Another Birthday...

I swear most of our family is born in the latter part of the year. Nov/Dec/January are jam packed with us...today is no exception...

Happy Birthday DH you dirty ol' dog. You've caught up to me again. And for another month and a half you will be the same age as me...

It started out to be a great day. (except the weather)...DH and the boys horsed around, while I made breaky. Then while I made lunch...he and the boys horsed around some more.

We got him a really cool...hip...funky watch and some smelly body wash stuff...to attract all the girls (you know like the commercial).

The plan was to go out for supper...but the railway called and off he went to Vermilion....now everybody cross their fingers that he is home on time to come watersliding tomorrow.

Our New Years Even plans are to head into the big city....book into the hotel....run the kids ragged on the waterslides....then party like we're rock stars. (or more than likely the kids will run us ragged and they will party til the wee hours).

Hope you all have a safe and happy New Years!!

More xmas pictures

Here are a few more....our little "Hef's" with their new housecoats. And after they were truly spoiled...C-man was upset that he didnt get slippers!! Can you believe it? We spend way too much time focused on the big picture and he would have been happy with slippers.

Hope you All had a great Christmas

These holidays were a whirlwind. They were a wonderful blend of family, friends and FOOD....

The boys and I went to my parents on the 23rd/24th. We were spoiled rotten with home made buns (my moms buns are the best!!), baking galore, wonderful meals and good visits. We even had a surprise showing from DH who was able to make it there for a couple of hours. It was wonderful to see family and have them home from Texas. The trip didnt last long as the boys wanted to be home for xmas morning.

Christmas morning was so nice. Retzky was the first one up (pretty typical)..but only about 7:30...went through his stocking in record time then waited for the rest of us to get up. Once we did we had the stockings and presents opened and on to bacon and eggs by 8:30. By the time breakfast was being cleaned up...all three boys were on their new outdoor rink to burn off some energy before heading to Martensville.

Here are a few pics...

why didnt i take holidays??

So..I'm asking myself the question now....Why didnt I save up enough holidays for the xmas season??? stumped.

I know most of you think that I dont work alot....but even though I have the greatest, most flexible job in the world...does not mean that I still dont have to work.

For example...I have been in my pjs all morning putting out fires from my computer. I was hoping to leave around noon to celebrate xmas at my folks...which now could be pushing it. Also have to take my laptop with me to my mom and dads and work from there...boo ....

The worst part is...ITS BUSY!! What is up with that??? Who buys houses around christmas you ask? Just about everybody apparently.

I am not going to complain...because in the words of my dad....at least I have a job...be thankful for that. Yes I am.

the good the bad and the ugly

Well...the season is upon us...and as such....the majority of people I talked to are still running around trying to get things done. Glad I'm not the only one.

Friday came with some ultra crappy news. DH's work informed him that they were pulling him out of training to work during the holidays. So...two really bad things come with this. 1. We dont know when (if ever) he'll get to finish his training and 2. He now doesnt know if he gets christmas off...or new years eve off

BOO!! Believe me when I say I have never seen him more upset and if he would have had his blood pressure checked right then...probably would have ended up in a ward somewhere...

So...we decided after that news the party must go on. After hockey, the kids and I headed into the city. After grandma and grandpa golfer took over....I headed into town with GnD for the big party.

Had a great...no GREAT time. It was so nice to visit and see everybody that we literally havent seen in years. The hosts were the bomb as usual...and got caught up in everybodys lives without making an ass of ourselves (this time!).

DH managed to make it in after working a ridiculous shift....then put in a few more hours bonding with Beers....(both the beverage and friend kind).....

After dragging the boys out of their coma...we managed to head over to their dads for an early xmas celebration. That was really fun. The kids got spoiled rotten....and so did the adults after eating some delicious chinese food.

Unfortunately we had to leave fairly early for that one as well as DH had to go back to work....and with the weather wanted to get on the road.

So...this week I am working from home with the kids....trying to get more shopping done.....and hopefully getting some housework done in between.

Hope you are all having a few xmas drinks with friends and family....take care...

Hockey Update for Pa

Okay dad....here is the hockey update from the weekend.

Retzky played friday night and saturday. I missed most of the evening game as I was still trying to get some xmas shopping done. DH had to coach after his devastating news (more to come) and wasnt overly engaged.

Their team lost by one...Retzky got 5 goals and 4 assists (i think).

Saturday they had a bit better luck-won by 1. Retzky got the first goal and the winner (he was pretty excited about that).

C-mans game ended in a tie...and he got 2 goals. He struggled a bit with his new skates, just trying to get used to them. He says he wants to skate during the xmas break on our backyard rink.....he may have to as he looked a wee wobbly.

Now with the holidays our hockey will resume on Jan 3rd (i think...)

wish i had a camera right now...

Then I could show you our charlie brown tree....the stockings that are about as tall as the boys (they are pumped about the extra large capacity)....and the limo that is picking me up tonight for girls night.

Boy...sure wish you could see that....

Somebodys watching over us...

I swear. Somebody is watching us.

Last night - again- it happened. DH was wanting to go out on a certain train. He called the guy that was lined up for that trip, numerous times. That guy never got back to him. So...DH ended up going on the next train out.

He told me last night that the original train derailed here in town. Nobody was hurt - thank goodness - and it could have been a lot worse. But...somebody was watching him and knew it was better for him to get the next train. (This isnt the first time this happened to him).....

Also....I'm sure I have mentioned this before....

Years ago...on my way home from Saskatoon....I went to pull into a gas station...had my signal light on....slowed down....then something changed my mind. I got about 2 miles away and saw 4 cop cars with lights on .....and heard on the radio...that the same gas station was robbed with a sawed off shot gun.

We were also very lucky with the Canada Day accident a few years ago. On our way home from garage saling with friends, we decided to pull into the store for treats. As we got out of the car...we heard the accident happen. We would have been right there when the horrifying crash occurred.

So...thanks for whoever it or what it is watching over us....we appreciate it...

Happy Birthday Cougars Mama!!

Bone Fete Grandmere (i think??)...or Happy Birthday Grandma Tractor!!

I hear you were kidnapped early this morning..hope that was fun!! We will try to call you later tonight.

But first we have school/work...then powerskating....then xmas concert. Just so you know...we are thinking of you today.

DH is off to Vermilion still learning how to drive those trains. We made our annual gingerbread house last night...and its still standing...that has to be a record. (of course, this year I got smart and bought the kit with the wells in it!!) And my camera is - totally dead - so no pictures....and none of the xmas concert either. We will definitely need to go out and get one...

Busy week...with xmas parties....hockey....pictures....girls night out...more hockey....then top it off with a doozie on saturday night. Looking forward to it!!

one more weekend update

C-man played his last game of the weekend this morning. They played the NB team that they lost to yesterday in the tourney.

It ended in an 8-8 tie. C-man got his three goals and played well (according to reports).

the end

Hockey update

For those of you waiting to hear about our hockey filled weekend ....here goes...

Retzky had a great game friday night. (Even though the temperature inside the rink had to be 35 below). They won 6-5 over a team that has beat them badly twice before...and I believe were undefeated up until now. They also played saturday and won handily 13-3. It was a great weekend for their team and a much needed boost...as they have been having a bit of a rough start to the year. (R-dog had 3 goals in each game...and I believe 5 assists??)

C-man was in a tourney in Wilkie all day saturday. We played the Knife first thing...and won 7-6. He helped his team out with 4 goals that game and played well. The second game we played another NB team...and even though we were up by two...ended up losing by one. C got a couple of assists..and skated hard. With one win, and one loss...we headed to the B final. There we played - New York is Big...(who happened to be coached by an old college friend...BIG INCH!!)...we played hard and ended up winning 6-5 ( i think). C-man got a couple of goals and assists in that one as well.

The only thing that really bites is that my poor old camera has died. Literally. I guess after being dropped and abused for years...she decided to call her quits. So, unless I can get some pictures from some other parents...I dont have any of the tourney.

Only one more game on our weekend schedule...today at 11:30....which I think I will stay home for...-40 just isnt my bag, baby. But the boys wont miss it...

stay warm!!

Santa help

Poor Santa and his beautiful wife...have no idea what to get Retzky and C-man for christmas.

They literally have no idea....and neither do DH and myself. The countdown is on...and I'm starting to worry....especially since Velvis has left for Texas....she is my personal shopper!!

What to do ...what to do...

Also...since we are STILL eating Halloween candy (even though I have taken two grocery bags to work and thrown out at least two bags)...does Santa bring more candy for your children? Or are my "THE ONLY KIDS IN THE WORLD" not to ??? Any suggestions from Santa would be greatly appreciated.

bored at work

Somebody has been bringing some intelligent reading to work lately.

So..when nobody forces me to go out for lunch...I read it. Everything from Prevention to People. Rags and informational alike.

While enjoying a readers digest I found this to be interesting...

"a U.S. branding company surveyed 7500 Mac and PC owners. Its finding? Mac users are "snobs". In comparison to PC owners, they are more likely to visit Starbucks for coffee more often, buy organic products and drive hybrid cars. They are more liberal, less modest and more assured of their own superiority than the population at large."


Hmm?? Makes me want to go out and buy a Mac...I'm just a lowly PC owner...I want to buy organic and drive a hybrid....and be more assured of my own superiority.....hmm....

How many of you are Mac owners???

thanks ask.com!!

Okay..thanks to Thelma for pointing out this website.

I found the cure to taking out my lovely RED stains in the dryer was rubbing alcohol.

It came off the dryer pretty well...now to see about the 20 pieces of clothing it attached itself to....

overload

My poor calendar is on overload. All the squares seem to be filled with something.

When we started hockey, I was pretty glad that we had monday and tuesdays free. The kids and I got stuff done then. Now DH is on board with power skating...so that took away my tuesdays. December is a bit hectic - until Christmas holidays anyway. And now...I went to remove clothes from the dryer and a red PEN has exploded over most of the load...and is stuck to the dryer guts....any suggestions?

DH has got a couple floods on the rink....got the truck fixed (again)...and is going to have to coach practise tonight - solo - he has also had hockey a lot lately. (Well a lot for rec anyway).

Me...I'm trying to keep up to the kids schedule...the house...the xmas shopping and decorating...as well as my "re-energized" healthy living. The treadmill is no longer dusty...and I am hungry all the time...I'm sure thats why skinny girls are bitchy...cause THEY ARE STARVING....but I'm trying.

I think the plan after hockey tonight...is to tackle the gingerbread house...or the gingerbread cookies...or both...so ...no house cleaning on the agenda until after the fun...

talk to you soon...

weekend is over..

So the weekend went by ridiculously quick - again.

Louise and I did the quick trip to the city...and were quite successful. We were very surprised at how easy we parked, shopped and did COSTCO...no road rage. Or..slightly less road rage than I have normally.

We made it home to some blustery conditions...but still in the light...and in time to see Retzkys game. They lost by one...to a team that they previously demolished...but they only showed up in the third period (they got 4 of their 5 goals in the third). After the game we had a few team members come over for an xmas drink...so it was a bit of a late night.

The next morning, with an early game on the schedule, both boys slept in!! Their clocks need a bit of an adjustment. C-man tied his game against his best buddies team. (it was the first time we played them this year...and my C got a penalty for body checking his buddy C....his dad thinks it may have been a bit of an embellishment???...it was pretty funny)

After that game...the boys got our rink finished...wait for the pictures. Now all I need to do is demolish the house...and move a trailer on the lot. But...the kids will have a blast...I'm sure..

Off to work...ttyl

why?

Just a question. Not that I'm ANGRY or anything...but just a question.

Why is it that during the week, my kids can not drag their butts out of bed to make it on the bus for 8:30....and on the weekend they are up wide awake at 6am??? hmmm???

Well now that I've been up three times and tried to get them back to bed...I might as well drag my sorry butt up....I'm heading to the city with Louise to get a start on xmas shopping.

Its too bad I cant do it all here in town...but shopping is pretty limited to really cheap...or really expensive....and not much in between...

Wish me luck!!

its FRIDAY!!

Yeah!! Its friday!!

We have been sleeping in all week..so it will be nice to sleep in and not have to rush rush rush. Either that or we will all wake up early?? Probably. We dont have hockey until 7 saturday night, then again at 9:45 sunday.

Today, I am heading in to work, DH is as well. I imagine both days will be cut short (you know...it is friday). Tomorrow I am heading into the city with Louise...and Darren is coming over to help DH set up some rink boards. (we are FOR SURE the neighbourly trailer trash now...you should see these babies!!)

Cant forget to WISH MY NIECE A HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY TODAY...hope its a great one!!

Also..if any of you are interested - C-man is playing a one day tourney in Wilkie next weekend. His first game is at 11:30...then two others following....

take care...drive carefully in the new snow...

sick sicker sickerer

C-man has missed school the last two days. Cold in the chest. There may be a possibility that water got in his ear during swimming and might have brought on an ear infection...but who knows.

This morning I was going to keep him home again...as he coughed so hard he was - well - it wasnt pleasant. He begged me to go to school...literally begged. So..I let him go...now he'll infect everyone else ...I'm sure. Isnt that what school is all about?

I'm positive that he only went to school so that he could go to hockey tonight. (He had to miss power skating last night...and put on a show to prove it). We'll see how he's doing after school.

I worked from home today as I wasnt sure that I would have an office and I had my year end review today. It went well...short and sweet. This past week was crazy busy...but the phone has slowed slightly...now to get my butt in gear and get the xmas show on the road.

To mom and Velvis...

I dont know how you did it.

But that favorite black tank top of mine that got swallowed up in moms house...somehow managed to find itself, washed, folded and in my laundry basket.

I dont know how you managed to drive it all this way, get in my well secured home, and put it in the bottom of my laundry pile without being noticed.

But thank you.