Rest In Peace

Today my mother-in-law's mom died. She, of course, was Craig's gramma. After a recent fall, she passed away.

We were at the beach today when Craig got the call. When I saw his face I knew what had happened. I hurt for him. I also hurt for Shirley, who was always a wonderful daughter. In the 19 years I have known her, she has always put her relationship with her mother at the forefront of her life. Gramma was very lucky to have her.

Shirley, I love you and am thinking of you today as you go through this terrible loss.

Tag Team

Mother's Day 2005

Kaedo and I decided this week that we would have a tag team match of questions. 

This week it is all about the BEST!

Here goes:

Best Movie We've Seen this Year: Shannon - 2 GUNS, Kaedo - Elysium

Best Feature: Shannon - Hair, Kaedo - Dimples (True dat!)

Best Thing That's Happened This Week: Shannon - Googly Eyes, Kaedo - Date with mom and dad

Best Show on TV: Shannon - Sherlock, Kaedo - Big Bang Theory

Best Part of Summer (besides kids coming home): Shannon - our "new" house, Kaedo - Summer Experience

Best Meal: Both - Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Best Drink: Shannon - Diet Coke (DUH), Kaedo - Sprite

Best Thing about Being Together: Shannon - hearing Kaedo's laugh, Kaedo - catching up

Best Time of Day: Shannon - 9am, Kaedo - 2pm (we don't know why)

Best House Renovation: Shannon - White Walls, Kaedo - Modernness

Best Once in a While Treat: Both: Deep Fried Cheesecake - YUM!

Best Book Series: Shannon - Nora Roberts The Quartet (on CD), Kaedo - GI JOE Special Mission Comics from the 1980s

Best Pastime: Thrifting - Both

Best Car: Shannon - VW Bus, Carmanghia, Kaedo: Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, Nissan 370Z

Googly Eyes

My husband is the first to say that he is not very romantic. That's pretty true. He's not into romance. Thankfully he shows me every day how much he loves me.

Monday he got especially creative and did the following:

He put Googly Eyes on my Playbook. He also put them on our gnome, my iPod and would have put them on my phone if it hadn't been in my pocket.

For anyone who doesn't know, I LOVE Googly Eyes. Even the name is cool! When I picked up my Playbook to go to use it, I burst out laughing. When I asked if this was his handiwork, he sheepishly admitted it was. He couldn't have done anything more romantic for me.

Needless to say when I got into bed and went to turn on my iPod I almost peed my pants.

I have now permanently affixed the googlies (best word ever) to my Playbook. This way everytime I pick it up I'll think of the crazy guy that snuck around putting googly eyes on everything just to make his wife smile.

I must admit though - the ones on the gnome are a bit creepy.

Fore!

Today we headed off to our local golf course - slash - apple orchard, and we had a wonderful time. The kids loved it, although Kaedo does not like to be told how to golf. He will "learn just fine on my own, thanks"! Sterling was up for some lessons from Craig and while it was very warm, the sun was not shining so that was a blessing. Our scores were abysmal and I decided I hate it when men spend 10 minutes searching for a lost ball. You lost it, get over it, move on. Geesh! Had to put a stop to that around hole 5 or it would have taken us 5 hours to play a par 3.

After golf we headed home so Sterling could shower as he had a hang out date with an old friend N. They hadn't hung out since March break so I was glad to hear upon pick up that it was a lot of fun. They hung out at N's house for a couple of hours then went to the movies.

We had lunch with Kaedo and then went to the thrift shops. I am looking for a record player (no luck yet), however, am feeling hopeful, so I bought 7 records for $7 today. One of the records (Craig found), had my favorite song from when I was a kid - 'Shannon'. How could I not have bought it? Kaedo and I spent the afternoon on Kiji.ji searching but no luck so far.

Tomorrow we are off to the gym in the morning for a class that kicks our asses then I have an appointment in the afternoon. Guy Time!

Week 48

Ok - here we are - one month out from the end of year 4. Are we doing year 5? Well, we've got the gnome. The kids want to, so I guess the answer is YES! Our Roughrider gnome lasted almost 48 weeks without being damaged, but 'someone' broke his hand over the weekend. No one is taking the blame so we figure that due to the big Riders win over the weekend, our gnome got drunk and broke his hand. Bad gnome.

Ketchup

Let me start this by saying that Ketchup is a kick ass dog. Thanks to the wonderful training he had in the first weeks of his life, he has never been any trouble for us. Even those non-dog-lovers who visit can handle him.

This Summer we have noticed some big changes with him. He is more sad, has a hard time going up and down the stairs, wasn't hardly eating and now is eating tons. He was aggressive towards the boys on two occasions since they have returned home and he is peeing in the house (which is something he never does).

Craig did a bunch of research and we sat down with the boys and talked to them. It may be an onset of senility and age. They boys were upset and Kaedo was crying. God, I hate that. Poor kid. We talked about him dying and the aggression and how if he bit someone he would have to be put down. It was an awful but necessary conversation. We also told them that from now on Ketchup would sleep gated in kitchen.

Last night was our first night and it was awful. He cried and cried and cried. I hated it. We stuck to our guns though and left him in the kitchen.

This morning Craig and I went for breakfast and when we got back Ketchup was lying on the couch on a pillow he knows not to lay on. The funniest part was that he had pushed another one off the couch to get to the one he wanted! It was as if he was saying "you may take away where I lay my head at night but you can't take away my PILLOW!"

Happy 65th Shirley!

Today is my mother-in-law's birthday. The big 6-5! I don't normally do a post for a birthday but as it is her 65th, I thought I would do a little more than usual.

Shirley met me 19 years ago come December, as I brought Craig home for his Christmas break from University. There was snow on the ground and it was bloody cold, but there I was with my sandals and no socks. She welcomed me graciously and included me in the family activities for the days leading up to Christmas. I often wonder if she knew then that she was stuck with me.

Over the years she has lent support, a shoulder to cry on and a sounding board when necessary.

And while we broke her heart when we moved East (although let's face it, we were NEVER moving to Saskatchewan, ha), she seems to have forgiven us.

She is a wonderful mother and a fantastic gramma. No one can scratch backs quite like she can, I've been told. 

So Shirley, from Craig, the boys and I, Happy 65th you old fart! As your cronies would say "welcome to the club"!

We love you!

PS - the 'old fart' is Sterling's contribution

PSS - yes, I know she has two sons, and 4 grandsons but I love this picture and it's my blog. So there.

Me and My Guys

As you know, I virtually NEVER post pictures of myself on the blog, for obvious reasons. However, this day, I just wanted a picture of me and my guys and I am actually quite happy with this one.

We've been spending our mornings at the theater as the price is awesome if you go before noon. We went yesterday and this morning. Craig really missed out on today's show. It was fantastic. The.Mortal.Instruments. We all really loved it. I was the only one who wanted to see it but the boys like going to the movies so they decided to tag along. I was willing to go with or without them.

Craig has one more day of work and then some holidays. We've also learned this week that not only will mom and dad be here for Christmas, it is confirmed that Jessica and the girlies will be here too. Lots of noise, lots of fun and Craig will get mashed potatoes!

Hope you're having a good day!

What can I say?

This is my son, fishing. He got up before almost anyone else and was out there with his rod and reel. Kaedo has told me that he loved fishing so much he would do it every day if he could. He liked the peace and quiet and calm of the lake like this.

When you think of Kaedo you never think of someone who may need some 'calm' in his life. He always seems so chill.

Yesterday and today we have had friends over all day and for supper. Kaedo's friend is coming back for teen night on Friday and a sleepover. Sterling's friend is going to teen night but no sleepover as he is leaving for the Dominican at 3am on Saturday.

Tomorrow I get my beauties to myself so we are going to catch at 10:35am movie and spend the rest of the afternoon hanging out.

Love it!

week 47

They are home and awesome and we are happy to have them here with us. Will work on some posts with pictures this week. Did want to get this one posted though as we are a day behind.

It was a wonderful reunion and now we are just enjoying our time together. More to come...

Almost there - in more ways than one!

What a Summer! This has been a big one for us! First and foremost - my favorite people in the world are coming home on Sunday! Can you give me a big "Hell Ya!"? Usually I don't sleep the night before but I haven't slept well all week. I can't wait to see them.

Secondly, thanks to my awesome husband, we have transformed our main floor and we are loving it. It is streamlined and great. It is still a work in progress but we have many ideas. Craig has spent SOOOO many hours painting and we almost got to our goal of getting all accomplished. We didn't get one small portion to our office completed and quite frankly the guy is out of steam. The garage door still needs to be done, so I am saving his last bit of willingness for that. Truly, this wouldn't have happened if he hadn't picked up the 

brush and roller and did the painting. 

He is none to happy I am posting this photo but he is so damn cute, I had to. 

 

This gives you an idea of the big change in color. He painted the main floor - living room, dining room, bathroom, hall to upstairs, upstairs hall, Sterling's room, down the stairs all the way to the basement, and the entry as seen above. 

Once everything was dry, this was the first thing I put up. A coat rack gift from my dad, who made it himself, I might add. This has been hanging in our home since the month after we moved here, which will be 10 years in October. I can't believe it. 

Here are some sneak peeks at the color scheme we chose. Beautiful!

You'll have to come and visit to see what we did with these!

Sneak peek at year 5 gnomie????

Antique milk can from my Aunt. Perfect for the entry. Golf anyone? Umbrella?

Part of my scarf collection. No longer hanging around the newel post.  I know Craig is thrilled.

Our cream separator - all the way from Alberta! Thanks mom and dad. We've had it for years, but it has always been red and outside. No more!

Well, that's it for now. only 3 more WHOLE days before my babies (or should I say babes, based on how cute they are?) will be home. Can't wait.

Week 46

Week 46 and as you can tell, the living is good!

The boys are with their Anti and Uncle K and the Littles and are having such a wonderful time. As you can see they are being brainwashed Roughriders style! What a gorgeous backyard. So envious! Love it!

So, what have they been up to?

Lets see - fishing off the back of a boat, tubing, quading, geocashing, baseball, freeze tag, hockey, late show with Uncle K, Fringe festival..... the list goes on and on and its only Monday morning.

Today they are heading to Saskatoon for a movie, go-karting and other fun. They are never going to want to come home. K and T took some awesome pictures, which I plan to steal from them but will wait until they aren't so busy to beg for them.

Round 4

Today the boys leave for the last leg of their holidays.  They are heading to be with their Anti and Uncle and the Littles. To say they are excited is an understatement. They can't wait to hang out with them and get to know them better. I know K and T have so much planned for them and they will be absolutely shocked when they see the boys in person. The only thing the boys asked for was to take the Littles to see 'Planes'. Parental supervision of course (as neither of my guys have ever babysat and wouldn't want to leave the theater if one of the Littles had to go to the bathroom - ha).

They have had a wonderful time with gramma and grampa and I have talked to them quite a bit over the last few weeks. They have loved every minute of it, including the nightly back scratching that gramma has been doing since they were babies. Even at 14 and 15 they still suck her in. I can just see her visiting them when they are 40 and them asking for a back scratch.

I think there will be tears today. Who am I kidding? Gramma will be a faucet! I am only posting one picture today, as this is such a lovely one. The boys playing, not looking at the camera, just being kids. You don't see that too much with Sterling anymore and with Kaedo less and less. Thank you for this picture, Shirley. I really love it.

Did I mention my two favorite boys will be home in 8 days? I'm not counting today as it's half over and I'm not counting next Sunday as they'll be home before noon! Yay!

MORE PICTURES!

As promised and a day late. I am posting more pictures of the boys vacation with gramma and grampa.

You've heard of the 'Barefoot Countess'? (Some celebrity chef) - This is the Shirtless Shef

Baking a cherry pie from scratch. Craig was so jealous. He made Kaedo promise to make one when he came home! This is his favorite.

Now he has a shirt on and it's not Star Wars (which is another story for another day)

Games in gramma and grampa's backyard

Sterling helping with the Rollkuken (or 'bowl-puked-in' as the rest of us call it)

His favorite dessert and I won't make it. Once a year with gramma - that's all he gets

Searching for golf balls

Kaedo thrilled his ball flew almost as far as grampa

Wednesday already and the boys will be heading to see the 'Littles' on Friday. My how time flies. Craig talked to K last night and they have some wonderful things planned. The countdown is on for coming home and I am so excited. The end is near! Yay!

Anxiety

I was going to put more pictures up today, but that will wait for tomorrow. Today it's about anxiety. A word I truly hate but which envelops me and so many others every day. Small bouts, large bouts, to each his own.

We are dealing with anxiety in our household right now. It sucks but is life, right?

I'm looking at the house right now, the mess, the dust, the piles of stuff that need to be discarded, found a new home, washed, dusted, and all TODAY. At least that's how I'm feeling. My husband was amazing this weekend. He worked like a machine, making my dream of 'almost white' walls come true. In return, I told him I would get things back in shape today. I am overwhelmed looking at the mess. I don't know where to start. Anxiety.

I have such high hopes (and small budget) for how I want this house to look. I am overwhelmed with how to make it all come together. Craig's budget is 'free', mine is a little higher. Needless to say, everything will be a negotiation. Anxiety.

Craig was hoping to get all the painting done this weekend, but we fell short in getting the hall to the office and Sterling's room done. He is dismayed. He wanted it all done but I was adamant he not work until 9 last night. Now he will be working, at least on Sterling's room (because right now it is unlivable) next weekend. Anxiety.

Talked to the boys on the phone last night and Sterling's first question after his "hello jello, smello, yello" (standard greeting - love it), was had the bus company called to see if he got bussing privileges. When I said no, he was freaked out. Anxiety. Then he tells me that while gramma is awesome in making sure he takes his medicine, his Tourettes is "worse than ever". Anxiety.

Ketchup seems sick. We don't know what's wrong. He doesn't want to come down the stairs. Craig says he needs his paws clipped. He has started clicking his jaws. Kinda scary. I thought he was having a seizure. Craig says he isn't in any pain and is still eating, so we must not worry too much. However, he's the one who got on the computer first thing this morning trying to get some answers. Just another reason to add to the 1000's of why I love this man. Guess what? Could be anxiety. Poor guy. It's like having a baby that can't tell you what's wrong and doesn't cry either. I cried myself to sleep last night worrying about him. Anxiety.

Kaedo - no anxiety! Haha - love it! I know he sometimes has anxiety but we should take a lesson from him. He is mellow and calm and all things wonderful.

Anxiety is good and bad and unfortunately I tend to focus on the bad (read above). Much of the time you get funny tales of our adventures, but today you get this. Because this is where we are. I must just remember that our lives are so much better than many others, anxiety and all.

And my boys are coming home soon - no anxiety at all!

An apology, the weekly gnome and the highlight reel

To start with, I must send out an apology to my MIL for not doing a better job of keeping this blog up to date. Every night she sits down and send us a whole bunch of pictures chronicling the day along with all the details. As we have torn apart our house and my darling husband is sniffing paint fumes 12 hours a day for the last what seems like 3 years, I have not updated the blog. To be quite honest, I didn't know where the computer was until last night. So while I am in no way going to do her hard work justice, I am going to post a bunch of pictures today and another set tomorrow.

First off we need to get the gnome picture out of the way. Mom, can you spot him?

Next up, lets get to some of the great shots of this leg of their adventure. And can I just say that this time two weeks from now my guys will be home in their beds! Yay!

Always a highlight a gramma and grampa's house - the opportunity to build something in grampa's shop

Sterling the Apple hater seeming to enjoy playing on gramma's iPad. hmmmmm

Kaedo treated everyone to Starbucks - yum!

At the race track - the boys love going and we usually go every year here at home

They got the opportunity to go twice with G and G.

I'm surprised Kaedo doesn't sleep in his glasses

A bear hug - literally! Notice Sterling is wearing Craig's class ring? He loves it!

Kaedo making a cake with gramma - she has been baking with him which is so great as he wants to be a dessert chef so this is great practice. When he owns his own pastry shop he may have to brush his hair, or at least wear a hat!

Rhubarb muffins which were scarfed in about a day if I am not mistaken

Kaedo's cake - the finished product. Lookin' good. Cake looks good too!

Pickleball seems to be the key word on this leg of their vacation. The kids have played almost non-stop. Poor gramma and grampa will never want to play again!

Bocce Ball anyone?

The guys!

Horseshoes

Kaedo trying out for the National Ballet

3 Ringers for grampa

1 for gramma

Sterling wouldn't quit until he had 10

6 for Kaedo

An afternoon of golf and the obligatory shoe shot

Sand greens - kill me now

More Pickleball - apparently Kaedo has played so much and so hard, he has a hole in his shoe 

Guess we'll be shoe shopping before school starts

Mini golf - god to I hate mini golf

So as you can see, they are having so much FUN! I have some more great photos, but those will come tomorrow. Thank you Shirley for sending all these to me. I feel like I am there with you guys!