{Weekend Rewind}

Today I am working from home because Maddy has been hit with the flu!
Friday I left work early, ran and did groceries and then headed home so that we could be somewhat prepared for hockey.  Well that didn't work out as good as planned.  I ran to the school to set up for our movie night and well I had some technical difficulties.  Eventually I got everything up and running then just ordered food and then we headed to hockey.  Tanner is getting so good at skating, it's pretty amazing.  Tonight was their picture night so it will be cute to get his first hockey pics!

After hockey, we stopped in at the school to see how things were going at the Movie Night and everything was good.  I wasn't sure if the kids would actually sit still but it was going really good.  The movie of the night was Hotel Transylvania.

Saturday we were up early.  I threw stuff in the crockpot to make a stew and then we were packing up and heading to hockey again.  Once we got home, we were all pretty pooped and went for a nap.  Eventually I dragged myself out of bed, cleaned up outside and put some things away for the winter.  Nothing else really happened Saturday...until around 9:30 pm when the flu hit.

To say it was an absolute mess was an understatement.  As some of you know, Maddy has a phobia of being sick and puking...so when she puked...she let er go...from the top bunk, with me underneath.  I was covered from head to toe...there was puke literally everywhere, right down to covering the curtains.  I cannot stand puke (who can really I guess) so I had to clean everything, re-arrange beds, and kids all the while covered in puke.  After everything was relatively cleaned up (for the night anyways) - Tanner and I headed to Maddy's bed and she slept with Ricky.  She continued to puke throughout the night but luckily, in the pail.

Sunday morning we got up and well, because of Maddy sick, we decided to skip out on Church.  My day was basically disinfecting and laundry.  Knowing that I was going to have to stay home with her today, Tanner and I headed to the city to grab my things.  The rest of the day was cooking chili, watching Fuller House and cleaning.

How was your weekend?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- that yesterday was October 24th and I was in sandals...OMG.

- that Tanner is feeling better but not loving that Ricky is down with the flu, poor guy was pitiful yesterday

- lots of Halloween activities this week: last night was Guides, tomorrow night is library craft night and Friday is our school movie night

- Tanner is getting his first hockey pictures this weekend...how cute!

- this week is pay week...need to pay Butter for my winter tires

- hearing that Landyn's trauma from the accident is healing nicely...had his appointment at CHEO this week and it just needs time and no major activities for 3 months

- that I have two presents bought now for Maddy

I guess that's all I'm loving today - Happy Wednesday!

{Weekend Rewind}

What a fun filled weekend AND...the weather was TERRIFIC!

Friday

- I had the day off and we were on the 8 am ferry to head to the dealership to get an oil change

- except apparently, I didn't need one

- went to Value Village and got Maddy a Halloween costume: Raggedy Ann

- stopped at Sophie's for a quick visit - the kids were so excited to see Tanner

- met Josee and Landyn for a play date at McDonalds

- ran other errands and headed home, quickly ate and headed to hockey

Saturday

- hockey first thing in the morning and Nanny Earl came to watch

Apparently Tanner was pooped out and preferred to do snow angels on the ice - haha!

- Car Rally day - we came in a scary second place but none the less, the best position to win (first place team has to do the route the next year)

Seriously, the only pic all day: our selfie with Justin

- the kids went to the Experimental Farm with Momma and Grandpa

- Tanner was sick in the night, puking

Sunday

- skipped Church

- photoshoot plans got mixed up so that was a no go (which was okay cuz Tanner was still feeling under the weather)

- had my parents over for breakfast

- wanted to wash my car and make cookies but napped instead...so lazy!

- managed to wash Tanner's duvet twice to get the puke out

- caught up on Criminal Minds

- went outside for some fresh air - sooooo nice

- had an early supper then did our traditional pumpkin carvings

- bed early!

How was your weekend?

TGIF

- I am not at work today which means it's a great FRIDAY!

- the kids are off so we are heading to Kanata early this morning to take advantage of the awesome Express Lane at the dealership to get an oil change then we are meeting Josee and Landyn!

- I have been trying to come up with something to do with them but there really isn't too much to choose from...Josee came up with going to Ikea, sending them to the play area while we shop/look around then treat them up at the cafeteria for a $1 lunch...sounds fabulous!  HAHA

- I also need to get Maddy a fall coat, a Halloween costume and pick up snacks for tomorrow's Car Rally

- Remember that time in 2013 when we won the Car Rally...ouff!  This year, our aim is as usual, Top 5!

- My parents are taking the grandkids to the Experimental Farm tomorrow while we are all in the rally.

- Wednesday a part of Quyon history came crumbling down, literally.  Our beloved "beach barn" - our community centre perhaps was demolished.  Everyone shared good memories of the hall but we are looking forward to the new one!

- Tuesday night Gord Downie from The Tragically Hip died and although it was very sad, I have to be honest and say that I was never really into The Tragically Hip...yes I knew them and my fave song will always be Wheat Kings but it didn't hit me like others I guess.  Either way, RIP Gord!

- Sunday my niece was asked to be a model for a local photographer to promote her Christmas sessions so I may take my kids and try to get the three kids in a picture together...we'll see!

- still loving this weather...we are almost at the end of October and temps this weekend are in the 20's...I'll take it

- I am going to lay it out there now...I find that I do a lot for our little school...I do it for the kids, not for me.  So when I decided to get a dance activity going after school (because parents requested it), I took the time to coordinate it all only to find 5 kids sign up and I am basically going to be cancelling it.  It really wasn't doing anything to us as far as a fundraiser BUT it did take time out of my day and stuff to coordinate...so frustrating.  I have taken a sit back and I just don't feel like doing anything anymore because I don't get the support that is needed unfortunately.  My committee is great, and if it wasn't for them, I would have hung up my hat a while back.  We'll see what the future holds....

- tonight is hockey and again tomorrow morning...can't wait to see Tanner's progress

Have a good weekend everyone!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- I got the kids school pictures in and they are already hung up on the wall

- short week this week again, I took Friday off for the kid's PD day and the car needs an oil change

- we are also planning to do something with Josee and Landyn

- last night wasn't a normal Girl Guides where we had to plan for our sparks, we all joined at a leader's place for a campfire meeting where we got to roast marshmallows and sing songs

- that my Android box that I ordered like 6 months ago has finally arrived!

- looking forward to Car Rally this weekend

- I got non-drowsy allergy meds...yesterday morning before leaving I took two allergy pills, I couldn't even stay awake on the drive in to work (luckily I was a passenger) and the day was really long due to the fact that I could barely keep my eyes open.

- that Ricky turned the heat on last night and I didn't even ask for it (I'm the one that is typically always cold)

- despite the fact that I hate that winter is coming, I am loving the cooler nights and mornings.

- bought and received my first Christmas gift yesterday: a book - Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton

- not having to make an appointment to get an oil change and just being able to drive right into the Express Lane to get it done!

- our cruise destinations got changed due to Hurricane "whats her name" that went through the Eastern Caribbean...don't ask me where we're going now...I just know of Jamaica.

What are you loving today?

{Weekend Rewind}

Friday evening after work, we picked up the kids, grabbed hockey equipment and headed to the rink for Tanner's first practice.  He was very wobbly on his skates obviously but I have to give credit to all the coaches and helpers because they are amazing with them.  Tanner kept saying "I can't give up" and he was on that ice for 50 mins learning to balance.  After hockey, my boy was really exhausted.  We grabbed pizza from the new place in town and called it a night.

Saturday morning, a nice dark, rainy morning to sleep in, EXCEPT we had to be at the rink again for 9 am practice.  I can't believe how well he did just after one night.  He was much more confident and was skating with the "guide" like a champ.  He followed the coaches and played the little games and really did well. 
After hockey, Maddy and I headed to the city to get some groceries and look for a Halloween costume (no go yet).  Ricky called and told me that him and Tanner were heading to the camp, so Maddy and I took our time.  When we got home and unloaded the groceries, we decided to head back to the camp and glad we did.  We got to meet the newest baby of a friend, Victoria and I got lots of baby snuggles.  Mike's grand daughter Elena was there and so was Victoria's older sister Elizabeth.  The day was really nice, temperature wise so the kids ran around outside.  It was a chipstand supper kinda night and bed early.

Sunday morning we got our butts up and Maddy and I made some beef barley soup for the week followed by some banana bread.  We got ourselves to Church and for once, I got to stay upstairs and listen to Eric's sermon while Maddy went down to Sunday school alone.  When we got home, we had lunch and caught up on shows.  It was a really rainy, miserable day so we putted around the house, cleaning, doing homework and watching shows.

How was your weekend?

TGIF

- I am slacking on blogging, I know, oh well, life has been busy (sorta)

- it's Friday the 13th today - eek

- why is it that the short weeks are the longest, boo!

- I got a haircut yesterday and by cut, I really just mean some thickness removed, felt so good (added bonus, my hair dresser always gives me a head massage for like 15 minutes while shampooing)

- now I need to buy a new straightener - any suggestions?

- I am at my cap with benefits for massages, that means no more free massages till Jan 1st

- my boy starts hockey tonight, super excited

- hockey at 6 pm also means it will be a supper on the run...maybe try the new pizza/shawarma place in town

- I got yelled at yesterday at work, thankfully it was just before my hair appointment, so the head massage eased my sadness

- it was super cold yesterday morning (bahaha, 3 degrees is super cold)

- got the kids school pictures, so cute

- I have been fighting something all week...I am in bed early and just not feeling right...and Wednesday night I had a headache and woke up Thursday morning still with one...crappy day on Thursday (and I got yelled at)

- I took next Friday off for the kids PD day, going to do something with Josee and Landyn hopefully

- it's pay day today but not sure if we are getting paid or not...we switched banks at work this week and it's been a hell of a week

- tomorrow morning we have hockey again and then Maddy has an art thing in the afternoon

Have a great weekend everyone! 

{Long Weekend Recap}

Friday evening Ricky headed to darts and the kids and I chilled at home, bed early!

Saturday morning we headed over to Kanata to get some things.  First stop was Play It Again Sports to get some hockey stuff cuz Tanner decided he wants to join hockey.  Woo hoo!

After that, Tanner and I headed to Tanger Outlets to get him some pants and my Dad and Ricky headed to Cabelas.  When we got home, we unloaded stuff and headed to my parents for Thanksgiving dinner...well those that ate it.  Tanner was feeling crappy with his cough and the kids and I headed home around 8 pm.  The rest of the adults had a blast drinking and planning our wedding (July 21st apparently).

Sunday morning I had intentions of going to Church but then my parents and them landed in for a coffee so we skipped.  The kids and I ran to Shawville to get some lunch stuff and then we met Hollie at the Luskville Falls for the Pontiac Fair.  We spent a couple of hours there before heading home.  We had chipstand for supper and then just hung out at home and chatted with the neighbours outside for a bit.

Monday was a rainy day, or was supposed to be, so we headed up to visit Ricky's dad and the kids and I also ran over to meet the newest cousin in the Belland family...Miss Zoey. 

The rest of the day was spent getting ready for the week.

How was your long weekend?

Nova Scotia - Part 5

DAY 5 - Sunday, October 1st

Most of us were up early and we woke to no power and very heavy fog on the ocean.  My biggest fear was that our plane was going to be delayed, and I was anxious to get home to see the kids.

Eventually the power came back on and we started to make sure everything was cleaned and ready to go.  We washed the towels, emptied the fridges and cupboards, loaded our suitcases (with difficulty due to souvenirs and gifts lol) and made sure that all the floors were shut off. 

We were just sitting around and Greg stopped in to say good bye and then Barb and Vicki were there to charter us to the airport.  Our time in St Margaret's Bay had come to an end...but that was okay! 

I was with Barb on the drive to the airport and it was nice to get a little family history.  You see, this family down there is my maternal grandmother's side but she died in a plane crash when my mom was just little so obviously I have no connection to her.  With social media these days, thank god, we have been able to connect with a lot of that side of the family which has been great.  They are extremely nice people.  I learned about the plane crash and why my grandmother was in the plane at all.  I saw the lake where the plane crashed and the church/cemetery where she is buried.

Again, we arrived with some time to spare thankfully because security was a bit busier in Halifax but we made our way (passed again, woo hoo), stopped and picked up some frozen lobster, grabbed a bite to eat and eventually boarded our plane.  This time I took an Ativan before boarding and it was great.  I enjoyed the flight home a lot better, well I slept most of it LOL. 

When we arrived in Ottawa, Ricky and the kids were waiting and so happy to see me as I was to see them!

I am so happy that we got to do this.  We had a great time, we had a great bunch of girls.  There were fights, there were jokes, there was singing, there were laughs and I will always remember this trip.  I thanks my Uncle Bill and Aunt Sue for letting us use the cottage and can't wait to be back in Nova Scotia next summer!

Nova Scotia - Part 4

DAY 4 - Saturday, September 30th

We were planning to head out around 1:30 pm so the morning was pretty slow.  We just puttered around and cleaned up while Lindsay prepared us pumpkin French toast and sausages and breakfast. 

Once we were showered and ready for the day, we headed into our vehicles and were heading into downtown Halifax to walk the Harbour then we had plans to have supper at Henry House and meeting our cousin Tash there.

Once we got parked (free parking too) we walked along the harbour, stopped in at a pretty famous store called Eastern Lifestyle where everyone was buying sweaters and shirts.

The couple of hours we spent there, we walked along the Harbour.  We stopped at shops along the way, had some COWS ice cream and eventually, made our way to Theodore...the one thing I had been wanting to see.

We walked back to the van to drop off our items and then walked up to Henry House.  It was an old style house with a couple of floors but it was really loud to try to talk to a table of 9 girls.  I had the special which was fettuccine in a white wine sauce with scallops, bacon and peas and I have to say, it was delish.  We chatted with my cousin Natasha and had a great visit.  We paid and headed home two hours later where most of us hit the hay pretty early.

Tomorrow....going home

Nova Scotia - Part 3

DAY 3 - Friday, September 29th

Again, once everyone was up, showered and fed, this was our day that we were going to Peggy's Cove.

The windy road there did not agree well with my motion sickness and I was very happy when we pulled in and parked.  It took me about 20 mins to get rid of the nauseous feeling.

It was extremely busy for this time of year but apparently a cruise ship had ported in Halifax and there were 12 bus loads of tourists.  But we made our way through and spent a couple of hours there and made sure to keep away from the black rocks! 

After we visited some cute shops along the way, we were on our way.  This time, I sat in the front seat, no more sickness for me!

We stopped at the Finer Diner to eat.  I didn't want anything fishy so I settled with perogies and cabbage rolls.  Yum! 

When we left there, our van went ahead back to the cottage while the other vehicle went to the grocery store to get some snacks for our pontoon ride around the Bay.

When we got home, everyone went to rest and I figured this would be the only time I had to go and visit my cousin Heather.  I took the van and headed up there for a quick visit and she took me next door to visit my Aunt Lillian who is 96 years old and the last one alive on my maternal grandmother's side.  I was happy that I got the chance to meet her, even if it was a quick, short visit.  I said my good byes and headed back to the cottage.

When I got there, Ron and Barb were there and we were chatting and waiting for another cousin Karen to arrive and then we were heading out on the water.   Before heading out though, we surprised Lindsay with a birthday cake for her upcoming 30th birthday!

We loaded our drinks and snacks and went on the pontoon. It was rather windy and cool out but we were completely covered in the pontoon and had a great time relaxing, eating and chatting!

When we got home, we played some 1 to 5 (or something like that) and I continued giving everyone massages (this was a thing apparently - me giving massages to everyone).

Tomorrow...Halifax Harbour

Nova Scotia - Part 2

DAY 2 - Thursday, September 28th

Once we were all up, showered and had breakfast, we loaded up the cars and were planning on heading to Lunenburg.  The forecast was calling for rain all day but we were okay with that because after the one day of rain, it was sunny skies to follow the duration of our time.

However, before we even left the driveway, the beetle had a minor issue: it wouldn't start.  The battery was dead.  No fret though because where our cottage was, Lindsay and I actually have many relatives around.  We called Greg and he came over with his rain boots and booster cables and got us going!  Greg to the rescue!

We made the trek in the rain to Lunenburg and found parking.  First stop was the Bluenose...a quick viewing because of the torrential rains (and hungry bellies). 

We went over to the Fisheries museum and made reservations for lunch at the Old Fish Factory, because it was a 15 minute wait, we strolled around the "free" part of the museum before heading into lunch.  Here, I would like to mention that Maritimer's are so friendly, but we encountered a very cranky old woman who was rude to us but that didn't stop us!  It actually turned into a joke between us all weekend. 

At the Old Fish Factory, I tried a lobster dip and had the fish cakes for my meal.  It was okay, a little too fishy for my liking though.  We headed downstairs to shop around the gift shop and then walked back to the cars.

On the way home, we went through Mahone Bay and we came through at a great time, it was the Scarecrow festival which basically every house and business on the main street had some sort of scarecrow set up but these were fantastic.  There was a Marilyn Monroe, Wizard of Oz, Prince William, Frozen, oh there was everyone!  I captured Anne of Green Gables for Maddy!

After Mahone Bay, we made a quick stop at a little shop called Lola's.  My family is always talking about this store and seriously, it's the most unique place ever.  I think every time you go in, you would miss something.  There were things that others saw that I didn't even see.  I bought an anchor bracelet here.

This is the night that Jill made us a spaghetti meal and then we had Greg and his wife Carolyn stop in for a visit (with two loaves of the famous Nova Scotian brown bread). This is a cousin of mine so it was nice to meet them and chat. 

Tomorrow...Peggy's Cove

Nova Scotia - Part 1

It's nice to be away, but it's also nice to be home! 

Over the week you will hear about my trip to Nova Scotia and of course, my first flight EVER!

DAY 1 - Wednesday, Sept 27th

I was up early with the kids and got them off to school and then I finished packing what I needed to do then, I actually went back down for a nap.
I set my alarm and woke up at 9 am to finish getting ready and then I walked up to Jill's to pass the time.

Lindsay, our chauffeur, arrived at 10:30 and our pick ups began.  Once everyone was in the van, we arrived at the airport with lots of time to check in and go through security.

Going through security is so nerve wrecking...I mean, I know I had nothing that could cause problems, but it still worried me however, I made it through.  Once we were all through, we had lunch at D'Arcy McGee's....BUT, not before we realized that I was missing my phone.  Seriously...it's my life!  I retraced my steps and thankfully, I had just left it near the security check point and a friendly security officer handed it over to me. Crisis averted.

After we ate, we didn't have a whole lot of time before we were boarding our plane...our teeny weeny plane.  I hadn't taken anything (Ativan or Gravol) and I was really trying to stay calm.  I was seated behind Josee but with another woman but the seats were so close, Josee and I could talk. 

Take off - horrible experience for my first time.  My heart was racing but I knew I didn't want to make a scene or puke, so I was trying to stay calm.  For the verdict, I didn't puke or anything.  Once we were up and after a few bouts of turbulence, I had actually calmed myself down and was okay.

My salty snack and Gingerale

Then, we met our nice flight attendant, Patrick (who actually used to work with Josee about 14 years ago).  So for the majority of the flight, he chatted with us and at the end of the flight he did a shout out to TRACY Johnston as this was her first flight EVER.  When we got off the plane, everyone was talking to us, it was quite funny.  The rest of the weekend, I was known as TRACY.

My cousins Barb and Vicki were waiting for us and hauled us and our luggage to the cottage at St Margaret's Bay.  We arrived there around 6 pm.  Some of us headed to the grocery store and liqueur store and got the necessities for the morning.

Our waterfront view

We just chilled, unpacked and chatted the rest of the evening and went to bed early enough!

Tomorrow....Lunenburg