your hair from getting wet, it’s all about the aerodynamics. SMH this would have been a good thing to research beforehand! Blessedly, my hair didn’t turn into any weird colors but that was besides the point – it was still wet! -_-

My master plan had failed and I genuinely didn’t know what I was going to do at the water park the next day. Then, a little package of silver caught my eye in the bathroom and I saw that it was a shower cap. Was it going to work? No clue. But, it was my only option of protecting my hair and I knew it couldn’t hurt to try. At the water park, I changed into my suit once again and put the shower cap on too. It was kind of funny because I was getting compliments on my hair left and right and it was like everyone knew damn well why the cap was on which I really appreciated. 😀

I am pleased to report that my shower cap didn’t falter during my time in the wave pool, lazy river, and getting splashed by my littles in the Little Squirts section. It was a GREAT SUCCESS, for sure, but I am not convinced that a shower cap would help my hair during actual swimming and I’m too nervous to do a test run. So, I guess the point of this long winded story is that if you know of anything you can wear to keep your hair dry while swimming, let a Lil Red know!

What is your favorite summer activity? How do you protect your hair when swimming? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul8

Feeling Ducky

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Feeling Ducky

Hello!! In good ol’ Akron, Ohio we have a minor league baseball team called the Rubberducks. They play at Canal Park which is a mere ten minutes from my apartment, but I have never been to a game! That changed in April because Johnny’s work generously gives free tickets to the Rubberducks games all season long. Johnny snagged us some tickets and we went to a game with our best friend, Cliff, and my big brother, Andrew, and had the absolute best time. It was freaking freezing during the game, but we enjoyed every minute of the ridiculousness that is minor league baseball: The spectacle, the mascots, the contests, and the cheering at anything and everything like crazy!

This past weekend, my crew and I ended up at another Rubberducks game with a twist. They were no longer the Rubberducks but the Galley Boys. What is a Galley Boy, you might ask? If you’re not from Northeast Ohio, you’re not going to know lol but it is a hamburger from a local staple called Swenson’s. Everyone in my neck of the woods has been to Swenson’s and the Ducks rebrand their name with the drive-in’s signature meal once a year. As my husband is most fond of a Galley Boy, he had to get tickets to the Galley Boys versus the Senators and we all couldn’t wait to go to Canal Park for some fun.

Just like the last game we attended, it was a total blast but this time was even better because we weren’t freezing our nads off lol. To be back at the ball park with my boys was such a treat and we picked up right where we left off the last time: Noshing on stadium food, sipping on sodas, and being super fans. We were hooting and hollering, stomping and clapping, and cheered our Galley Boys on to a victory. The park was packed and to be in the mix of all of the excitement was intoxicating.

If there is a minor league baseball team in your general vicinity, I truly can’t recommend going to a game this summer enough. Even if you don’t like baseball, there is literally no way that you aren’t going to have a good time. If your team is anything like ours, you are in for hilarious sponsorships, mascots that don’t make a lot of sense, crowd pleasing entertainment, and the joy of being out on a summer evening. Johnny, Andrew, Cliff, and I are going to try to go to as many Rubberducks games as our schedules will allow and I am already on pins and needles for the next game we attend. 😀

Our Rubberducks have dominated in both games we have been to and I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed for a threepeat the next time. My crew’s official slogan is DUCK THEM UP and the Ducks haven’t disappointed us yet. Let’s go!!!

Do you have a minor league baseball team near you? What are they all about? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr25

Back On The Ice!

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Back On The Ice!

Hello!! My childhood sport of choice was competitive figure skating and I stopped when I was about sixteen years old. After that, I would skate just for fun and coach for the Special Olympics a few years later. Prior to the pandemic starting, I thought it would be cool to try ice dancing and take lessons again and did just that. Cue pandemic, what felt like an indefinite hiatus, then I was back. Until I wasn’t lol. I had an extremely off putting encounter with a male coach and it instantly sucked all of the joy out of being on the ice again. So, I hung up my skates and never went since. Until this weekend!! Check it out and peep the videos on my TikTok @lilred6794 :

A month or so ago, I noticed one of my friends on social media had recently got back into skating after some time off too. I knew who she was but she skated in a different club than me and was a few years younger than me in high school. However, her decision to skate again inspired me and I thought that it couldn’t hurt to shoot her a message to see if she wanted to go together sometime. The answer was a resounding YES, we scheduled a skate date, and were both so eager to hit the ice together this past weekend.

I arrived at the rink a bit earlier than my friend so I started the open skate session solo. And omg I was feeling good as soon as my blades touched the ice. The open skate was blessedly not crowded at all so I basically had free reign to do anything and everything. I did a few warm up laps and like no time had passed at all, I was back to spins, jumps, and footwork. What’s that old saying about riding a bike? Granted, what I was doing wasn’t perfect and I felt straight up drunk after spinning but I was sure proud of everything that I could still do!

By the time I was nice and warmed up, my friend was ready to get her skate on too. I told Johnny it was like the equivalent of going hiking with a friend. We skated around, talked like we had known each other for years even though we just met, and just had fun skating for the joy of it. It was such a wonderful experience to skate with no pressure whatsoever and to encourage each other to keep trying all of our long lost tricks. Before I knew it, the hour and a half long session was over and we exited the rink exhausted but exhilarated. We are going to try and skate at least once a month and I am already chomping at the bit for our next skate date!

The moral of the story is to NEVER let anyone take the fun and joy out of something you love to do. I am so thankful to have found a friend that gave me the motivation to get back on the ice after swearing off of it and am still riding the high of how proud I feel of both of us!

What is your favorite sport to play? Which sports did you play when you were little? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr24

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

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Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Howdy!! I had a big day when I went to see Peter Pan at Playhouse Square. Very shortly after I arrived home from the show, it was time to go on the move again for an evening at Canal Park in Akron. My brother, Johnny, our bestie Cliff, and I all went to see our minor league baseball team, the Akron Rubberducks play against the Altoona Curve. Johnny’s work generously offers free tickets to their employees and we were all so excited to attend a game together. I had no idea what to expect because the last time I went to a game was almost a decade ago. And, let me tell you, all of our expectations were exceeded a million times over because we plan on going to as many games as we can this spring and summer!

Going to a minor league baseball game was truly the most fun I have had in ages. Not for the baseball itself but for the pure spectacle that unfolded before us. At least once per inning between the Ducks and the Curve, some type of audience interaction event was peppered in. The Ducks mascots: Astro, Webster, Rubberta, and Homer would amble through the crowd or run around the field. Children were brought onto the field to tip people dressed in inflatable cow costumes. There was an inflatable pony race and the list goes on. Not to mention the fact that a signature catchphrase was repeated frequently to everyone’s delight: “That’s a Luigi’s foul ball!!” One of the most popular restaurants in our neck of the woods, Luigi’s, has been affiliated with the Rubberducks for forever and their namesake is on the loudspeaker Every. Single. Foul. Ball. It’s hilarious!

As we watched the game, we were literally on the edges of our seats for what would happen next. Was the umpire going to scream at the coaches again? Would someone on the Curve get struck out with the prize being five dollar beers for the crowd? Would the children behind us continue to chant “five dollar beers” all night? This was a fantastical mystery of an experience and I wanted to know everything – Including why in the H-E-double hockey sticks it took us this long to go to a game together? Had I known a Rubberducks game was this ridiculous, we would have been season ticket holders. You live and you learn and I can’t wait for the next game. 😀

This Akron Rubberducks game opened my eyes to all of the fun we can have essentially in our own backyard and all I have to say is: Duck em’ up!!

Does your city have a minor league baseball team? What is your favorite baseball team? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May24

Bowling Bonanza

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Bowling Bonanza

Hello!! On Sunday, I did the impossible. What is it? I went bowling with fake nails! Lol, granted, I employed the rolling/throwing technique to protect the talons but I still think it counts! For my brother’s birthday, we want bowling at Clutch Lanes, a cool little bowling alley down the street. It was the perfect atmosphere for a party and they had phenomenal pizza, which I feel like you can’t say about many bowling allies. This was the first time I had gone bowling in close to a decade and even though I wasn’t bowling properly and getting hella gutter balls, it was still a blast!

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Bowling is one of those things that Johnny has suggested before and I had no interest in. It definitely takes me back to the dreaded years of middle school when the classes would go bowling before summer break. I always hated it lol and the last time I went bowling was on a date with an awful person. Needless to say, bowling is never high on my list of potential weekend activities. Until now, that is. I guess you just have to go bowling with the right people because that made all of the difference!

For close to two hours, Johnny, Andrew, and I dominated the lanes. Well, Johnny and Andrew did really good and I was humbled by my score of 27 on game one. I am pleased to report that I improved during our time and had a high score of 51. Not too bad for someone who is basically just throwing the bowling ball lol. Regardless of if we did well on our turns, we celebrated hard. Victory dances, cheering, whooping – the whole nine yards. And, whenever a strike or spare was scored we celebrated harder. If this is what bowling is, I deeply regret waiting this long to try it again.

During our time at the bowling alley, we all decided that this is going to be our new thing. The way Johnny and I see it, there is no other sport that encourages you to eat and drink booze while playing! Our plan is to start doing monthly or bimonthly trips to the bowling alley with Andrew and our bestie Cliff to form an informal friendship league. Maybe we’ll even shoot some content for a fake bowling documentary we made up called “Ballz: A Bowling Story”. We have several ideas for this and I think it would be hilarious if we turned it into a web series. We’ll see what happens. 😀

Not going to lie, I was sore AF the following day after hurling a bowling ball for two hours straight. But, it was so worth it and fun and I can’t wait to go again!

What is your favorite sport to play with friends? Do you go bowling often? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Feb8

Step To It

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Step To It

Hello!!! I am thrilled to be able to have a shift in my schedule because it is so nice to be able to change things up. I have been working a lot more from home starting in January and I also have been doing several transportation shifts as an Independent Provider too. It has been my wish to work as much as I can from home and I’m happy that it’s becoming true! However, you know that whole thing about the Freshman Fifteen? I’m convinced there is one for WFH too lol.

When you work from home, you don’t realize just how sedentary your day becomes. Paired with the frigid temps of winter, I have felt sluggish this past week and I turned to Johnny for inspiration. Johnny works in a factory and has taken great pleasure in monitoring his steps throughout the day. He has been doing an awesome job and it motivated me to start getting active once my work is done for the day.

Although it’s tempting to crash after a long shift, I have been trying to Step To It while Johnny and I watch TV. It might not be the most exciting form of exercise to march in place or walk back and forth across the room. But, it’s the best I can do until it’s warm enough for hikes after work and I feel good about making this change. I have been trying to get to or close to ten thousand steps a day and I can tell it’s working just after a little bit. I noticed an increase in my energy and stamina from merely pacing the apartment and that’s a wonderful improvement for something so simple. 🙂

My next plan of action to assist with the slower paced WFH life is to order a work out ball to sit on while I’m at the computer. It’s another easy solution to boost my activity throughout my shift and I can’t wait to try it!

How do you stay active at home? Where is your favorite place to walk at? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan17

Go Sports!

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Go Sports!

Hello!! This past weekend, Ohio’s own Cleveland Browns made it to the playoffs only to get annihilated in typical Browns fashion. Johnny and I have absolutely no interest in watching sports whatsoever, but our bestie Cliff does. So, we were going to hang out at our place, watch the game, and play some board games together. To get into the football spirit, Johnny and I decided to make our very own Cleveland Browns shirts… Well… Sort of lol. I personally think we came up with something infinitely better! Check it out:

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Our “Sport?” T-shirts came directly from mine and Johnny’s silly imagination and I am obsessed with them. We both thought it would be funny if we got Browns gear to wear while we watched the game, but it seemed way funnier if we just made our own. So, Johnny went to Walmart and got plain white V-necks and a fabric marker so we could get our Project Runway on. The shirts turned out terribly, as we 100% expected, and that is exactly what we wanted.

Johnny and I know tons of sports lovers, but it is something that both him and I will never appreciate as much as them. In fact, I don’t think we could name one rule of football! However, now that we know we are excellent T-shirt makers, maybe we will be a bit more excited about Ohio sports. In fact, when I posted the Ts we made on social media, several people commented that they want a “Sport?” shirt too. Lol maybe we can all band together to form a club about sports for people who know nothing about them. It could be fun! 😀

I am very proud of how our shirts turned out and I most definitely plan on wearing it out in public. Hopefully, people will find them as funny as Johnny and I do!

What is your favorite sport? What is your favorite sports team? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah