test the water bottle

R-dog had his track and field today. I got picked to volunteer for the morning.

We had perfect weather (just a touch of a sunburn) and great kids.

C-man helped me with the long jump pit (and inbetween he got to play on the jungle gym).

Unfortunately, batteries went dead...so I have no pics (gonna have to try to steal some off other parents).

He did really well. In grade 1 they still get ribbons for participating...but according to his count - he would have had one first place and the rest second and thirds...?????

Tonight, I ditched ball, took my 3-wood and 5-iron and went to the driving range. Out of a x-large bucket - I think 7 balls hit the 175 marker....the rest were straight. (thinking positive)

DH took the boys to ball with him and notified me that next week he will be on the in town job. Tues-Saturday....sweet....I love knowing when he will be home...(that way I can quickly clean up, so I look like I did something wonderful)

Take care....

ps -Congrats to our other brother and sister (copsx2) who had a baby girl last night!!!

Happy day!!

Ok...1st the boys were soo terribly excited to have mail!! Thats the best!! And...it was a package...a present!!!

C-man had to wait for his older brother to get home. Talk about torture!!! The poor little guy could hardly keep his hands off of it.

When he did get home R-dog read him the package and told him it was from Ottawa. (Could it be from the Senators???)

Even better....when they opened it up it was a surprise from Auntie ME and Uncle JM!! Two Senators hats! After the initial shock wore off, they put them on and started cheering "Go Ottawa Go!!!" (Much to the dismay of their proud Leaf fan Daddy-o)

Thanks soo much guys (even though they are down 2, we are still cheering for them!!)

Love you!!

RIP

Bye bye birdies....

Today the boys had a hard lesson. (Tough day for my oldest).

Apparently the boys had taken the nest out of the tree when the eggs hadnt yet hatched. They got their dad and they tried to put it back in the tree without mama knowing.

After the hard rain, the nest was not secure enough to hold them and the boys found them today.

Quite upsetting for them. Tough lesson.

They're coming for me...

Ok...for those who know me..know that I have an irrational fear of birds (well ok most animals)...and now they have made a home in our little bush in front of our house.

The kids are soo sooo sooo excited about this. They told me about the eggs, but I wasnt 100% sure they were telling the truth (bad mama).

Then, they took me by the hand and showed me. Now, R-dog is birdsitting. He has to check them in the morning, before school (You know mom, it rained pretty hard last night...they might not be safe).

He also has to check them before bed, in the pouring rain, in his pj's. My little sensitive soul is worried.

C-man on the other hand is too busy running around screaming at everybody on the street to see them. (while he is scaring mama bird)

I guess thats another reason we are heading to the zoo in August. This cougarmama is not fond of having the petting zoo at her place...but the boys are big time animal lovers.

rainy day blahs

We had a great weekend. Golf on saturday was awesome!!! The weather was great, the beer was cold, the course was nutty.

Its called the "nuthouse nine" for a reason. Its located at Sask Hospital-very beautiful and scenic. Also...there are patients that walk the course, steal your balls, then sell them back to you for a "premium". Good deal for them. Lucky for me, I only lost two balls and found three others.

After golf, we headed over to friends for a bbq feast and a little socializing. (ok a lot of socializing). The boys ended up having a sleepover at friends which worked out great for everybody!!

Sunday-was a day of rest....for everybody.

Today ball has been cancelled due to the ridiculous amount of rain we have been getting. So, we are watching the hockey game.

Talk soon......

THE VD COMPETITION IS ON!!

Get your heads out of the gutter!!

Remember last weekend, Auntie Dally gave R-dog a mohawk.

Well, this weekend Auntie Velvis could not be outdone. She has dyed the kids hair blue. I only have a picture of the oldest after his bleaching process....so I will post another picture later.

They are too busy for pictures as they are out riding their "dirtbike" again.

The virgin ride

The boys went for their first motorbike ride last night.

In the back yard. Oldest missed the fence by an inch and ended up down in the evergreens.

Cougarmama witnessed the events and crawled into her room and cried herself to sleep.

THE DEATH TRAP HAS ARRIVED....

Courtesies of Uncle Tit and Daddy-o, I am now certifiable. (I was really close before this...but now I am definitely overboard)

He drove through monsoon winds, rain and even a snow storm to bring it back to Gods country....the testosterone level just got raised a notch.

Alzheimers setting in...

Seem to be forgetting my camera more and more lately. I did manage to get a few pics up at the lake.

Here are a couple of our "ocean front" property....

ball???

Ok...DH took the boys to ball tonight. First practise together.

NOBODY.... I repeat.......NOBODY from their team shows up. Not even the coaches.

Boys played with the other team until they were rained out.

Nice.....

slowly...slowly..

Ok..crap!!....since the wedding in February, the weight has been creeping back on. I have gained back 5 of those pounds previously lost.

I am hoping by writing about it, that I will "get back on track". I start the day out great. Breaky - healthy. Lunch - healthy. By 3:00 its snack attack. Supper - healthy. After kids in bed...exhaustion hits and so does the snack attacks.

My goal is to lose another 10 by the family reunion. I can visualize how the final result looks, but the hard work is the stumbling block. Realistically, its only about one pound/week. That sounds like peanuts!!! ummmm peanuts...

For those out there with motivational tips...please let me know....or call me in the afternoon or evening and tell me to get my damn head out of the pantry!!

ok this is the last time...

This is FOR SURE the last time I will admit to being outdone.

(Ok...the last time I will publicly admit to it, anyway)

Tonight, DH was able to convince "the man" that the boys should be on the same ball team. Yeah!! Now they will practise together...and even though its crappy ball and not so well run, they will be together and I/we dont have to run to different diamonds.

Worked another long day. Almost quit. The only reason was the lady that runs the show is a *!@****$#*. I should have nothing to do with her as my boss is in the big city...but she still manages to make things a nightmare. I could not imagine being there everyday.

One step closer to applying for the casual position as a TA. Have researched the format to get my criminal records check. That will be tomorrows fun.

we're back....

Ok already...stop harrassing me....I am a busy woman!!! That and tired...

Long weekend was a lot of fun. I did learn that you cant start having too much fun, too early. I also learned that the rain does not stop our long weekends. ever.

R-dog got his head shaved into a mohawk (thanks auntie dally!) and they also tried to pull out a loose tooth (to no avail). Once we were home, he managed to pull it out on his own....needless to say he was pretty excited and even more excited when the tooth fairy came. He was the king of the playground today with everybody talking about how different he looked. Now he wants to dye it blue (thanks auntie velvis!!). oh yes and he wants to take drum lessons now-not guitar .....only if we install soundproofing!!!

C-man had a blast riding our friends quad. He was upset that ours wasnt up there, but the friends were gracious guests and all the kids took turns. I couldnt watch. Now it will be even worse that there is a motorbike on its way up to the lake (thanks uncle tit!!) His cold is finally done and he is feeling better (he even made it to swimming lessons tonight)

DH helped put in the dock. possibly the coldest water ever according to the shrinkage. The one positive thing is that the water is way way up and they didnt have to put in near as many sections as last year. (one estimate is that the water is up 45 feet!!) nice.

We had great friends come up and not so great weather. I will have pictures to follow...although for some reason, my camera never made it out. (forgot my purse up in the cabin!!) So, I will post some from Auntie Dally at a later date.

Still trying to unpack and do laundry....hope you all had a great time!!

Griswalds lake vacation!!

I know...I know...I havent posted in a few days...but in between work (put in 29 hours this week alone!!!) and trying to get ready for MAY LONG WEEKEND!!! Has kind of taken me for a loop.

Broke the news to my boss today that I had had enough and I wasnt working tomorrow...dont know if he was real happy (he is booked solid) but I am not a slave, you know!! Really...what did he think when he hired me???

Pulling the boy from school too...he's smart enough. Thats enough schooling for him....plus even the teachers dont want to be there.

Went to the liquor board and spent more there than we did on groceries. Even at 30-something things dont change. Beer will always be more expensive than hot dogs (thank goodness our kids dont like lobster yet!). But as we grow older - I think I am getting wiser....we are actually bringing fruit and veggies...i know...its amazing!!

Even though DH and the boys took a load up on monday...the truck will be packed to the roof...hence the Griswalds....I might be tied up to the bumper with the kids heelies on. wish me luck.

We have already started talking about tuesday. thats the day we are going back on our "eating healthy" and drinking less kick. (another sign of age...we know whats coming!!)

Take care...have a great longweekend....please keep it safe.

If you know where we are - stop in for a visit- we will have plenty of beer (well friday at least)

Are you ready for thong season?

I have been in intensive training for the last two weeks. Must get ready for thong season. (showing my age...i mean flip flops). I have been dead set against them for years. Dont like something inbetween my toes.

Alas, I have joined the masses. And only because I am vain (about my feet) I am in love with my feet and how they look in my $11 wally world shoes. And red toenail polish....I am really trying to be girly...this is hard work....but arent they fabulous.

DH thinks his are better looking....the only thing I know for sure is that mine arent quite as hairy looking.

Read an article recently about finding your best feature and highlighting it. So there they are....and also...wouldnt be caught dead wearing a thong on the beach....flip flops I can handle.

I have conquered the fear of the flip flop. Bring it on.

workaholic?

I think I am in danger of becoming addicted to work. really. no joke. Yesterday I put in 9 hours. omg!! We thought it was busy earlier...but this week is absolutely insane!!! (I believe at last count it was something like 23 deals done over the weekend!!) ridiculous!!

C-man is still battling this cold/flu thing. We didnt let him go to ball last night (which he wasnt too happy with) and put him to bed early - again! -. We are just hoping he is better for the long weekend...which is fast approaching....yeah!!

R-dog has a permanent tooth that has come in...very exciting, except that its behind a baby tooth that has yet to fall out. Looks confusing and painful. We have tried pulling out the baby tooth but have been unsuccessful. weird

DH had two calls from co-workers to try and get him to switch his "personal days" so they could have time off on the longweekend. FAT CHANCE!!! Considering he booked them off Jan 3 there was no way he was giving them up. (its about time someone from the bottom of the barrel got to have his way!!) Plus--its freakin' MAY LONG WEEKEND...cant stress this enough.

We are going to sing by the fire with friends, drink way too much, go golfing, help put in the dock, and re-lax. No phone ringing, no bills to pay and definitely no work projects (at least not this weekend).

Cant wait!!!!! Only three more sleeps....I think I peed a little.

To all the cougs I've loved before...

Happy mama's day!! Hope everybody had a restful, dreamy day.

Heres how ours unfolded.

DH got "stuck at work" again. Might be home by midnight...maybe. C-man was still sick (Yesterday was sleeping by 4 and stayed sleeping until 7:30 this morning) This afternoon took a 3 hour nap and was in bed by 7:30. (please please please tomorrow bring healthy little boy back). Movie mania struck the house as we were unable to go anywhere or do anything.

We watched the Canada game (canada rocks!!),rented Flushed Away (highly recommended...kids and I both loved it), then later on watched Shrek in between periods of the Detroit/Anaheim game.

I am sure R-dog is getting very anxious to burn some energy off. As am I...getting back on the treadmill tonight...enough is enough.

Tomorrow the boys might head up to the lake to bring up a bunch of stuff to prepare for the longweekend (save bringing two vehicles up). They are hoping to be back in time for ball.

I am going to try to put in at least 9 hours tomorrow as my boss had 23 deals he was trying to get in this weekend. I am trying to mentally prepare.......exhausted already.

Well...to all those moms out there...hope your day was everything you wanted....tomorrow back to "normal".

if there's a class.....sign me up

They are not even teenagers yet. Dont know if I will make it .....

Yesterday had two other boys come over to play from noon until 5. (no school...catholic thing) Things were going great until about 3...then the oldest started pushing my buttons. He is great at that (i think there is a lot of me in him) . Managed to push them until 5 when I suggested we take the others home.

Then they had a big time out - had supper - then back to the bed rooms. Youngest - still sick - fell asleep around 7:30. Oldest not much after.

Approx 8:30 had a beer with DH when he got home from work. Fell asleep shortly after.

(I was up all night with C-man - he had a bad headache and couldnt sleep)

Got up this morning to the oldest chomping at the bit. Told him to go for a quick bike ride around the block. Almost an hour later - had to go looking for him. He stopped at a friends place (they were having a garage sale)....oh yes....still in his pj's.....and was hanging out with a bowl of cheezies and buying puzzles.

If they have a class for patience. I must take it. Breathe deeply.

Just a wee bit preoccupied

No ball last night due to the monsoon that hit us. Ridiculous winds and a big drop in temperature were the reasons they used to cancel. Just as well as C-man was still battling his fever/cough etc. (Didnt we used to play ball in hurricane weather?)

When the boys are sick, it seems to consume our every minute...yesterday he had a four hour nap in the afternoon, went to bed at 8, and just woke up a few minutes ago. Still wont eat, but has been drinking juice boxes and licking popsicles. This morning, he has been yelling at the tv (Canada is playing) so that is a good sign.

R-dog is off to a big Catholic celebration at the rink (all the catholic schools are going as its their 100th Anniversary party) and there is no school tomorrow because of these festivities (i believe).

Not much planned for the weekend, other than a birthday party for the boys at the pool....hope all are feeling better by then.

take me out to the ball game

Just a tad disappointed last night.

Boys first night at ball practice. Found out they werent on the same team, even though they told us they would be. Strike one.

Thirteen people showed for C-mans team. Only 7 showed for R-dogs. Strike two.

Practice, according to me, was not very productive or well run. Strike three.

When does soccer start???

Ok...to be honest, the boys said they had a good time. Not too enthusiastic and tried to be positive (until they are sleeping....then....let DH have it...why? cause nobody else would listen...)

To be fair, the coaches are very nice...but I did find a lot of "standing around time"...which frustrates me. Tomorrow is second try...I am going in with a positive mind set.

C-man missed swimming tonight as he has - yes another - cold. After a few hours of not sleeping, DH tried the infamous internet trick. He rubbed C-mans toes with vicks, put some socks on him and finally he was able to sleep. It actually worked. Or, I just went back into my coma and never heard him again. Either way...got back to sleep.

He had a two hour nap this afternoon and hopefully tomorrow will be feeling better as I HAVE TO MAKE IT IN TO WORK....again is absolutely crazeee.

DH figures he will be going in about 4am, so he will be heading off shortly. He did have a solid afternoon basking in the sun on the construction site for JR...

Take care....talk soon....

Are we in a twilight zone..

whoa..

Today we got soo much stuff done it was freakin ridiculous. For DH and I it was surreal to say the least.

We tackled a project slated for '06 (right on schedule) and levelled some soil, put landscaping stuff down, then rocks and patio bricks....now I dont have to pull weeds!!! Yeah...

Then, we cleaned out the garage, the shed and the back yard!! (I think we filled our bin) Put the skidoo away (finally) and tarped it so the dog wouldnt have a late night snack...Also managed to do a major haircut. (Ever see the opening credits for 'Malcom in the Middle"???)

I was going to take before/after pictures....but the before's were soo bad we probably could have gotten condemned....so you'll have to take my word for it.

Now...we are chillaxin ....and with only one beer in the house to be had....could be a major wrestling match in the near future.....

man, I love May already!

Holy man...getting up at 6am was worth it!! (and mom you are right...it is a nice time of the day...)

Got to the garage sale right on schedule. If you have never attended THE garage sale...its quite a sight. I would say there have to be a minimum of 300 garage sales all in one area. (They even have to cancel the city bus route for this special occassion as they cant get through the crowds)

So....here is what less than $75 bought today.....two bikes (!!) for the boys, new lino for the cabin biffy, two skateboards, 15 books (could have bought thousands!!), two boxes of never before touched hockey cards (circa 90-92) both with 400 cards in each box, 4 brand new-name brand shirts (two with price tags still intact), pillow stuffing stuff, a sunburn, a beautiful picture, sore feet and a partridge in a pear tree.

Wow...we had a great day...it was nice hanging out with Auntie D and my beautiful little niece...who I will call Pink-chase. Auntie and G (both with babies on board) made the 5 hour walk seem painless. Even though we only hit 1/4 of the sales we still did pretty damn good!!!

See you next year ladies...it will be hard to top this one!!!

when I grow up...

Hey...DH had a great time yesterday out at the farm. I think it reminds him of his childhood. You could give him the worst jobs to do and he still loves it. When he grows up, he wants to be a farmer. Ok, at the very least own an acreage. But, his poor wife wont let him. Sorry....for now we will have to travel to the Tractors farm.

Only one more day until the garage sale, and I can hardly sleep!! Its like the night before xmas. Hopefully stops raining.

Take care.....

need motivation

I think the kids are doing better than I am with this "lag time" in between sports.

The last week for me has been hard, trying to find fun activities for us to do. The last two days especially. The kids are starting to whine about when ball starts, so hopefully soon.

I find I work harder/better when there is a lot going on. I complain more, but I work harder. Now...still in my jammies, I am trying to muster up the strength to go in to work. DH and C-man have headed to my mom and dads to help with seeding and I am all alone. Is this the empty nest syndrome already?

I better get more activities lined up. Daytime tv sucks.

Countdown is on

Only 3 more sleeps...until my big day. Okay..and 1000 other peoples big day.

Montgomery garage sale!!! Yahoo....

Dont know why I am sooo excited, last year I dont think I bought too much at all. This year, I have a lot to buy. Plus, we are going to be hauling Gee (and her two little ones) around in a wagon the whole day. Apparently she's at the waddling stage....aaahhhh nothing like the pressure of a baby to make you walk like a duck!!

I do love running into old acquaintances, eating hot dogs on our laps and finding good deals. So-mr weather man-please be kind.

See you out there, bargain hunters!!

soo sooo soo jealous

If my crazy cuzin to the west of me reads this...I AM SOO INCREDIBLY JEALOUS....mom just told me today that you are headed to Chicago to see my idol....

Oprah...wow...you better have stories when you get back, girlfriend. Plus I better see you on tv, yelling "Cougarmama (insert my name their) from Canada loves you!!!"

I might forgive you then.

Have a blast!!!!

wrong again

this has been happening way too much lately...me, having to admit that I am wrong....that never happens....well ok..lots lately

After swimming lessons tonight, the boys wanted to go watch their friend play soccer at the fields right by our house. The whole way over they whined and complained about why they arent playing soccer. Its all my fault, of course. Wrong again.

Then I reminded them about how much fun ball will be. (meanwhile I'm thinking it better be fun) We havent even heard when it starts yet....better be soon or I am in big trouble.

Oh yeah...wrong about another thing...DH and his bro went up to the lake today and they actually worked...and hard apparently....they are both sore and tired.....wow and I thought they were just going to "bond".

Twice in one day....something is amiss