Merry Christmas!!

I have been MIA lately because I have been sick....so so sick.

Last Sunday I went to the Legion Christmas Bingo with my mom and half way through someone was hacking away beside us and jokingly I said, "I better not get sick"....well Sunday night the sore throat started.  Monday morning I could barely move.  I stayed home.  I was in and out of consciousness all day with sweats and fevers.  Tuesday Ricky stayed home with me and decided we better go get checked.  They tested me for influenza (worse test ever, a swab up the nose, like all the way to the brain, gross) and a swab for a sore throat but both came back negative.  Diagnosis, bad a virus, sleep it off, drink lots and take Tylenol.  Wednesday still wasn't the best, but slowly getting better.  Thursday was the Christmas dinner at the school and I opted out of going.  Serving food sick is not cool but I did join them at 1 pm to watch the kid's Christmas concert.

I went through the weekend, went to hockey but in between everything, there were naps.  I am back to work today to tidy things up before Christmas break but I am still 100%.  I do not have the energy level I would normally have. 

The good news - at least this is happening NOW and not during the cruise. I'll take it.

With that, I will be away from work and away from the blog until at least January 2nd when I am coming in to tie up loose ends before heading to the Caribbean. 

This Christmas:

- we are hosting dinner
- we have Christmas Eve sleepovers
- I am going to Christmas Eve Service (have missed it the last couple of years)
- Visiting with friends that are visiting from Alberta
- finishing Younger on Prime
- packing for the cruise
- cleaning, purging and tidying
- loving our time together

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Cruisin' Soon

We are leaving on January 3rd for our second cruise, first with the kids.  I am anticipating a much smoother ride than the last time.  While we have passports, luggage and have started going through summer clothes, I feel like I still have some things to sort out:

1 - I need a book.  A good book to read.  Right now I typically only read in the bathtub at night...sad news, on the cruise, I don't get the luxury of a bath, only showers.  But, last year I found myself on the lounge chairs while everyone else was in the crowded pool and I had a book with me, but just couldn't get into it.  I need a good book this time.

2 - I am not packing nearly as many clothes as the first time.  Despite the fact that we are going to the sunny Caribbean, last time, I didn't really wear summer clothes.  I always had a sweater on while on the boat (everything is air conditioned) and the days that we were off the boat, were miserable days.  This year, it will be nice and sunny so I am packing capris, dresses and I bought some one pieces. 

3 - Sorting out all the electronics and downloading the apps.  I already downloaded the Carnival Hub and West Jet app on my phones but the kids both need the West Jet app so they can connect to the WestJet Connect to watch movies AND we will download some Netflix and stuff to watch on "down time" in the rooms.  I also need to make sure we have enough chargers and stuff.

4 - I have sunscreen and after sun lotion, but I need to make a trip to the drug store before we leave for Tylenol, kids gravol, immodium (never know with Ricky) and make sure we have enough medications for the 10 days we will be away.

5 - I need some new tunes.  I am currently listening to Christmas and I don't want to be listening to that in January, what are some new songs out there??

Any other tips you may have about cruising, airplane rides with kids and vacationing in general, please share!!!

{Weekend Rewind}

- Hockey, Hockey and Hockey...we had hockey all weekend.  Friday night was regular practice - Saturday was a game in Shawville where we won (but no actual score is kept) and then Sunday we played in Aylmer and lost.

In between games:

- got groceries

- quick visit with my new (and only) nephew - Owen who was born on Thursday, December 5th.  I am in love. 

- watched the Quyon Santa Claus parade from the comfort of our warm porch (new house perk)

- took the kids to see the local Santa

- did laundry

- did some more Christmas baking

- watched the new and final season of Fuller House

- went out for a late lunch/early supper with Mom, Dad, Shannon, Casey, Rylie and Everlea

- waited for updated on Poppa who fell this week and broke his hip...he had surgery last night and it ended up not being a full hip replacement like initially thought so let's hope recovery is quick and he can go back "home" with Nanny

How was your weekend?

Explain to me....

- why do dogs chew things...I mean can it really be tasty to eat Christmas ornaments?

- how to win the lottery and get rid of all debt?

- why does it cost so much to mail a frickin' card/letter?

- how you put something in a "safe" spot, only to never find it again?

- where you can find thumb tacks in my house?

- how you deal with kids and hubby NOT eating what you make for supper?

- why shows disappear for Christmas break?

- how I can lose my belly in...3 weeks??

- how my papa can fall and break his hip while in the hospital and being cared for?

So many things to ponder today???

What I'm Loving Wednesday

- I have been setting my alarm 15 mins earlier than everyone else in the mornings...this allows me time to get up, do my thing, lay in bed with the boys for a bit and get kisses from Boomer then when I go downstairs when their alarm goes off, I am already ahead of them.  This morning, I even made Ricky and I breakfast sandwiches with egg/cheese/bacon to go!

- Other than stocking stuffers, Christmas shopping is done.  Just need for the orders to come in...

- I got pictures developed and started Christmas cards...I really wanted a pic of us with Boomer but time was running out and the one time I tried capturing this myself, it did not work.  Because 2019 was a busy year for us, I wrote a little story to include in the cards!

- I am going to have a new nephew or niece soon now...I think my sister in law's due date is tomorrow, so anytime little one.

- that our school isn't on strike today like Ontario, but really, Tanner is home sick so I guess it wouldn't really matter

- Sparks finished last night until January 14th - it's nice to have the little break.

- I ordered some clothes from Old Navy for both Maddy and I for the cruise, it was all on clearance, I think my receipt said savings of $237 and my bill was only $75 and what is even more exciting: it all fits!

- Speaking of the cruise, in one month we will be on board!

- Tanner got his hockey pics - how serious of a hockey player does he look??? LOL

What are you loving today?

{Weekend Rewind}

Another weekend gone...

Friday night we had hockey.  I am really starting to hate Friday night hockey nights!  Regardless, we went!

Saturday morning we got to sleep in (8 am) and there was no hockey.  We cleaned up around home, did some laundry and I even had a mid morning nap.  Hollie dropped Thomas off around 2 and the kids and I packed up and headed out the door.

Maddy had a birthday party for Madi in Shawville so we dropped her off then Tanner, Thomas and I headed to Renfrew.  We had some running around to do and then I wanted to get Thomas to pick out his birthday present.  He picked a monster truck and held on to it all day/night.

We stopped at Wendy's for supper then headed back to Shawville just on time to catch the Parade of Lights.  Thomas loved the lights, but not the noise.  We met Maddy at Madi's, had a tour of their new place and then hung around for a bit before heading home.  Thomas and the kids played in Tanner's room for a bit and then when it was time for bed, he just turned to the wall and went to sleep.

The elves made their debut that night so Sunday morning, Tanner was excited to see them.  Once we were done breakfast, we all headed to Church then dropped Thomas off at home.

After lunch I really wanted to nap but I wanted to do some Christmas baking....so Maddy and I whipped up toffee chocolate chip cookies, maraschino cherry bars and a Marshmallow Yule Log then I ended up having a little nap.

We watched Survivor, got baths, folded laundry and were in bed early.

How was your weekend?