Merry Christmas

Happy First Day of Winter!
(although it's raining)...

I am going to wish all my followers, friends and family a Merry Christmas now since I may not be online and recapping until after the 25th.

I wish nothing but a healthy, safe and fun Christmas for everyone!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- I am DONE shopping...still have to wrap

- looking forward to a more mild Christmas, could use some white stuff, but I'm good with whatever

- today is our Christmas lunch...and I am glad that the other entity company is joining us because then I am not the only girl...there will be two of us!

- Canadian True Crime podcast

- finishing up our Christmas cooking shows

- Fuller House Season 4

- I finished the latest part of The Ranch on Netflix

- tonight is the Christmas concert at school, always a cute time.

- that instead of running up to see what our elves are up to, we unfortunately run to see if we caught the mouse that we caught running around last night, gross!

- we are supposed to go Christmas carolling this Friday night, I am hoping the weather cooperates.  Right now it's calling for freezing rain and rain so we'll see

- looking forward to a break after this weekend's hockey

- since we aren't gathering with Ricky's family on Christmas day, we are going to go and visit his dad this weekend and I am hoping to make a lasagna to bring up for lunch/supper.

- Next week this will be all over...and my tree will be down and everything will be re-organized...

Are you ready for Christmas?

{Weekend Rewind}

This weekend was jam packed with fun, baking and visits.

Friday night hockey was cancelled due to freezing rain and crappy weather which I was okay with.  Instead, we stayed home and decorated sugar cookies and were in bed by 9.

Saturday morning we headed to hockey while Ricky left for Smith Falls for the day for a dart tournament.  After practice, the kids had their little Christmas gathering and then we headed home.  I wanted to attend the funeral of a local friend but of course there were SOOOOO many people, I just met them at the reception afterwards.  After a quick snack and passing on my condolences, I headed home.  My sister and Rylie came down for the night and so eventually they came to our place and Shannon and Maddy decorated her sugar cookies while I did some more baking for our treat giveaways and then assembled plates.  Hollie and the kids stopped in for a visit before their daycare Christmas party and we called it a night.

Sunday morning, my parents came for a coffee and then we headed to Church to set up for our Christmas Pageant.  I am so proud of it.  The kids all did AWESOME and my helpers rocked the costumes. 

After Church, Tanner and I watched Christmas Chronicles, again, before heading to public skating.  I grabbed some fresh hamburger, made cheeseburgers for supper and then Maddy and I did some running around through town to hand out of treats and then caught up on some baking shows.  We were all in bed before 8 pm.

How was your weekend?

TGIF

I so don't want to be at work today...but the good thing, I am skipping out to get a new phone for the office and well I just may finish my Christmas shopping then too!  This weekend I have a list of things to accomplish but it's also a busy one...here's to hoping that I get some of my to do list checked off!

This week...

- I attended my first POUND class and whoa, as much as it is fun, I am paying for it today...and yesterday, but today is much worse.  I had to get Tanner help me get off the toilet this morning (thinking that cruising around a mall isn't such a good idea afterall).

- Got some more gifts and completely finished gifts for teachers and school folks.

- I did most of the laundry which means that I won't have as much to do this weekend.

- I had to go out and buy the kids some clothes.  Tanner has come home this week twice with blown out knees and Maddy's clothes are becoming pretty snug.

- Ricky got THE CALL...he is going for surgery Feb 15th which is a Friday so it works out well...the kids can come and we can stay at Nanny's for the weekend!

This weekend...

- I need to do a but more baking so that we can finish our plates for neighbours and friends.

- We also need to finish the sugar cookies and get them decorated.

- We have hockey tonight followed by a little gathering for Christmas and hockey again tomorrow morning.

- I want to make an appearance at a memorial service for a well known man from our community that was tragically killed in a fire last week...I am friends with the family and feel that I should go.  The problem is that the memorial is our church which is pretty small and I feel that I will leave that for family and closer friends and will just meet at the luncheon after to give me condolences.

- Shannon and Rylie are coming up.

- Need to make sure I have everything ready for the Christmas pageant on Sunday which includes painting some backdrops, finishing my manger and gathering household items.

- Ricky is gone all day Saturday to a dart tournament (I know right, exciting)

What are your plans this weekend?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- getting this announcement on Monday night - I am going to be an Auntie once again in June!

- serving our annual turkey dinner to the kids and staff at the kid's school

- picked up my Walmart order but returning it was not as easy...I have 30 days to return

- going to do some more baking this weekend to finish up our Christmas treat plates for friends and neighbours

- our Christmas pageant is this weekend and I am looking forward to it, especially after Saturday is the memorial for a member of our church, seeing the kids perform on Sunday may give some happiness to an otherwise sad and tragic situation

- getting paid this week and finishing off shopping

- wrapped some gifts yesterday while I waited for 20 lbs of potatoes to boil

- found the missing inflatables for outside, except only Santa works!

- ordered Maddy's graduation pics and just have to pick up

Happy Hump Day!

{Weekend Rewind}

I would say that some Christmas things got accomplished this weekend.  I also realized that it's really close to Christmas and I still need stuff!

- went Christmas carolling at the hospital and old age home with our Girl Guide group.  It was such a special thing.  I was worried about some of our girls reacting differently just because they may not be used to it.  When we walked in, most were in wheelchairs and sleeping.  None of the girls even looked twice.  They sang great and then walked around handing cookies out.  It was so special and I am sooooo happy we got to do this.  Maddy talked about it all weekend.

- watched our Christmas parade and what a nice one it was. A lot of local businesses came forward with floats, some horses and the fire department were present.  The only sad thing was that due to a family crisis, our typical Santa wasn't playing Santa this year but the new one did a good job. 

- we practiced our Sunday school pageant and I am sooo happy that it turned out well.  I went downstairs with 18 little ones and they all listened and we did a run through of the play as if we were upstairs.  I think we're ready for next Sunday.  Fingers crossed that everything goes without a hitch!  I did learn my lesson though, bribing kids with chocolate isn't always a good idea.  As much as the 18 little ones listened during practice, for the 7 mins we had to stay quiet before heading back upstairs, they were WILD!  Haha, but after checking with others upstairs, they couldn't hear us!

- Maddy went skating with Kaylee and Jessica and while Tanner may have had a temper tantrum, I finally was able to calm him down by skipping my nap and watching Bob's Broken Sleigh...which wasn't exactly the Christmas movie I had in mind to watch this weekend, but it was a Christmas one.

Other non-Christmas things that happened over the weekend:

- tragedy hit the community again this weekend after a very well known businessman, father, grandfather, friend, teacher and mentor passed away on Friday doing what he loved: being in the bush.  Although we don't know him personally, we know his daughter and grandkids and thought about them all throughout the weekend.

- we had supper at Trina and Barclay's and I made a blueberry cheesecake for dessert and watched the Sens vs Pens game.

- I had a craving to make a homemade pizza for MOI.  I don't eat pepperoni and frankly, dislike pizza.  I bought everything I needed to make a BBQ Chicken pizza only to have burned it on Sunday, so disappointing.

- had a quick visit with Nanny and Papa but Tanner was tired from hockey and ready for bed.

What's Going On...

- we had our last Spark/Girl Guide meeting for the year...so looking forward to the break!

- Ricky had another appointment in Montreal this week to sign the final papers for his surgery which is going to be scheduled between February and April.

- After travelling to Montreal on Wednesday, I can safely say that I DO NOT WORK WELL WITH TRAFFIC, ugh!

- The kids skipped school on Wednesday so they could go to Nanny's in Dorval to visit while we went downtown for Ricky's appointment.

- there was another tragic fire in our community - except this time, we knew all the people involved, I pray for this family.  It sucks having a fire but it always sucks 1) when you know the person and 2) so close to Christmas.

- I had some Thomas time on Wednesday night while his mommy went to a meeting...we had a bath, a bottle and he fell asleep

- we finished up our Good Food meals this week...we gave one to my parents and then the next night we had two in one night.  We had a pasta dish which we all LOVED and then I made the mushroom tacos the same night for Ricky...there was no way that was going to fill 2-4 people (or that we would even eat mushroom tacos LOL).

- looking forward to Christmas carolling this weekend with the Guides then rushing to see our Christmas parade in town.  After looking through pics, apparently it's not a "thing" for my kids to see Santa...the last time I took a picture of Tanner with Santa was in 2015.

- this week Landyn celebrated his 7th birthday and even though they are out West, he received our present on his birthday and we Facetimed and sang Happy Birthday to him.

- all my packages have arrived for Christmas BUT I am starting to stress out that I don't have enough gifts for Tanner.  I also feel that Ricky needs to step up and spend some of his money....all the gifts so far = MY MONEY

- I almost done New Girl, rushing to get it done before Netflix gets rid of it.

- Maddy is struggling with reading and comprehending what she is reading and is doing extra help in reading.  We are going to start reading 15 mins a night, together and discussing a book.

- Tanner's "head" issues seem to have subsided, thank god.

- Tanner is really enjoying Cutie and Sophie's adventures!

- this weekend, I NEED to watch at least ONE Christmas movie

Hope you have a great weekend!

{Weekend Rewind}

Our weekend started off with a hockey game on Friday night.  It was so fun to watch.  Our teams don't really have a goalie but the little guy that put on the pads and was in nets was on FIRE and I think he may be a goalie in the future!  They don't keep score but I am pretty sure it was close, if not tied.  Tanner had a great time.  He was so excited.  After hockey, we went for Chinese.

Saturday morning, our elf, Cutie was welcomed back and Tanner was over the moon that he brought a friend - who he named Sophie!

The kids and I were back at the arena for practice and Ricky was heading to a poker tournament for the day.  After hockey, we headed home and Maddy and I got a start on Christmas baking.  We made Nanaimo bars, sugar cookies, shortbread cookies, toffee bit cookies, peanut butter balls and sweet marie squares.  Once everything was done and cleanup was done, I was done. 

Maddy headed next door for Madi's birthday party and Tanner and I chilled.  Eventually we walked over to Hollie's mom's where her and Thomas were there alone.  We brought his present over and while Hollie cleaned her car, Tanner and I took Thomas for a walk in the nice mild weather.  The rest of the night, Tanner and I watched The Elf Story on TV and just relaxed.

Sunday morning we headed to Church to practice our Christmas pageant and did communion.  After Church we had intentions of decorating the sugar cookies, but I wasn't feeling it, so we napped instead.  We basically lazed around all day.  Eventually my parents came for supper and again, an early night!

What were you up to this weekend?

Christmas Things

Christmas is in full swing now...because tomorrow is December 1st.  I feel like I have been waiting for December 1st FOREVER!

Tomorrow morning we will be graced by our Elf on the Shelf, Cutie - back for the month of December and up to her shenanigans.

The kids will also start their Advent Calendar, which this year is a Smartie one.

This weekend is going to be Christmas baking weekend...hopefully, if all goes as planned.

I want to make some really nice cut out sugar cookies, with icing.

Starting to really work on our Christmas pageant on Sunday...getting costumes and props ready too.

Most packages have arrived and I have to take a load to my elf workshop.  Thanks Jill.

I need to watch some Christmas movies...haven't watched many yet.  Maddy and I have some Hallmark ones PVR'd but I want to watch some classics too: Home Alone, Elf and we like Christmas with the Kranks.

I still have some gifts to buy.

Wishing our December baby Thomas a happy FIRST birthday this weekend! 

Thomas born a month early - a week old here in the NICU

Thomas yesterday despite having the Croup, still handsome and happy!

Our town parade next Saturday.

Christmas carolling at the hospital with the Girl Guides.

Christmas parties and lunches.

Christmas carolling around town.

Delivering our baked goods to friends, family and neighbours.

Fuller House starting back up December 14th and making sure to finish the New Girl before Netflix takes it off.

I still have 4 vacation days I have to use between now and Jan 1st....and I already have between Christmas and New Year's off...

What are your plans for December?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- Podcasts...since Jill introduced me to Someone Knows Something, I have been hooked.

- that the snow that seems to be falling lately isn't actually accumulating and it's still mild out...I will take it (although, not a fan of the slush crap)

- Maddy's graduation pics

- that I had another solution for supper (being a rushed night) because my Good Food package did not arrive like it was supposed? 

- I had an interview last week that went really well...that 3 hours later I received another email to come back this week to meet with the Executive team and see more of the office

- I have been waiting for a gift from Walmart to be shipped to the closest store for over two weeks which I think is ridiculous so I ordered a much better tablet for about the same price from Best Buy instead (sorry Walmart, not sorry)

- I feel good about Christmas...I feel ready

- Looking forward to many Christmas things coming up...this weekend I want to start baking

- Tanner has his first hockey game Friday night during his 6 pm practice against Cobden

- not having any plans but hockey for the weekend

Happy Wednesday

{Weekend Rewind}

Friday evening was hockey...that's all!

Saturday morning we woke up to shattering news...a local family with small children's house was on fire all morning and unfortunately the father was found dead inside.  The little boy is a student at our school so I started rallying the troops to get some clothing donations and toys from the school community.  We headed to hockey, did some running around and then the rest of the afternoon was coordinating with the mother, speaking with the mother and generally, feeling pretty crappy of the whole situation.

After trying to nap, I got ready and headed up the hill to Jill's place where we were having our annual Snack Potluck and Gift Exchange.  We sat around, ate and just chatted and laughed a lot.  By 10 pm, I was home and feeling like I pulled an all-nighter.

Sunday morning I woke up and felt horrible.  I was nauseous and just off balance.  I wasn't feeling like doing anything, and I didn't.  I got the Christmas pageant stuff ready and headed off the church to practice.  After church and a quick lunch, Ricky and I headed into town with my dad to put the town decorations up (I just drive the truck) and did our good deed of the day.  Once home, I went to nap to try to get rid of the headache before friends came over for some Grey Cup supper.  We didn't watch Grey Cup, they actually left before it even started but we had a feast of wings, garlic bread, chicken pieces, fries and tempura veggies!  After they left, it was time for baths and bed...and unfortunately, the Redblacks lost the Grey Cup!

How was your weekend?

TGIF

- today is Black Friday...and well it is just another day...I have done most of my shopping online and gotten some pretty good deals already.


- well we broke a record that I have no interest in helping to break...it was like minus 25 yesterday and I think they said that it has never been that cold on November 22nd since back in the 1800's


- this weekend is Grey Cup and the local Ottawa Redblacks will be in Edmonton...my niece Kaitie is a Redblacks cheerleader!

- Ricky finally got a call this week from the surgeon...he may have had surgery by now, but it appears the last time we were there, we were sidetracked to go and take blood that they forget to get his signature...so back we go December 5th to do that...as if they can't just fax it...nope, all the way to Montreal.


- the kids have a PD day today, so Ricky stayed home and they were going to see The Grinch...I like how he plans these things and I don't get invited....


- but I have an interview today (fingers crossed)


- Jill mentioned listening to a Podcast called Someone Knows Something and an episode about Adrien McNaughton and I immediately searched it and have been listening since.


- this weekend we are back to hockey...Tanner has a very minimal cough, so he's happy to be back on the ice


- I have a girl's potluck and gift exchange Saturday evening, looking forward to snacking, chatting and catching up with those ladies I don't get to see every day


- Sunday is Christmas Play prep...we have four weeks and ideally, I would love for the 4 older kids to memorize their lines, but we'll see.  I also want the kids to help with decorations, props and costumes.  We are doing it right this year!

Have a great weekend everyone.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- that we only two more Sparks meetings left for this year and a nice long break before we come back in the new year.

- I did my Christmas cards

- I think I have most of my shopping done and I feel GREAT! Okay, maybe not...I still need things but I feel that if I get hit by a bus tomorrow, the kids will at least have their big gifts and some...

- the idea of going out for Christmas dinner, no mess, no fuss!  In a perfect world, it would be nice to be able to do this with both sides of the family so there is no fighting on who goes where on actual Christmas Day. 

- the kids report cards were FANTASTIC.  Tanner's highest mark being 99 in Math and Maddy got a 93 in Math.  They do not get that from me.

- I have another job interview on Friday...I think I have some luck on my side because one of the guys that got laid off at my work is there and has been gloating about me for months.

- I received a free week of Good Food.  What is this?  It's a meal subscription service that delivers everything you need to make a meal.  I received a promo code for $78 which is 4 days, 2 servings so next week, we are getting our meals.  I still have to cook it and prep it, but the thought of having a set plan is exciting!

- Tanner has his first hockey game next Friday night in Shawville against Cobden.

- Tanner's cough has gotten even though it sounds worse.  It's not as phlegmy anymore - it's dry but he's back to school.

Happy Wednesday 

{Weekend Rewind}

Friday I worked from home, not so much because of the weather, but because Tanner wasn't feeling well again.  Despite a bad cough all weekend, he was still able to do some fun things, except hockey, we skipped out of hockey all weekend.
Because I was home on Friday, I was able to set up my new tree and start "fluffing" the branches before we decorated it on Saturday.  I also got a little visit in with Thomas who came to stay with me while his mom ran to the city with his sisters to buy winter boots then we all had a girl's night at Vicky's.

Saturday like I said, we skipped hockey, so we slept in a little then headed to Renfrew where we did some running around and then went to Maddy's final Acro Dance class. 

 



Once we were home, the kids and I decorated the tree and the house for Christmas then we sat down and watched The Star before heading back to the Camp for the last hoorah (wing night and last weekend of hunting).  Maddy was in her element playing with Elena, Victoria and Liz.  Tanner and I headed home earlier than Maddy and Ricky because Tanner wasn't feeling good again.

Sunday morning we slept in a little again.  I got up and started some laundry and got ready to head to Church #1.  After Church #1, Maddy and I came home and made some lunch and made some ham and cheese crescents then headed to Church #2 - Thomas's Baptism.  I was so happy to be part of this day because I was being honoured as the proud Godmother.  After the service, we headed to Hollie's parents for snacks and football (Redblacks heading to the Grey Cup) and then called it an early night.

How was your weekend?

TGIF

Wrote on Thursday

I am likely at home because we are getting our first real snowstorm of the year, yay! 

- this week I found a lot of gift ideas from Amazon...just need Ricky's credit card to buy some of it (why should I buy everything right?)

- also this week I had a big FAIL that ended up working out in the end I guess...Wednesday I had the bright idea to buy a new Christmas tree.  I wanted a "slim pencil" tree because I don't have the room for a big bushy one...so I found one that I liked, pre-lit and on sale for $112.  Score!  Ordered it and arranged to pick up at the local Canadian Tire...except when I got there, it wasn't ready.  I was bummed.  Anyways, I go home and am talking to Ricky about it and mention that it's 9 feet, but slim.  Haha!  He laughs and tells me to get the tape measure...oops...apparently our house from floor to ceiling is only 8 feet.  Shit!  So I cancelled the order (and they also told me they had sold out anyways, so I wasn't getting it anyways) and found a similar one at Rona and only 7 feet!  We'll see how this turns out.

- with the tree bought, I need to find time this weekend to decorate

- that may be impossible though...Friday night is hockey (unless its snowed out) and we were invited to a friends for a "girls night"...we'll see.  Saturday morning is hockey again and then Maddy's last dance class then Sunday is Church and Thomas's christening

- it has taken 35 years but I am finally someone's godmother...I am so blessed to be Thomas' godmother!

- this weekend also marks the end of hunting season

- today Maddy is getting her grad pictures done...how is she graduating elementary school already and heading to high school next year?

Have a great weekend!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- it's pay week, MY GOSH I need it

- that I did not crash my car or damage it when I sort of slid on some ice on the Mountain road last night and slid to the other side of the road, luckily, no cars were coming!

- that since having my AWD vehicle, I feel much better driving in the winter (and having passengers when Ricky is off)

- last night we cancelled Girl Guides because it was calling for cold and icy conditions and because we value the safety of our girls first, that was more important, so enrolment was re-scheduled for next week....I liked not having to leave the warm house last night!

- Tanner seems to be back to 100% (although, he said his belly was "talking" again yesterday...haha)

- talked to Josee last night for a bit and got to hear the sweet babbles of baby Gracynn!

- this weekend is the last dance lesson for Maddy and thank God, wasn't overly impressed with it at all

Happy Wednesday!

{Extra Long Weekend Rewind}

This weekend was longer than expected and jam packed filled with both fun and relaxation!

Thursday we had a half day at work then the kids had eye doctor appointments...all good, no money needed to be spent on glasses for them, yay!  After doing some running around, it was home time!

Friday I was off and spent the day at home baking and making chili and getting ready for the craft sale.  We were able to go to the school early to set up and then we were off to hockey.  We got Tanner's pictures!

Saturday morning was a blur...haha!  It was the Craft Sale which turned out okay but it was long day as usual.  I had two vendors not show up which really pisses me off but thankfully, the day went without a hitch.  After we cleaned up, we headed home to relax for a bit then headed to a rented cottage that cousins from the Niagara area were renting.  We got to visit with Georgia and cousins Judy, Gina, Gail and Cara.  It was nice seeing them.  We headed home early enough cuz we were all beat.

Sunday morning I woke up to a sick boy.  He had really bad stomach cramps all night, puked and had diarrhea all morning.  It quickly seemed to go away, THANK GOD, but we decided to not infect anyone, so we stayed home and watched movies and napped all day.  Maddy hung out with my sister and Rylie and stayed at the cottage to visit with Georgia before they headed out on Monday.

Monday was an unplanned day off.  It's not a stat holiday normally, but I got an email Friday evening from my boss saying we were taking it off.

Today, I am back to work, and it was a snowy drive in this morning but guess what, I did it!

How was your weekend?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- today is my last day of work and the kids last day of school...they have PD days.  Tomorrow the kids have eye appointments and originally it was a day off for me but now I have to submit a proposal SO, the kids will come with me, then we'll head out and then Friday will be my day off.

- Friday having the day off will be to get ready for my Craft Show that is being held this weekend.

- My cousin Judy and her partner Gina arrived Sunday and my cousin Gail, Cara and baby Georgia are coming on Friday for the weekend, looking forward to a visit.

- We still have only caught the ONE mouse...yay!

- Yesterday I was able to watch The New Girl ALL DAY at work cuz I was all alone...sometimes I just need that mental break (especially when I toss and turn all night worrying about the upcoming Craft show).

- Ricky is not whining as much about being sick.

- That I haven't had to worry about winter driving or winter tires yet...I don't see snow in the forecast (if you have, please keep it to yourself).

- As long as the kids at Sunday school kids cooperate, I really want the Christmas play to be really good this year...with props and everything!

- I downloaded some old school songs this week

Happy Hump Day

Controversy

Doesn't matter what you do, someone in the world will not be happy.

There has been a lot of talk about "how early should you decorate for Christmas"?   Should you be decorating before November 11th? I have read that some stores have started not even displaying Christmas things until after Remembrance Day (and well honestly, I haven't seen any empty shelves around our quarters).

Should you decorate before Remembrance Day?

I get that it's respect to the Vets, BUT...I feel that as long as you are still remembering and celebrating, why can't you decorate?
I don't decorate THAT early, but I typically do it during the deer hunt.
I celebrated Remembrance Day this past weekend because our community always does their celebration the Sunday before Remembrance Day.  Next Sunday, on the actual day, I will be going with my fellow Girl Guide troop and laying a wreath on behalf of us at the Bristol ceremony.  If I wanted to put my decorations up, I feel that's okay, because I am still remembering and wearing my poppy!

I haven't even taken down my Halloween/Fall decorations.  Is that disrespect because I still have them up for Remembrance Day?

A lot of people choose to put their outdoor displays and lights up before November 11th because THEY ARE SMART.  After Nov 11th, you are likely going to be hit with colder weather and the job isn't nearly as fun to do.  So I get that...but do you turn them on before Nov 11th?  Again, I don't see why you can't, I feel it isn't disrespectful but I don't think we put ours on until December 1st. 

Ugh, there is just so much politics when it comes to the holidays.  You can't say Merry Christmas - the politically correct thing to say is Happy Holidays...well I say Merry Christmas.  Is there a certain time that you can send greeting cards out?  I haven't received that memo, but I have already purchased the cards and actually started filling them out...is that okay?  Don't tell the "holiday police".  I have also started Christmas baking and bought Christmas presents AND my Christmas Craft Show is this weekend, the 10th, again, before Remembrance Day, and well I see a steady flow of people coming in and YES, we typically have a Christmas vibe going on inside but that doesn't mean that people aren't remembering those that fought for us.  In all honesty, they don't need one specific day, I think every day is their day.  They did a brave thing for us, I think that should be celebrated every day, not just November 11th!

Happy Tuesday

{Weekend Recap}

Well first hunting weekend has gone by...no deer and well Ricky ended up sick for the whole day Saturday (opening day) and still not 100% yet.

Friday after work the kids and I headed to hockey.  When we got home, it was basically bed.

Saturday morning up early again and headed to hockey.  Tanner came back home with Lindsay and Ryan while Maddy and I headed to Renfrew.  We had some errands to run before dance and then had Chinese buffet before dance.  After dance, we headed home and had intentions to bake for the upcoming bake sale while Tanner was at a birthday party...BUT I got tired and lazy and ended up just doing one pan of squares.  We really just chilled all night.

Sunday morning - ugh, the day that the time changed.  Most people like this time change because you get an extra hour of sleep but it is the one I don't like because the day drags on.  I was up at 5 am...lovely, I know and then I made some cupcakes, did some cleaning and then my mom came over...when I looked at the time, it was only 8:10 am.  I was watching Thomas, Kaylee and Jessica for the day and eventually Hollie brought them over before heading to Church. 

After Church, we had a bite to eat then we all walked down to the cenotaph for our Remembrance Day ceremony.  The kids all laid the cross for Onslow school and then my kids laid a wreath in memory of Papa Earl. 

After the ceremony, we played outside a bit before getting supper ready.  Maddy and I finished the night watching a show and we were all in bed early.

How was your weekend?

TGIF

- yesterday morning out of the corner of my eye, I saw a mouse go from the kitchen to the living room...Ricky set the trap and this morning wham, bam, thank you ma'am - he was dead!

- Ricky will reset the trap for the next week and I am sure we will catch another 6...even though we only have ONE!


- tomorrow is the start of deer season which means I'm managing the children myself, Lord grant me patience!


- Tanner has hockey and a birthday party this weekend


- Maddy has dance


- we are watching Kaylee, Jessica and Thomas on Sunday while their mom goes to a baby shower...and we will walk down to the Remembrance Day service to lay a wreath for Papa, Onslow and sing O Canada.


- rain, rain, go away, come back another day...yep, calling for rain pretty much all weekend (hoping for sun on Sunday)


- we turn the clocks back this weekend and I can't remember if this is the one I like or not...


- next week is a busy one...I am off on Thursday for the kids eye appointments and then Friday I will work from home to get ready for our craft sale


- we are also having relatives come this weekend, and more arriving next Friday including baby Georgia - the kids are uber excited

Happy Weekend

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- we dressed up last night for Girl Guides (yes, Tanner came too) - my costume was originally just a comfy bunny rabbit BUT, I printed off a TY brand heart and wrote Bloom (my bunny name) and my birth date just like a real Beanie Boo (the reason I did this was because our Sparks always bring in Beanie Boo's for show and tell, so they all LOVED my last minute creation).

- it's supposed to stop raining on time for trick or treating


- that I didn't see one costumed person on the way into work this morning...I find downtown on Halloween is scary, seeing random scary people and clowns on the elevators with you


- I'm ahead of the game and already picked the Sunday school pageant and have all the members assigned


- the apple crisp I got from a hockey fundraiser...I love apple crisp but no one else in my house does...I just finished it this morning, yummy breakfast!


- I FOUND THE MISSING USB...remember I went crazy searching my house looking for my home and school USB, well it was a Halloween miracle this morning - there it was in my Sparks bag!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Devil's Night

Tonight is Devil's Night aka Mat Night where I come from.

I remember when I was younger it being a big thing in our community.  I remember seeing the aftermath of it the next morning.  Burnt tires, graffiti, thrown garbage etc.  I like to think that it was just the group of kids around at the time because in years past, it is just another day that I don't even think twice about...

Then this morning they were talking about it on the radio.  People calling in with stories of things that they did when they were younger on "Devils Night".  One lady called in and said that they would egg people as they drove by on bikes and it reminded me of a time that this happened to myself and Jill.  It wasn't Mat night or even close to Halloween I don't think.  It was cold out.  We were at a hockey game and were meeting friends at the local bar.  Apparently, the bar doesn't have people until really late...so when we showed up at 9, we were way too early.  We circled around the parking lot, walking and shivering watching for our friends.  I remember actually getting really scared at one point because a car kept following us and showing up near us...well eventually that car whipped by us and threw an egg out.  I was not in the line of fire, but Jill was.  So there we were, stranded at a bar with no people, in the cold and dark and no friends.  We eventually called Jill's dad to pick us up.  I couldn't imagine doing that to someone.

Does Mat Night still exist??

{Weekend Rewind}

Friday morning Maddy and I went for breakfast and then went for her 18 month consultation with the orthodontist.  We had some good news and not so good news.  Good news: the procedure of removing her two eye teeth 18 months ago to allow room worked, yay!  Not so good news: she still needs braces for 12 months.  We are waiting until April though because one of those said eye teeth hasn't come in yet, so we will wait.  The price tag: $6,317 eek!

Friday evening was Movie Night at the school.  Ricky took Tanner to hockey where he had his pictures done and Maddy and I headed to the school where over 50 kids came to watch Hotel Transylvania 3.  It was definetly not quite as quiet as the last one.  Kids can't just stay still and watch a movie.  Regardless, they come with money and have to spend it all.  We had treats and popcorn available for $0.25 - $0.50 and we managed to make almost $175 alone on the canteen.  Sorry parents for the tummy aches that they went home with, not!

Saturday morning after a fight to leave for hockey, we eventually made it to the arena.  After hockey, we ran to get some groceries then I ran back home to drop Tanner off then Maddy and I were on route again for dance.  Thank God there are only two classes left.  After dance, I tried to nap but that didn't work and then we were all dressed and heading to the city to celebrate our niece's 19th birthday at Boston Pizza.  After supper, Brooke watched the kids while we headed to the casino for an hour...and it was by far a bit more productive then past visits.  I spent $40 and won $120 and Ricky won $110.  We left after an hour and headed home...in the snow, blech!

Sunday morning we slept in from a later than normal night then Tanner and I got ready to head to Church while Ricky headed to the bush and Maddy headed to Kaylee and Jessica's for some hottubbin'.  After Church, we spent the day just watching TV, napping and laundry.  We had chipstand for supper because it will be closed soon and then we carved our pumpkins and roasted some seeds.

How was your weekend?

TGIF

This week I was hit with a cold...started out of the blue on Tuesday, thought about staying home on Wednesday but went to work to only come home at like 10 am because I was weak...Thursday I was back to normal, almost!

I received a nice card from the staff at school saying thank you for the hard work my girls (my committee) and I put in to get the new playground at the school.



Maddy is a real mother hen and I feel sad that she is leaving elementary school next year.  Wednesday night she came home and said that a little boy in daycare (who is in Pre-K) was having a bad day...the kids were all in the gym and it was too noisy for him (I don't blame ya dude)...he was crying so Maddy took him out to the hallway and just talked with him.  Every day she is coming home telling me that she pulls kids aside that are upset and tries to make them feel better. 

This week Tanner must have grew a couple of inches because about a month ago when I tried his snowsuit on, it fit.  I put the coat on him this week and it's too short in the sleeves...thankfully I found a used one and scooped it up in the next size up for only $45!

Did you hear about all those packages that were being sent to big, important political people in the States this week?  Well, my company's containment systems Frag Bag was used by the NYPD in response to the package that was addressed to the former CIA Director John Brennan...cool stuff, huh?

Looking forward to this weekend:

- hockey on Friday night and Tanner gets his pictures done...Ricky will have to take him because I am hosting a Movie Night at the school and watching Hotel Transylvania 3

- hockey and dance on Saturday

- heading to Boston Pizza with friends and family for our niece's 19th birthday then going to the casino (wish me luck)

- Sunday I am teaching Sunday School

Have a great weekend!

What I'm Loving / Disliking Wednesday

LOVING that the news reporter yesterday morning wouldn't say the S word but NOT LOVING that there is SNOW in the forecast this weekend.

LOVING that after talking it over with friends and family everyone backed my decision to decline the job at the Mental Health Commission because it sounded like a lot of work for the same money but NOT LOVING that I actually took the interview and may have lead them on.

LOVING that I have created a gift idea for Maddy this year...a year of experiences rather than gifts, NOT LOVING that I have zero ideas for Tanner (I have some experiences for him too but he still believes in Santa obviously and will need some toys).

If you want to see all the dates, just let me know, I'll send it!

LOVING that after next week it will be just me and the girls travelling to work, NOT LOVING that we could possibly have snowy weather by then, ugh.


LOVING that I am looking at cruise options, NOT LOVING that it's for 2020 (decided to skip this year).

LOVING that I got my new vertical mouse for my carpal tunnel, NOT LOVING that it takes a separate USB so now all my outlets are used by wireless devices.

LOVING Buckley's Gel Caps, NOT LOVING that I have to take them because I have a stupid cold.

Happy Hump Day!

{Weekend Rewind}

Friday the kids came to work with and then we had dentist appointments.  All went well.  Our dentist office has been taken over by new management and it has all this new technology which made Maddy's x-rays a lot easier and Tanner got a filling filled while watching TV.  Maddy had no cavities and Tanner has to see the doctor to see if he has a mineral deficiency due to the fact that he has lost most of his teeth, including his molars.  After the appointments, we grabbed a bite to eat then we headed to the Museum of Nature with the library free pass.
When we got home, we decided to go out for Chinese before hockey then headed to hockey where Tanner had a little run in with the boards.

Saturday was car rally day.  We slept in for a bit since Tanner didn't want to do hockey (his head hurt a little from his slide into the boards), so instead we all got ready for the day and dropped the kids off at my parents before heading to Jill's to meet up with our team.  The day was fun.  The route was harder than we expected but still managed to come in 5th place.  The kids went to the dance with my parents then met up with some family visiting from the Toronto area.  We were all back home by 8 pm, warmed back up and ready for bed.

Sunday morning was an early morning for Ricky and Maddy as they were heading to go Paintballing with friends.  Mom, Dad, Shannon and Rylie stopped in for a visit before Church then Tanner and I headed to church.  We got to watch Rae and Finn be baptized and then we had a potluck downstairs because we had a past minister visiting us.  After Church, I dropped Tanner off at Harlow's birthday party and had the house to myself for 3 hours.  I finished laundry and napped.  Ricky and Maddy got home around 5 and we just all had baths and watched shows.

How was your weekend?