What I'm Loving Wednesday

- driving home last night from Girl Guides it was +10 out...not the same +10 as you would get in the summer but none the less, +10

- tonight I am testing out the Instant Pot for the first time...I am making meatloaf and potatoes, pressure cooked in 20 mins!  We'll see...

- our Christmas pics of the kids

- our girls get together this weekend and doing our mitten exchange (which I have everything bought, but still stumped on the mitten part...should I get regular mitts or oven mitts??)

- plans are underway for July 21st 2018

- I am done Christmas shopping...and by done, I mean I am not spending anymore, it's Ricky's turn! HAHA!

- today should go by relatively quick because I am in a workshop / meeting all day

- that the road that we commute on will hopefully be open on the weekend...taking the "longer way" definitely seems longer

- finding out that next week is our last Girl Guide meeting until the New Year...it will be a nice break and not as rushed on Tuesday nights!

- PC Dill Pickle popcorn (I may be eating some right now...at 8:08 am)

What are you loving today?

{Weekend Rewind}

Holy moly, what a fun packed weekend we had!

Friday I left work at noon to go and pick up Rylie.  We made a quick stop at Old Navy and then we went to Sophie's to pick Tanner up then picked up pizza for supper and picked Ricky up from work.

We rushed home, only to have be rushed when we got home to head up to hockey.  Tanner did awesome.  He no longer needs the assistant thingy he was always using and he's skating so great! 

After hockey, we stopped in at cards quickly so Nanny and Papa could see the kids.  Once home, we got ready for bed...and well that ended not so nice (not because of Rylie, but Maddy had an anxiety episode)

Saturday morning we were up early and on the road to hockey.  After hockey, we went to visit the other Nanny to pass some time before heading to the grocery store where we were selling tickets for Tanner's hockey team.  The kids were all sleepy so we headed home for naps instead of stopping in at the Pine Lodge Christmas Craft Sale (which I wanted to do, oh well...naps were necessary).  Once we had a little nap, we got up and got dressed to head to Julianna's for Christmas pictures.  The kids cooperated and she had a great set up.

When we got home, we had Rylie's choice of macaroni for supper and then we settled in for the night watching Christmas movies.

Sunday morning we slept in a little, and then eventually got up and Mom and Dad came over for a coffee before Church.  We got dressed and headed to Church where it was filled with kids because baby Eli was getting baptized.  It was a great service.  After Church we had lunch, packed up Rylie's things and met her parents in Hull. 
We planned a movie afternoon with some of the Sunday school kids and our minister, Eric to see The Star.  We got our seats, our popcorn and settled in for a really cute Christmas movie (I actually cried at the end, softy, I know). 

We stopped at McDonald's and ventured home...my first snowy drive of the season and with the new car...which was fine except for not being able to see most of the way! 

Today, everyone is back to school and back to work.

How was your weekend?

I Love Fridays

- it's becoming a common thing for me...taking Friday's off...working this morning then leaving at noon

- plan is to pick Rylie up and then head to Old Navy at the Trainyards, go and pick Tanner up and meet Ricky at work

- tonight is hockey night

- tonight Ricky and them are starting up cards again, so we will stop in and see Nanny and Papa too after hockey

- so many things going on tomorrow...

- first thing is hockey...then we'll go and visit Nanny Earl to pass some time cuz then we have to work a 30 minute shift at the grocery store selling tickets for hockey...then it's home to change and taking the kids for pictures!

- there is also a Craft Sale I would like to attend...time permitting

- Sunday we will head to Church (Tanner will be so excited cuz his buddy Ethan's baby brother is getting baptized so he'll have a new friend at Church)

- then we're all meeting at the theatre to see The Star...sort of a Sunday school outing including our student minister Eric.  Fun times!

- you know what else is awesome today....the weather...it's sort of balmy out...calling for rain tomorrow I think BUT it's like + degree weather

- yesterday we had to leave early unexpectedly and we stopped at Canadian Tire and this momma snagged the last Instant Pot...woo hoo (now need to figure out how to use the biggest craze)  - Happy Early Christmas to me!

- yesterday I also stopped in at a local shop and bought a Christmas present...the store itself is pricey for me but I like supporting local when I can

Hope you all have a great weekend!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- apparently Ricky (and his sisters) confirmed that we will be exchanging vows this coming July...21st I think?

- that it's going to be very small and plain jane - small evening ceremony, in one place (hopefully our new hall) and doing it all on a small budget...we don't need or want a big shinding

- the milder temps

- Tanner is going to visit Sophie and his old daycare friends tomorrow and Friday

- successful Term 1 for my kids...had parent-teacher interviews last night and all is good (with the exception that Tanner is apparently really shy in school and needs to work on his self confidence)

- we are having Rylie over for the weekend

- we are getting some Christmas pictures this weekend (and hopefully a couple of just plain ones too)

- when all you can do is laugh when your Pinterest idea is an EPIC FAIL...last night at Sparks we were making these Energy Balls and well...they were a big flop...we couldn't even make them into balls so the kids brought home homemade granola basically! LOL

- all Christmas things: music and upcoming events top the list

- and speaking of Christmas, I am on a roll with Christmas gifts...

- that I have friends houses to be my Santa workshop...in the past I have used Lindsay's place and this year my stuff is at Jill's

What are you loving today?

{Weekend Rewind}

The hunt is over!!

- Friday night was the usual: hockey!

- Saturday morning we slept in a little (and skipped hockey)

- As soon as I got up, I started to take apart the house.  My goal this weekend was to add another shelf in the laundry/storage room and de-clutter and get rid of things that I just don't need anymore

- My house was in complete chaos

- Landyn came over to play with Tanner while Maddy and I tackled the mess and decorated for Christmas

- I literally put things out on my front porch for free pickup...my neighbours cleared it up in minutes!

- I dropped sandwiches off at the Harvest Tea at our church and wanted to go back but the mess at home was just not cleaned up yet

- It was a mixed bag of weather outside...snow, sleet, hail, freezing rain

- Maddy and I spent most of the afternoon decorating for Christmas

- When we were done decorating, we watched some Christmas movies on W Network

- After Landyn left, we all got bathed and ready for bed

- Sunday we woke up to a blanket of snow and windy weather

- I was going to go to Church but my body was just way too sore (I guess I overdid it on Saturday)

- Instead, I napped...

- In between naps, I made a big pot of beef barley soup and homemade beer bread

- Maddy and Madi went outside and played in the snow all afternoon and made their first snowman of the season

- We caught up on a few shows

- Baths and early night

How was your weekend?

This weekend...

- I am decking the halls and decorating our house

- I am also going to purge and re-organize my house while doing this...time to clean out the toy box and donate some toys that aren't being used anymore

- is the last weekend of the hunt (and still no deer)

- is also going to be the first snowstorm of the season...calling for unpredictable weather on Saturday (and for the verdict: my storm bottle told me this morning that we should expect snow in a day or two)

- Tanner has hockey

- the kids and I are going to stay inside (during the storm) and have a Christmas movie night

- I may attend the "tea party" at our Church...depends how I feel after hockey and if I want to hold off the decorating until after

- I will have to dig out the car snow brushes and shovels

- It will be time to put away the outdoor toys and bikes

- I will be prepping my Healthy Eating lesson for Sparks this week (we're making energy balls)

- I plan to attend Church but that could change depending on mood and weather

What are your plans this weekend?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- that there is only two more travelling days alone (Ricky is off hunting) and we haven't had any snow (or scary cold)

- Christmas decorations and planning to decorate this weekend

In our lobby at work

- checking things off the Christmas TO BUY list...another item checked off for Maddy this morning...woo hoo!

- today is pay day

- our Girl Guide enrolment and despite our rowdy bunch of Sparks, they were well behaved 

- our grand total from our Craft Sale this past weekend was higher than I expected considering we didn't see as many visitors

- I got my Storm Bottle...I kept seeing this advertise on Facebook and I wanted to see what the hype was about so we'll see...it's basically some sort of liquid and it will change depending on the weather....the kids think it's cool...let's see if it works!

- the Hemlock Hideaway hunters are in their last week/weekend of the hunt and still nothing...Ricky says "this is the week"

- shawarma's...had another one last night

What are you loving today?

{Weekend Rewind}

Friday I was off...remember, the vacation day that I had to share with my kids because they were off too...ugh!  Let's just say that there are reasons why I don't love spending PD days with them! 

Friday morning I putted around the house, did some laundry and rounded up things that I needed for my Craft Sale. Around 11:00, we headed into the city to pick up our shirt order!  After a quick bite to eat, we headed to the school to set up for the Craft sale...and well, that lasted longer than anticipated because organizing all the shirts was harder than planned.

We had no time to eat, made a PB and jelly sandwich for Tanner and headed to hockey.  He is doing so good, it's awesome and he had some cheerleaders this week: Auntie Butch, Auntie Connie and Brooke and her friend Holly all came to watch.  Oh and look, we got his first hockey pictures:

After hockey, we did two stops and then were heading home cuz my cousin Cara and baby Georgia were coming to spend some time with us while the moms and my cousins Gail were gone to play darts with my uncle.  However, we were a little later because another hockey mom in front of me hit a huge 10 pointer (or 11) buck with her SUV.  Boo! After she was okay and her uncle was on his way, we headed home.  Georgia of course slept the whole time but it was nice catching up with Cara.
 Saturday morning we were up super early, loading the car and was at the school at 7 am.  Mom took Tanner to hockey.  My craft sale was a success although we did not see as many people come through the doors this year.  There were lots of people seen with new Onslow swag and we got compliments all day.

Of course, my relatives stopped in at the Craft show and Shannon, Casey and Rylie came by too. 

After cleaning up and packing up, we were home around 3:30 and exhausted.  We all got our baths early, had a quick bite for supper then headed to Nanny's to visit the relatives and Georgia again! 

Sunday morning I had intentions of going to church but even though we had lots of sleep, my body was just too sore to do anything (other than leave to go pick up a shawarma).  I laid back down after lunch and had a nice nap until 3:00 pm.  I had a chicken cooking in the crockpot so I prepared my potatoes and then the kids and I headed to the cottage where my relatives were staying to say goodbye as they are hitting the road this morning to go back to Toronto area.  The rest of the evening was watching shows, baths and bed early!

How was your weekend?

What I'm Loving and Not Loving Wednesday

- LOVING that today is Wednesday because it means one more day (I'm off Friday) but NOT LOVING that I was up early, so it will likely be a long day!

- LOVING that I am off on Friday, NOT LOVING that I didn't realize it was a PD Day too LOL (hate sharing my time off with my kids bahaha)

- LOVING that I have organized the rest of the year Spark's meetings (in case I am solo when Sara delivers baby #4) but NOT LOVING that I may have to handle those lovely children all alone...some nights they really test my patience...like last night...OMG just listen!

- LOVING that my Craft sale is this weekend, NOT LOVING the week of the sale, I tend to have poor sleeps because my mind is constantly worried about things, like this morning, I had to email the school to make sure I had enough chairs (problem from last year)

- LOVING that I have some relatives coming to visit this weekend, NOT LOVING that I may not get much time to see them

- LOVING that there is still no snow obviously NOT LOVING that it's just a matter of time

What are you loving today?

{Weekend Rewind}

I survived my first Single Parent weekend, phew!

Friday was a quick grab supper then headed to Shawville for hockey. I passed the hockey equipment test according to Tanner so that was good...and he did awesome this weekend.  He doesn't need to skating helper thingy anymore, he's on fire on his own!  We ran to the grocery store after hockey and then headed home to bed!

Saturday morning we got up early to get breakfast and then head to Shawville for hockey once again.  After hockey, we headed to the dollar store to pick up some things then headed home.  Maddy and I got the baking stuff out and got our bake on:  we made 4 banana loaves, toffee squares, Nanaimo bars, chocolate cream cheese cupcakes and prepared a big batch of chili to freeze for next weekend.  Around 2 pm I decided that we would head to the city to get them winter boots.  We headed to MEC where I was able to get Tanner his Snobusters but they didn't have Maddy's size.  We then headed to the Aylmer BBQ for supper and while we were there and checking Facebook, it appeared to have been snowing in Quyon...it was more like a rain in Aylmer.  We ran to the barber for a quick haircut for Tanner and then headed home.  Once again, we were all ready for bed early.

Sunday morning we were up early because of the time change.  I hate this one.  I get that you get an extra hour but we were all up at 6 am which made the day really long.  Anyways, we putted around the house, Mom and Dad came for an early morning coffee and Ricky didn't even go out for the hunt because it was pouring buckets all day.  The kids and I headed to Church while Ricky headed back to the camp for breakfast then we had some popcorn deliveries. 

Before heading home, we ran to the school where I had to vote for our municipal elections (and happy to say that CHANGE IS GOOD and we have a new mayor YAHOO).  I had some problems however when I went in there because apparently my name was somehow checked off already from the advanced polls even though I was no where near there.  I had to be taken aside, read and oath and it was all very confusing but all in all, my people won so that's all that matters!

After lunch, I made a quick batch of peanut butter cups and then we headed to the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph where the kids laid a wreath for Papa Earl - it was a very rainy afternoon, thank God for umbrellas.

Courtesy of Dolan Art & Photography

We went home, watched some shows and then had supper.  Josee and Evan came to vote and dropped Landyn off for a visit.  Tanner was so excited, so they got to play for about an hour before it was time for them to leave and us get ready for the night.  With the time change, bed time came early and I missed the results from the election BUT I got up around 1 am and checked.

How was your weekend?

Single Mom Weekend #1

That's right, hunting season begins Saturday which means that I become a single mom for the next two weeks, three weekends!

That means I have to:

- drive to work alone

- pay for my own gas (bahaha)

- take Tanner to hockey AND dress him - eek

- deal with the morning routine and cranky kids in the morning

It also means that...

- the kids and I can have cereal for supper...or French toast

- we get to watch TV UPSTAIRS

- we can do our own thing whenever we want

He will have to come out to...

- shower

- change my tires

- likely have a nap or two

- vote for Municipal Elections on Sunday

This weekend the kids and I...

- will be going to hockey Friday and Saturday

- are heading somewhere to buy winter boots

- are baking baked goods for the sale next weekend

- will be preparing my Sunday school lesson

- laying a wreath at the Remembrance Day service for Papa Earl

- singing O Canada at the Cenotaph

- possibly going ahead to make my chili (and freeze it)

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Love and Hate Wednesday

- loving that we took these two trick or treating last night...not loving that it was cool out!

- loving that Maddy is feeling better...not loving that my belly is not quite right (but I will not get sick)

- loving that we got enough support and our Onslow shirts have been ordered...not loving that they may not be in on time for our Craft Sale

- loving that Tanner is enjoying hockey, not loving that the next three weekends I will have to get him dressed cuz hunting begins (unless I'm sick then Ricky will be home haha)

- loving that I was able to work from home on Monday...not loving that I was actually busy and didn't get much "down time" haha!

- loving that we finally got our winter tires...not loving that it cost me $850 (tough on the wallet)

- loving that I took next Friday off to prepare for the Craft Sale... not loving that I just found out that the kids are home with me cuz it's a PD day (haha)

- loving that next weekend we have relatives coming to visit including new baby cousin Georgia...not loving that I may not get much time with them because of the Craft sale.

12 week old Georgia - how cute is she??

- loving that I have ordered a few Christmas things...not loving waiting for them to come in and if they will even arrive

- loving that I am not affected by all this flooding...not loving that others have to worry about this (especially poor Josee who just can't get a break from basements flooding) 

What are you loving today?