Happy Leap Day

Happy Leap Day everyone -
The pictures aren't too clear - still getting used to my camera. Doesn't make them any less gorgeous!
In the midst of a snowstorm here. Snuggled in, just enjoying being together. Or, we were. I have come upstairs to do this and read my book. You know what they say...too much of a good thing...

sad news

After that awesome post by Craig, it's sad to post this but I will because many of you know of this teacher.
Sterling told me last night that his favorite teacher (Mme. O) has cancer. She was both his and Kaedo's 2nd grade teacher and did wonders for Sterling. She is kind and caring, intelligent, loving and abrasive and strong and tough and just the best. We love her. All these qualities will help her fight, I hope.
I met with Sterling's teachers this morning and asked for confirmation, as it was another student who had told Sterling, and the teachers confirmed it. They told me she is very ill and will not be returning to school.
You have no idea what the school has lost.
So, this afternoon I have to tell Sterling that it is true and see what he would like to do for her.

So if you pray, please keep her in your prayers, and if you don't, think of her and how blessed you are for the life you have.

That's it for today,
s

SMILE!!

Since Shannon has been very busy lately taking care of things with the van, travel and carting the kids around to their activities, I thought I'd give her a bit of a break. (though she'll probably say this is my passive aggressive way of saying she isn't posting enough pictures... but it's not!)
Here are some pictures of the kids that I took while Shannon was away.

I managed to get some action shots of this future tennis pro who will be kicking Dad's butt on the tennis court this summer. I had one picture of his tongue hanging out for Grandpa but it was too blurry to post, you'll have to take my word for it.

Nice form!!!

And after a small delay, Kaedo and Backyardigan were deservedly presented with their green belts in a very private ceremony. On the upside, I got to take a whole bunch of pictures. Here are just a couple of Kaed in his ultra serious Tae Kwon Do mode.

He is getting some great use out of his belt holder, already up to three displayed proudly. Of course now we find out that Kaedo needs to have his own sparring gear as a green belt, there's another $150 that he'll grow out of. Oh well, he loves it and plans to keep going, should get some use out of it, hell, maybe we'll strap it on Sterling and let Kaedo get some practice.

That's it for now, I'm not feeling as witty as Shannon and that's why I overcompensate with pictures.

Craig

Hip Hip Hooray!

Basketball is almost over. One more week. The finals. Tuesday is just so busy and Sterling doesn't like his coach. While he has gone willingly, if we had given him the option the back out, I'm sure he would have. So, Tuesday it is. I must confess that I don't go to those games. I too, don't like his coach. He yells too much and it gives me a stomach ache - stupid I know, but true. That must be why I like bowling. No one is yelling at your kid but you. Just joking - I don't yell, I cheer. Anyone who knows me knows I don't sideline coach. To both of you with younger children - NO SIDELINE COACHING - or Anti will have to come out there!
Cold here today. Not too bad, but toques, hood, and ski jackets were necessary. Sterling was hoping for indoor recess because of the cold but it is so not that cold out. Poor guy.
TKD tonight - I'm driving. That gives me an hour of uninterrupted time with Sterling. So that means Home Depot, Dollarama and Radio Shack. I don't know where he gets this need for being in the stores but I have vowed not to stifle his love for large buildings with lots of stuff in them. It is hard, but I will give it my best shot.
Jessica and the brat have been in Texas terrorizing mom and dad for the last two weeks. It sounds like they are having a fantastic time. I just want to get my hands on that little munchkin. I'm so happy for them. I think they go home Thursday or Friday. I'm glad I'm not going to be at the airport. Sniff sniff.
Going out tonight - looking forward to it as I haven't been "out" for 4 weeks. Should be a nice evening.
Well, that's it,
later,
s

Quiz, anyone?

OK - not really a quiz, more like and sit-in-a-chair exercise.
Here's what you do -
using the letters of your middle name, describe yourself.
SHIRLEY - you cannot use my answers. Get your own!

Elizabeth
E - Entertaining - I can be funny when I need to be
L - Lovely - I think I'm pretty cool
I - Intelligent (can I fool you with that?)
Z - Zany - up for almost anything - especially when Jessica is involved
A - Anxious - always anxious about something
B - Bratty - always teasing the boys
E - Energized - when I'm in the zone, I am good to go
T - Tired - either get not enough sleep or too much - makes you feel the same either way
H - Happy - now that my three misfortunes are over, I can smile again

OK - Show me what you're made of!

later,
s

awww

Sterling received a book from a good friend today.
The inscription reads as follows:

Dear Ster,
Thanks for treating me like a brother, you're the greatest.
P.S. My mom told me what to write.

219

That's how many posts I have done on this blog. How can that be? Do I really have that much to say? Yeesh! Aren't you sick of me yet?

Wherever you are, send out a big hip hip hooray for our dear friend and neighbor, Chris. He came to our rescue yesterday, helping Craig with a washing machine disaster. Saturday night, our washing machine decided it didn't want to work anymore. Craig pulled it away from the wall and checked what he could and then called Sears to find out what a service call would cost. After we guesstimated the cost we figured it would cost about $300. You can buy a new one for $500. So, lo and behold, we just happen to have another washing machine in the garage - yes, we are the Clampetts. When we moved here, the washer and dryer came with the house. When we sold our house, the washer and dryer didn't. So when we got here, we had an extra set and we put it in the garage. This summer we thought about selling it in our garage sale, but decided against it. Yeah for us!
Chris came yesterday afternoon and helped Craig pull the old washer out and deliver it to the garage and then bring the new washer in and get it set up. I am forever grateful. For had this been Craig and I, I would have put another hole in the wall, and dropped it on top of him at the bottom of the stairs. The only "disagreement" we had was when I forced them to open the washer before bringing it in and check for mice. eeewww! Craig relented (not too hard a sell) and checked it out for me. He informed me that he and dad had done just that this summer but I wasn't taking any chances.
So, now we have our old washer back and it is working just fine. Yah!
Does anyone remember watching the movie Remo Williams? I remember seeing it as a kid and thinking it was one of the best movies ever. I saw it at the video store and rented it. Let's just say that it was better as a kid. Adding to that, that when your children watch movies the likes of Transformers and Die Hard (gasp), Remo Williams doesn't hold up.

The boys finished their lessons yesterday and were totally bummed. They both passed and are ready to move onto the next level. They rode the chair lift for the first time and Kaedo was petrified. Sterling was jazzed! They did so great. No more Sundays at the ski hill. Boo.

Back to school today. They are counting down to March Break - although it is still 2 weeks away.

That's it -
have a good day,
later,
s

Sunday

So, am I sick of the blog? I don't know - after 100+ posts and a busy life I might just be. For now, until I decide, I will try and regale you with my wit and wisdom. Ha.
Sunday today. Last snowboard lesson. Sterling is so bummed. He wants to get on the chair lift today (gasp). Kaedo loves it too, but I think he is holding back his talent so he doesn't have to go on the chairlift.
Bowling yesterday. Sterling did awesome and beat his average once again. He has started his own ritual and it seems to be working for him. He qualified for a tournament - Master Bantam - and it is in Coburg on Sunday, so we will be heading out there to cheer him on. Kaedo got back to TKD yesterday after a week hiatus. He loved it. Last night he was showing us a whole bunch of flips. I was scared silly as I remember once doing flips in the basement using only seat cushions and they pulled apart and I knocked the wind out of myself. I was sure I was going to die.
Movie night last night. We watched the classic Ghostbusters. It was good. The special effects were funny. It's amazing what the effects are like now.
Before that, the boys and I sat down and watched North by Northwest, with Cary Grant. It was great and the boys really enjoyed it.
What else?
Jessica and the brat are in Texas visiting mom and dad. They are all having a great time. Em is so sweet. I got the chance to talk to her on the phone a couple of weeks ago and she is just so darling. I hope to see her soon. I might just have to get myself out there this year.
Hoping to get the chance to scrapbook a bit today. Would really like to. It's been a while and I really feel like it, so I should take the opportunity.
Might have a games afternoon with the boys. If it is warm enough they may even pull out their bikes. There is tons of snow piled up but none on the streets or sidewalks. We'll see.
Well, that's it. Very boring, I know.
Sorry everyone,
talk later,
s

too much

going on right now. It's been a long few weeks. Will get back to blogging soon.
s

Diner Slang

Two cows, make them cry = two hamburgers with onions

Zeppelins in a fog = sausages and mashed potatoes

Shingle with a shimmy and a shake = buttered toast with jam

Blowout patches = pancakes

City juice = water

Customer will take a chance = hash

- Real Simple Magazine March 2008

just read this

on a (scrapbooking) blog I follow:

"I was reading on another blog that Utah has the highest percentage of antidepressant users in the country... discuss."

February 15, 2008 9:42 AM

"That's because Mormon's don't drink alcohol - they've got to get their fix somewhere."

Don't know why I thought that was funny but I did. Come to think of it, I still do.

I hate...

assholes
Ok, I've said it
it's out there
now everyone knows
I can't take it back
I won't take it back
so there (insert sticking tongue out here)
(and how the hell do people make those damn stick your tongue out icon things?? I could really use one right now)

Valentine's Day 2008

Lunch from H E double hockey sticks!
Boston Pizza. Heart shaped pizzas. Me and the boys. No school.
All was going well - aside from the fact that Sterling had a Social Studies re-test because he failed and it just happened to land on Valentine's Day. BUT, besides that the day was going well, aside from the fact that a father in law who shall remain nameless woke me up out of the best sleep I had had in a week. BUT, besides that, it was all going well...
UNTIL (dadadahhh)
we got to BP's. We get settled with everything and our server is great. We order some pizza bread for an appetizer as we are all starving. She brings our drinks, brings our apps and all is well. Not too long after, our delicious pizzas arrived. Kaedo asked for a refill, no problem. That is until the refilled glass fell out of her hand and sprayed both boys with ice cold root beer. The server was so shocked she didn't know what to do. She sort of just stood there willing it to not be happening. I got the boys up and into the aisle and brushed off the ice and tried to squeegee off the really wet parts. I took them to the bathroom to get them cleaned up then came back to a clean up in process. The boys sat down again and I worked on getting their coats dried off. Did I mention that they were sitting on their coats when all this occured. Ya, they were sitting on their coats when all this occured. Did I mention that Kaedo had a white t-shirt on? Ya, white. So we sit down to enjoy our pizza and all is going well until I bite into someone else's hair. I can use protein just like the next person but I draw the line at that. I asked the server to remove the pizza and I am sure she avoided our section for a good 5 minutes in the hope that her tip wasn't totally blown to bits.
Here's where it gets good.. Can it get any better, you may ask?
The manager came along and was concerned there were some problems - ya think? - she re-ordered another pizza for us to take with us and assured me she would "help us out with our bill". Let's re-cap - two soaking kids, 2 sets of sticky clothes, one ruined t-shirt, two popsicle ski jackets and human dental floss caught in my molars.
At the end of it all, she graciously informed me that they were taking 20% off my bill. "That should take care of it", she said.
Ya think?

grab a cup of coffee...

I'm baacckk! What a week. 6 days in Anaheim in a beautiful hotel, in beautiful weather with a very nice group of people, workin' my stinkin' ass off. The only thing missing was my family, a trip to Disneyland and the snow. Ok - maybe not the snow.
The show went well. Got the opportunity to see a lot of new faces and catch up with some "regulars". It is always nice to see people I have met at previous shows. This lets me know that they are still doing well and that their stores are keeping their heads above water. My projects were well received and I talked to 150 people a day sitting doing the projects.
I walked the show as well and came up with lots of ideas of things we could try doing and plan to spend the next few weeks getting my ideas on to paper, organizing them and getting them into the right hands.
Last year mom and dad met me at the show and we were able to stay together at a roach motel just down the way from Disneyland and had a wonderful time. This year wasn't the same. No mom and dad, no roach motel, no afternoon at Disney. Boo. In saying that, I got to know my co-workers a little better and got to TAR-JAY. Kaedo requested baggy pants so I was forced to go and look around. For 1.5 hous. It was a sacrifice, but what you won't do for your kids.
Tuesday night 10 of us went to dinner with a company we are licensing called Rouge do Garance. Their products are spectacular and I can't wait to get my hands on them. Beautiful. I will be madly creating the moment the paper falls in my hands. Anyway - two of the four spoke quite good english but the other 2 , not so much. I was lucky enough to sit with one of the designers who spoke very little english. She practiced her english on me and I got to practice my french on her. It was awesome. I love to speak french. I loved it! I don't think I embarassed myself too much.
Tuesday afternoon I was walking the show floor and stopped at a booth to see what was going on. As I was standing there, the woman sitting at the demostrator's table was signing her books. She looked up, saw my badge and said, "I love Sandylion, want a copy of my book?". She proceeded to autograph it and present me with her very own Bobblehead Doll. I kid you not. Totally hilarious. I brought it home so I could put it in my office. It actually looks like her only her boobs are bigger in real life. She was so sweet. It was great.
Our flight home was delayed yesterday and we ended up waiting on the tarmac until after 5. Our departure time had been 3. We got in to Toronto at 12:15am and I didn't get into the concourse until 12:50am. By the time we got home, got everyone into bed, and I relaxed, it was after 3 when I got to bed. I'm bagged but glad to be here.

I have more to write, but will end this post now.
We shall now return to our regularly scheduled programming.
talk later,
s

so I said I wouldn't

post again, that is.
It's 7:50 and everyone is still in bed (although I do think I hear someone getting out of bed). I've been up since about 4am, willing myself to go back to sleep for a couple of hours.
I woke up at 4 wondering how much snow had fallen and looked out the window just in time to see a van identical to ours driving down our street. Now any sane person would go downstairs and look out the window to make sure no one had stolen our van. I, however, did not. Why, you may ask? Because I am scared to go downstairs in the dark. I always worry someone is going to grab my leg as I am running back up the stairs. I need therapy. So anyway, at 7 I finally dragged my sorry ass out of bed and checked on the van. Still there. Thank god - I would have lost it right there and then. The scene would have been horrifying.

We had a "snowstorm" last night. Granted it was a lot of snow, and it is still sprinkling, but we don't have to call out the army or anything. Albertans are made of stronger stock. We'd be outside camping. In Ontario we have a snow day. Heaven forbid we have to drive slowly on the roads.

Have got pneumonia. How is that for a kick in the ass. Been sick for about 5 days. Went to the doctor on Tuesday night and he gave me the good news. He told me I shouldn't fly but I laugh in the face of danger and will be heading out to less snowy climates this afternoon. That is if the 401 hasn't been closed dus a 400 car pile up.

I have gotten everything done except for one project. I finished about 10:15 last night. Talk about cutting it close. The first contingent of staff left this morning at 7. I would have been screwed if that was me. 4am comes mighty quickly. In saying that, I was up, wasn't I?

Although mom and I talked about me not writing a list for Craig about activities, lunches, etc, I broke down and wrote one out. I feel better knowing that he knows who has to be picked up when and what they need in their lunches. Even after 6 months of the same schedule he still comes in the house some nights and says, "Where's Kaedo? TKD?". To which I have to reply, "No, tonight was tennis". Let me just say that I am so thankful for the husband I have. He is so awesome. He says that any dad would do what he does for me, but I know that isn't true. He has taken the time off to look after the boys, get them to their activities, get their homework done, feed them supper (see, they are better off with him), and just spend time with them. He's great. In a class by himself - probably pretty lonely.

Ok - that's it for now. Don't know if I'll be able to post on the road.
talk later,
s

that's it

Hello all -
Last post for a while. I am frantically trying to get prepared for my departure on Thursday and this will have to go on hold. I'm sure Craig will post on Saturday or Sunday with pictures of Kaeden's belt ceremony. I have my fingers crossed for him. I will be back about midnight on the 13th and, as always, will be spending the day with my boys on the 14th. It is the one day of the year I pull them out of school, and we get the chance to sleep in, watch movies, and go out for Heart Shaped Pizzas at Boston Pizza. We have a good time and isn't that what Valentine's Day is about? Spending time with the loves of your life. Craig isn't able to join us this year (boo) but we will be bringing home pizza for him. Thanks mom, for the memories of doing this with you.
Have caught the flu/cold and feel terrible but am in the zone so work is getting done.
Wish me luck on maybe getting to spend an afternoon at the Magic Kingdom. One can dream.

talk later
s

hmmm

sterling: mom, 40 is old

me: hmmm

sterling: GG is prehistoric

Sterling - 7 months old

Sunday news

Not as much to write about as yesterday. Had a good day - aside from the cold that Sterling gave me. Craig says I always get sick before I go away. hmmm
Snowboarding this afternoon and it went fairly well. Kaedo kicked it and was getting down the hill by himself. Sterling was really not feeling well and struggled to get through the lesson - poor kid. He slept all the way to the hill and dozed all the way home. I gave him the option to not board but he was determined. Have to give him that. Hopefully next week will go better. Got home around 3 and called Craig to see if he wanted to meet us at the new Wal-Mart Superstore. Talk about Superstore. Bought all our groceries and the kids got to check out the toy section and electronics. It was good. Now we are home and the boys are in the shower. We had a great supper tonight. The boys had chocolate/strawberry ripple icecream, Craig had a bowl of cereal and a chicken sandwich and I had granola and french bread. AAAAHHHH, the supper of champions.
Craig's team won the Snowbowl and he is not bleeding anywhere I can see. He isn't limping or using Tiger Balm, so that's a good sign.
The boys will be in bed in about 20 minutes - 7pm. They have stayed up very late this weekend and Sterling needs to be asleep by 7:05.
Tennis tomorrow, if he feels up to it, and American Gladiator. Woohoo.
talk later,
s

Say what?

Saturday. Where has the week gone? Sterling has been sick this week and is starting to feel better. He missed half a day of school and came home without going to Spanish one day. He is on the mend but the bugger gave it to me (that will teach me for kissing him). Let's just say that right now the last thing I need is a cold/flu/whatever.
Yesterday was PA Day. Maybe the teachers in the audience can explain to me why teachers have to go back to school once a month. As far as I can see our teachers are doing a good job and it throws off my week having them home an extra day. Someone change this.
So, they were home yesterday. As was Craig. It was a full house. Craig was working so I always feel the need to get out of the house so that I don't bother him. He's either on the phone or thinking so hard the top of his head is steaming. The boys and I went out and had a good time together. Scholar's Choice, Chapters, the mall. It was fun. I haven't been to the mall in months. I am not a mall walker. Remember when you were a kid and you used to go to the mall on Saturday afternoon for a "playdate" with your friends? Giggling at all the way too old cute guys that were on their own "playdates". Aaahhh, those were the days. Now all you see is girls with too much makeup and hooker heels and guys with jeans so low they must be taped to their balls because there is no way on earth they are staying up any other way. They are all hanging out in a gaggle, saying things like, "what's up dude? bitchin', check out the rack on that one" Anyway, boy do I feel old going to the mall. So old I could hear my bones creak and my eyesight go a little dim. I did see a kid rubbing his girlfriend's ass. At least I hope it was his girlfriend and not some stranger. I just a sinking feeling that in 5 years Sterling may be doing the same thing. I am now starting the brainwashing so that he does not want to hang out in malls and will never grope a girl's ass. I'll keep you posted.
We had a snowstorm yesterday. Ontarians are a bunch of pussys. My neighbor is out shoveling and says to me, "I can't remember the last time we had this kind of winter. I'm sick of it". So I'm thinking, "what Winter?" I doesn't seem to me that it has been that bad. It has been cold the last few weeks, but not -50 like those of you on the Tundra. I have shoveled about 4 times and it has been good exerices. I actually hope for snow as it is the only good exercise I get. The boys and I were out yesterday and people were saying, "how good of you to brave the weather". Whatever. In Ontario, within hours of the snowfall, all the streets are plowed. When I say all, I mean all. Not just the major intersections. I remember having our car stuck in the street outside of our house one year in Airdrie. I think the snow on the grass melted and there was still snow on the street. Now the only downside of this is that just after you have finished with your beautiful shoveling, the plow comes through and gives you a 3 foot snowbank at the base of your driveway. Got another few inches last night. Was up early to take Kaedo to get his haircut and the hairdresser said, "you made it OK". Makes me smile.
Sterling bowled this morning and did awesome. 103, 108, 97. I think this was his best triple yet. It was Beat My Average day and he totally kicked it. His average is 81. He did great. Kaedo went to TKD and did fantastic. Only one week to grading. He is so excited and I am so bummed that I won't be there. He is practicing his pattern everyday and feels confident he will do well. This is a big step. We are so proud.
Snowboarding tomorrow. I'm taking them by myself. Have to get out the GPS (thanks Ken) so I get there. Craig is going to the Snowbowl. A bunch of 20-50 something men wearing tights and shorts, chasing a football on the frozen ground covered by a foot of snow. He can barely wait. I told him we weren't watching the Super Bowl tomorrow. At least not until the kids went to bed. He says they are going at 7.
Well, I have so many pictures to add but don't want to upload my camera, so it will have to wait until next time.
Have a great weekend,
s

***please disregard spelling errors. The spell checker isn't working and I've read this over until my eyes have bled, so I might be missing something. Don't correct me or I might have to kick your ass. This means you - Craig.