EARLY EASTER

Do I need to say any more?  I don't know what you think, but I like my Easter in April.  It some how feels closer to warmer weather, beginning of the gardening season and the outdoors!

It was so busy this past Friday at the restaurant!  I think people are just sick of being stuck inside!  The first glimpse of warmth and sunshine drove everyone outdoors to enjoy the fresh air!  I know we live in Canada, but come on!!!  As a kid, I remember warm weather for March break, packing away the boots and winter coats and bringing out the shorts/t-shirts.  These days ... you're lucky if you can put it ALL away by MAY!

And how do they figure out when Easter comes?  They should just keep it in April????  Hey kids, let's do the Easter egg hunt?  It makes it very interesting when they have to get out the shovel and start digging through the snow to find those magically eggs!  At least they won't melt!

One other thing is I like going out for walks.  You have that big Easter dinner and everyone gets outside to enjoy a leisurely walk to burn off dinner and chit chat some more ...  Oh no, not this year!  Come everyone ... lets go sledding!

Happy Easter everyone!

February 25th, 2008

OSCARS

I'm so out of it!  I tried watching the Oscar's last night and found that it was so boring.  First of all, I don't even know half the movies and secondly ... who the h@@@ are even the actors in those movies. No wonder it wasn't very interesting!

When I was younger, I used to go the movie theater and catch an odd flick.  Then my first son was born, so I moved from the theater to the living room ... visiting the movie rental place quite often.  Number two son came along and the movie rentals became animated flicks to keep my first son occupied while I take care of the second one.  By the time my third son was born, I was so tired of paying movie rental late fees for movies that I didn't even get a chance to watch that I decided to subscribe the satellite dish family package ...  don't even have to step a foot out the door. 

It's amazing how life changes so quickly.  Hence the reason why I have no clue what movies are out there and who's acting in them. 

And a third reason the Oscar's are so boring is the acceptance speeches!  WHY? ... I don't know what the movie is all about AND who is acting in the movie AND now to have to listen to someone babble about nothing ... wow!  Announce the winner, have them grab the Oscar and move to the next category!

All said and done ... I still each year watch the Oscar's!

SNOW DAYS

Okay, what's going on with the schools!  I understand that when it's icy, sleety, snowy to cancel school makes sense.  But when it's a bit windy out???  Come on!!

I'm in a position that I can re-arrange my schedule to accomodate when my kids have to stay home from school.  I have an office in my home, so I'm able to work away while the kids are fighting, eating & screaming in the background.  How about those parents that don't have that same flexibility?  What about if you do stay at home ... do you then get behind in work, so you have to work overtime to catch up? ... do you lose a day of pay and you have to make it up? .... Or if you do head into work, do you have to bribe your mom or sibling or friend to take the kids for the day?  However you handle it ... snow days can be a pain in the @@@! 

So why don't they just call February 18th Snow Day instead of Family Day

Be safe ....

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY

Well, it came and went ... so quickly this time.  Don't you find as you get older, these birthday's keep coming faster and faster!  It was just yesterday, I was celebrating my 29th (give or take a few years)!

I don't know what you think, but January birthdays can be lonely!  It's not like my son's birthday which is in the month of July ... family and friends drop by for a BBQ to celebrate a warm day, good food, cold drinks and of course eat some cake.  But in January, you're lucky to get a phone call ... the phone is in the other room and that means you have to get up out from the warm blankets. 

Plus, it's just right after Christmas!  People are frustrated with their credit card statements, the few extra pounds that they've put on, the decorations that are still sitting out and have to be put away and of course, the bitter COLD, COLD, COLD weather!!!

But I know for sure, waking up in the morning and having your family give you BIG hugs and kisses is well worth being another year older, heavier, broke, lazy and COLD!

Christmas Parties

Oh Christmas tree... oh Christmas tree ... I'm not much of a singer, but ... boy can I dance! 

Do you have a work Christmas party coming up?  Are you thinking of going or making up an excuse so you don't have to be there!  Well, we all have, one time or another, had to attend a work gathering ... deal with company gossip, the drunk, the flirt, the bad dancer, the talker, and the list goes on and on.

Many people spend over 1,800 hours per year at some sort of job working away.  That's a ton of time!  So, why do people get upset at us when we don't feel like spending anymore time than we already have with our co-workers, like for instance ... the company Christmas party?

So ... what are you going to do?  Here's a suggestion ... don't be a party pooper and just go.  Just set a time limit and stick to it.  The party starts at 7pm - be on time!  Say your hello to the gossiper (so they can vouch that you were there).  Make sure the drunk has a ride home.  Stay away from the flirt.  Just dance with the bad dancer, so that you look good.  Interrupt the talker by accepting a phone call from the babysitter.  And start heading towards the door by rumbling...  "I got to go my kid just threw up on your new couch!"  It's 8:30 now and you're on your way home!  Wow ... you did it!

Merry Christmas!

July 21, 2007

SUM, SUM, SUMMERTIME ...

Summer time ... what a great time?!?!  Sun is out, temperatures are high, BBQ is smoking, times are GREAT!

Well, do you have kids?  Well, this time can be fun or crazy.  Mine tends to bounce back and forth!  And believe me, I love summer and hate it at the same time.

Everything is in the relax mode, and that includes wake-up times, lunches, dinners, bed time, etc....  Some days, I don't even know what day it is.  But I know for sure that it's "I don't have to do anything day" for my kids!

Don't get me wrong, I love them dearly!  But when I still have to wake up at the crack of dawn and head into work - the relax mode can be irritating. 

Just remember, it goes by so quick that we'll be complaining about the cold weather and can't wait till SUM, SUM, SUMMERTIME!

Keep having fun!

June 17th, 2007

WHERE'S THE TIME GONE???

Yes, I've been asleep at the wheel.  Sometimes it's just hard to fit everything into one day!  Updating the website, typing up a blog, moving things here and there!

FORGET all of that, what I'm trying to say is ... HUGE ~18 Families Garage Sale on June 23rd at St. George Arena!  All proceeds go to the St. George PeeWee European Hockey Team!  Yes, I said European!  There's a young group of boys from St. George Community heading to Czech Replublic December 2007 to play hockey!  That sounds so exciting!

So, if you have time and looking for that special something ... drop by St. George Arena and check out the deals!

Cheers!

May 21st, 2007

BANG OF A TIME!

Good old fireworks!

It's that time of year, when you decide to celebrate Victoria Day with a little bang.  You start off by just picking up a couple of fireworks, but find out that you're going to have quite the crowd!  So, a few become a show of a lifetime!

Come on ... you don't want to look cheap!  So, you drive back to the fireworks outlet in town to pick up just a few more!  I run back into the store and describe to the "so called" experts that I'm looking for show stoppers kind of fireworks!  I tell them that a bunch of people are coming on over and I want them to leave saying WOW!  I pick this and that ... mummy's curse, piranha, etc.

You wait all day long and the weather throws a curve ball into your plans ... it starts to rain!  We decide that the show must go on!  Sitting on lawn chairs in the rain, we stare into the sky with rain drops falling into our eyes to see wonderful colours and hear loud noises.  Don't you love it!

When I was in school, we were taught that there were FOUR seasons to each year ... hasn't that changed!

It's quite the habit, we all talk about the weather.  We can't help ourselves!  But how can we NOT!  Don't you remember experiencing four different seasons that gradually flowed from one to the other.  Not anymore!  I think we're down to only TWO, that is WINTER and SUMMER!

Us Canadians, we are so anxious to get outside after a long winter with one little glimmer of sunshine and above freezing temperatures out we go showing off our tanless bodies!  I have to be honest, I'm one of those people ... I dive into those summer clothes and enjoy the rays!  Okay ... the people who know me, I'm not the summer clothing type and basking in the sun is not quite me.  But what I'm actually thinking is ...  wow I put on a few pounds and now I got to show if off!

So I have moved from weather to weight which both drive me crazy ... I don't know about you?  Enjoy our so-called spring!

P.S.  Our patio is always ready for you whether you are or not!  Cheers!

HOCKEY!

Does anyone in your household play hockey?  Well, I'm out numbered ... 5 in our family and 4 out of 5 play hockey.  You probably can guess how I feel about the sport?!?!?

Well, anyways ... I'm so excited that the season is coming to an end!  I try not to show my overwhelming joy in front of the other 4 members of my family, but between you and me (I'm soooooo happpppppy!) 

Think about it?  The cold, damp, and winter days are behind you; remembering to sharpen those skates and making sure you have all the equipment together (especially when you're playing out of town); countless amounts of money you spend at the concession stands; etc, etc, etc .....  Don't get me wrong, I love the game!  But like with everything ... in moderation!

So, you think ... I'm going to be sitting at home relaxing on the patio?  Think again!  Unfortunately, I move from arena's to soccer and baseball fields!  I know that I sound like I'm complaining, but really deep down inside - I LOVE IT!

Cheers!

P.S. When I don't have time to cook supper, I just do take-out at CALLAHAN'S!

MARCH BREAK

Okay ... I'm back!  Don't you love March Break?  Now, for the name "break" ... where does that name come from?  My kids off for a whole week plus that lovely P.D. day does not equal "break" in my books (or at least not for me)?!?!
I don't know if this happens in your household, but isn't it amazing how kids have no problem waking up at the crack of dawn during vacation time!  I just want to be able to sleep in and relax, leisurely have a cup a coffee, actually read the newspaper and stare into outer space.  However, my associates (my lovely children) have a different plan.  I think they didn't get the memo or email with the subject line March "BREAK"!

Oh yah, I did learn one thing on this family bonding trip ... it revolved around the word "TONE".  What do I mean?  Simple, stop yelling and start talking.  I found that when I talked more and yelled less, the kids actually heard more than a couple words.  We went from a three ring circus to a day at the beach ... literally.  So, what I'm trying to say is TONE it down!  "GET IT!"  Or should I be saying, "Get it, please."