This was a very Gold kind of Mailday, WOW!!! Lucky # 8

 On Thursday evening I got a text from UPS about a incoming package. I looked at the history and the package was from Achorage, Alaska. I asked my Wife if she had any packages coming in. No, she replies and I have a few but not from Anchorage Alaska. So I only thought the obvious thought maybe it was a scam because it was suspicious. So yesterday morning I get another text saying the package is out for delivery and should be delivered between 12:15 to 4:15.

I tried to think of anyone I might know from Alaska and then I thought about an autograph request that I sent to a player who lived in Colorado but I got her auto back but the letter was postmarked Alaska. That made me think that anyone could have sent it maybe being in Alaska on vacation. The only player I remember is one player who I needed for my 1997-98 Minnesota Women's Hockey set and that player was Ambria Thomas. I said to my Wife maybe she sent me her game worn jersey. I was just about finished my 50 autograph requests when I saw that little brown truck(UPS) pull up and leave the package on our front steps. I could see the package was addressed to myself. 

I opened the door and I first looked to see who it was from and yes I was correct it was from Ambria. So like a little kid on Christmas day I started trying to open the surprise package and the knife I use is dull so I start cursing. I got so mad that I just ripped the box open and it was just like opening a treasure chest seeing all the goodies inside. The further I dug into the box the bigger my smile got. I was so stoked, the first items were a stack of Minnesota Gophers yearbooks and the 2000-01 yearbook was her senior year. I thought like any other kind of a senior yearbook is it signed. Sure enough as I was thumbing through that yearbook I saw that it was signed by all the players including some that were underclassmen.

The next item I found was a stack of cards inside a small envelope, these cards were from the 1997-98 Minnesota Women's Hockey set and I was working on trying to get the set completely signed but I was 8 autographs short. As I got these cards in my hands I saw the top card the first card was of Heather Alm and it was signed and signed in Gold which looks beautiful on these cards because of there dark background. Then I say to myself I wonder if they are all signed. I went to the next and the next and as I kept thumbing through them each card was signed. I got to card number 14 which is of Nadine Muzerall and yes it was signed.

This is that card and what a nice looking autograph. When you look at it in person you can see each letter, she has a very nice light touch and is a quick signer. You can tell this by the pens stroke marks. I am so pleased to have finally got this card signed. This card was signed not recently but back in 1998.

As I kept going through the stack of cards from this inaugural year card set I was now the proud owner of a completely signed set. WOW!!! I had to pinch myself and I did not mind the pain or saying the word "Ouch" because it was well worth it.

This card is another from the 8 impossible autographs I needed and as you can see it was signed. These cards were signed back in either 1998 or 2001. Another card that I could never find was Pettiford's but she was an easy one to obtain as she did sign for me earlier but the problem was finding her card. Now this is the second card of the seven that I needed.

This card is the third autograph that I needed of Dacia Lyons and this was another autograph that was impossible to get. I sent to her twice and both came back as return to sender but I was so excited to cross her name off of my want list. Notice how she dots the letter "I" in her first name. Looks like a star and this is how she signs each time. Pretty autograph and much nicer looking in person.

This card is of Tracy Donaghue and is the 4th autograph that I needed from the 8 that I thought I would never obtain. Very nice looking autograph and she uses a light touch with a quick stroke creating that flair looking autograph.

This card is of Lacey Franzmeier and is the 5th autograph from the 8 I need to complete the set. Her autograph is truly beautiful and so amazingly done. Another auto that uses a light stroke but notice when she finishes you see a small dot formation at the last name and jersey #. That is caused by holding the pen there a bit too long. Just a beautiful autograph!!

This card is Sarma Pone who is autograph number 6 from the impossible 8. Nice autograph and a quick signer as you can see by the pens strokes. Another impossible autograph to get through the mail.

This card is of Tai Thorsheim and autograph number 7 from the impossible 8. Another nice autograph and one that is impossible to get through the mail. Not sure about in person but I am so relieved that I no longer have to try and get her autograph. This is just like a dream come true.

This card is of Ambria Thomas and is autograph number 8 of the Impossible 8 and I saved the best for last. Truly remarkable looking autograph and this was signed back in her playing days as was this entire set. I do now have 4 of her autograph's and the other 3 are from being signed recently. I will show how it changed with the next auto.

This card is of Ambria Thomas and I am showing to compare her autograph and the change. Still a very beautiful autograph and I am so very thankful to her for sending me these beautiful autographs, yearbooks and game programs and even 2 game used pucks from the inaugural 1997-98 season.

This puck is not just game used but this is Ambria Thomas's second goal of the very first game versus Ausberg and the final score was Minnesota 8 Ausberg 0. Ambria went on to get a hat trick, look at the puck how it is marked up, the sides of the puck have some chips from game play.

This is the back to the above photo. As you can see she wrote this out and taped it to the puck. Great piece of Gopher history and one that I am very proud to own. I can only say WOW!! So very thankful to her for this wonderful surprise package.

This puck is from the very first game and her very first goal of her storied career and is game used. She had a Hall of Fame type of career. She had a total of 201 total points, 89 goals, 112 assists. She finished 10th all time tied with Dani Cameranesi with 201 points.

This is another item that I was shocked to see, this is a complete 1998-99 Minnesota Gophers set of the Women's hockey still wrapped in cellophane. I am not sure if I should open this or not, what should I do or what would you do??

This card I got back yesterday through the mail and it was damaged because of the handling of the envelope. I saw the envelope on the Informed Delivery and the right side of the envelope showed it got folded on the right side but the rest of the envelope was all crinkled with creases. When I took the mail out of the mailbox it was the same type of creases on the other letters which looks like it could of been done by holding the mail to tight but who knows. Anyways this card was signed by Brittny Ralph and this is the first card in this set and is now signed by all three of the players.

This post is one of my favorites to post as I am still so excited to get such a great surprise package and I am so thankful to Ambria for sending this. BIG THANK-YOU!!!

My next post I will show and discuss the other trinkets from this great package, what a mailday, thanks to that little brown truck and Ambria. Until next time I hope you find your own little treasures and that the hobby can bring you the same excitement as I got yesterday and forever. Happy Collecting!!!